| Here near the Niagara River, the weather has been very warm; warmer than it normally is this time of the year. They say that the Lake Erie is still close to 70 degrees! I love Fall for all the colors of the leaves, the lower humidity and the chance again to cuddle up with someone you love under a blanket without having the air conditioning on. I prefer the natural coolness. Many say that Fall can be depressing because many plants are dying. I look at it from a different angle. The plants are preparing themselves for a long rest, just like the animals that hibernate. They are regaining energy for another year to come. I think "death" is not the appropriate word, rest and tranquility are the key concepts. "What will be will be...and what won't be often is" (Rachel Lynde from "Anne of Green Gables") |
Interesting and at the same time ironic, pathetic and sad. It would seem that some American Episcopal priests have been in a tizzy and holding their breath until they have become quite blue over the never-ending "homosexual dilemma" which has been, in my opinion, blown out of proportion into hysteria for some when the Episcopal Church has tolerated diversity for eons. The fact that Bishop Robinson is merely stating who he is and no longer cares to hide any longer; and is supported by probably the majority of Episcopalians in the U.S., including myself, has pushed some of the more fundamentalist faction of the church to the edge. Who would think that the Episcopal Church, which is known for being attended by those searching for justice, truth and equality, would have to deal with a faction within itself that teeters on Southern Baptist mentality. After all, those who do not want to accept all into God's house, can certainly attend the nearest "holy roller" church where they will run into their own homogenous kind. I believe God created diversity in nature; which is quite obvious in nature all around us. In any case, my latest post deals with the very recent news from August 24th that some American Episcopal priests went to Uganda to become ordained as bishops. Unless I am missing something, isn't Uganda a country that is struggling with blatant violations of basic human rights? In any case, I quote the following article from www.humanrightsfirst.org. Background on the Conflict in Northern Uganda Uganda has been embroiled in a brutal armed conflict, particularly in the north, since 1986, when President Yoweri Museveni took power. The LRA aims to overthrow the government of Uganda and declared that it intends "to rule the country according to the Ten Commandments." However, its military campaign has mainly consisted of attacks on the civilian population – raping, mutilating and slaughtering or abducting civilians, raiding villages, looting stores and homes, and burning houses and schools. It is believed that 85 percent of the LRA's ranks consist of children who were abducted. Children have been abducted primarily from inside Uganda, but also southern Sudan, and forced to become soldiers and commit atrocities against other children, their families and communities. Abducted girls have been raped and sexually enslaved as "wives" by LRA commanders. The above-quoted article is far from fabrication and quite verifiable. To continue in my amazement, I then read about the Episcopal priests who went to Uganda to be ordained bishops. The following article is from www.allafrica.com Uganda: Orombi Consecrates Anti-Gay U.S. Bishop The Monitor (Kampala) 3 September 2007 Alfred Tumushabe UGANDA'S Anglican Church yesterday consecrated an American priest as bishop to lead some congregations in his country that are opposed to homosexuality. "God created man for woman," said the Rt. Rev. William Magambo at the consecration of the Rev. John Guernsey who will now lead a new branch of the Church of Uganda in the United States.
"Homosexuality is against the scriptures but some Americans started saying it's correct; they started blessing the union of people of the same sex. Some Christians are not sympathetic to this type of marriage." The consecration is the latest in a series of interventions by the African provinces of the Anglican Church following the 2003 ordination of an openly gay reverend as bishop by the Episcopal Church, as the American Anglican Church is known. Archbishop Henry Orombi presided at the ceremony at St James Cathedral, Ruharo, in Mbarara. Also consecrated and installed at the same ceremony was the Rev. Canon George Tibesigwa as the new bishop of Ankole Diocese. Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi represented President Museveni as chief guest. The Rev. Guernsey, the rector of All Saints Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Virginia in the United States, will now go back to look after the 33 parishes in that country that have accepted to come under the Province of the Church of Uganda. The Rev. Guernsey's church voted last December "to leave the Episcopal Church over disagreements on biblical authority and the 2003 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, a practicing homosexual". Bishop Robinson's consecration has since threatened to tear apart the worldwide Anglican Communion with conservative bishops in Africa and parts of the United States threatening to break away altogether. Ugandan bishops have threatened not to attend next year's Lambeth Conference over the question of ordination of gay priests as bishops. Dr Tibesigwa, 62, succeeds the Rt. Rev. Elisha Kyamugambi who retired in December 2006 after 15 years as diocesan bishop. His assumption of the office brings to an end the care-taking role of the Rt. Rev. Magambo, who assumed that status in January 2007. The Rt. Rev. Magambo said the Rev. Guernsey was consecrated in Uganda because some Christian churches in America condone homosexuality even though there are Christians there who condemn the gay lifestyle. He said African bishops were previously taken to the United States to oversee Christians who do not support homosexuality but it was resolved that consecrating American bishops in Africa and sending them back home made better sense. The Rev. Guernsey's installation follows the consecration of two American bishops in Kenya on Thursday. Bishops Bill Murdoch of Massachusetts and Bill Atwood of Texas will now be answerable to the Church of the Province of Kenya. The Rev. Guernsey will answer to the Church of Uganda, which says it is defending orthodox Christianity. The press has been awash with reports on one hand of gays in Uganda pushing for the respect of their rights, and on the other government and church officials and moralists condemning them saying homosexuality goes against Ugandan values and is "ungodly". At the ceremony, President Museveni, through a written message read by Prof. Nsibambi, urged the church to fight moral decadence. "Our children are growing up in the time of moral decadence; crime, drugs and prostitution," he said. "The church has the task of rescuing our children from this decadence." The President donated Shs3 million in cash to Bishop Tibesigwa and Shs2 million to Bishop Guernsey. The ceremony was attended by several bishops from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States. Dr Tibesigwa has held various high profile positions in the Church of Uganda. He has been principal bishop of Braham University in Kabale since 2002. I'm sure there are some devout Christians in Uganda, including people who are also fighting for human rights, however, in my opinion, it would be like a political leader in the 1940's going to Nazi Germany to ask for advice on the future of Israel. I would like to quote Episcopal Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori , who, by the way, has been shunned by some in the Anglican Communion in Africa because she is a woman. She talks a bit on the Bill Moyers show on PBS about recent issues including Jonathan and David, who are mentioned in the Bible for their intense love for each other. Many of us know the truth about what the passage means. Of course, there are some who say that the story is about a "friendship" only. The blindest ones out there are the ones who refuse to see. As I stated before, I believe that all are welcome in God's house. I guess there are those who do not believe that. "You're never safe from surprise unless you are dead". |
| I attended church at my new spiritual home, St. John's Episcopal Church, a historic church built in the 1870's in Youngstown, NY, a quintessential, small town across from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario at the end of the Niagara River on Lake Ontario. The town is also known for historic Ft. Niagara. The service at 10:00 was attended by twenty or so people who have been extremely friendly---and didn't even seem rattled to remember my name; even though it is the almost "generic" John. They greeted me with a nod in a most welcoming fashion as I came in a few minutes late to the service. Rev. Ellen Brauza, the Vicar, a very down-to-earth, kind lady, presided over the service and delivered a most poignant homily, as she has so far every time I have attended. In fact, my dear friend Maggy who visited me from Pittsburgh, was brought to tears by the sermon. She was most impressed! The church was built using a kit back in the 1870's. The architect was Upjohn, whom I am not familiar with. Time to do some Internet research. The church looks like it could be on the coast of Maine, but Youngstown also gives one that feeling. It has a very New England feel to it. In any case, the church was under repair and painting by a local crew. Up until now; even though it has been about a month, I have seen it with scaffolds and ladders leaning against it. It was a relief to see it "by its lonesome" with the basic white exterior and green, arched window frames. It is a most dear place. To me, environment counts so much in worship. I don't want to seem superficial as one could be in a store-front church and be moved beyond words by the congregation, but as for me, I am used to a traditional, rather orthodox liturgy and building. St. John's fits the bill completely. I hope to bring more people to the church with me. So many people who have been turned off by churches because of politics, same-sex descrimination should look a bit further. There are congregations out there, albeit not perfect, that will welcome others. I feel I have found the one I will be happy in---or, to be grammatically more accurate, in which I will be happy. (I am a grammar nut, aren't I)  "You're never safe from surprise unless you are dead". |
