Letters from 11
to 17 June 2007
Like all letters
to the editor everywhere, these letters are the opinions of the writers
and not Anglicans Online. We publish letters that we think will be
of interest to our readers, whether we agree with them or not. If
you'd like to write a letter of your own, click here.
Twisted
Advent?
I
had a good chuckle while
reading your commentary on the home page today. The image of "Extreme
Anglican Action Figures" came to mind and,
as it is wont to do, my mind wandered down that path and wondered
if we might commission Todd
McFarlane to cobble up a nice set of
action figures. (This is the fellow who makes the very detailed
Spawn, Aliens, etc. figures.) Can you just imagine the clothing
and accessories? Archbishops in red looking like Imperial Guards,
Jedi priests-- the mind boggles!
I do take
issues of unity seriously, though. Such things have been tearing
us at a local level for more than a few years and I have watched
good folks who I value as friends and fellow Christians leave us
over some not very amusing issues, most of them as yet unresolved.
Thanks
for the good laugh. A little levity never hurts and being able to
poke fun at ourselves and not get too bent out of shape is indeed
a sign of hope.
Robert
Frederick
St. Andrews Episcopal
Panama City, Florida, USA
12 June 2007
(Ed:
We know that a number of folks consider the term 'Anglican action
figures' to be an oxymoron... We've always thought that Anglican
Transformers would be fun: an archbishop who transforms into a
Land Rover, or some such. Wasn't Jesus the original Transformer?)
Keep
watch, dear Lord
I
am trying to find the
origin of the antiphon used in compline: "Guide us waking,
O Lord, and guard us sleeping: that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace." Can anyone help me?
Thank
you.
Sonia
Stevenson
Good Shepherd
Acton, Massachusetts, USA
soniagoodshephrd@aol.com
14 June 2007
Incoming!!
There
has been another announcement of a bishop to be consecrated as a
missionary to the United States. This has been seen by many, as another
sign of an inevitable split in the Anglican Communion. Why should
this be? Except at the top, very few people are booing and hissing
each other. Most are only really concerned with what happens within
their own parishes and maybe the diocese.
Nobody can deny the differences between the two ends of the spectrum,
why try? Would it not be more conducive to speaking the truth in love
if each faction could peacefully co-exist? CANA, AMiA, and the newly
forming North American Anglican Coalition (NAAC) seek to provide a
place where African ex-pats and theological conservatives feel at home
while retaining their Anglican identity. TEC/ECUSA will continue to
provide home to those who hold a more liberal understanding of theology
and scripture’s authority. Globalization is not just an economic
consideration; it is driving all forms of relationships. With information
technology and modern transportation the world gets smaller every day.
Being present physically is only playing catch-up to the fact that
people have been internationally present for decades now through many
means.
Those at the top seem to have a choice they are not willing to admit
exists. Recognize that geographical boundaries no longer exist. It
seems as if they are instead only willing to say, “We are the
one true church.” That smacks of pride and arrogance and since
when is it “Anglican” to say we are the only way? What,
if anything, will cause the destruction of the Anglican Communion?
Pride
goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverb
16:18
Church
leadership, continue to shepherd those who desire to remain (as many/most
will) within TEC. Then make room for bishops from around the globe
(they are here/coming anyway) to provide a place for those whom are
otherwise feeling disenfranchised. God is a big God, I am sure He
can handle it. Likewise, am I sure if given the chance so can the
Anglican Communion.
Chaplain
(CPT) Steven Rindahl
The Anglican/Episcopal Community of Camp Liberty
Camp Liberty, Baghdad, IRAQ
16 June 2007
Not the
Chrysanthe variety, we suspect
Christian
Mums, a UK based website for Christian parents celebrated its
4th birthday online this week with the arrival of its 1000th
member. The site was launched on June 17th 2003 by founder member
Hilary Cockshaw (a clergy wife in Lichfield diocese). The website
has magazine style articles and interviews and plenty of book reviews
of interest to Christian Mums and a lively forum area where anything
can be discussed from how to instigate a family quiet time to child
friendly places to go on holiday; from knowing your calling, to your
best (or worst) claim to fame. It also has an online Bible study
and a busy prayer forum. From just a handful of family and friends,
the site now has members from as far afield as Australia, America
and Canada. Relationships on the site have grown so strong that there
are an increasing number of meet ups happening, mostly around the
UK but also one in France.
As Christian
Mums enters its 5th year there are plans to reach even more Mums
and support them and pray for them and help them to grow in their
relationship with God, without even having to leave their own home.
Why not go along to www.christianmums.com and see what all the fuss
is about?
Hilary
Cockshaw
West Bromwich Network Church
West Midlands, UK
hilary@christianmums.com
16 June 2007
Earlier letters
We launched our 'Letters
to AO' section on 11 May 2003. All published letters are in our
archives.
|
