News Briefs
Episcopal News Service. December 13, 2001 [2001-352]
Episcopal Parish Services moves online with new signs
(ENS) For the past 55 years, Episcopal congregations across the nation have posted the familiar red, white and blue "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" signs. This year, for the first time, congregations have new choices in signs and a new way to order them and other products from Episcopal Parish Services (EPS).
Beginning December 12, congregations and individuals can order EPS products on-line using a credit card or a church EPS account, by going to the Episcopal Parish Services website. They can also call Episcopal Parish Services at (800) 903-5544 to request a brochure and order form, or use the forms in the center of the EPS catalog to place orders.
Congregations now have a choice of a new church sign design with new words, a new design with the traditional words, and the traditional words and design. They can also order a small additional information sign that attaches to the main sign, reading "Member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion."
Images of sample signs and detailed instructions located online will help the viewer select a sign and place the church name and other information on the sign. A preview section allows the viewer to see how the words entered will appear on the finished sign. The sign can then be purchased on the site's secure server, using a credit card and/or the church's EPS account number.
The signs come in standard sizes: large (24" x 30"), a small additional information sign (8" x 24") and an Anglican Communion sign (8" x 24"). All are constructed of porcelain glass fused to 18-gauge steel, made to last for three decades. The "additional information" sign can be attached to the main sign to give times of services or other information, and the Anglican Communion sign can be attached below it. A specially designed scroll type bracket of rigid construction can be purchased to hang the sign.
"I think people will find the site inviting and easy to use," remarked Dan England, director of communication for the Episcopal Church. "I'm especially excited about the possibility that the new signs ordered online will soon be going up around the country. Of course, we're always looking for ways to improve service and we really want feedback on this."
University of the South awarded $1.9 million foundation grant
(ENS) The University of the South is one of 28 colleges and universities in the country to receive a $1 million-plus grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc., to create or enhance programs that enable young people to draw upon the resources of religious wisdom as they think through their vocational choices and to consider the ministry as a profession they might pursue.
The university, owned by the dioceses of Province IV of the Episcopal Church, received $1.98 million to attract young people to the ordained ministry, to provide more students with hands-on experience in religious- and service-based vocations through internships and outreach opportunities, and to support curricular and co-curricular efforts to help students explore values and vocations in collaborative programs involving the University Chapel, academic departments, the School of Theology, and Career Services.
"With the Lilly Endowment's support, Sewanee can build a strong and enduring program to help young adults carefully consider their values and how they can best live out those values in their lives and chosen professions," said Dr. Joel Cunningham, president of the University of the South.
Craig Dykstra, vice president for religion at the Indianapolis-based foundation, said: "These exciting grants directly address one of the major themes of the Endowment's grantmaking in religion, and that is to help identify, recruit, call and nurture into Christian ministry a new generation of talented pastors."
A recent issue of Congregations magazine shows the percentage of clergy 35 years old and under is at just 4 percent in the Episcopal Church.
Totaling $55.3 million, the 2001 grants will fund programs affecting students, faculty and staff at all the schools of the University of the South. Schools have planned activities such as student retreats, enhancing worship on campus, changing career-planning services, curricular changes, lecture series and conferences, special courses, semesters of study in seminaries and divinity schools, internships in congregations and faith-based organizations, and mentoring projects.
"It is clear that these schools thought through their missions and strengths and that they were very intentional in devising these proposals," Dykstra said. "The caliber of proposals was outstanding, and it is obvious that all these schools thought seriously and productively about how to encourage young people to consider questions of faith and commitment as they choose their careers."
Founded in 1937, the Lilly Endowment is a private family foundation that supports causes of religion, community development and education.
Future of Christian Coalition in doubt with Robertson's resignation
(ENI) The resignation of the Rev. Pat Robertson as president of the conservative Christian Coalition has led to doubts about the organization's future. The coalition has been losing influence in recent years, its membership has dropped and its financial resources diminishing, critics point out.
"The Christian Coalition has been a sinking ship for several years and now the captain has jumped overboard," said the Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. "Without Robertson's money and political cloud, it's only a matter of time before the organization collapses outright."
"The religious right in this nation is much bigger than any one person," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, executive director of the Interfaith Alliance, formed in 1994 to counter the religious right. He argued that critics of the coalition must contend with "a broad-based movement that has power centres in the US government itself. I think he feels there is an Administration in place and at least one branch of Congress in place that carry his agenda."
In the December 5 announcement of Robertson's resignation of the group he founded in 1989, the influential religious broadcaster and one-time Republican presidential candidate said he wanted to devote more time to ministry, to spirituality and to the Christian Broadcasting Network. He said that he wanted to focus on the things that would "bring forth the greatest spiritual benefit."
Robertson's successor, Roberta Combs, said that his vision to give US Christians "a seat at the table was the inspiration for millions who are now in their communities actively defending America's Godly heritage."