Posted by ajenkins on February 12, 2010 under Anglican Events | 
The story continues.
This post by the grace of the Rev’d Dr. Kendall Harmon.
1. There is currently a decision by South Carolina’s highest court which holds that the Dennis Canon is not self-executing (i.e., no trust was created on any parish property in South Carolina when it was enacted — if indeed it ever was — in 1979).
2. The Episcopal Church (USA) did not see fit to request a review of that decision by the United States Supreme Court. Instead, its Presiding Bishop and her chancellor have left that function to the dissident parish members who lost their claim in that case to be the true vestry of All Saints Waccamaw.
3. Notwithstanding its failure to seek review of the adverse South Carolina decision, the Episcopal Church (USA) is apparently asking the Diocese for proof that it intends to enforce the Dennis Canon against certain parishes in the event that they try to leave.
4. The unspoken threat — which has caused Bishop Lawrence to postpone his diocesan convention while he plans a response to ECUSA’s provocations — is that if Bishop Lawrence fails to sue any departing parish under the Dennis Canon, he could be charged with “abandonment” in the same manner as was Bishop Duncan.
If this is a correct representation of what is going on in South Carolina, then I have to say that it boggles the mind….
Read here very carefully
Posted by ajenkins on February 10, 2010 under Anglican Events, The Parish |
Bishop Mark Lawrence, our Bishop released this letter today
Full Text of Letter
Posted by ajenkins on February 4, 2010 under The Parish |
On Wednesday, February 17, 2010, we will enter into one of the most important seasons of the church year—the “40 days” of Lent. The word “Lent” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘lencten’ or spring, the time of year when the days begin to lengthen. Lent is one of the most important seasons of the church year because it is a time of penitence, an introspective period during which we take stock of our lives and our relationships to discover and change what we must to prepare for Easter and experience the spiritual renewal that comes when we engage in this type of activity of faith. So, during Lent we each follow the example of Jesus by sacrificing our own will to the purpose of God. We sacrifice, not to win God’s favor, but to gain the attention of our soul, our body, and our spirit. What will you sacrifice?
During this season one is encouraged to make a special effort in one’s piety and faith life. We often do this as we give up something or add some spiritual discipline. Often what one surrenders is a physical sacrifice, i.e., chocolate, smoking, sugar, over-indulgence of any sort and more. Also, I pray you have heard me invite you to give up something eternal, i.e., gossip, anger, blame, or retribution. You may remember that last year I committed to give up sarcasm. I failed terribly and at the same time I succeeded wonderfully. I fell into my default habit of sarcasm daily, but I was certainly made sensitive to it. Dear God, help!
The spiritual discipline of sacrifice or giving something up for Lent is useful and commendable. This year may I also encourage you to add something to your life, your daily routine for this season. I encourage you to add THE TRIANGLE, THE TRINITY OF LIFE. This year, just for a season to try it out, add the Trinitarian lifestyle, Jesus’ lifestyle of UP, IN, and OUT.
UP – LOVE GOD – BY WORSHIP & PRAYER
There are several opportunities to live UP with God. Sunday worship, daily prayer, prayer groups, and more are just a few of the ways to live in acknowledgement of God’s authority over your life. In addition to theses opportunities consider joining the group that will focus on “creative worship arts.” This will be a time for us to explore our creativity and discuss how we can worship God though our artistic gifts, and then practice them! Come all you who sew, knit, paint, draw, carve, photograph, scrapbook, etc. The first meeting will be used to decide an appropriate meeting time and what project(s) we will accomplish in this season of lent. Now this may even be fun. Joy.
IN – LOVE PEOPLE – BY FELLOWSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP and ACCOUNTABILITY
There also are several opportunities to live IN with fellow disciples. There are Sunday equipping groups, Home Life Groups,
OUT – BUILDING COMMUNITY – BY SOCIAL OUTREACH, EVANGELISM and MISSION
If God is nudging you to add on “reaching out” for your Easter preparation, then join this group. The OUT Group will form to find a place of love and service to our neighbors on Ferguson Road. We don’t have a project for you. We expect that as you join these folks and maybe the Bible Study that Amy Case and Paul Mitchell attend every Tuesday on Ferguson Road, that God will make it evident how Saint James may participate in their life and they in ours. There are lots of ideas. Come and add yours.
SHROVE TUESDAY or MARDI GRAS (Fat Tuesday)
Tuesday, February 16, is the final day before the Lenten fast. This day is variously recalled in the celebration of Carnival (“farewell to meat”) that is concluded on “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras, and in Shrove Tuesday’s pancakes (consuming the eggs, milk and fat not allowed during the fasting of Lent). “Shrove” Tuesday refers to the ancient practice of being “shriven” (confessing and receiving absolution) in order to begin and keep a holy Lent. Don’t miss the famous Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper offered by our Men’s Groups. It is terribly hedonistic and indulgent, a fine confrontation to the need of a simpler time such as Lent.
Posted by ajenkins on under Devotionals, Sermons and More |
First Sunday in Lent (February 21, 2010) James 1:9-15
The readings: James 1:13-18 will provide us with spiritual insight into desire, temptation, sin, and death. Don’t you want to get out of the rut?
Second Sunday in Lent (February 28, 2010) James 1:1-8
Continuing with the intersection of life and faith on this Sunday we will read about trials and suffering. Do you undergo trials? Do you suffer? Of course you do. These are inevitable for everyone, even Christians. This Sunday we will look at the benefits of facing trials and the power to do it. Don’t miss this.
Third Sunday in Lent (March 7, 2010) James 3:1-12
Taming the tongue. Can you imagine never saying anything critical? That’s not just not saying something critical about another person, but not saying anything critical about any THING. Wow! That means you won’t complain about the stop light at Camp and Folly Rd. The theme is: Self-mastery, only by faith. Okay, it’s time for the prayer again. Dear God, help!!
Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 14, 2010) James 3:13-18
By this Sunday we’ll be ready to deal with our relationships. Our theme this week: Wise Relationships. It will help us deal with the most difficult thing in life: other people.
Fifth Sunday in Lent (March 21, 2010) James 5:7-11
We conclude our five weeks of readings by looking at something everyone wants but no one wants to work at it: Patience. We will prepare for Easter by planting the seeds that bear spiritual fruit.
Palm Sunday (March 28, 2010) Luke 23:1-49
Our Lord’s Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper , the Trial and the Crucifixion will be our focus. Remember, there must be a death before there can be a resurrection.
Posted by ajenkins on under Anglican Events |
Repost from Virtue OnLine
WILL THE U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURN THE DENNIS CANON?
All Saints Pawleys Island case could liberate church property for the entire country
SPECIAL REPORT
By David W. Virtue in Greensboro, NC
www.virtueonline.org
January 29, 2010
If the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear the All Saints Pawleys property case, The Chancellor of All Saints Pawleys Island believes the Dennis Canon will be overturned freeing thousands of church properties from the clutches of The Episcopal Church (TEC) (as well as the Presbyterian and Methodist churches who have their own “Dennis Canons”).
Dr. Ross “Buddy” Lindsay, 59, a trust attorney and canon lawyer, told VOL in an interview that the recent SC Supreme Court decision in favor of All Saints Pawleys insures, once and for all, that neither TEC nor the Diocese of South Carolina have any claim to their property or to the property of any other Episcopal Churches in South Carolina.
Lindsay, a trust lawyer who also holds a master of laws degree (LLM) in canon law from Cardiff University Law School, studied under the distinguished Anglican Communion lawyer, Norman Doe, in Cardiff, Wales. Lindsay said that most church property cases take ten years to reach the Supreme Court.
Read more of this article »
