Episcopal Press and News
Diocesan Digest
Episcopal News Service. August 18, 2005 [081805-2-A]
* MISSISSIPPI: Vestments tie-dyed for “The Tent Meeting”
* SEATTLE: Weekly names St. Mark’s Cathedral "Best Place of Worship in Seattle"
* LOS ANGELES: Interfaith panel to explore role of religion in global crises
* LOS ANGELES: Court issues ruling on Newport Beach church property case
* JERUSALEM: Dinsmore opens development office in California
MISSISSIPPI: Vestments tie-dyed for “The Tent Meeting”
[Source: Diocese of Mississippi] The Diocese of Mississippi is gearing up for a “Tent Meeting,” Saturday, August 20 from10 a.m.-.4 p.m. at Gray Center in Madison County. This event has baptism as its central theme, and vestments to be used in the service were tie-dyed in the same batch as the 120 shirts for the "Water Bearers.”
The purpose of the gathering is to worship, celebrate, and learn more about becoming “One Church in Mission.”
The day will include music with special guests Dr. Horace Boyer and Fran McKendree, and a characterization of invitation, transformation, and reconciliation with John Maxwell. On Friday night, there is a special concert, open to all, featuring McKendree, Boyer, the Mt. Carmel M.B. Choir and musicians Patrick Sanders, Emily Maples, C.J. Meaders and Walton Jones. On Saturday, worship begins with the Liturgy of the Word, Bishop's Vision and baptism.
Tickets are $15 per person (regardless of age; families of four or more will not pay more than $60.) For full information visit http://www.thetentmeeting.dioms.org/.
SEATTLE: Weekly names St. Mark’s Cathedral “Best Place of Worship in Seattle”
[Source: Diocese of Olympia] In the August 3-9 edition of Seattle Weekly's Best of Seattle 2005, readers voted Saint Mark's Cathedral as the "Best Place of Worship in Seattle." "Saint Mark's Cathedral, massive and cool, is the perfect place for soul-searching-or listening to gorgeous Gregorian chant on Sunday nights..."
In the Turf: Urban Living section, nestled between Alki Beach (Best Beach) and Broadway's Red Light (Best Vintage Shop) Saint Mark's joined other illustrious award winners from their community:
* Best Voice of Humanitarianism, Margaret Larson (Saint Mark's Celebrates Seattle Emcee);
* Best Local Philanthropists, Bill and Paula Clapp (Active Members);
* Best Inexplicable Museum Transformation, Frye Art Museum (Key Staff Midge Bowman, Ron Cook, Mary Coon);
* Best Lobbyist, Randy Revelle (Senior Warden '97-'98);
* Best Local Politician, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott (Active Member);
* Best Local Cause, Ending Homelessness (Committee to End Homelessness, The Very Rev. Robert V. Taylor Chair and Founding Member)
The full list of Seattle's Best can be found at:
http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0531/050803_bestof_turf_readers.php
LOS ANGELES: Interfaith panel to explore role of religion in global crises
[Source: Diocese of Los Angeles] "Global Crises & Religion: Are We Part of the Problem, or Part of the Solution?" is the title of an interfaith panel discussion to be held at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul on Sunday, October 2, 3-6 p.m.
The discussion seeks to answer: How do we as a community of faithful people view the meaning of life and death, the causes of suffering, our attitudes toward the alleviation of suffering, and our meaningful and helpful response to the next crises, human-made or natural disaster?
Panelists include Dr. Muzamil Siddiqi, Islamic Society of Orange County; Nirinjan Singh Khalsa, Sikh Dharma; Venerable Bhante Chao Chu, World Buddhist Sangha Council; Pravrajika Saradeshrana, the Hindu Vedanta Society; Rabbi Bernie King, Temple Shir HaMaalot; and Nora Gallagher, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.
The event is sponsored by the Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. For information email the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord at DrGGuibord@aol.com.
LOS ANGELES: Court issues ruling on Newport Beach church property case
[Source: Diocese of Los Angeles] Citing a unique statute not available in many states, the Superior Court in Orange County issued a ruling August 15 that an effort by the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles to preserve property claimed by the seceding congregation of St. James’ Church, Newport Beach, was an attempt to impede the congregation’s freedom of speech.
The matter will immediately be appealed.
The national Church and the diocese had filed suit against the congregations of St. James’ Church, All Saints’ Church in Long Beach and St. David’s Church in North Hollywood, all of which announced in August, 2004, that they were separating from the Diocese of Los Angeles and aligning with the Anglican Diocese of Luweero, Uganda. The ruling affects only St. James’ Church.
“Although we are disappointed in the court’s conclusion, this is simply an initial step in a long process,” said John R. Shiner, chancellor of the diocese and its lead attorney in the property matter. “We believe the court’s order was clearly in error, and indeed takes the law to a new level not supported by precedent. We are entitled, under these unique circumstances, to an immediate appeal, which we intend to vigorously pursue.
“We are confident on appeal that the court will correct this error and instruct the parties on how to proceed with the balance of the case,” Shiner said.
Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles concurred. “Along with the national Church, we have committed ourselves to these proceedings,” he said, “to ensure compliance with our canons and to preserve property rightfully belonging to the national Church and the diocese.
“As anyone familiar with the circumstances understands, this is not an issue concerning freedom of speech, but simply one that addresses who is the rightful owner of the property in question,” said Bruno. “We have never disputed that members of the departing congregations are free to worship how they wish, and with whom.”
JERUSALEM: Dinsmore opens development office in California
[ENS: Diocese of Jerusalem] Nancy Dinsmore, former development officer for the Diocese of Jerusalem, recently opened the Development Office for North America of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Dinsmore left the Holy Land in May and has settled in Northern California, near San Francisco. She said her latest endeavor will allow her to work more closely with those who are unfamiliar with the work going on in the Holy Land, develop programs for Diocesan ministries, fund raise, arrange partnerships and educate.
For information: Call +650 776 2011 or email dojdevelopmentna@sbcglobal.net or development_na@j-diocese.org.