Rowan Williams preaches in Rome

The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams gives a fine sermon at St. Paul’s Within the Walls Episcopal Church today in Rome:



Yesterday he joined Roman Catholic Pope Benedict as they celebrated Vespers together in the church of San Gregorio Magno al Celio on Saturday afternoon. You may read more about the church here.

Rowan Williams full address at San Gregorio is here or listen to Vatican Radio report here.

Archbishop of Canterbury speaks on the Anglican Covenant

The transcript is here.

Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

Out of Zion's Hill salvation comes.

Voice of America profiles Episcopal/Anglican division in Virginia

From here:

In northern Virginia, The Falls Church and six other breakaway churches - whose property is valued at $40 million - became the subject of a prolonged court battle.  In January, a Virginia judge ruled in favor of the Episcopal Church and The Falls Church congregation now has until April 30 to move out of the old church and the new additions.

"The buildings were built by us.  I had raised a lot of the money.  I remember when we burned the mortgage to pay for the most recent building that we had built," Yates says.  He says that the actions of the Episcopal leadership were "very hard to understand."

"No rector, no congregation, ever owns the property," says the Very Reverend Ian Markham, dean of the Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest Episcopal divinity school in the United States.

"Just because I am a deeply charismatic preacher and teacher inside a congregation, am I allowed to suddenly wake up one morning - having mesmerized my congregation - and say, 'Hey guys, let's take this parish hall and the church and everything else out of the Episcopal church?'  That's not our policy," says Markham.

The Episcopal Church may have won in court, but it has been losing in the pews.  Its membership has been declining, like that of many other mainline Protestant denominations, and two years ago it dipped below 2 million people for the first time.

Read it all here.

Today at the Cafe: I can finally say I'm free

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Gal. 5:1

Judge signs Final Order in Virginia Church Property Case

NEW UPDATE: Anglican Curmudgeon has insightful commentary on the implications of the ruling, especially for donors in the Diocese of Virginia here.


UPDATE: The Final Order is here.

From here:

Virginia Anglicans remain prayerful and are reviewing legal path forward

(March 1, 2012) – Seven Anglican congregations in Virginia that are parties to the church property case brought by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia are reviewing today’s final orders by the Fairfax County Circuit Court on issues including transferring real and personal property. At the same time they are prayerfully considering their legal options.

“While our congregations will comply with the final order, we are saddened that the Circuit Court did not accept the motion for partial reconsideration and we continue to believe that, as a matter of religious liberty, it is the right of donors to restrict the use of their own gifts to the church of their choice,” said Jim Oakes, spokesperson for the seven congregations.

Earlier this month, the congregations filed a motion for partial reconsideration with the Fairfax County Circuit Court asking that the court reconsider the portion of its January ruling stating that certain personal property, including monetary gifts, given to the congregations prior to January 31, 2007, belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

The Virginia Attorney General also filed a brief with the Fairfax County Circuit Court in support of the defendant congregations’ motion for partial reconsideration.

“We remain grateful to our own legal team’s steadfastness and commitment to defending our congregations throughout this lengthy litigation process. Further, we are thankful for the support from the Virginia Attorney General who was present in this case to represent the public interest in enforcing the wishes of charitable donors in Virginia,” concluded Oakes.

The Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, a historic property involved in the case, stated, “Our congregations are blessed by the confidence that God will always provide a home for His followers. We have always known that a church is not just its buildings, but its people and the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ being proclaimed and lived.  We look forward to God leading us in the days ahead.”

The Circuit Court heard the church property case last spring after the Virginia Supreme Court remanded it in June 2010. Last month, the Circuit Court ruled against the congregations, after they previously had succeeded in their efforts on the Circuit Court level to defend the property that they bought and paid for.

The seven Anglican congregations are members of the newly established Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic, a member diocese within the Anglican Church in North America.

UPDATE: Here is the Diocese of Virginia's statement:

March 1, 2012

Today, the Fairfax Circuit Court entered a final order in favor of the Diocese of Virginia in its effort to recover Episcopal property for the mission of the Episcopal Church. The Court also denied the CANA congregations' recent motion for partial reconsideration of the court's original ruling of January 10.

"We hope that this will mark the end of this lengthy litigation," said the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston, bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. "By closing this chapter, both the Diocese and the CANA congregations have the freedom to focus our energies on the mission and ministries of our respective congregations, and even what we might be able to do together for people and a world in need of the Gospel's work," Johnston added. "For the Diocese, we even now are undertaking an initiative known as Dayspring, an integrated effort to discern and implement a comprehensive vision for our congregations and properties affected by this litigation. We look forward to sharing more news as Dayspring continues to take shape."

Under the final order, the CANA congregations must convey to the Diocese of Virginia all real and personal property by April 30, 2012. The real property includes seven church buildings and a significant number of other parcels. The personal property includes both tangible items, such as chalices, prayer books and crosses, and intangibles, including the funds on hand. The ruling allows the CANA congregations to retain some restricted funds over which they have no discretion and that do not benefit the local congregation, the Diocese or the Episcopal Church. The court has set March 30 as the deadline for the parties to determine the disposition of those funds. Where the parties do not agree, the court will make a judicial determination.

"Today marks a major milestone in this effort," said Henry D.W. Burt, secretary of the Diocese. "We respect fully the CANA congregations' right to pursue an appeal, and we are in discussions with them as they face significant issues of discernment and transition in their path forward."

Be still my soul

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

-Catharine Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel, 1752
Psalm 46:10

Final Order to be signed today

The judge did rule from the bench yesterday, including denying the motion for partial reconsideration as well as officially setting the date to turn over all the properties to the Diocese of Virginia by April 30.  He also ruled that the churches may keep their names, but should remove "Episcopal" and "Episcopalian."  Anglican will be used instead.  Though the court met from 10:00 a.m. until nearly 7:30 p.m. yesterday, Judge Bellows decided to reconvene at 2:00 p.m. today at the Fairfax Court House for the signing of the Final Order.  This continues to be a very good time to pray, especially as both sides work together to prepare the Final Order.

From here:

Proceedings continue with the Fairfax County Circuit Court reviewing the content of a final order implementing the Judge's decision. A final order is expected to be signed today, March 1, 2012.

The Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church said last night tonight, "We remain prayerful and confident that God is guiding us in this process and look forward to reviewing the final order and understanding its implications for all of us."

Now is the time to pray ...

It is true, a church building is not the church, but oh, it is a home that tells the story of the people who lived there.

Breaking News: VA Anglicans File Motion for Reconsideration on Personal Property Ruling

  VA Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Files Brief in Support of Motion to

Fairfax County Circuit Court

UPDATED: The Commonwealth of Virginia's brief in support of the Anglican congregations is located here.  The congregations' motion is here.

From here:

Fairfax County Courthouse, Fairfax, Virginia

(February 22, 2012) - Seven Anglican congregations in Virginia that are parties to the church property case brought by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia have filed a motion for partial reconsideration with the Fairfax County Circuit Court asking that the court reconsider the portion of its January ruling stating that certain personal property, including monetary gifts, given to the congregations prior to January 31, 2007, belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia.

Since at least 2003, the congregations permitted donors to designate whether or not their donations were to be given to The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. By 2006, virtually all of the contributions held by these congregations were from donors who had indicated that their gifts were not to go to or be used for the benefit of The Episcopal Church or the Diocese.

“The core issue that we are asking the court to reconsider is the right of donors to restrict the use of their own gifts to the church of their choice. We believe that they could. This is a religious liberty issue at its core as the courts are not lawfully able to coerce contributions to a specific religious entity against the wishes of the donors. We ask that the court honor the gift restrictions designated by individuals that have faithfully offered their contributions to these congregations,” said Jim Oakes, spokesperson for the seven Anglican congregations.

On Wednesday, February 22, the Virginia Attorney General filed a brief with the Fairfax County Circuit Court in support of the defendant congregations’ motion for partial reconsideration.

“We are gratified that the Attorney General agrees with our argument and has filed a brief in support of this motion to protect the rights of charitable donors,” concluded Oakes.

The Circuit Court heard the church property case last spring after the Virginia Supreme Court remanded it in June 2010. Last month, the Circuit Court ruled against the congregations, after they previously had succeeded in their efforts on the Circuit Court level to defend the property that they bought and paid for.

The seven Anglican congregations are members of the newly established Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic, a member diocese within the Anglican Church in North America.

For background on the case or to schedule an interview with a spokesperson, please contact Caitlin Manaois at (703) 683-5004 ext. 119.

Welcome to the 6th Annual CafeAnonsBall!

Once again - if it's Shrove Tuesday then you know it's time again for all of us at the cafe to celebrate our "CafeAnons" - all of you who drop by, drop in, and drop out of the cafe all year long and we never learn your name. 

We know that today we're not the only ones celebrating, either, and we'll check on our friends down in The Big Easy and see how they are doing!  You can check in on them here.

This is our 6th year celebrating all ya'all who hang out and sometimes wipe out while spooning up the pudding and dodging flying pies.  And we know that we have had a few pies flying this year!

Here are links to the CafeAnonsBalls from the last four years:

• First Annual CafeAnonsBall

• Second Annual CafeAnonsBall

• Third Annual CafeAnonsBall

• Fourth Annual CafeAnonsBall 

• Fifth Annual CafeAnonsBall

So pull up a chair and find your favorite table and let's celebrate that you are welcome - those we know and those we don't know - or don't know that we do know!  You know - and of course, so does Someone Else, something perhaps wise to keep in mind!

*

Ever wonder how Shrove Tuesday got started? Here's a short history:

For centuries, the English have celebrated Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, with merriment and antics and, especially, great quantities of pancakes. In fact, the fried flat cakes became so important to the holiday that is has also been called Pancake Day, or Pancake Tuesday.

Long ago, strict Christian Lenten rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products, so keen housewives made pancakes to use up their supplies of eggs, milk, butter and other fats. They could be easily made and cooked in a skillet or on a griddle. Families ate stacks of them, and pancakes were popular with all classes.

The rich Shrovetide pancakes were eaten as a ritual or symbol of self-indulgence before the fast. Early English recipes called for wheaten flour, eggs, butter or lard, a liquid (water, milk, ale or wine) and flavorings such as white or brown sugar, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger), orange flower water, scented sugars or liqueurs.

The pancakes were fried in butter or fat and served flat or rolled and sprinkled with powdered sugar, topped with preserves or doused with alcohol. A special pancake, called a quire or pancake of paper, was made very thin and usually stacked. It was likened to a quire of "wafers" or writing paper.

Even the church bells that rang early on Shrove Tuesday morning summoning everyone to confession and to be "shriven" became known as Pancake Bells. They also reminded all to use up the "forbidden foods" before Lent. An old London rhyme went "Pancakes and fritters, say the bells on St. Peter's."

Now we know!

*

This being a CafeAnonsBall - we might need a refresher on exactly how to dance without stepping on everyone's toes (this might have been helpful to know earlier, eh Anons?).  Here's a short refresher - test on Friday:

Yes, it is Pancake Day, a food that's yummy and when thrown harmless - perfect for our CafeAnons!

Pancakes are being whipped up in the cafe kitchen as we speak and will be served hot with butter and syrup, your choices of fruits and garnish and chocolate bits for the IHOP fans amongst us.


Feeling inclined to whip up your own pancakes - well here's a lovely recipe that was a hit at the Cafe a few years ago:

Bette's Oceanview Diner, 1807 Fourth St. (between Virginia Street and Hearst Avenue), Berkeley, CA; (510) 644-3230. Open daily for breakfast and lunch.

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Choice of berries, sliced bananas, raisins or chopped toasted nuts (optional)
Oil for griddle
The ingredients. The baking powder, baking soda and buttermilk work together to make these the lightest pancakes possible. -- Stirring the batter. The batter begins to react the minute the wet ingredients are added. Stir quickly and don't overstir; there should still be lumps in the batter.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

Lightly beat the eggs with the buttermilk, milk and melted butter.

Just before you are ready to make the pancakes, add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once, stirring just long enough to blend. The batter should be slightly lumpy. If you want to add fruit or nuts, stir them in now, or you may sprinkle them on the pancakes while they are on the griddle. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat (375 degrees on an electric griddle). Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake onto the griddle or skillet, spacing the pancakes apart so they do not run together.

When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes and the undersides are lightly browned, turn and cook for about 2 minutes longer, until lightly browned on the bottom.

Serve immediately on warmed plates with the topping of your choice. YUM!

Ready for some tunes - here are some classics from our First Annual CafeAnonsBall:




And now let's get things going with a special dedication to all our CafeAnons - this one's for you:



Here is another dedication - this one goes out to all our friends at Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, as they say farewell this week to their church home on Pickett Road. Love you all!



We've probably set a record this year with the number of Anons dropping into the Cafe this past year. Sometimes the postings are insightful and heartfelt, and sometimes Anons find themselves hurling through the front door. But today we celebrate them all, though we know it's not without drama. This ones for you all, a tune to play as you post:



This one is from a great friend of Truro, Matt Maher - a great tune and a prayer for a time such as this.



Need inspiration? Time to return to Middle Earth:

*

Okay time to check in on the gang down celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans:

Live shot from the EarthCam in New Orleans.

So it's getting late which means it's time to pull out a Dylan tune. How about this one - left off of Mercy Me, it's one of my all-time favorite Dylan songs.



This morning I was driving to Truro for the Tuesday Morning Alpha Course and this song came to mind - feeling sad that we all may be leaving our church homes very soon, but still knowing that what we really have will be strengthened, the church family that, God willing, will grow and blossom where ever we may be planted. To God be the glory.



So it's true - we may not know our CafeAnons by name - but know that since God knows your name, we will count you as friends. This has been an amazing six years and the cafe is not just one person, but all of you over the years who have dropped by, pulled up a chair, ordered a pie and shared your heart, your frustrations, your dreams with others here. At the end day, behind every post is a real human being, a real person and even though indeed we may not know your name - it is true, God does. And I pray that He will bless you, that you will know that He loves us through the best and the worst of times, and we have hope not because we are so right, but because He is so good. Nothing escapes His attention, no nothing, not even in these thin hours - He is alive and He is at work and the power of His love will shine into the darkest places. I thank God for each of you. God bless you.

Diocese of Rhode Island's Episcopal Cathedral shutting down

From here:

Cathedral of St. John Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Episcopal Cathedral of St. John -- which began as King's Church in 1722 and is the Diocese of Rhode Island's fourth oldest church -- is shutting down, with a final service set for April 22.

Parishioners of the cathedral church, the seat of Bishop Geralyn Wolf, learned the news on Sunday from the Right Rev. David Joslin, the cathedral's interim dean, and Deacon Barbara May-Stock, during the parish's annual meeting on North Main Street.

Parishioner Marjorie Beach says many were in tears when advised that because of declining numbers of pledging families and the cost of salaries and benefits, the parish could not longer continue -- at least for now. The church closed temporarily once before -- during the American Revolution. 

 Read it all here.

The following is an excerpt from the letter from the Acting Dean of St. John's Cathedral, the Rt. Rev. David B. Joslin announcing the closure of the cathedral:

Episcopal Diocese of R.I.'s Cathedral of St. John will close

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, the Annual Meeting was held at the Cathedral of Saint John. In this letter I want to report on the central focus of that meeting.

As you know, the Cathedral parish has experienced growing financial difficulty over a period of years. Now it has become more than a difficulty. Simply put, we are now out of money. Last year we had a deficit of about $250,000 which was covered by reserves. Now those reserves have been used up.

The Chapter has engaged in much prayer, anguish, and discussion. We have consulted with the Bishop and her staff and our former Wardens. As a result, the Chapter realized that we must suspend services and parish life at the Cathedral. Our last service will be on Sunday, 22 April 2012 at 9:30 AM, followed by a time to celebrate our past life together and to thank those who have faithfully served here.

As Acting Dean of the Cathedral of St. John, I announced this decision at the Annual Meeting. I can't exaggerate the pain of this process. We dreaded the conclusion but having exhausted all alternatives we found it was the only thing to do.

Please note that while services and parish life are being suspended it does not mean that the Cathedral is being permanently closed. Suspending services now leaves open the possibility of new uses for the Cathedral in the future mission strategy of the Diocese.

Let me add a personal note. I have greatly enjoyed my association with the Cathedral and with you, its people. When Bishop Wolf asked me to be the Acting Dean following Dean Krauss's retirement I was very pleased and looked forward to ministering with you. But I also knew of the financial difficulties we faced and the pain I would share with you if the Cathedral had to be closed. 

Read it all here.

Today at the Cafe: Days of Elijah

This was in the worship at Truro Church this morning and I thought the roof was going to pop off. There's no God like Jehovah!

An interesting day ...

Late this afternoon, Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows denied the motion filed by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia for an "award of prejudgment interest" from the seven Anglican congregations in Virginia.

Bob Dylan's Leather Jacket to go on display at the Smithsonian's Museum of History in new exhibit opening April 5th

It was night that Bob Dylan plugged in and set the world of music on fire.

Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival

The event has become legendary in the American music lexicon, when Bob Dylan was booed while on stage at the Newport Folk Festival in the summer of 1965. With his rendition of Maggie's Farm followed by Like a Rolling Stone and stories of Pete Seeger trolling backstage with an ax looking to cut Dylan's electric power, what is clear is that it was a landmark event when rock, folk, blues, prophesy and poetry all smashed together in one performance and changed American music:



You can imagine what a shock it was to see the guy who they called the King of Folk, who had stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with Martin Luther King, Jr. when he gave his historic I Have a Dream Speech, came out swinging.

It was a far cry from his earlier showings at the Newport Folk Festival, like this one in 1963:



In the performance in Newport on July 25, 1965, just five days after releasing Like a Rolling Stone (now considered one of the greatest rock compositions and performances of all time), Bob Dylan wore a leather jacket with attitude.  That jacket is now part of a new exhibit "American Stories," and will also include other great American collectibles such as Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Benjamin Franklin’s walking stick, Abraham Lincoln’s gold pocket watch and Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves. It is on loan from an anonymous collector.

American Stories will open in April next to the famed Star Spangled Banner Gallery in the American History Museum of the Smithsonian Institution.


Read more about it here.

Tonight at the Cafe: Blessed Be Your Name

Tonight at the Cafe: Nova

Tip of the tinfoil to MW.  Dedicated to the people of the seven churches.


In the Crucible

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,
Refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are My people,’
And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’”

Zech 13:9

It's Half-Time

Church of England Synod underway: Archbishop of Canterbury warns that allowing state-sanctioned "assisted suicide" spells "disaster" for society and the church

From here:

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams

The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that changes to the law to allow assisted suicide would spell "disaster" and a shift in society's attitude to the sanctity of life.

Dr Rowan Williams drew parallels between the change in attitudes in society towards abortion since its legalisation and the impact of a change in the law to permit assisted suicide.

"The default position on abortion has shifted quite clearly over the past 40 years - and to see the default position shift on the sanctity of life would be a disaster," he said.

"We are not committed to the notion - the eccentric notion - that Christians believe we should cling to life at all costs.

"We are committed as Christians to the belief that every life in every imaginable situation is infinitely precious in the sight of God.

"To say that there are certain conditions in which life is legally declared to be not worth living is a major shift in the moral and spiritual atmosphere in which we live.

"We can be realistic, we can be compassionate, in the application of the existing law."

Dr Williams was speaking during a debate at the General Synod of the Church of England on the independent Commission on Assisted Dying headed by former lord chancellor Lord Falconer.
The report published last month called for a change in the law to allow doctors to be given the right to help some terminally ill people to die.