Lots of updates on General convention plus lots of parishes in the news for doing God’s work; it’s our weekend roundup of stories from across the church.
Episcopal Church
Presiding Bishop and other church leaders response to massacre of school massacre in Texas. https://episcopaljournal.org/episcopal-church-leaders-response-to-massacre-in-uvalde/
Nearly two years after it established a fund to make reparations for systemic racism and slavery, the Maryland Episcopal Church awarded $180,000 in grant money Thursday to its inaugural class of organizations doing the work of “restoring African American and Black communities.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/05/26/reparations-maryland-episcopal-fund/
South Carolina diocese in talks with ACNA on property transfers after ruling signals end to decade-long dispute. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/05/27/south-carolina-diocese-in-talks-with-acna-on-property-transfers-after-ruling-signals-end-to-decade-long-dispute/
General Convention
So far, two have announced intention to run for President of the House of Deputies as the Rev Gay Clark Jennings finishes her third and final term. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/05/20/house-of-deputies-prepares-to-elect-new-president-vice-president-as-candidates-declare/
Deputies worry flexibility and fellowship may be lost at shortened convention. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/05/23/deputies-worry-flexibility-and-fellowship-may-be-lost-at-shortened-convention/
Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies provide update to COVID-19 safety recommendations from Presiding Officers’ General Convention Design Group. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/letter-to-the-episcopal-church-from-presiding-bishop-and-president-of-the-house-of-deputies-covid-19-safety-recommendations-from-presiding-officers-general-convention-design-group/?mc_cid=c1f0a8d2fd&mc_eid=UNIQID
Two General Convention committees heard testimony about strengthening The Episcopal Church’s welcome to transgender and nonbinary persons, as well as to persons with mental illness and their loved ones; extending the Sacred Ground curriculum; incorporating social justice advocacy as catechesis; and, creating a digital hub for formational resources. https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2022/05/27/committees-hear-testimony-on-extending-sacred-ground-strengthening-welcome-to-transgender-persons-and-those-living-with-mental-illness-and-more/
Parishes In the News
Mississippi church celebrates its pipe organs centenary. https://www.vicksburgpost.com/2022/05/22/a-swell-time-christ-episcopal-churchs-organ-reaches-century-mark/
Texas Church hosts Yoga for Peace as a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen. https://www.kbtx.com/2022/05/22/church-uses-yoga-raise-funds-awareness-ukraine/
Minnesota church rediscovers a piece of its foundation which came from the church once located in a nearby ghost town. https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/local/st-pauls-episcopal-builds-on-history-with-piece-of-past
Medford, Massachusetts parish community remembers and honors woman found dead in recycling bin. https://www.wcvb.com/article/medford-massachusetts-barbara-novaes-grace-episcopal-church/40130361#
Bishop’s Corner
The Rev. Jeffrey Mello, Rector of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookline, Massachusetts, was elected on May 21 to be the 16th bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. https://ctbishopsearch.org/2022/05/21/press-release-the-rev-jeffrey-mello-elected-as-xvi-bishop-diocesan-of-the-ecct/
General Convention LGBTQ+ caucus expresses concern over recent bishop election in Florida. https://episcopaljournal.org/general-convention-lgbtq-caucus-expresses-concern-over-recent-bishop-election-in-florida/
