There are a number of cemetery traditions that have been around for as long as people have lived. Burial has been one of the oldest and most common rituals people have for the dead, and yet, cemeteries are something of a new phenomena.
Early burial traditions indicate that the neanderthals buried their dead, and included personal items and flowers in the burial spots. Barrows, sometimes called tumuli (or, singular, tumulus), large mounds of earth over a burial site, are still part of the landscape in many parts of the world. These mounds pre-date Christianity by centuries.
Barrows were regarded as sacred ground, and pagan temples were often built on or near these mounds. Since churches were often built on the sites of these temples, it could seem like they'd simply "changed management."
Real estate was not the only thing that Christianity "inherited" from pagans. Typically, pre-Christian burials by groups who worshiped the sun, also oriented bodies (and therefore grave sites) facing the east, toward the sun. When Christian burial became common, the reasons for the orientation was the belief that Christ will return from the East, and the faithful should be facing Him on that day.
Christianity itself might even be said to have grown from its burial sites.
Because the Romans prohibited cremation or burial within the city limits, and Christianity was an illegal religion, Christians built tunnels outside the city as burial sites. These catacombs were used as hiding places, and sometimes simply as places to meet in secret. Many of those interred in the catacombs were martyrs for the Christian faith, and having their final resting places so central to the secret lives of those believers, the relics of these members were often themselves revered.
The catacombs were also used by the Jews and other groups for burials, but, each group had their own sections.
In the eighth century, Saint Cuthbert obtained permission from the Pope to have burial sites added to church grounds. It was not until the ninth century that the consecration of cemeteries became customary, and even then, these were not called cemeteries, but, rather "churchyards" or "graveyards."
Consecrated grounds required a defined area for the enclosure of the graves, and in some cases, that consecrated ground be isolated by walls or fences. Further, to remain consecrated, the grounds should be maintained and not neglected.
Churchyards were laid out rather like the churches themselves. You see, Churches, were often laid out with respect to the cardinal locations. The alter was generally located in the east end of the church. North would be the left-hand side of the altar, while the south would then be the right hand side of the altar. In many churchyards, you may see that the markers are concentrated on the south, east and west of the church, and that on the north side, there are no headstones are to be seen. The north part of the yard is usually reserved for unbaptized children, the excommunicated, the insane (possessed by the Devil), criminals or people who committed suicide. Actors were also included in this category of "undesirables" during some eras.
Strangely, the Romans, felt that criminals and those who committed suicide *should* be buried. After all, the honorable way to handle remains in Rome, was cremation. Romans especially revered their ancestors, and those who murdered a parent or a close relative were subject to the most dishonorable burial. The murderer would be buried with a cock sewn into a sack. The cock was a symbol of impiety.
Of course, punishment for the worst criminals in England was to bury them at a crossroads.
At first, it was not acceptable to have a dead body within a church, they were considered "unclean." The only exceptions being the bodies of saints and martyrs, who were sometimes enshrined in churches. Because of this, the entrances to churchyards had a roofed timber structure known as a lichgate. The term is derived from the German "leiche," a corpse, and it was the place the body rested during the first part of the burial services.
Eventually, this tradition died out, and people were often interned within the church itself. In fact, there are many superstitions regarding cemeteries. Sometimes, the entrance to a burial ground is still graced by a lichgate, even if said structure was never used to house a body.
The custom of sprinkling earth on the coffin is another custom that has roots in Rome. A body found unburied by a contentious Roman, would be covered with "at least three handfuls of earth," while a few ceremonial words of farewell were spoken.
In the early history of the United States, most burial places were called "burying grounds." In New England, the Puritan influence meant that the burial grounds were secular, and not in proximity to a church, calling that custom "papist." The non-Puritan colonies commonly used churchyards, however, in many situations, the scattered population meant that many were buried in family cemeteries on the plantation grounds. They usually were established on land with good drainage, or on a hill, and often were enclosed by a fence or wall.
The cemetery movement became a reality in the 19th century, starting with Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1831. This cemetery became a model for public parks and other "rural" type cemeteries.
The "rural" cemetery movement was inspired by innovations in cemetery design in England and France, especially the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, which was established in 1804. Typical of the movement was the ideal blending of romantic ideals in art, a changing attitude toward death, and a growing national identity. Mount Auburn was followed by a host of cemeteries following its example. First was Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia in 1836; then Green Mount in Baltimore in 1838, and a host of others on the east coast and throughout the country.
The term "cemetery" comes from the Greek, and means, literally "sleeping place." The fact that this term was chosen to denote burial grounds reflects changes toward death as a more idyllic state.
After the Civil War, various concerns resurfaced regarding conserving land and protecting public health, which revived interest in cremation. The movement grew rapidly until the 19th century. Columbariums and community mausoleums were erected in cemeteries to expand the number of burials which could be accommodated in a small amount of ground space.
Today, the cemetery movement has led to lawn cemeteries or memorial parks. Monuments are not the main emphasis, replaced with flat markers that allow for easy maintenance of the grounds. Memorial parks are planned, designed and managed by full-time professionals.
Return to Home page from Cemetery Traditions


Welcome to Blessings International
Blessings International exists to provide medicine and medical supplies for medical missions, emergency disaster relief and community medical development in places of the world where basic healthcare is lacking. Blessings makes pharmaceutical and other medical supplies available to Christian medical missions teams, emergency relief teams, dental teams and others providing critical medical services to areas of the world where the need is great.
FREE ANTI-MALARIA MEDICINE! Click here to see if your medical team qualifies to receive a gift of anti-malaria medicine.
Blessings Provides Medicine for Major 1Nation1Day Outreach
Andy Oishi, of Advocates for Africa’s Children, recently wrote Blessings to say, “Thank you Blessings International for giving us the ability to purchase medications and supplies. We are praying for you and thank God for …
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We wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving! Our offices will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27, to celebrate the holiday. We look forward to servicing your medical missions needs …
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Patrick Francis Werszner Memorial Scholarship
Attention all 8th grade students of any school who are members of Prince of Peace Parish.
Are you planning to attend John Carroll Catholic High School during the 2017-2018 school year? If so, the PoP Knights of Columbus invites you to participate in their second Essay Writing Challenge on Monday, May 8th from 5:30PM – 7PM in the St. Monica Room.
The theme of the Essay is "Why does God love us so much?"On Essay writing day, there will be NO Cell Phones, or prewritten essays. NO EXCEPTIONS!You are allowed to bring two 3X5 index cards with notes, bullet points or brainstorming ideas.Write as many pages as you like within the 1.5 hour time limit.
The scholarship winner will receive $1,000 toward tuition for their freshmen year at John Carroll, renewable for $500 each year as long as an A/B average is maintained.
Applications are available here and at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Space.
If questions, please email Alvie Allison at aIvie.aIIison@yahoo.com
Stewardship: Parishioners Answering God’s Call in HospitalityA couple, parishioners at Prince of Peace, took on a family project recently. They donated supplies to be used for the creation of ‘Matthew bags.’ The High School Youth Group, of which their daughter is a member, stuffed the bags to be given to parishioners to distribute. Their kind act of service allowed others in the parish to demonstrate service and hospitality to those less fortunate.Please submit your stewardship story examples to firstname.lastname@example.org. They may be edited for space consideration.
Contagious LivingWhen it comes to Evangelization it seems that every Catholic’s favorite quote is from Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.” There are two things to consider here. First, he did say to preach the Gospel at all times. Second, he didn’t say never to use words. The quote is used too often as an excuse not to preach the Gospel, especially not to actively evangelize.Evangelization is to the Church what breathing is to a person. If we stop doing it for long enough, we will die. The Church has been on life support in this area for decades now. And the truth is, it is our mission to evangelize. We exist to evangelize. It is our very existence. But we are neglecting it, and perhaps that is why our very existence in different places is being threatened. Isn’t forgetting the reason for our existence the ultimate form of spiritual amnesia?How do we start? We do so in the same way we are called to start with each of the four signs: with the smallest nonthreatening step. (Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic, Matthew Kelly)As an Easter people, how are we called to evangelize and spread the Good News? As parents, are we making a point to talk about our faith to our children? Do they know what it means to be truly ‘catholic’? Let’s try to make some time each day to talk about the unconditional love of Jesus and His message of peace, acceptance and compassion.
Upcoming Dates:Classes: April 23, 30 (last class)Confirmation Retreat and Practice - April 30Confirmation - May 4First Eucharist Practice - May 5First Eucharist - May 6 & 7Summer Sunday School (K3-GR1) begins May 14Contact Megan Everett for more information, Megan.Everett@popcatholic.org.
VBS 2017: Maker Fun Factory - Created by God, Built for a Purpose June 5-9, 8:30 am - 12:00 pm - K3 - Rising 5th GradersRegistration forms are available on the Prince of Peace website or on the table outside the Religious Education Office.
Eucharistic AdorationPrince of Peace is blessed to have Eucharistic Adoration each Thursday in the Chapel from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. Prayerfully consider being a committed adorer. A committed adorer attends each week in the same one hour time slot. We also need people who are willing to serve as substitutes in the case that a committed adorer cannot attend his or her hour. To register or to obtain more information, please contact the church office at 205.822.9125 or by email at email@example.com.
Church NurseryChurch Nursery is available to children ages 6 months through 2 years of age during the 8:30 am and 11:00 am Masses. If you have never visited our nursery, you are welcome to come down for a tour!Please contact Kara Woodard at 822-9125 ext. 15 for more information.
More information is available in the weekly bulletin. Click here to download.


8 December, 2023
A farewell to Father David
The Caboolture-based St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School multi-purpose centre was packed to capacity on Sunday November 26 as parishioners gave thanks and said farewell to Father David Pascoe, the Parish priest of Living Waters.
More than 600 people attended the farewell celebration as parishioners came from the four Living Waters Catholic Parish worshipping centres: St. Peter’s Caboolture, St. Michael’s Kilcoy, St. Mary’s Woodford and Little Flower Bribie Island.
Representatives from these worshipping centres, along with Parish staff and members of cultural communities, spoke during the Mass about the impact which Fr David’s ministry had on them in the past five to six years.
After the Mass, attendees enjoyed a BBQ lunch and cake while entertainment was provided by the Samoan Youth choir and local piper Howard Arthur.
Living Waters Catholic Parish secretary Sharron Macrae said the size of the crowd expressed the esteem which Fr David was held in by his parishioners.
“Building his leadership on a foundation of open communication, and genuine care for his Parish served him well,” Sharron said.
Fr David is set to take up a new role as director of Clergy Life and Ministry, and director of Diaconate Ministry within the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
Back in 2018, Fr David had been appointed as priest of the then Caboolture Parish which comprised Caboolture, Bribie Island and its surrounds.
In 2020, Fr David was tasked with amalgamating the Caboolture Parish with its neighbour: the Stanley Rivers Parish of Woodford and Kilcoy. Sharron said this was a case of creating the Parish of Living Waters, spanning 100 kilometres.
“Trying to successfully merge two historically rich parishes in the midst a worldwide pandemic was no mean feat, but it was magnificently achieved under his guidance,” she said.
“The outcome of that success and the ensuing relationship he has built up with his parishioners was demonstrated by the 600-plus people who attended his farewell celebration.
“The Parish of Living Waters will miss Fr David immensely, and thank him for his gentle leadership and friendship.”


Imagine what it would be like to have your wedding ceremony in a charming historic church surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and then be whisked away by a horse-drawn carriage. The Old Peace Chapel offers this and much more to those wanting to wed in a unique setting.
The Old Peace Chapel was built in New Melle in the 1800s and originally was a general store and dance hall. At the turn of the century, the building was purchased by a German Evangelical congregation and remodeled into a church. The church was moved to the Daniel Boone site in 1983. Today, it is the centerpiece of the village. Guests not only enjoy the craftsmanship and detail of the church, but also the sound of the pipe organ playing from the overhead balcony.
Weddings, vow renewals and baptisms are offered each day (with the exception of certain holidays) and can be held at a time suitable to your needs. The church can seat up to 100 guests comfortably and there is ample, free parking.
This special venue may be reserved for 4-hour increments between the hours of 12 and 10 p.m.and cost $1,000, plus a refundable $500 damage deposit. The rental includes access to the site for the ceremony, pictures, use of the bridal chamber, and set-up and clean-up time. An organ and keyboard is available during rental use, but the organist/pianist is not included.
The Old Peace Chapel is available for viewing by appointment only. For more information, please call 636-798-2237 or email email Parks.


POLITICAL crises over migration and the plight of refugees remain high on the international agenda, but calls for humane and thoughtful responses are also gaining greater prominence.
Research supported by SCI on attitudes towards migration in Europe challenged simple narratives around public opinion and exposed the complex range of factors influencing the views of individuals.
In France, despite the public’s anxieties about immigration and integration, polling revealed widespread concern about the rise of racism. German society has been affected by concerns over immigration, but the polling also showed a majority believed in the obligation on societies to accept refugees.
Research in Italy similarly returned a range of attitudes on migration, but revealed a willingness to respond positively to leadership on the issue by the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church and the leaders of other Christian congregations from around the world recently made a significant intervention on the migration issue, though it was overshadowed by the international focus on Brexit, the US elections and the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The three-day ‘World Conference on Xenophobia, Racism and Populist Nationalism in the context of Global Migration’ was jointly organised in September by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican’s Office for Integral Human Development, in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
A joint message issued after the conference in Rome is worth revisiting, given its strongly worded condemnation of xenophobia, its attack on racism, and its calls for governments to deliver on pledges to address the treatment of migrants.
“Conscious of a rise in xenophobic and racist reactions to refugees and migrants,” said the joint message, “we have striven to describe, analyse, understand and address the exclusion, marginalization, stigmatization and criminalization of migrants and refugees, and the justifications for these attitudes and discourses which now exist in several different parts of the world, even within the churches.”
The statement added: “As Christians from different denominations and regions – together with representatives of inter-religious, civil society and inter-governmental partners – the common basis for our reflections is the conviction that all human beings are equal in dignity and rights and equally to be respected and protected.”
It added: “Migration – the movement of people – is an inherent feature of the human condition…We are all migrants and sojourners, and we are all members of the one human family.”
‘RACISM IS A SIN’
The conference cited “brutal conflicts and the lingering consequences of global economic crisis and austerity policies” as some of the factors driving migration.
There was also agreement that racism is a “social construct” separating people “in the name of a false notion of the purity and superiority”.
“Racism creates and maintains the vulnerability of members of certain groups, denying them their rights and their existence, and seeks to justify their oppression. In this sense racism is a sin, in both its personal and systemic expressions, radically incompatible with the Christian faith.”
The conference also drew links between faith and human rights.
“We are called to accompany and hold accountable those who exercise power and participate directly in decisions that affect the future of the human community, at national and international levels. The advice that all believers can offer may be inspired by the `golden rule’, common to different traditions, according to which one should `do to others what you would have them do to you’.
“This `golden rule’ is reflected in fundamental human rights, which are conditions to be achieved for others as well as for ourselves, and call for the construction of social cohesion.”
Delegates cited the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and urged the United Nations and its member states to implement protections for migrants contained in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, plus the Global Impact on Refugees.
The conference recognised “the concerns of many individuals and communities who feel threatened by migrants”, but called for efforts to “seek to raise a narrative of love and of hope, against the populist narrative of hate and of fear”.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is an ecumenical movement which brings together churches, denominations and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories, representing over 500 million Christians.
Pope Francis met the delegates at the Rome event, where he spoke out against “suspicion, fear, contempt and even hatred” towards those of different ethnicities, nationalities or religions.


The current shield of the Diocese of Fond du Lac is the second and was adopted during the episcopate of Bishop Brady. Evolved from the coat of arms historically used in the mid-12th century to identify allies, the use of shields has expanded. The design is a unique symbol and many shields are still in use by a variety of institutions and individuals. As with all shields, it is meant to convey a number of meanings.
This shield was included in the book Heraldry in the Episcopal Church: How ecclesiastical coats of arms depict the history of the church (1993) by Eckford De Kay and published by Acorn Press.


DALLAS, Dec. 18, 2012 -- Scriptures From the Bible.org is a free Biblical commentary website that publishes anonymously written content to help explain and interpret the meaning of Bible verses and scripture in the context of today's world. It is a bit theological, a little reflective, notably fresh and original - and relies heavily on the words of a secret community (explained below.)
While the website clearly covers themed Bible topics such as "Famous Bible Verses", "Christmas Verses", and "Bible Verses on Friendship" – like any other Bible commentary site; it hints at something that is more emotionally powerful for the reader.
The content is structured in a clean format that focuses on abstract and meaningful article images that connect not only to the verse but the commentary of the anonymous author… anonymous author? This is a curious angle.
Alex Brookbank , the website's founder, said, "We strive to create quality and impactful content that expresses messages of hope and wisdom that is written by unnamed individuals. We believe that this speaks to the strength of a united community and demonstrates the power of the average human being. And we believe that this is appealing and genuine."
In the future, the founder believes the website could evolve into a Social Media destination where users comment, share, and submit their own theological (or philosophical) commentary and reflective articles themed around Bible interpretation and ordinary understanding.
The Bible's most timeless verses are explained in an easy-to-navigate blog-type format that publishes new articles daily. The site is heavily integrated with Facebook and reached 1,000 Facebook followers within the first week of launching.
In the short-term it will continue to attract and help those of us that need a little reflection, a little wisdom, and a little guidance to get us through the rest of the day.
Don't miss any more cutting-edge Bible commentary - it could be just what you need!
About the Website
Scriptures From The Bible.org has two missions. The first is to recognize and spread awareness of the power, wisdom, and knowledge contained throughout the Bible. The second mission is to publish commentary written by anonymous individuals that reinforce messages of hope and strength. We believe that sharing anonymously written Biblical commentary speaks to the power of a global community and the voice of the average human being. And we believe that this is appealing and genuine.
SOURCE Scriptures From The Bible.org


Welcome to our Springs of Hope Website
Springs of Hope, Inc., a 501-c-3 non-profit, is love in action that envisions lives transformed by empowering servant leaders through education, discipleship, and providing opportunities so that God’s love is revealed to “the least of these.” Our goal is to glorify God as we impact the world bringing them hope.
Since 2009 we have worked alongside existing organizations, churches, and mission agencies both locally and globally to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our neighbors.
Hope is “a roof for the homeless”
Hope is “food for the poor”
Hope is “healing for the sick”
Hope is “justice for the persecuted”
Hope is “education for a future”


To be a biblical family of God, experiencing and expressing the love of God. The Great Commandment and the Great Commission are the foundation of who we are and what we do.
The Great Commandment: Jesus replied, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, “’Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
The Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)


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Walks in Lazio and Rome: choosing the right pilgrimage and organizing the trip
The Christian pilgrimage is a unique experience with a deep spiritual and emotional impact; to live it fully, however, the practical aspects related to the journey and the walk itself cannot be overlooked.
First of all, it is important to choose the route that best suits your needs and physical condition. In addition, each path includes points of religious interest such as churches, basilicas or other sacred places of Christianity: be sure to choose those that are of most interest to you.
Here are the main routes in Lazio and Rome.


Stay Current! Keep up-to-date with all that is going on at NAPC! Want to get these events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
Faith Formation: First Bible class on November 6.
Our Faith Formation First Bible program is designed for students in 3rd through 5th grade with their parents. In this class your child will be introduced to the structure and content of God’s Word. They receive their first Bible and parents learn how to study the Bible as a family.
This class is offered on Saturday, November 6 (from 2-4pm) at Franklin Church.
5th & 6th Graders- join us November 14th.
Our goal is to show our young people that no matter what they face our Father has given them a spirit of power, love and self-control. We will spend time in prayer because we want our students to be comfortable with prayer and confident enough to pray in front of others.
Join us this November 14th at 5:00pm – Franklin Church.
222 November Details
Our 2021 Thanksgiving Meal Drive kicks off Oct 31st.
This year NAPC will combine our activities from our past years to collect and distribute Thanksgiving meals to Linden families in need.
Option 1: Fill up a tote (limit 2 please!) with the below shopping list items and bring in by November 14th.
Option 2: Deliver a Hot Thanksgiving Dinner
We will match you with a family and provide you with their name, contact information and address. You’ll connect with your family and select a time that works to bring a meal. Email Patrick Smith if you would like to participate in this option.
Invite friends and family to come spend the day with your church!
We will be skating for fun, with a party room for those who aren’t *too* sure about the ice.
Information on skate rentals/ice time pricing can be found on the link below. We have also reserved a party room and snacks, but to ensure we have enough for everyone, please RSVP in the link below!
2021-2022 Membership class dates are available.
God has called you to NAPC. Now it is time to take the next step in faith and become a member of your local church. There is one more series of classes in 2021 – October 31 and November 7 and 2022 dates are now available. Sign up below!


By Philip N. Mulder
A debatable Spirit bargains a brand new point of view at the origins and nature of southern evangelicalism. newest historians have occupied with the variations among evangelicals and non-evangelicals. This has resulted in the belief that in the ''Era of Awakenings'' (mid-18th and early nineteenth century) American evangelicals constituted a united entrance. Philip N. Mulder dispels this phantasm, through analyzing the inner dynamics of evangelicalism. He specializes in the relationships one of the Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists who brought the hot non secular temper to the South among 1740 and 1820. even though the denominations shared the objective of saving souls, he reveals, they disagreed over the proper definition of actual faith and conversion. The Presbyterians and Baptists subordinated the liberty, innovation and event of the awakenings to their specific denominational issues. The Methodists, nonetheless, have been extra competitive and cutting edge advocates of the hot gentle awakenings. They broke throughout the insularity of the opposite teams and revolutionized the spiritual tradition of the rising state. the yank Revolution exacerbated the growing to be festival and jealousy one of the denominations via displacing their universal enemy, the proven Anglican church. Former dissenters now became to stand one another. unfastened non secular pageant used to be transformative, Mulder argues. the need of competing for converts pressured the Presbyterians and Baptists out in their slender confines. extra importantly, despite the fact that, pageant compromised the Methodists and their New gentle beliefs. Methodists had awarded themselves as an ecumenical replacement to the inflexible and rancorous denominations of britain and the United States. Now they became clear of their open message of salvation, and started utilizing their precise features to split themselves from different denominations. The Methodists therefore succumbed to the evangelical development set through others - a trend of contrast, insularity, and divisive festival. reading conversion narratives, worship, polity, and rituals, in addition to extra formal doctrinal statements in creeds and sermons, Mulder is ready to offer a much more nuanced portrait of southern evangelicals than formerly to be had, revealing the deep variations among denominations that the homogenization of spiritual historical past has beforehand obscured.
Read or Download A Controversial Spirit: Evangelical Awakenings in the South PDF
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Additional resources for A Controversial Spirit: Evangelical Awakenings in the South
John Barr, for example, who read the accounts of happy deaths of children while he was young, continued to enjoy such literature as he matured. ” When struggling to ﬁnd evidence of saving grace in himself, he looked to William Guthrie’s The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ and there read descriptions of others’ religious exercises, with which he could compare his own. He found good models but felt that by comparison he lacked a thorough change at a 27 precise point in his life.
For all participating churches, the Presbyterian system provided a graduated polity that balanced local concerns and opinions with the broader authority of clergymen. The churches in Hanover, the Shenandoah, and North Carolina sought out the administration they lacked and quickly submitted themselves to it. By doing so, they completed their transformation from New Lights to Presbyterians. 18 Presbyterians in America overall subsumed the New Light to their traditions. Between 1741 and 1758, Presbyterian hierarchy in America separated into two branches, the result of a schism.
For children and adults, this organization presented the doctrines and teachings—including those of salvation and conversion—as a rational system. 24 Education in families held high value for Presbyterians. Parents instructed their children and impressed religious ideas upon them. ” Although no less complex in its doctrinal teaching, the “Mother’s Catechism” presented shorter questions and answers that were easier for younger children to memorize and repeat. For example, it broke down Question 98 into a staccato of questions: Q.
A Controversial Spirit: Evangelical Awakenings in the South by Philip N. Mulder


St Anne’s Church belongs to the former Monastery of the Dominican Sisters in Prague’s Old Town. Built in the fourteenth century on the site of the older St. Lawrence Church, it was one of the most beautiful new buildings of mendicant architecture in the Old Town. During the reign of Emperor Joseph II, the monastery was abolished and the church deconsecrated. The building then served as a print works. At that time, the pavilion turret, the third floor of the tower and the gothic arches were demolished. The church was fitted with wooden floors, which have been preserved to date, and served as a paper warehouse.
Reconstruction of the building, including repairs to the outer shell of the church, reconstruction of timberwork, and a new roof, was carried out from the 1970s to the 1990s. Apart from the conservation of the outer and inner shell of the building, preserved elements, murals, and structures, the current reconstruction also aimed to insert interior elements – a stairway to the choir loft, a helical stairway to the tower, a gangway along the perimeter of the timberwork, a stage for performers, new flooring, sanitary facilities for guests and performers, as well as lighting and sound equipment. The aim was to create a multi-purpose venue seating up to 300, suitable for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, theatre performances, company meetings, etc.


по всему миру
The devil knows that the most important weapon a born again Christian has against his lies and vices is the holy word of God. Since Genesis, the devil has been using all kinds of ruses to sway man kind from trusting God''s holy word to trusting emotions and experiences. The devil has now infiltrated; churches , bible colleges, seminaries and Christian media in order to pervert God''s word and hence control the church. In today''s postmodern Christian church, 'born again'' Christians are fed on perverted music and hype more than the substance of the word of God. Very few Christians spend enough time studying and meditating about the word of God. The so called Christian Television channels spend a lot of time on secular entertainment than the word of God. Many Christians can longer differentiate between sound and un sound doctrine. I have discovered that 'born again'' Christians in Africa use the Good News bible; but they are un bothered by John 1:42, which categorically says that...


It can be easy to feel a connection with God when you are in the church on a Sunday or when you get something you have been praying for so long. But forming a strong and deep relationship with God is not limited to a month or once every week.
There are some steps you need to take to form a deeper connection with God. Everyone wants to form a better connection with God, but many people do not know how to do that. The truth is that it is not difficult to form a bond with God and get closer to him. You just need to put some effort into establishing that bond and believe that God is here for you.
Worship songs can be a great way of having the feeling that Jesus is with you. Best gospel singers in usa have so many songs in which the writer is thanking Jesus for everything that he has blessed us with. The lyrics of the songs tell us how merciful God is and what he has done for us. It allows people to feel a little closer to God.
Other than these songs, there are many practices that you can follow to form a better and stronger connection with God.
Let’s discuss them in detail
Just like human relationship develops and grows through communication, like that through communication, you can create a connection with God. Prayer is an important part of many religions. Through prayer, you can express your grief, happiness, concerns, or any emotion that you are having with God.
You do not have to be at some special place to pray to God. You can just be in your home, and say the prayer.
Making it your habit can be helpful for you in strengthening your faith. Spare some time every day to sit alone and talk to God about whatever you are feeling. Soon it will become an important part of your day, and you will start to feel calmer, and it will bring peace to your heart and mind.
Whether you are going to work in your car or you are just casually cleaning your house, listening to worship music can be a great way to center your heart on God. You do not need to sing the songs loudly. You can just hear them any time of the day.
Worship songs can be a great way of having the feeling that Jesus is with you. Best gospel singers in usa have so many beautiful worship songs where the writer is thanking Jesus for everything that he has blessed us with. Through these songs, you can let your mind and heart reflect on the words of worship that are being sung in praise of God.
3. Read the Bible
One of the ways to talk to God is by reading his book. Just like we write letters and email to the people who are far from us. Just like that, God has given us the Bible so that we can learn more about him and understand the reason we were born.
Reading the Bible will help you know so much about God and the things he wants his creation to know and follow. Reading the Bible is like reading the message of God. You will find answers to every question that you want to answer.
When you take the time to read the Bible, you get to know who God actually is, and it helps you become a better human the words said by God fill your heart with empathy and make you feel calmer and more virtuous.
4. Serving Others
If you want to form a better connection with God, serve his creation. God has commanded his people to be nice to his creation. When we serve others, we become the helper of his creation, and when you keep following the right path, your heart becomes filled with the love of the creator that flows with you and into the lives of people around you.
5. Love Your Neighbors
God truly cares for his followers. Therefore, make an effort to build positive relationships with people and your neighbors if you want to deepen your relationship with God. If you despise and wrong your neighbor, you cannot have a good connection with God. Therefore, be kind to them, extend your assistance, and keep a cordial connection with them.
6. Do not Get Greedy
Avoid worldly vices like lust, intoxication, gluttony, and the desire for material gain. Instead, if you want to develop a relationship, fill your life with spiritual principles like love, faithfulness, compassion, patience, and self-control.
7. Join a Group
The fellowship plays a very important role as it not only gives you a sense of acceptance and belonging but it is also important for your spiritual growth. Whether it is a local church group or you have bible study classes in someone’s home, or even if you are communicating with other believers on an online medium, having a conversation with like-minded believers allows you to share your thoughts and testimonies.
Depending upon the area where you live, you can easily find various Christian groups or meet people who share similar interests with you.
For example, you can find Christian book clubs or therapy clubs. Many people also give classes in their homes. The reason behind it is that the people who have a strong connection with God can also help you grow your spirituality as a Christian.
Life is so busy, and it will never slow down. Therefore, it is important to make time for the things that matter. Take some time to l read the Bible and listen to the worship music. Spare some time every day to say a prayer and slow down for some moment in your day to reflect. It is very important for growing your relationship with God.
Last but not least, be good with your friends, family, spouse, and neighbors because God loves the people who love his creation and treats them right.


Focus: Discernment of a Carmelite Vocation
Readings: Welcome to the Secular Order of the Discalced Carmelites by Father Deeney, pp. 9-21; pp. 27-37
- Father Deeney describes six elements that should characterize a member of the Secular Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Take each element, describe/define it, and then evaluate yourself in relationship to that element.
- Practicing Member of the Catholic Church
- Under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
- Inspired by Saint Teresa of Jesus
- Commitment to the Order
- To Seek the Face of God
- For the Sake of the Church and the World
- Looking over your evaluation, do you think you have a vocation to Carmel? In what areas do you see need for growth and further understanding?
- What are the six obligations that the Constitutions envision in the life of the Secular Order member? Use the Letter M to create your list and then describe each obligation as you see yourself practicing it.
Reminder: Prepare your letter of intent and your candidate worksheet to be given to Diane no later than the February meeting.


So here's something I read today that I understood differently:
From Luke 18 -
The Rich Official
18 One day one of the local officials asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?”
Let's just see what this guy thinks of politicians.
19-20 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good—only God. You know the commandments, don’t you? No illicit sex, no killing, no stealing, no lying, honor your father and mother.”
Don't patronize me. I hate that.
21 He said, “I’ve kept them all for as long as I can remember.”
Hey, I'm a good person.
22 When Jesus heard that, he said, “Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
OK then. Perhaps you should try doing what "good people" do.
23 This was the last thing the official expected to hear. He was very rich and became terribly sad. He was holding on tight to a lot of things and not about to let them go.
Uh . . . NOT! Who IS this guy? (rationalizes with reasons 1-bazillion). God does not require me to step outside my comfort zone. I'm going back to my own church where we believe the BIBLE. I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN. This guy is an extremist. See, this is why people aren't Christians. Guys like this ruin it for everyone.
24-25 Seeing his reaction, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who have it all to enter God’s kingdom? I’d say it’s easier to thread a camel through a needle’s eye than get a rich person into God’s kingdom.”
See this is what I am talking about. Stuff is hard to give up for the stuff you can't see and possibly may get in the future but there are no guarantees. Faith, people. I'm talking about faith.
26 “Then who has any chance at all?” the others asked.
27 “No chance at all,” Jesus said, “if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.”
So quit trying. You can't do it on your own anyway. That's why I'm here.
28 Peter tried to regain some initiative: “We left everything we owned and followed you, didn’t we?”
Well I DID IT. What is the big deal? Seriously, people? Why is this hard?
29-30 “Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. And then the bonus of eternal life!”
Seriously folks, Peter has a point. I promise that you actually WILL get all that stuff you can't see. I guarantee it. I bet my life on it.
I love it when God translates the scriptures in my head. Thank you Jesus.


Saint Andrew’s Dune Church 140 Years “By the Sea”
Saint Andrew’s Dune Church was founded in 1879. It was first called Saint Andrews by-the-Sea. In 1884 the name was changed to Saint Andrew’s Dune Church; a name reminiscent of Dunquerque in France and Dunkirk in Scotland. We will examine its beautiful interior and artifacts, the glorious stained-glass windows, its move to the present site, its near destruction and rebuilding, and its peaceful setting in the dunes. NOTE: The church is air conditioned by Mother Nature herself; dress accordingly, but respectfully, if the day is hot.
To register, call the museum at 631-283-2494 or visit southamptonhistory.org (max. 100 people)


Zielinski Companies Celebrates 55 Years of Service
On November 1, 2012, Zielinski Companies and its founder, William L. Zielinski, celebrated 55 years of serving the needs of religious and non-profit clients. Mr. Zielinski started working with religious clients as great changes were starting to take place for religious congregations. Today, Mr. Zielinski continues to help oversee the activities of the firm, and Zielinski Companies continues to work with its very first client, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
From the firm’s early beginnings of providing accounting and auditing services, Zielinski Companies has grown into a worldwide provider of financial, planning, development and fundraising, facility, and real estate services to religious and non-profit organizations.
Changes are continuing to occur for religious and non-profit organizations. We believe a close, hands-on working relationship with our clients is a key ingredient in meeting these challenges and opportunities. By listening to your needs, we have been able to anticipate change and respond to current and/or future needs.
Like religious life, our company is continually evolving. Zielinski Companies is and will continue to be successful because of the family oriented, collaborative, and collegial atmosphere and approach permeating the company and experienced by our clients. As we’re well into our second generation of leadership, our commitment to our mission—helping our clients achieve their mission—is stronger than ever.


We lovingly invite you to our Church in Jesus name. We are a group of believers who gather for worship on sunday.
To know Christ, to enjoy Christ and to live for Christ we are blessed to be taught by His servants from God's word "THE HOLY BIBLE"
We encourage you to join us along with your family and friends to enjoy the wonderful presence of our Lord and the fellowship of His saints.
27th Cross, Thimmareddy Layout
Near Comfort Hospitals
Kaggadasapura, C.V. Raman Nagar
Bangalore - 560093


BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
Borrego Springs, California
Rev. Fernando Maldonado, Pastor
St. Richard Parish
Mass Schedule Indoor Only
Saturday 4:30 PM, 6:00 PM (Spanish)
Sunday 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM Bilingual (Christ the King Mission, Thermal)
Monday and Wednesday 9:00 AM
Thursday Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 12:00 pm to 6:30 PM
Mass in Spanish at 6:30 PM
Confessions by appointment or 15 minutes before Mass
EASTER TRIDUUM 2022
April 14, Holy Thursday:
6:30 PM — Holy Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Bilingual), Washing of the Feet, Transfer of the Holy Eucharist. Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament until midnight.
April 15, Good Friday:
4:30 PM — Celebration of the Lord’s Passion : Liturgy of the Word, and Holy Communion.
6:00 PM — Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, (Spanish).
April 16, Holy Saturday: (Christ the King Mission, Salton Sea)
8:00 PM — Easter Vigil (bilingual): Service of Light, Sacraments of Initiation, Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord. (No services in Borrego Springs)
April 17, Easter Sunday:
8:00 AM — Mass in Spanish
9:30 AM — Holy Mass
Christ the King Mission
HORARIO DE MISAS
Sunday 12:00 pm.
Bilingual Mass (Christ the King Mission)
Domingo 12:00 pm.
Misa Bilingüe en Cristo Rey


#144 Aloha Fleet Street!
Funny little one, this: a Hawaiian-themed micro-festival to raise money for St Bride’s Church. In the olden days, it would have been called a fête.
This kind of thing takes place in playgrounds and church halls all over the UK, of course. But there’s something undeniably strange about having one just off of Fleet Street. St Bride’s Church is famous, as London churches go; but when you have to compete with St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey, not to mention the Hawksmoor churches, you’re never going to be top of the heap. St Brides also suffers from being tucked away behind Fleet Street, nearly invisible and hemmed in by hulking corporate headquarters and imposing nineteenth-century office buildings on all sides. Its wedding-cake spire is easy to spot from far away, but close up, it’s strangely tricky to find.
Nevertheless, St Bride’s has been witness to most of Old London’s tragedies and triumphs. in 1500, Wynkyn de Worde set up one of England’s first printing presses next door. The church was burned down in the Great Fire, and rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren. It was gutted in the Blitz, then lovingly restored. It’s seen a lot in its time, but I’ll bet it’s never seen thirty grass-skirted pensioners before, dancing to ‘Who Let The Dogs Out’.
They had burgers! They had a disproportionately large sound system! They had well-meaning folks in abundance! It’s little events like this that give London the best of its idiotic, wonderful, hilarious existence. And we were given a free beer and a lei when we went in. You can’t say fairer than that.


1st Sunday of Resurrection
1 Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen on you. 2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. 3And the Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4Lift up your eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to you: your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5Then you shall see, and flow together, and your heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted to you, the forces of the Gentiles shall come to you. 6The multitude of camels shall cover you, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the LORD. 7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you: they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.


Sunday morning meditation! Join me, every Sunday, for morning meditation at Renaissance Unity Church's NEW LOCATION in Ferndale (881 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale, MI 48220) at 9:30am. I deliver an empowering message from Spirit, followed by several minutes of quiet reflection. And, if you choose to stay, an uplifting service follows the meditation session at 10am.
Event date Mar 31 '19 9:30am - 9:55am
Event location Renaissance Unity Church • 881 Pinecrest Drive, Ferndale, 48220, MI, United States
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Churches - St. George's Presbyterian Church
Since 1860, the congregation of St. George’s Presbyterian Church has been meeting on the lovely Northumberland Strait in River John, Nova Scotia. We welcome you and invite you to come take a look at our beautiful building and also learn something about us as we serve God in this place.
After 150 years of faith-filled worship, we are well experienced and enthusiastic about what God has in store for the next 150 years!
Sunday service is at 11:00 each week.


ABIDE is a year-long residential internship that encourages and equips high school graduates for a disciplemaking way of life
Since 2014, ABIDE interns have been dedicating a year of their life to serve and grow together
Pastor Steve Waggoner (left) has spent over 20 years multiplying disciplemakers.
Jen Scherer (middle) has a passion to equip young women to love Jesus and serve others. She has dedicated her life to the Ridge for many years.
Brady Zimmer (right) has served in youth ministry for nearly 10 years and was one of the original ABIDE interns in 2014. His life has born much fruit in the Ridge.
A Central Illinois community being
transformed one life at a time
Some past interns talk about the impact ABIDE has had on their life and ministry
We embrace weekly rhythms of study, prayer and service to show and share the gospel with each other and our friends at the Ridge
Studying Scripture together to know God
Living from the overflow of intimacy with Jesus
Putting our faith in action at the Ridge.
A transformed people to love God and others from the overflow of His extravagant love for us.
Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
1 Thessalonians 2:8
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.


WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE...
WHO? Grace Student Ministries is the Youth Group from Grace Church Laguna Niguel. All Jr. High and High School kids are welcome to join us.
WHEN? Every Wednesday evening 7:00 - 8:45 pm.
WHAT? We enjoy a time in the Word, worship in song, have fun playing games, and enjoy some good eats.
WHERE? We meet at Grace Church located at:
24600 La Plata Dr. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Grace Student Ministries exist to equip the youth with the Word of God. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word." - Psalm 119:9. Likewise, we desire to instill a passion for the Glory of God in all things, by making known the glorious gospel; that Christ died for sinner such as us, to reconcile us to God and make us His special possesion.
Our group also desires to promote unity amongst us as we stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. We have plenty of activities, in which we grow closer to each other and to our Lord.


Dearest Errol Naidoo - Get your facts STRAIGHT.
Well-known gay hater Errol Naidoo is at it again and we need your support and your voice to tell him and his constituency that their radical views are not only unconstitutional and illegal but also intolerant and against the principles of love and acceptance that his religion stands for. It is not surprising that conservative Christians are the most intolerant group of people in our society. They are also uninformed as it has Come Out that the Bible is translated wrongly. (See detailed info below.)
Errol Naidoo has launched a scathing attack on Cape Town Tourism for promoting our City as one of the top destinations in the world for gay people to visit. Cape Town Tourism is doing amazing work to position our city as Africa’s top destination for all people (gay and straight) to visit and Mr Naidoo has launched personal attacks on members of our community in the hateful fashion that he is known for.
Cape Town Tourism and the City of Cape Town support MCQP, much to the scorn of Mr Naidoo and his compatriots. He wrote to the Argus and is championing a hate email campaign against Cape Town Tourism and the City of Cape Town where he asked Christians to write to Cape Town Tourism and the Mayor of the City to express their disgust with their marketing strategies. This has caused significant responses - both by conservative Christians and by some sectors in the gay community. We would like to see the entire gay community of Cape Town add their voices against the highly prejudiced and homophobic views in the name if Christianity.
As gay citizens of Cape Town we need to make our voices heard. Mr Naidoo and his constituency should stop trying to ostracise marginalised groups and let Cape Town Tourism market the city to any legitimate market it so chooses. The more money we get as a city the less we will have to pay in rates.
Email Errol at:
Please copy Cape Town Tourism firstname.lastname@example.org in your email to show your support of the work that they are doing to market Cape Town to various groups of people (straight and gay) across the world.
Dear Errol Naidoo
You are acting from your Christian point of view.
Your view is flawed.
The Bible was translated wrongly.
THE BIBLE AND HOMOSEXUALITY
As stated above, until 1869 there was no written idea of homosexuality being an innate part of one's nature. Until that time it was believed that all people were heterosexual, but some were so perverted that they engaged in same-gender sex. When the Bible writers talked on this subject, within their culture and understanding, that is what they were talking about--that kind of heterosexuality.
Nevertheless, there are Bible passages used by some people today to condemn homosexuals. I want to discuss each passage in some detail to show that not only is there no statement about homosexuality, but also that there is no statement applicable to homosexual sex if that sex is not lustful. Many authors write on this subject, and I am indebted to many of them.
THE OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 1-2, The Creation Story
Critics of homosexuality enjoy saying, "The creation story is about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve." Those who say that marriage can be only between a man and a woman argue that God's creation of Adam and Eve as heterosexuals shows that this is what he intended all persons to be; anything else is outside His will and therefore sinful. Dr. Gomes responds,
[As] Jeffrey S. Siker has pointed out in the July 1994 issue of Theology Today, to argue that the creation story privileges a heterosexual view of the relations between humankind is to make one of the weakest arguments possible, the argument from silence....It does not mention friendship, for example, and yet we do not assume that friendship is condemned or abnormal. It does not mention the single state, and yet we know that singleness is not condemned, and that in certain religious circumstances it is held in very high esteem. The creation story is not, after all, a paradigm about marriage, but rather about the establishment of human society.B-1
One can read anything one wants to into the creation story but cannot read anything about homosexuality out of it.
Genesis 18:20 to 19:29--The Sodom Story
Some consider the sin of Sodom to be same-gender sex, although we are not told in Genesis what Sodom's sins were, only that they were so great that God determined to destroy the city. On the evening before its destruction he sent two angels, in disguise as men, to the city to lead Lot and his family out early the next day. Hospitable Lot invited them to spend the night at his house. During the evening the men of the city surrounded the house and demanded of Lot that he bring the two men out so that they could [19:5]
King James Version: "know them."
Revised Standard Version: "know them."
New International Version: "have sex with them."
When Lot refused to bring his guests out, the men of the city were about to break his door down when the angels struck them all blind and the mob dispersed. The next day Lot and his family were led out of Sodom, and the city was destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven.
The Hebrew verb used here, "yadha," "to know," is used 943 times in the OT and only ten times clearly to mean "have sex," then it always means heterosexual sex. The word normally used for homosexual sex is "shakhabh." Many scholars believe that in Gen. 19:5 yadha means "know" in the sense of "get acquainted with" (the city's men may have wondered if these were enemy spies or they might have sensed the city's impending doom and been concerned with what these strangers were doing there) and have several arguments for this, including Sodom's being used as an example of great sin numerous times in the Old and New Testaments with nothing ever said about same-sex sex, and the context of Jesus' references to Sodom (Luke 10:10-13) which seems to imply lack of hospitality as the sin.
Other scholars think it was the common practice of showing dominance over and humiliating outsiders by forcing them to take the part of a (an inferior) woman in a same-gender rape.
Others think it means "have sex," and point to Lot's offering his two virgin daughters to the crowd if sex is what they want, if they will just leave his guests alone. If this is the right interpretation, it is clearly about violent, criminal, gang rape, something always condemnable.
Another thought is expressed by Religion Professor David L. Bartlett: "This story is certainly an unlikely starting point for a `biblical' understanding of sexual ethics. While the attempted homosexual rape by the men of Sodom is explicitly condemned, the offer by Lot to hand his two virgin daughters over to the violent and lecherous inhabitants of Sodom is related without a word of judgment."B-2
Conservative theologian Richard Hays says, "The notorious story of Sodom and Gomorrah--often cited in connection with homosexuality--is actually irrelevant to the topic."B-3
There is nothing in this story applicable to our consideration of homosexuality.
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13
Revised Standard Version:
22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination.
13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death...
The King James and New International versions say virtually the same thing.
Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 are the only direct references to same-gender sex in the Old Testament. They are both part of the Old Testament Holiness Code, a religious, not a moral code; it later became the Jewish Purity Laws. ["Abomination" is used throughout the Old Testament to designate sins that involve ethnic contamination or idolatry. The word relates to the failure to worship God or to worshiping a false god; it does not relate to morality.] Professor Soards tell us, "Old Testament experts view the regulations of Leviticus as standards of holiness, directives for the formation of community life, aimed at establishing and maintaining a people's identity in relation to God."B-4 This is because God was so determined that his people would not adopt the practices of the Baal worshipers in Canaan, and same-gender sex was part of Baal worship. (The laws say nothing about women engaging in same-gender sex; probably this had to do with man's dominance, and such acts by the subservient had nothing to do with religious impurity.)
God required purity for his worship. Anything pure was unadulterated, unmixed with anything else These Purity Laws prohibited mixing different threads in one garment, sowing a field with two kinds of seed, crossbreeding animals. A few years ago in Israel when an orthodox government came into power, McDonalds had to stop selling cheeseburgers. Hamburgers, OK. Cheese sandwiches, OK. But mixing milk and meat in one sandwich violated the Purity Laws--it had nothing to do with morality. These were laws about worshipping God, not ethics, and so have no bearing on our discussion of morality. Helmut Thielicke remarks on these passages: "It would never occur to anyone to wrench these laws of cultic purification from their concrete situation and give them the kind of normative authority that the Decalogue, for example, has."B-5
Another reason they are not pertinent to our discussion is that these laws were for the particular time and circumstances existing when they were given. If you planted a fruit tree, you could not eat its fruit until its fifth year, and all fruit the fourth year must be offered to the Lord. A worker must be paid his wage on the day of his labor. You must not harvest a field to its edge. We readily dismiss most of them as not applicable to our day and culture, and if we dismiss some of them for any reason, we have to dismiss all of them, including the sexual regulations, for that same reason.
When we add the fact that these laws were talking about heterosexuals, it makes three reasons, any one of which would be sufficient, why they have no bearing on questions about homosexuals or homosexuality or on the morality of same-gender sex by homosexuals today.
THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the New Testament there are three passages to consider.
Romans 1:21, 26, 27
Revised Standard Version
21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him...
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men...
The King James and New International versions say virtually the same thing.
Romans 1:26 and 27 clearly speak of same-gender sex by both men and women, the only passage in the New Testament that does so. Rom. 1:18-32 speaks of Gentiles (heterosexuals) who could and should have known and served and given thanks to God but would not, so God gave them up and let them do whatever they wanted to do, and that resulted in degrading and shameful acts, including same-gender sex. It is almost a moot point, but Paul is not listing sins for which God will condemn anyone, he is listing sins that occur because people have forsaken Him. These are acts committed by those who have turned away from God and so become "consumed with passion." All of us recognize that those who forsake God and give themselves over to lustful living--homosexual or heterosexual--stand condemned by the Bible. This passage is talking about people who chose to forsake God.
Conservative theologian Richard Hays says, "No direct appeal to Romans 1 as a source of rules about sexual conduct is possible."B-6
I Corinthians 6:9
King James Version:
9...Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate [malakoi], nor abusers of themselves with mankind [arsenokoitai], 10 Nor thieves..., shall inherit the kingdom of God.
New International Version
9...Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes [malakoi] nor homosexual offenders [arsenokoitai] 10 nor thieves...will inherit the kingdom of God.
Revised Standard Version--1952 edition:
9...Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals [malakoi and arsenokoitai], 10 nor thieves..., will inherit the kingdom of God.
Revised Standard Version--1971 edition:
9...Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts [malakoi and arsenokoitai], 10 nor thieves..., will inherit the kingdom of God.
A comparison of how the two Greek words are translated in the different versions shows that translations often, unfortunately, become the interpretations of the translators. In I Cor. 6:9 Paul lists the types of persons who will be excluded from the kingdom of God and for some he uses the Greek words malakoi and arsenokoitai. KJ translates the first "effeminate," a word that has no necessary connection with homosexuals. The NIV translates the first "male prostitutes" and the second, "homosexual offenders". The RSV in its first edition of 1952 translated both words by the single term, "homosexuals". In the revised RSV of 1971, the translation "homosexuals" is discarded and the two Greek words are translated as "sexual perverts"; obviously the translators had concluded the earlier translation was not supportable.
Malakoi literally means "soft" and is translated that way by both KJ and RSV in Matt. 11:8 and Luke 7:25. When it is used in moral contexts in Greek writings it has the meaning of morally weak; a related word, malakia, when used in moral contexts, means dissolute and occasionally refers to sexual activity but never to homosexual acts. There are at least five Greek words that specifically mean people who practice same-gender sex. Unquestionably, if Paul had meant such people, he would not have used a word that is never used to mean that in Greek writings when he had other words that were clear in that meaning. He must have meant what the word commonly means in moral contexts, "morally weak." There is no justification, most scholars agree, for translating it "homosexuals."
Arsenokoitai, is not found in any extant Greek writings until the second century when it apparently means "pederast", a corrupter of boys, and the sixth century when it is used for husbands practicing anal intercourse with their wives. Again, if Paul meant people practicing same-gender sex, why didn't he use one of the common words? Some scholars think probably the second century use might come closest to Paul's intention. If so, there is no justification for translating the word as "homosexuals." Other scholars see a connection with Greek words used to refer to same-gender sex in Leviticus. If so, it is speaking of heterosexuals given to such lust they turn to such acts.
Richard Hays tells us, "I Corinthians 6:9-11 states no rule to govern the conduct of Christians."B-7
One commentator has another reason for rejecting the NIV and original RSV translations, "homosexuals." Today it could mean that a person who is homosexual in orientation even though "of irreproachable morals, is automatically branded as unrighteous and excluded from the kingdom of God, just as if he were the most depraved of sexual perverts."B-8
So I Cor. 6:9 says nothing about homosexuality with the possible exception of condemnable pederasty.
I Tim. 1:10
King James Version:
9...the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners,...10...for them that defile themselves with mankind (arsenokoitai)...
Revised Standard Version - both 1952 and 1971 editions:
9...the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for 10 immoral persons, sodomites (arsenokoitai),...
New International Version:
9...the law is not made for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful...10 for adulterers and perverts (arsenokoitai)
Here only the RSV specifically refers to same-gender sex, using the term "sodomites," which is the translation given in both the Old Testament and New Testament to Hebrew and Greek words for male temple prostitutes. The KJV probably has the same thought. The NIV does not necessarily refer to same-gender sex. Again Paul has used the Greek word arsenokoitai, the word in I Cor. 6:9.
As discussed above, this word would have no reference to homosexuality or homosexual sex in our discussion.
So like the other two New Testament passages, I Tim. 1:10 says nothing about homosexuality or homosexuals and nothing about same-gender sex unless that of temple prostitutes or possibly the molestation of young boys by heterosexuals.
In view of the facts set forth above, we realize there is no moral teaching in the Bible about homosexuality as we know it, including homosexual sex (except possibly pederasty). The Bible cannot be used to condemn as immoral all same-gender sex. It clearly condemns lust, whether homosexual or heterosexual. There is certainly nothing in the Bible about anyone going to hell because he or she is homosexual. All who go to hell will go for the same, one reason: failure to commit their lives in faith to Jesus Christ as their lord and savior.
From a slightly different approach to interpretation, Dr. Robin Scroggs states, "The basic model in today's Christian homosexual community is so different from the model attacked by the New Testament that the criterion of reasonable similarity of context is not met. The conclusion I have to draw seems inevitable: Biblical judgments against homosexuality are not relevant to today's debate."B-9 [Italics his]
Dr. Gomes concludes his discussion of homosexuality and the Bible with these words:
The Biblical writers never contemplated a form of homosexuality in which loving, monogamous, and faithful persons sought to live out the implications of the gospel with as much fidelity to it as any heterosexual believer. All they knew of homosexuality was prostitution, pederasty, lasciviousness, and exploitation. These vices, as we know, are not unknown among heterosexuals, and to define contemporary homosexuals only in these terms is a cultural slander of the highest order, reflecting not so much prejudice, which it surely does, but what the Roman Catholic Church calls "invincible ignorance," which all of the Christian piety and charity in the world can do little to conceal. The "problem," of course, is not the Bible, it is the Christians who read it.B-10


23 -27 Juillet - Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, PAYS DE GALLES
The beautiful Welsh heritage site in the Wye Valley in all its rich architectural and historical splendour will host Notre Dame de Paris aka The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Each an artistic symbol of the religious power of its country, these magnificent edifices built with staggering community effort have seen adaptations throughout history, suffered from regal oppression and changes in ideology, and ultimately received salvation from their people’s love for them to reach their current state.
Founded in 1131 by Walter de Clare, Lord of Chepstow, the first Cistercian convent in Wales and the second in Britain, Tintern Abbey serves as an outstanding example of the 13th century English decorated gothic. Three decades later, Bishop Maurice de Sully ordered the demolition of Paris’ previous Cathedral, St Stephen’s, to make way for the new Notre-Dame de Paris.
The monks of Tintern Abbey came from Chartres, near to Paris, and in the 12th century it was a temple of Cistercian simplicity that can be likened to the Romanesque form of the Early Notre-Dame. Unfortunately very little survived from these monastery buildings despite being the richest Welsh monastery, its building was still given away in 1549 under Henry VIII’s first Act of Suppression of all religious houses making under 200 pounds a year. Henry Somerset, Earl of Worcester, took the lead from the roofs thereby setting off the ruination of the medieval buildings.
In Victor Hugo’s novel, the Cathedral’s legal and religious right as a sanctuary for the convicted highlights the power play of monarch and Church while the power of the death penalty is ridiculed when at first Esmeralda is whisked away from the gallows by the hunchbacked bellringer. Two years before publishing The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hugo had written The Last Day of a Condemned Man to express his opinion that the death penalty should be abolished.
Tintern was one of the few Welsh abbeys to avoid damage from the wars of Edward II perhaps thanks to its own use as a sanctuary in 1326 when the King sheltered there for two nights, fleeing Roger Mortimer’s army.
A distant precursor to the fate of Notre-Dame, restored in the 19th century at the demand of petitions fuelled by Hugo’s tale and growing tourism, Tintern in the 14th century was saved by pilgrims, faithful in the powers of the statue of the Virgin Mary that the abbey sheltered.


An angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get ready and go south to the road
that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This road is not used nowadays.) So
Philip got ready and went. Now an Ethiopian eunuch, who was an important
official in charge of the treasury of the queen of Ethiopia, was on his
way home. He had been to Jerusalem to worship God and was going back home
in his carriage. As he rode along, he was reading from the book of the
prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to that carriage
and stay close to it." Philip ran over and heard him reading from the book
of the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
Philip and the Ethiopian Official
Good News Bible
The official replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains
it to me?" And he invited Philip to climb up and sit in the carriage with
him. The passage of scripture which he was reading was this:
"Like a sheep that is taken to be slaughtered,
The official asked Philip, "Tell me, of whom is the prophet saying this?
Of himself or of someone else?" Then Philip began to speak; starting from
this passage of scripture, he told him the Good News about Jesus. As they
travelled down the road, they came to a place where there was some water,
and the official said, "Here is some water. What is to keep me from being
like a lamb that makes no sound when its wool is cut off,
he did not say a word.
He was humiliated, and justice was denied him.
No one will be able to tell about his descendants
because his life on earth has come to an end."
The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official
went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out
of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. The official did
not see him again, but continued on his way, full of joy. Philip found
himself in Ashdod; he went on to Caesarea, and on the way he preached the
Good News in every town.
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward
the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which
The Ethiopian eunuch baptized,
King James Bible
And he arose and went and, behold, a man of Ethiopia an eunuch of great
authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of
all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep
to the daughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he
not his mouth:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare
his generation ? for his life is taken from the earth
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh
the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached
unto him Jesus.
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both
into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his
But Philip was found at Azatus: and passing through he preached in all
the cities, till he came to Caesarea.


After much thought and prayer we are going in a new direction....
I know you're like WHAT??? Don't worry we are not abandoning anything just opening our arms and our hearts wider.
Dansby Photography just like Pride Portrait was and is a #Catholic owned company and as such we have a obligation to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church He established. So it is with that it doesn't matter what your budget is, what your lifestyle choice, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, etc... We will not turn you away like some other "Christian Business"... Christ opened the doors of his heart to all who came to him for forgiveness... We open those same doors to those who come to us for the services we provide.
After we get our website redesigned and cleaned-up we will be releasing new TOS (Terms of Service), Contracts, Surveys, etc...
These will be tailored to fit each person who walks thru our doors and into our hearts. We are doing this not to increase our sales or fill our calendar; we are doing this so that you may get the best service for your dollar and that if there is something about you that we don't understand you can educate us. We are also changing so that we may pass on the blessings GOD has given us.
Soon to follow a personal statement about what is going on with me and the comment about the comments on my guestbook.
Remember to check out our newest offer Redesign BOGO


"In so giving yourselves to the Lord, you affirm that you will be heartily contented that He assign you to your work.
Let Him assign you to your work. Christ has many services to be done; some are more easy and honorable, others more difficult and menial.
Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests; others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves, as when He requires us to feed and clothe ourselves. Indeed, there are some spiritual duties that are more pleasing than others; as to rejoice in the Lord, to bless and praise God. These are the sweet works of a Christian.
But then there are other works. In these we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves, as in enduring the sins and shortcomings of others, reproving others for their sins, withdrawing from their company; as in witnessing against their wickedness. Confessing Christ and His name is never easy when it costs us shame and ridicule. It is never easy to sail against the wind, swim against the tide, surrender our rights and privileges because Jesus Christ is our Lord.
See what it is that Christ expects and then yield yourselves to His whole will. Do not think of making your own terms with Christ; that will never be allowed.” (Wesleyan covenant renewal service)


4 Pics 1 Word Daily Challenge December 5 2014 Answer : NATIVITY
what’s the word 4 pics 1 word picture dec 5/14 cheats with images :
1. stained glass silhouette joseph mary baby Jesus in glass ornaments
2. bethlehem nativity scene of baby Jesus in the manger with the virgin Mary and Joseph
3. all gather around nativity of Baby Jesus with Mary Joseph Lamb and 3 wise men
4. wooden figures birth of baby Jesus with Mary, Joseph, Shephards, Kings
4 pics 1 word daily challenge dec 12/5/14 LOTUM GMBH brain & puzzle game 8 letters cheat answers : NATIVITY
Ho ho ho, Santa’s on his way! Count down to Christmas with the 4 Pics 1 Word Advent Calendar!!
– Play the daily challenge for a wonderful Christmas treat every day!
– Fun Christmasy sounds and graphics will get you in the festive mood!


Handing on the gift of life to your child means not only bringing them to birth but helping them grow. You want them to grow physically, emotionally and intellectually. But that’s not all we are as human beings. We are spiritual beings, body and soul. To hand on the gift of Faith to our children is to help them grow spiritually. To have your child baptised is to set them on a journey, an adventure, a relationship with Jesus. That journey will, we hope, lead them to heaven! But it also has the potential to give them joy and a firm foundation for their lives on this earth.
So Fr. Paul and Fr. Michael and the whole parish family (as well as Fr. Duggan and Fr Ryan and Sr Anne and Sr Annette and all our family members up in heaven) rejoice that you have made this decision (or at least are thinking about it). You want to give your child so much, and this is a most important gift.
So what’s next? The first step is to make contact. There are more and more ways to do this. Phone us (01706 369777), email us (email@example.com), Facebook us (Our Lady and St. Joseph’s Facebook page), Tweet us (catholicheywood), ring the doorbell, grab us as you see us out and about, or pop along to Sunday Mass. We will arrange an initial chat. It’s usually best if we come and visit you at home. It gives us the chance to meet the family. Don’t worry if your partner isn’t remotely religious and thinks it’s all baloney! But it’s still good to meet him/her anyway out of courtesy.
And we will help you to make the arrangements from there.
Here is the Baptism Preparation Form which we will go through when we call to see you. Please read it and reflect on it. Don’t be put off by it. We’re a friendly lot! Do have the form with you when we come to see you OR we will bring one ourselves.


Heaven Come Down
The story of a transgender disciple
Paperback |304 pp |216 x 135 mm
'Chrissie’s book is powerful, uncomfortable but essential reading as the Church seeks to understand the trauma of gender dysphoria and welcome transgender persons.'
‘Exhilarating and dangerous, like her cycle races, Chrissie’s searingly honest, Jesus-centred emergence as a transgender disciple challenges and heartens. It’s one heck of a ride!’
‘More beauty, more truth, and more pain than have ever been found under one cover. Chrissie’s story breaks you open - and keeps you that way.’
Heaven Come Down is the stunningly powerful testimony of someone growing up with severe dysmorphia and gender dysphoria, in a broken dysfunctional family, and their discovery of hope, love and faith through the healing power of God. Chrissie Chevasutt’s tumultuous journey has taken her through drug addiction, prostitution, and begging on the streets of India, before being led to the feet of Jesus. It is a story of hope for anyone who has or is suffering from addictions, suicidal ideation, homelessness, mental illness and the crisis of sexual or gender identity conflict, and seeks to build bridges in places where the Church and the transgender community have been divided.


I don’t know about you, but it seems like every day I’m trying to pull my head above water and breath some optimism into my life. I don’t mean to sound morbid or depressed, but times now are kind of scary! Todd’s and my life has been blessed… But, I’m more concerned for this world than I have ever known. I do pray everyday….And I’m not even a church goer!…Thats right…I Don’t Go To Church (God forgive me!)…But I know that I’m so blessed to have a sanctuary like Todd’s Backyard, to keep me focused and and centered in God’s love. I pray for my family, I pray for my friends, I pray for this country, I pray for everyone in this world!
Some of the most inspirational times in Todd’s Backyard, to me, are the spectacular sunrises and sunsets in the desert.
The thing is, all of the photos that we’ve captured, have been of sunsets, even though the sunrises can be just as spectacular!
It makes me think about Benjamin Franklin, when he sat, in physical misery, at the Constitutional Convention. He kept his mind off of his physical pain by staring at the back of a chair which was carved with a sun…..He could not tell if, in this carving, the sun was rising or setting.
I think a lot of folks these days, think that the sun is setting, on their lives, on this nation, on this world….But I do believe the best could, and will be ahead…because with the storm, the sunset may take your breath away, but there is always a sunrise to come!


What happens when you are trying to do everything right, and you get broadsided with a tragedy, disappointment, or struggle? Aren't we promised an easy yoke? Shouldn't our work for the Lord keep us from suffering heartaches?
Well, let's see what lessons we can learn from Joseph's life that may shed light on some of these questions.
Joseph was Living Faithfully
Joseph was a good young man. He obeyed his father's commands. While studying this journey that Joseph's father sent him on, I discovered that Joseph walked over 100 miles in search of his brothers. Those are not the actions of a rebellious young man. Joseph was a good kid.
We have established that Joseph was of upstanding character. This was not a little errand. This was not a small responsibility like "take out the trash". As we progress through Genesis 37 we can see that Joseph learned that...
Life comes at you Fast
Joseph is trudging along, finally sees his brothers in the distance, is looking forward to a fire and some water and taking a rest and BAM! Within minutes he is in a pit with no explanation. And within a day he is tied behind a camel as the property of some slave traders. Not long after that he is sold again in a country that is foreign to him! You think you have it rough? Imagine being thrown in a van with a bag over your head, taking a long airplane ride with burly guards on each side of you and being dropped off in a place where you don't know the language and being made to understand that someone now owns you. Sounds like...
Life is not Fair
You can say about Joseph's life that "all's well that ends well". Technically you would be right. But, as Joseph looked up from the bottom of a pit, was trudging through the desert behind a camel on his way to Egypt, and was thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit, life sure didn't seem very fair.
Usually when we do something dumb and get in trouble for our actions we can at least associate our bad circumstance with our bad decision. What was Joseph supposed to blame? Dreams sent by God that he was just excited to share?! His "punishment" did not fit his "crime". As we skip forward in the story of Joseph, he finds out that...
Life does not Freeze
A valuable lesson for those of us that have gone through hard circumstances is this, "everyone else's life does not come to a stop just because we have had it rough." When Joseph looked down at his brothers from his throne, though he was now in a position of power and superiority, he looked down and saw older faces looking back at him. His brothers were affected by the passage of time. His father had grown old in his absence.
Joseph could have gotten bitter about the years of his life that he had lost. He could have punished his brothers for ripping away time he could have spent with his beloved father. Instead, he accepted that life did not freeze for others during his trials and that...
Life doesn't Follow your plans
I will simply say this, don't get so attached to your plans that you would never let God change them. If the Lord truly directs your steps, then let Him. Joseph seemed to understand this. He also understood that though you might be living in a sort of captivity of some kind...
Living for God is true Freedom
Understand that Joseph had as much freedom as he was given by God, not as much as his circumstance dictated. Circumstances don't dictate your freedom, your relationship with God does. What that means is that you do not have to be bound and crushed by the weight of situations and problems. You can rest in God's grace and peace. As the verse above states, He is not going to forget. Lincoln may be the Great Emancipator, but God is the Greatest Emancipator! Lastly, Joseph found that...
Life is not Final
What a joy when we realize that Joseph did not spend forever in Egypt! His bones, and his legacy made it out, Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him:. And more importantly, Joseph is in Heaven right now! Does he have his head down like Eeyore because of how bad a few years of his life were? No!!!
Maybe you are in, or going into a circumstance that you don’t understand. Take these lessons from the life of Joseph to heart and emulate his attitude, or lack thereof:)


And that’s a wrap! OneCompassion’s annual Holiday Ministry had tremendous reach and impact that wouldn’t have been possible without our generous community.
Together, our 150+ volunteers served over 250 hours to serve 137 families, including 433 children!
Through the generosity of our partners, donors, and volunteers, families experienced the joy of giving and receiving grace and compassion just as we have. These deserving families in need from our local community were deeply grateful for much needed grocery, household items, and gifts during the Christmas season.
Thank you to everyone who gave time, talents, and treasures to share the love of Jesus in such tangible ways!


Dear RE Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
We have witnessed with grief the devastating effects of Hurricane Michael. Most of us have seen the storm from a distance. Some of our brothers and sisters have been close to the damage. Thankfully as far as I know at present no Reformed Episcopal churches or people have been directly involved. However, we all standby with our prayers and resources for those in need. We have our own emergency relief fund. For information or need please contact Canon Jason Grote at J2Grote@rechurch.org.
The Anglican Church in America also has the Anglican Relief and Development Fund. There are also other wonderful resources such as Samaritan’s Purse. Please continue to pray for those so afflicted by this horrible hurricane.
A PrayerO God, merciful and compassionate, who art ever ready to hear the prayers of those who put their trust in thee; Graciously hearken to us who call upon thee, and grant to all those families who have lost loved ones, and those dispossessed by Hurricane Michael, help in this their need; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Most Rev. Ray R. Sutton, Ph.D.
PREFACETO THE FAITHFUL MEMBERS OF THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL FAMILY OF CHURCHES;
On behalf of all the Bishops of the Reformed Episcopal Churches, we bring you greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
We write to commend an important teaching document produced by us, Understanding the Declaration of Principles in the 21st Century. The need for this work results from the significant growth of our part of the Lord’s Church over the last century or so. In particular, much has happened during this long period which reflects how the Holy Spirit has led our understanding of the Declaration of Principles.
Over the years our mission and growth have necessitated many changes. Constitutions and Canons have been updated, liturgical provision has been revised, and our engagements with other Christians (most recently within the GAFCON movement) have required us to express our faith in present-day terms. In all of this our intention, and that of our predecessors, has been to ensure that the substance of the faith is kept entire, though some of the language we use may differ from age to age.
In light of commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ, to the infallible Word of God Written, and to all our doctrinal statements, we therefore provide the teaching, Understanding the Declaration of Principles in the 21st Century. We hope that this instruction will further us in the classical Anglican heritage that we represent. Bishop Cummins called this legacy “The Old Paths . . . with unbroken succession through the Church of England, with the Church of Christ from the earliest Christian era.”
It is our earnest desire that the instruction by the Bishops of your church would be prayerfully considered and received. Out of pastoral love we present this teaching for the Glory of God and for the edification of all Reformed Episcopalians and those who seek to understand us better. To these ends, we trust our Lord to continue His blessing on this faithful portion of His Church.
Sincerely in Christ,
The Most Rev. Ray R. Sutton, Ph.D. Presiding Bishop, North America
The Most Rev. John Fenwick, D.D. Primus, The Free Church of England
Feast of St Augustine of Hippo 28th August 2018
The body of the Document is only available to view in pdf format.