PB investiture coverage on the way

I encourage all readers to make some time this Saturday to watch the investiture of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. The service, to be held at Washington National Cathedral, begins at 11 a.m. Eastern time this Saturday, November 4. It will be a grand occasion with lots of pomp and ceremony.

You will be able to watch the service live via streaming video on your computer (if you have a fast Internet connection). You can also attend an "Investiture Party" (that's my phrase, not the Official Diocesan Title) at Diocesan House Annex. That starts a little before 11. There's parking right near by. Here's the location.

Finally, your intrepid reporter will be there. If I get a decent seat and some Internet, I'll be blogging during the service. ENS is covering this, and I'll try to post some photos, etc., here during the service. Check back often.

Bishop's Convention Address available

I've received a copy of the Bishop's Address given at Diocesan Convention last weekend. In the address, Bishop Wolf address many of the challenges that we face as Christians, as a diocese, and as a church. She puts this in the context of facing crossroads, and she says that this is a good time to be a Christian.

The ancient path for all of us is the path of faithfulness. Through faith and commitment, we do not fear roads that intersect, but acknowledge them to be the cross upon which we live for a time. We believe that resurrection will prevail, and the Light of Christ will enlighten the heart of the Church and the darkest corners of the world.

"The Lord said to Jeremiah, stand at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16a)"

I encourage you to read her entire address, which is posted online here (PDF). For those of you who are looking, her comments on the Windsor Report and her position are near the end, on pages five and six.

Images from Convention

Display Hall - Episcopal Conference Center

Display Hall - Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation

Main Floor - hard at work

Parish Displays

Come and change the world!

JESUS ROCKS
Holy Communion with music of Bono/U2
U2CHARIST
SATURDAY•OCTOBER 28•6:00PM
Christ Episcopal Church in Lincoln
1654 Lonsdale Avenue Lincoln, RI
For more info…401-954-0715
Brought to you by
EPISCOPALIANS FOR GLOBAL RECONCILIATION AND
THE BLACKSTONE DEANERY YOUTH
Preacher – The Rev. Mike Kinman, Executive Director Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation
Presider – The Rev. Peter Mayer
Deacon – The Rev. Dn. Susan Wrathall

Choir, Prayers, Worshippers, YOU!

Offering to benefit the Millennium Development Goals work of Episcopal Relief and Development, HELP (Homeless Ecumenical Leadership Program), and PICA (Providence In Town Church Association).
“One love, one blood, one life, you got to do what you should. One life with each other: sisters, brothers…we get to carry each other. One.” (Bono)
You’ve heard about U2CHARISTS
Now be a part of the EXPERIENCE!
SATURDAY•OCT 28•6:00PM
ERADICATE WORLD POVERTY!
www.e4gr.org

Autumn RISEN is online

You can be among the first to read the latest diocesan and churchwide news. The autumn issue of RISEN is now posted online. The issue includes news from around the Anglican Communion and the state. There's a feature for all people currently in the ordination proces in RI. Lots of stuff in there.

When you download this, you'll notice four blank pages in the center. Those will hold a special selection of content from Episcopal Life when the issue is printed. Due to technical problems, I was not able to directly insert the Episcopal Life content, but that will be coming here soon.

Walking toward a better world

Bishop Wolf is among several religious leaders of many faiths participating in an upcoming Faith Walk for Charity in Bristol. The whole idea sprang from the outreach committee at St. Michael's, Bristol.

From a column in today's Projo:

Things could get out of hand at Colt State Park in Bristol next weekend. You might want to be there.

Consider the possibilities. There in the park, a Baptist could talk to a Catholic, a Jew to a Muslim, an Episcopalian to a Methodist. Or, possibly, a Baptist, a Catholic, a Jew, a Muslim, an Episcopalian and a Methodist could all talk to each other at the same time. Kids could get involved.

When it’s all over, there’s just no telling what kind of spontaneous, thoughtful connections might be made. Bring all these people, all these faiths, together in the park and there’s a very good chance that they’ll leave with some new thoughts on some very old questions.

The organizers of the event even go so far as to suggest that what’s common about different religions is more important than what’s different.

One thing’s for sure. This walk in the park on Oct. 15 is going to help some people. It’s going to raise at least $20,000 for Crossroads Rhode Island for its services to the homeless. Half of that is a matching grant from Alan Shawn Feinstein who calls the idea of helping the needy by people of all faiths walking together “my ideal.”

Support the walk, by walking, by donating, by praying. However you do it, please support the walk. Visit the website to learn more and to get involved.

Fran McKendree in benefit concert this Saturday night

I usually listen to classical and choral music, so I wouldn't have guessed how much I'd love the music of Fran McKendree. He's a Christian folk singer and outstanding guitarist. His songs are musically sophisticated and theologically nuanced. But mostly, his music is fun. It's engaging for all ages. You can hear some samples on his website.

This Saturday night at 7 p.m., you can hear Fran McKendree in person. He's appearning at St. Michael & Grace Church in Rumford. The concert is a benefit, and proceeds will be sent to Grace Church in New Orleans. This is the church that a mission group from our diocese visited this past summer.

So come hear some great music. Bring kids. Bring your neighbors. I promise you'll love the concert. Suggested donations for tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids. Directions are on the SMG website.

Disclaimer: I work at SMG, but I'd post the same glowing write-up if it were happening elsewhere.

Canterbury Cathedral is held up by duct tape?

Yes, it it's true. Canterbury Cathedral is now being held together by duct tape. And you thought things were bad among the people in the Anglican Communion. At least most of us don't need duct tape to stay together.

Yesterday's Telegraph has the article with this quote: "Canterbury Cathedral is falling apart at the seams, with chunks of masonry dropping off its walls and a fifth of its internal marble pillars held together by duct tape."

You can help! Canterbury Cathedral is looking for donors in a massive fundraising campaign. You can visit their most excellent website to learn about the sad state of the fabric of the cathedral, and you can make a donation.

I've been to Canterbury, and it's a breathtaking, inspiring pilgrimage site. Donate now. Or visit before the whole thing falls over.

U2charist

This year, in our diocese, one of the focuses is the Millennium Development Goals. In celebration of this, there will be a U2charist on Saturday October 28 following Diocese Convention. The U2charist will be held at Christ Church in Lincoln beginning at 6pm. The Rev. Mike Kinman will be the guest preacher at the service. The service is being sponsored by Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (EGR) and the Blackstone Deanery Youth. Any questions can be sent to me - Dee Tavolaro - at BigDee6541@aol.com. More information is on the way!

STAND UP against poverty

I recently received the following email from EPPN (Episcopal Public Policy Network), about STAND UP against poverty.

Dear Dee,
Help Set A World Record By Standing Up Against Global Poverty!
On Sunday, October 15, Episcopalians have an opportunity to help set a new Guinness World Record by standing up against global poverty and supporting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
What is STAND UP?
Launched by the Millennium Campaign, STAND UP is an innovative and exciting challenge to set an official Guinness World Record - the greatest number of people ever to STAND UP Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals - on October 15-16, 2006. STAND up is supported by the ONE Campaign, the Episcopal Church, and other anti-poverty advocates, and is designed to raise public awareness of global poverty and the MDGs. To learn more, click here: http://standagainstpoverty.org.
How Can You Engage Your Congregation?
One great way to engage your congregation is to use special Prayers of the People focused on the Millennium Development Goals on Sunday, October 15. During the prayers, encourage all people in the congregation to STAND (even if you normally kneel for the prayers). Before the service, register your event online at http://standagainstpoverty.org/events/organize. Then, after the service, return to the website and log in the number of people estimated to have been in attendance. That number will then count toward the global total of people seeking to establish a world record.
Where Can I Find Prayers of the People on the MDGs?
An example of Prayers of the People for the Millennium Development Goals can be found online at www.episcopalchurch.org/ONE. These prayers were used on September 15 at a special ecumenical service in New York City celebrating the new pastoral letter on the MDGs, "That All May be One," authored by Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold and Lutheran Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson.
How Does STAND UP Relate to the ONE Episcopalian Campaign?
If you are a member of a ONE Episcopalian congregation, STAND UP is one way to continue raising awareness about your congregation's commitment to ending global poverty. If your parish has not yet become a ONE congregation, STAND UP is a great opportunity for you to introduce the ONE Episcopalian campaign to your congregation.
Share experiences, photos, and numbers from your STAND UP with leaders of the ONE Episcopalian campaign and the Episcopal Public Policy Network at EPPN@episcopalchurch.org.

Lets join together in STANDing UP for justice.