Trailer released for film version of Les Miserables

Now playing at the Cafe - the just-released film trailer of the long-awaited and now almost-here-film-version of the stage musical Les Miserables.  It opens in December:

Bob Dylan to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom today

Bob Dylan receives the Medal of Freedom today at the White House.

Bob Dylan will be presented with the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States today, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Live coverage by C-SPAN begins today at 3:45 p.m.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in an event honoring the 13 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in an East Room ceremony at the White House.

Created by President John F. Kennedy through an Executive Order in 1963, the Medal of Freedom is recognizes exceptional meritorious service.

UPDATE: Here is the section focusing on Dylan:



Here is a list of those receiving the honor today:

• Madeleine Albright - 64th U.S. Secretary of State, the first woman to hold that position

• John Doar - Former Justice Department official that led federal efforts to protect and enforce civil rights during the 1960s

• Bob Dylan - Influential American musician

• William Foege - Physician and epidemiologist that lead the successful campaign to eradicate smallpox in the 1970s

• John Glenn - Former United States Marine Corps pilot, astronaut and United States Senator

• Gordon Hirabayashi - He openly defied the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II

• Dolores Huerta - Notable human right activist and co-founded the National Farmworkers Association in 1962

• Jan Karski - Officer in the Polish Underground during World War II and carried among the first eye-witness accounts of the Holocaust to the world

• Juliette Gordon Low - Founded the Girl Scouts in 1912

• Toni Morrison - Celebrated American novelist

• Shimon Peres - Advocate for Israel's security and for peace

• John Paul Stevens - Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1975 to 2010

• Pat Summitt - All-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history

Bob Dylan kept the sunglasses on.

Here is the classic recording by Peter, Paul & Mary of Bob Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind.

Memorial Day at the Cafe

When they say goodbye they do not know if those they love who serve in the United States Armed Services will ever return. Our troops indeed are the bravest men and women on the planet, but their families who let them go are also brave, standing courageously and steadfast in their love and support of those serving their country so far from home.

Today at the Cafe we remember the families who also sacrifice so much and especially those who let go of the ones they love forever.

Late Night at the Cafe: A Song for Old Comrades

Anglican Church in North America, The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) and the Lutheran Church (Canada) together affirm core Christian teachings; release agreement report

From here:

After four meetings over the past 18 months, the Anglican Church in North America and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) rejoice in affirming core teachings of the Christian faith they share. The two church bodies, together with the Lutheran Church—Canada, are jointly releasing a report today summarizing the areas of agreement.

Leaders from the two church bodies began meeting in the fall of 2010 to discuss theological and ecumenical issues for the purpose of increasing the level of mutual understanding and affirmations between them, and identifying potential areas of cooperative work. Because the Anglican Church in North America includes congregations in Canada as well as in the United States, a representative from Lutheran Church—Canada, an LCMS partner church, also participated in the discussions.

"In a time when there is a widespread failure to recognize the biblical teaching regarding the creation of man and woman and their biblical roles, life-issues, and other grave challenges that society faces, it is a joy to find a group of Christians within the Anglican Church in North America who affirm this biblical teaching, and who desire to cooperate in externals with the Missouri Synod in upholding the biblical natural law in society,” said the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the LCMS. “Our churches share much in common in the confession of the ecumenical creeds, but we also have differences in doctrinal belief. Hermann Sasse noted that churches who can honestly discuss where they have disagreements in doctrine are in fact closer to each other than churches who cannot discuss such matters. With the Anglican Church in North America, the Missouri Synod can discuss both where we need to seek more agreement and where we have sufficient agreement to cooperate in externals. May Christ bless His church and work unity in both doctrine and practice."

The themes of the discussions included:

The Background and Identity of Our Churches
Authority in the Church
Theological and Societal Challenges Facing the Church
The Practice of Ministry: Worship and Catechesis

The report on the discussions includes a statement of the beliefs the church bodies have in common. These include a shared belief in the Triune God as confessed in the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian creeds; justification by grace through faith; the centrality of the Sacraments for the Christian faith; and the infallibility of Scripture.

The report also outlines areas about which the church bodies plan to engage in further study and discussion. These include the value of authoritative theological confessions, matters of ecclesiology and the office(s) of ministry, the understanding of Christ’s presence in the Lord’s Supper and differing views on the usage of the western liturgy.

“It is a great blessing to be walking alongside The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. We share an unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture and have been able to support each other as we take a bold stand for the historic faith. It has been a particular joy for me to come to know President Matthew Harrison. We look forward to continuing our work together for the Gospel through prayers, evangelism, dialogue, encouragement of one another, and joint efforts to help those in need,” said the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee, president of the Lutheran Church—Canada, added, "Because the Anglican Church in North America includes congregations and pastors in our country as well as the U.S., Lutheran Church—Canada is deeply grateful for the opportunity to send a representative and to be involved in these discussions. Despite the decay in foundational Christian teaching among mainline churches in North America, the Lord is opening doors for us to encourage each other to root our work in the apostolic Gospel of Christ and in the Scriptures as God's infallible Word. Our people in Canada will continue to follow this story with interest ... and with their prayers."

Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan!

It's that time again that we celebrate the 71st birthday of Mr. Dylan, who next week will be honored with the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom here in Washington.

Since that is such a big deal, we thought we might play it a bit more low key this year and choose one song from his massive lexicon.

But what song?  Been thinking about it all day and so here, without further ado, is the song, a masterpiece from 2001, and with it a very very happy birthday to Bob Dylan.

Wycliffe Hall Principal Richard Turnbull takes leave absence

The Wycliffe Hall Council has released this statement:

Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Staff and students at Wycliffe were told last week that Principal Richard Turnbull is to take a leave of absence from the Hall. The Council wishes to make it clear that the Principal has not been dismissed. The Council and Richard are now in ongoing discussions over his future role at Wycliffe, with Vice-Principal Simon Vibert assuming the position of Acting Principal. We have every confidence in Simon, and in the rest of the staff, to ensure continuity and the efficient functioning of the Hall during this time.

The outcome of the discussions with Richard will be communicated to staff and students in due course. However, our overriding priority is to ensure Wycliffe remains unequivocally committed to equipping men and women as leaders, preachers, church planters and evangelists in the mission of proclaiming and living the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, with a deeply biblical understanding of the nature of the Kingdom of God.

Anglican Ink has the story here.

House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson to step down

Interesting development two months before General Convention. Might also be of interest to read this earlier letter from Bonnie Anderson to the House of Deputies from last January here at the Episcopal Cafe, with more commentary here.  Cheryl Wetzel of Anglicans United has her commentary here, including her prediction that The Rev'd Gay Jennings of the Diocese of Ohio will be Bonnie Anderson's successor.  Gay Jennings serves on Bonnie Anderson's Council of Advice.  Her term on Executive Council is ending and she preached the closing Eucharist at the most recent Executive Council last month in Salt Lake City.  Her sermon is here.


From here:

May 23, 2012

Dear Deputies and First Alternates,

Bonnie Anderson, Episcopal House of Deputies President

I write to you for two reasons:  to thank you for your support, friendship, prayers, challenges, brilliance and love that has inspired and humbled me during these 6 years and second, to let you know that I do not plan to stand for election as President of the House of Deputies for another term.

The reason I am not seeking re-election is a simple one: I want to spend more time with my family. My husband, Glen, is retired. I want to be with him more. Our amazing son, Justin, lives with us and reminds us every single day, by his very existence, that God is a generous miracle maker. I want to celebrate Justin’s life by being with him every day. I want to bake cakes with my grandchildren and go to all their band concerts, soccer games and school plays. I want to have leisurely phone conversations with my daughters. You get the picture.

By tomorrow, you will receive information on the process for electing a President and Vice President while we are in Indianapolis.

I have been honored beyond measure to lead this house, and gratified to observe the many ways in which Deputies and Alternates serve and lead God’s Church, both when General Convention is in session and when it is not. Your voices resonate not only within the great representative diversity of General Convention, but also in our communities and in commissions during the triennium, in vestries, and in the leadership roles you hold in our congregations, dioceses and provinces.  In my 21 years in the House, and my two terms as your president, I have been reminded again and again of our forebears’ wisdom in creating a system of governance that honors the simple theological truth that the Holy Spirit blows where she will, and that to discern God’s purposes, we must listen to the voices of all of the baptized.

Please know that I will serve the House of Deputies as President at full capacity until the “gavel goes down” on July 12 in Indianapolis.

Peace and blessings,

Bonnie Anderson, D.D.

President, The House of Deputies

Tip of the Tinfoil to Anglican Ink here.  

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia writes a letter

The Secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, who incidentally grew up at The Falls Church, writes a letter following the departure of The Falls Church Anglican last week from their church home on Broad Street. 


Here is the letter:

The Falls Church now empty main church sanctuary. 

5/22/2012

Dear Friends,

With the return of the Falls Church Episcopal to its property last week, the effort to return Episcopal property to the mission of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia is all but complete.

Over the last few weeks you have received word of a cascade of settlements the Diocese of Virginia and the Episcopal Church have made with six of the seven CANA congregations that remained in the property litigation. In each case, the CANA congregation agreed to return the church property, including personal property and Episcopal funds due the Diocese of Virginia, and to withdraw their appeals. We have sought to be as generous as we can be with these congregations, particularly with regard to items necessary in the very short-term for them to continue in their ministries.

With disappointment, I report to you that we have been unable to reach a final settlement with the CANA congregation now known as the Falls Church Anglican. Their leadership has made it clear that they plan to pursue their appeal before the Supreme Court of Virginia unless the Diocese (with the Episcopal Church’s approval) pays them a significant sum of money; we both are unwilling to do so. As a result, we expect the Falls Church Anglican to file their petition for appeal at the end of this month, asking the Supreme Court of Virginia to hear their case. We must file a responsive brief three weeks later, and the Court will issue its decision on whether to take the case at some point this fall. We remain strongly confident in our legal position.

Despite the Falls Church Anglican’s decision to appeal, we were able to reach other key side agreements with real and positive consequences for the people affected. The 50-year-old Falls Church Day School, which serves over 200 children, has returned to the oversight of the Falls Church Episcopal without disruption and will remain open for the long term. Also, the Diocese is leasing the rectory to the rector of the Falls Church Anglican for up to a year at a fair rent, allowing him time to relocate. Finally, Bishop Johnston has given the Rev. Cathy Tibbetts, priest-in-charge of the Falls Church Episcopal, authority to respond generously to requests for weddings and funerals in the Falls Church by members of the Falls Church Anglican.

It is heartening to consider how the Diocese of Virginia is responding to the staggering richness of the possibilities before us. Under the leadership of Bishop Johnston, and with the guidance of Bishop-Elect Goff and the Dayspring teams, each of the continuing congregations remains profoundly committed to its mission and ministry. They are experiencing significant growth, and Dayspring teams are considering a number of transformational mission efforts at churches where no continuing congregation exists. There is tremendous energy and a gracious spirit ever present in this work.

Some commentators have said we now face the consequences of a Pyrrhic victory, given the debt owed on the recovered real estate. Michael J. Kerr, our diocesan treasurer, has successfully led the effort to obtain refinancing on very favorable terms. His outstanding effort means more than just getting a better interest rate. It provides us the gift of time and space to make prayerful, considered decisions on how best to use the returned properties and funds for the mission of the Church.

This Sunday is Pentecost, when we remember a day of transformation not only for the apostles but for those whom the apostles baptized. The Acts of the Apostles tells of the newly baptized “continu[ing] steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers.” We recall that wonderful phrase every time we renew our own Baptismal Covenant. More than a mere phrase, it is a clarion call to faithful action to each of us – and all of us – as Christians. Pray for us – both the Diocese of Virginia and our sisters and brothers in the CANA congregations – that we may respond faithfully to that call.

Faithfully,

Henry D.W. Burt
Secretary and Chief of Staff

Read it all here.

Tonight at the Cafe: Praise You in this Storm

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind,
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again;
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper
through the rain
"I'm with you."
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands 
and praise the God who gives
And takes away.

By Bernie Herms and Mark Hall

This week's episode of Anglican Unscripted

Kevin and George bring news from the Anglican Communion including: an Episcopal Church General Convention resolution to allow Communion without baptism, The Church of Ireland passes Motion 8 during their General Synod despite creative use of Roberts Rules; Anglican leaders met with Roman Catholic leaders in Hong Kong for the third time, the election of the a new bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and Canon Phil Ashey explains how AMiA Bishops are canonically moving into the Anglican Church in North America.

Tonight at the Cafe

Farewell Robin Gibb (1949-2012)

Anglican Church calls eviction "blessing"

From CBN here:

Property battles in the Episcopal Church have cost a prominent Washington, D.C.-area congregation its multi-million-dollar home. 

The 4,000 members of The Falls Church Anglican must now find a new place to worship after holding their last service in the historic 1732 sanctuary Sunday. 

A Fairfax County judge gave the final order to depart this spring, ending the breakaway congregation's six-year fight with its former denomination. 

Anglicans say the Episcopal Church has drifted from the historic Christian faith. 

"It's an outcome of our desire to be faithful to the person and teachings of Jesus Christ," John Yates, rector of The Falls Church Anglican, told CBN News. 

On Tuesday, Yates held a final staff meeting full of memories and hope for the future.
"The church is people, not buildings," he said. "We knew that -- but didn't know it as well as we thought we knew it." 

Church staff are now relocating to temporary quarters, not really sure just where they'll land. But in the midst of such uncertainty, Yates said the faith of his congregation is growing.
"What we're feeling is a great sense of privilege to be going through what we're going through," he said. "It's sure not easy, but it's a blessing." 

"We know that we have a lot to learn from it so we're thankful for it," he said.
Falls Church Episcopal, a congregation of 200, has met offsite since the 2006 split. It's now moving back onto the property and will hold its first service there Wednesday night.

Read the whole thing at CBN here.