A Resolution Near and Dear to Many Readers

Finally there will be "official" prayers available to us at the inevitable and difficult moment when a beloved animal companion dies. Here is the resolution wording, which passed: http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/view_leg_detail.aspx?id=982&type=Original. Let's pray that those involved will do a splendid job. The Music and Liturgial Committee certainly worked long and hard during the last session and the task ahead looks no less challenging. Let's keep them and their mission in our prayers.

And Now, for Something Somewhat Related

The Rev. Canon Andrew Gerns of Trinity, Easton PA posted a piece on his blog I could not resist sharing with you. Particularly after the celebration of the 'irregular' ordinations, this news item and video piece are a collective 'piece of work', as my grandmother would wisely say.

Enjoy, shake your head or just giggle thinking about the Cooties you have been infected with throughout your own lifetime!

Here's the link: http://andrewplus.blogspot.com/2009/07/cooties.html.

It was 35 years ago today .....

... that the [then] 'irregular' ordination of 11 women from the diaconate to the priesthood took place. After two long years, much hubbub, name calling (through the Anglican Communion and within this Episcopal Church), prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, General Convention 'regularized' those 11 as priests and instituted procedures for the continued ordination of women to the priesthood. Some thought that the action taken by some retired Bishops at the Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia, PA unspeakable ... and well, some still do.

Now, more than a generation later, there are women and girls in the Church who don't recall a time when a woman was not presiding at a Eucharist. Seems like a good day to remind us all that there was a time, not all that long ago, when that was not possible.

The Full Listing of All Things Considered @ GC2009

Here's the link for ab-so-tute-ly everything considered at General Convention in Anaheim. Use this link to check it out (and wonder not why the lay and clergy deputies returning to your parishes were exhausted!): http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/view_Legislation.aspx

Wish You Had Been There?

Yeah, me too! However, you can get a little glimmer of what-all was on the menu each day by using the following link to read the daily journal for each day of the General Convention: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/107152_111761_ENG_HTM.htm

Extraordinary Woman Marks Diaconal Anniversary

Before women could become clergy in the Episcopal Church, there was a particular group of women to trained and served the church "like" a deacon. They were deaconesses, trained in one of several 'Houses' for Deaconesses. One of the last living deaconesses who was regularized as a deacon in 1970 has just celebrated the 45th anniversary of diaconal vocation.



As remarkable as this feat is the fact that she is also a sister in the Community of the Transfiguration in Cincinnati, OH! Read with interest Sr. Priscilla Jean Wright's amazing story by using the following link: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_110874_ENG_HTM.htm.



Blessings, Sister and Deacon, on your continuing ministry among us!

Bishop Barbara Harris Lets Us Know What Baptism IS

Rev. Ann Fontiane has posted a link to the video of retried Bsp. Barbara Harris' rousing sermon. Watch this moving video by clicking on this link: what the tide brings in: Barbara Harris preaches Integrity Eucharist . The text is stirring, but the video - - - well now, buckle up!

Thanks, Ann for posting it (I had one heck-of-a time trying to get this off the Convention's "Hub" with no success).