Miners Labored for the Community in a World of Dim Carbide Lamps
Two celebrations

newSpin 130902

newSpin, the newsletter
September 2, 2013  
Bill Lewellis
Usually published on Monday

TopSpin 
• Miners labored for the community in a world of dim carbide lamps ... [Bishop Paul Marshall]
This is Bishop Paul's Labor Day 1998 column published by newspapers in eastern and northeastern PA.

• Labor Day and the unions' forgotten religious roots ... [RNS] Here.

• The church does a poor job of communicating ... [Duke Divinity School Faith and Leadership e-newsletter] Just because you can preach does not make you a communicator. Maria Hall Dixon, associate professor of communications studies at Southern Methodist University, says that the church does a poor job of communicating a clear, consistent message that communicates shared vision and mission. The church also does a poor job of communicating to the outside world what we offer, what we value and why people should take part. Read on.

• On being wrong ... [TED] Fallor ergo sum, wrote St. Augustine. Still, most of us will do anything to avoid being wrong. But what if we're wrong about that? "Wrongologist" Kathryn Schulz makes a compelling case for not just admitting but embracing our fallibility. Kathryn Schulz is the author of Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error, and writes The Wrong Stuff, a Slate series featuring interviews with high-profile people about how they think and feel about being wrong. Watch it here, unless I'm wrong. [h/t Adam Bond]

We all know that when it comes to the acceptance of LGBT folks, religions differ. But what the religions communicate, and how the people in the pews actually feel, are not the same.

In a word, the rank and file tend to be more accepting than the leadership. What’s striking is how much this LGBT Gap varies from religion to religion, and we can get some idea of the variance from Pew’s new survey of LGBT Americans.

As the measure of institutional messaging, we will use the percentages of LGBT people who say a given religion is unfriendly to them. These range from 84, 83, 79, and 73 percent for Islam, Mormonism, Catholicism  and Evangelicalism to 47 and 44 percent for Judaism and Mainline Protestantism. Then there is the proportion of members of each religion who believe that “homosexuality should be discouraged by society.” That’s 45, 65, 20, and 59 percent for the first four groups; 15 and 26 percent for the last two.

Now let’s consider the gaps. At the low end it’s 14 points for the Evangelicals and 18 percent for the Mainliners and the Mormons. In these cases, the membership is pretty much on the same page as the leadership.

In the middle come the Jews at 32 percent and the Muslims at 39 percent. In the case of the Jews, the 44 percent unfriendly number suggests that the Reform and Conservative movements have not done a very good job of getting their gay-friendly messaging out. As for the Muslims, the relatively large gap may be explained by the high number of well-educated professionals in the American Muslim community and the likelihood that the unfriendly number is based on pronouncements coming from Muslim leaders abroad.

By far the largest gap is in Catholicism — fully 59 points separate LGBT perception of Catholic unfriendliness from Catholics’ support for societal discouragement. Simply put, the bishops have gotten the message across very well that the Church looks with disfavor on homosexuality, but the laity isn’t buying it. Or at least, the laity isn’t buying the proposition that society as a whole should follow the lead of the Magisterium.

Those campaigns against same-sex marriage? It looks like the consensus fidelium is to forget about them, bishops.

- See more at: http://marksilk.religionnews.com/2013/06/18/the-lgbt-gap-by-religion/#sthash.iHToV0Lk.dpuf
We all know that when it comes to the acceptance of LGBT folks, religions differ. But what the religions communicate, and how the people in the pews actually feel, are not the same. - See more at: http://marksilk.religionnews.com/2013/06/18/the-lgbt-gap-by-religion/#sthash.iHToV0Lk.dpuf

By far the largest gap is in Catholicism — fully 59 points separate LGBT perception of Catholic unfriendliness from Catholics’ support for societal discouragement. Simply put, the bishops have gotten the message across very well that the Church looks with disfavor on homosexuality, but the laity isn’t buying it. Or at least, the laity isn’t buying the proposition that society as a whole should follow the lead of the Magisterium.

Those campaigns against same-sex marriage? It looks like the consensus fidelium is to forget about them, bishops.

- See more at: http://marksilk.religionnews.com/2013/06/18/the-lgbt-gap-by-religion/#sthash.iHToV0Lk.dpuf

By far the largest gap is in Catholicism — fully 59 points separate LGBT perception of Catholic unfriendliness from Catholics’ support for societal discouragement. Simply put, the bishops have gotten the message across very well that the Church looks with disfavor on homosexuality, but the laity isn’t buying it. Or at least, the laity isn’t buying the proposition that society as a whole should follow the lead of the Magisterium.

Those campaigns against same-sex marriage? It looks like the consensus fidelium is to forget about them, bishops.

- See more at: http://marksilk.religionnews.com/2013/06/18/the-lgbt-gap-by-religion/#sthash.iHToV0Lk.dpuf

SoulSpin
• The Anglican State: On the edge, or Wandering? ... Tobias Haller, on his In a Godward Direction blog prefers the metaphor of the Anglican Communion as a "fairly wide path that slopes to each side so gently that one can stray to the extreme witout realizing it" to the ABC's metaphor of a narrow path with steep falls on either side. Read on.

• Last print version of the Book of Common Prayer? ... [Episcopal Café] The 1979 Book of Common Prayer is the last printed version of the prayer book that The Episcopal Church (TEC) will ever publish. Three rationales support that prognostication. Read on.

• Finding the kingdom in the mystery ... [Sara Miles, Episcopal Café] Here.

• Forgiveness is not re-booting or cache clearing ... [George Clifford, Episcopal Café] Here.

• The Book of Common Prayer
... every edition from 1549 to 1979. Here.
• Prayers and Thanksgivings from the BCP
... Here.
• The Daily Office
... can be read online in Rite I, Rite II or the New Zealand Prayer Book versions. At Mission St. Clare.
• Holy Women, Holy Men
... Download Holy Women, Holy Men as a .pdf file.
• Speaking to the Sou
l ... An Episcopal Café blog. Sermons, reflections, multimedia meditations and excerpts from books on spirituality. Here.

• The Imitation of Christ ... Available free online.

DioBethSpin
Historic Stevensville Church still standing strong
... [The Daily Review, Towanda] Find the Sept. 1 feature by Nancy Sharer at the newspaper's website or at the newSpin blog.

• Diobeth Episcopal Relief and Development
...  [John Major] A shield in the midst of life's storms. Week of Sept. 2.

• In-Formation in Bethlehem ... Canon Anne Kitch's monthly newsletter on lifelong Christian formation resources. August.

• Info re Diocesan Convention, Oct. 4-5
... Here. Here.


• Godly Play workshop ... [Anne Kitch] A hands-on workshop about implementing and using Godly Play in your parish. Led by Julia Pickarski and Rebecca McLaughlin from St. Mark’s parish in Moscow, PA. More info.

• DioLight ... Vol. 1, Issue 12: Celebration for Bishop Paul.

• Keep up with Diocese of Bethlehem news, info ... on Facebook, on Twitter, on Google+, on Flickr, on YouTube, on Vimeo, on LinkedIn, on our Website and on the newSpin blog. • Bishop's School, Fall 2013 ... Including list of required texts. Here.

• Diocesan level events ... Here.

• Public news and info lists ... At the Diobeth website, enter your name and email in the "Get Connected" box. You are welcome to subscribe to any or all of these. "Bakery" is our diocesan interactive list.

ParishSpin
• Douglassville: St. Gabriel's appoints a new rector ... [Reading Eagle] Father David Green began serving in July. Read on.

• Calendar of events in our parishes
... Here.

Evangelism/Stewardship
• Charitable giving: what's in it for me? ... [Episcopal Café] Here.

Rest in peace
• Edward W. Stiess, 88 ... [NYTimes] onetime archdeacon of the Diocese of Bethlehem. Find obituary and photo.

• Seamus Heaney, 74  ... internationally recognised as the greatest Irish poet since WB Yeats. Like Yeats, he won the Nobel Prize for literature and, like Yeats, his reputation and influence spread far beyond literary circles. BBC ... The Economist ... The New Yorker ...

• David Frost, 74 ... interviewer who got Richard Nixon to apologize for Watergate. NYTimes ... WaPo.

• Our young men and women who died recently in Afghanistan and for their families ... Here ... Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for the end to this endless war.

Episcopal/Anglican (beyond DioBeth)
• Around the Episcopal Church ... Here

• Chicago and Quincyj dioceses have reunited ... [Episcopal Café] Here.

• The Anglican Centre in Rome welcomes you ... [Anglican Communion News Service] The Anglican Centre in Rome promotes Christian unity in a divided world. It is a permanent Anglican Communion presence in Rome. Its Director is the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See. It exercises a ministry of hospitality and prayer, and provides educational opportunities and resources. Video/4:28.

• South Carolina clergy removed from ordained ministry ... [ENS] Here.

Employment Opportunities
• Episcopal Positions (NYC/DC) ... Here.

TaleSpin
• Beard wars ... [Episcopal Café via Christianity Today] Chronicling the history of clergy Read on. Also, The Beardage of Believers at The Dish.

TailSpin
• Ten things Christians should say more often ... [Christian Piatt] I had a series a while back about the Christian Cliches that we should drop from our lexicon, and since then I’ve had people ask what they should be saying instead. So here’s a list of handy phrases to help bring followers of Jesus into a post-Christendom, 21st-century world. Read on.

HeadSpin

Evangelical Lutheran
• NEPA Synod website ... Here
• ELCA website
... Here
• ELCA News Service
... Here
• ELCA's blogs
may be found here. See especially "Web and Multimedia Development."

Moravian
• Moravian Church in North America  website.  
• Moravian Church Northern Province website
• Moravian Theological Seminary website.

United Methodist
• Communication tips and tools ... Here.
• UMC website Here.
• News Service Here.
• Communication Resources ... Start here.
• Eastern PA Conference website  Here. Facebook Here. Bishop Peggy Johnson's blog Here.

Roman Catholic
• Hierarchy's Mary is vastly different from our ... [Joan Chittister] Despite the seriousness -- even the danger -- of her situation, Mary did not go to any man -- to the high priests of the temple, the local rabbi, her father or even Joseph -- for directions about what to do next. She went to another woman for the wisdom she needed and followed that instead. Read on

• Catholic nuns continue to resist 'reform' ... [Episcopal Café/Ecclesia] Here.

Michael Sean Winters put up a good post today critiquing conservative Catholics for downplaying the significance of Pope Francis’ “Who am I to judge” remark about gays. In particular he singled out San Francisco Bishop Salvatore Cordileone, who interprets the remark along the lines of “love the sinner, hate the sin”: - See more at: http://marksilk.religionnews.com/2013/08/05/explaining-away-the-pope/#sthash.EqMUFdXJ.dpuf

• Diocese of Allentown ... Here
• Diocese of Scranton ... Here
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ... Here
• Catholic News Service ... Here.  

The Vatican
• Vatican website ... Here
• Vatican Information Service blog
... Here
• Vatican News/Info Portal
... Here.

HealthSpin
50% of premature adult deaths ... can be traced to high-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, unsafe sex and not wearing seatbelts. [h/t Lehigh Valley Health News]

• Seven steps to a heathier you ... [healthfinder.gov] Here.

• The new Health Insurance Marketplace ... [USA.gov] Visit USA.gov's Health Insurance page to learn about the new Health Insurance Marketplace and other types of health coverage. Starting October 1, 2013, you can fill out an application for health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You'll be able to compare your options side-by-side and enroll in a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs. Coverage takes effect as early as January 1, 2014.
   Richard Evans, a member of St. Martin's Mountaintop and DiocesanCouncil, suggests that check out this program aimed at religious communities to help uninsured folks become aware that enrollment for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) will start on October 1. Download a pdf file of the info.

• Beware of Obamacare scammers ... They're on the move. Here, Here, Here, Here.

• Three Free Apps for getting qualified medical advice... [Techlicious] Urgent Care, HealthTap and First Aid. Info and links.

• Resources for caregivers ... Here
• Medline Plus ... Here.  
• WebMD ... Here.
• Alzheimers.gov ... For people helping people with Alzheimers. Here.

Media/Films/DVD/TV/Books/Music/Tech
• Hollywood's next big thing: religion ... [Christian Science Monitor] Hollywood is turning to the Bible for an array of new films and television shows. Read on.


• Walter White and the Gospel according to Breaking Bad ... [Religion News Daily, Lauren Markoe] RNS blogger Cathleen Falsani has just finished Blake Atwood’s “The Gospel According to Breaking Bad,” an e-book released to coincide with the TV drama’s last season this month. Falsani wants to see Breaking Bad’s Walter White — whose soul has traveled one heck of a spiritually awful journey — redeemed at the end. That would be good. It would also be good for this show to end so I don’t have to keep explaining that I am too squeamish to have advanced beyond the “acid bath” episode. But there may be a reward for those who watch. Falsani quotes Atwood: We are all broken bad and desperately in need of redemption, but woefully unable to extricate ourselves from the dire circumstances of our lives. … In Walter White we see the judgment that is rightfully due us, and yet we hope that circumstances or God or the universe or something will intervene before it all goes to hell.

Resources
• In-Formation in Bethlehem ... August.
• Church locators ... Here.
• Insights into Religion
... Here.

• Forward Movement ... Here.
• The Alban Institute ... Here.
• ECF Vital Practices ... Here.
• Faith in Public Life ... Here.
• Religion&Ethics News Weekly (PBS) ... Here
The Chalice, a publication created by Joan DeAcetis for older adults and caretakers. Download issues here.
• Weekly Bulletin Inserts from the Episcopal Church ... Here.
• Episcopal Web Radio ... Here.
• Updated Episcopal Church canons and constitution ... Here.

Additional sources for news/info/commentary
• Religion News Service Daily Roundup ... here.
• National Catholic Reporter ... here.
• Back issues of the newSpin newsletter ... here.
• Episcopal/Anglican
 (1) The Episcopal Church website, news service, news service blog,
 (2) Episcopal Café
 (3) AngicansOnline website and news centre.
 (4) The Living Church
 (5) The Anglican Communion website and news service.

Daily Office ... Lectionary Page ... Lectionary ... Oremus Bible Browser ... Revised Common Lectionary

*************

Comments are welcome at the newSpin blog. Click there on the title of the current newsletter. Comment below. As soon as the newsletter is completed, usually on Monday, it is uploaded to the blog and posted on Bakery and on a ChurchPost list of some 1,200 addresses. Many recipients often forward it to others. The newsletter comes, of course, with some spin from the editor. The views expressed, implied or inferred in items or links contained in the newsletter or the blog do not represent the official view of the Diocese of Bethlehem unless expressed by or forwarded from the Bishop or the Archdeacon as an official communication. If you're wondering why you haven't seen something related to your parish or agency here, it's probably because no one has sent relevant info. If you think something about your parish or agency merits inclusion, send email to Bill.

Bill Lewellis, Diocese of Bethlehem, retired
Communication Minister/Editor (1986-2010), Canon Theologian (1998)
Blog , Email (c)610-393-1833
Be attentive. Be intelligent. Be reasonable. Be responsible.
Be in Love. And, if necessary, change. [Bernard Lonergan]

TopSpin

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