There are now less than 90 days to November 4th and the 2024 presidential election. But for many of us, this election cycle has felt like an eternity. With an …
Diocesan News
The Olympic Refugee Team
This year, I’m also intrigued by the team of refugees and displaced people who are competing under the Olympic flag.
Celebrating Women in the Church
This Sunday we will host our diocesan observance for the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of the first women priests in the Episcopal Church at 4 pm at Trinity Cathedral.
Our preacher at Evensong will be the Rev. Machrina Blasdell, who was one of the first women to go through the ordination process in the Diocese of Arizona. I will let her share her own story—but I will tell the punchline that although she went through the ordination process here, she was not actually ordained in Arizona or by a bishop of Arizona.
America the Bountiful – Corn in Arizona
On October 4, 2022, the crew and host of the PBS Series America The Bountiful visited the Crazy Chili Farm at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. There, Bill Robinson and volunteers shared their work on growing, exchanging, and saving Native seeds of the Yoeme (Yaqui) Blue Corn that were thought to be nearly extinct and lost to the people.
Learning How to Step Back from the Abyss of Political Violence
Picture a country where fear of one’s neighbor is rampant, distrust of law enforcement is the standard, destructive riots occur regularly, and threats of political violence loom large over the minds of its citizens.
This evokes images of modern America, but we’re thinking of another country: Northern Ireland, in the lead-up to the violent and deadly multi-decade conflict known as The Troubles. With worries of political violence top of mind for millions of Americans, learning from leaders who have helped navigate conflict in other countries may give us insights for maintaining peace here at home.
81st General Convention Wrap-Up
Last week leaders from all over the Episcopal Church met in Louisville for the 81st General Convention.
The things I was most personally gratified to see were the approval of the first readings of a gender-neutral marriage rite, and an amendment to our Catechism defining marriage as a lifelong union between two people (rather than a man and woman) as part of the Book of Common Prayer. These were things I was working on the past two years on the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music.
Church Vitality
For decades a major focus in most churches has been, “How do we get more folks through our doors? And once they’re here, how do we get them to stay?”. Church leaders everywhere are constantly looking for a magic button solution to this problem.
General Convention Begins! (Almost)
The 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church kicks off officially on Sunday evening—but our deputation will arrive by this Thursday for a series of critical pre-convention events.
Real Estate for Mission
How does your building serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Our church buildings, for the sake of the Gospel, are often used seven days a week for various activities
Seed Sovereignty
The term “seed sovereignty” is virtually unknown in North America. Yet the term is very well-known and, in fact, has become a political rallying cry among Hispanic farming communities and Native American peoples of the Rocky Mountain West, on a par with the term “social justice.”
Raising My Voice & Becoming a Beloved Community
Bridges Reentry, Inc. has been awarded one of the impactful Becoming Beloved Community Grants. Bridges Reentry, Inc. is committed to empowering women transitioning from the justice system through the expansion of the Raising My Voice (RMV) Program. RMV empowers justice-involved women to share their stories of trauma, abuse, and resilience with parishioners and other community groups. Our aim is to collaborate with diverse women of color organizations and communities to amplify marginalized voices. Raising My Voice (RMV) is a transformative leadership program designed to equip formerly
Memory
My work on the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music over the past two years brought me into new contact with this line of Eucharistic Prayer C.
A proposed authorized revision of Prayer C had been sent back to the SCLM from the last General Convention, asking us to look at several things, including this line.