Church News Briefs
Diocesan Press Service. January 10, 1975 [75014]
WINTER PARK, Fla. -- The Rt. Rev. William H. Folwell, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida, recently spent a week visiting in the Diocese of Honduras and seeing the damage caused by Hurricane Fifi. The Diocese of Central Florida has contributed more than $22,000 and 40 tons of food, clothing, and medicines for relief work in Honduras since Fifi struck last September. The two dioceses have a companion relationship.
HOUSTON, Tex. -- The Rev. Graham Pulkingham, leader of the Community of Celebration, Wargrave, Berkshire, resigned on December 15 as rector of the Church of the Redeemer, Houston, a post he has held throughout his world-wide charismatic ministry since 1963. The Bishop of Argyll and the Isles has appointed Mr. Pulkingham Provost of the Isle of Cumbrae, with his installation expected to take place on March 7. The provision of a resident priest and chaplain at Cumbrae will enable him also to continue at Wargrave and with his wider charismatic ministry.
SALINA, Kan. -- Parishes looking for interesting programs for church organizations may borrow a 21-minute motion-picture film depicting the work of the St. Francis Homes for Boys and Girls in Kansas and New York by writing to Box 1348, Salina, Kan. 67401. The only cost is the return postage. The film is a professionally-made documentary. Filmed on location at the Homes, its single purpose is bringing the viewer an inside picture of the life and work of this Christian rehabilitation center, according to Kenneth Yates, assistant director.
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- "A Gathering of One," a dramatic portrait of the controversial 18th century theologian and metaphysician Jonathan Edwards, will be presented as a National Council of Churches program, Sunday, Feb. 16 (3-4 p.m. Eastern Time, in color) , on the NBC Television Network. The play, produced for the Broadcasting & Film Commission of the NCC by the NBC Television Religious Programs Unit, centers on the climactic moment in Edwards' life when, as pastor of his church in Northhampton, Mass., in 1750, his congregation votes to expel him from his pulpit. The charge: his requirements of a committed Christian were too embracing, requiring that each moment of a Christian's life be a reflection of his commitment, rather than simple attendance at church services.
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The ordination of 11 women deacons to the Episcopal priesthood in July was the top religion news story of 1974, according to the Religion Newswriters Association. The women's ordinations, later declared invalid by the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops, was selected as the top story by approximately 50 percent of the 65 persons who voted. (Both The Christian Century and Christianity Today, ecumenical magazines, selected the same story as the major one for 1974.) In the RNA survey, in second place was the dissension in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and in third place was Watergate and the impact of the political scandal on religious leaders and institutions. The world food crisis placed fourth followed by "The Exorcist " phenomenon. Completing the top 10 stories were: the textbook controversy in West Virginia; the Lausanne congress on evangelism; expanding evangelical interest in social concerns; the persistence of the charismatic movement; and the role of church leaders with regard to "repressive " regimes in South Korea, the Philippines, Brazil, Chile and South Africa. The RNA is made up of religion writers or editors for secular newspapers, news magazines and news services.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Three new corps of consultant -trainers now being developed in North and South Carolina will be ready to offer service to local congregations in that area beginning March 15. Corps members are prepared to offer Christian education consultant service in many areas, such as age-level specialization, conflict resolution in church settings, and overall education concerns. On the basis of the experience of these three teams, similar projects can be developed in other parts of the country. This is a project of Joint Educational Development representing nine denominations, including the Episcopal Church.