Reports from Churches Within the Continuing Anglican Tradition
IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial: Religion and Health, Dr. Andrew Weil
General News
• ECUSA Bishop Says Hell “Hallowed” Ground
• Catholic Missal Likely to Change
• American College of Pediatricians Warns about Homosexual Misinformation
• Churches of All Denominations Called to Special Prayer July 4
• Episcopal Church Consecrates Two Women, One a Lesbian
• U.S. Now on Annual Global Human Trafficking Report
• New British Petroleum Head Worked for Russian Oil Company
• Nebraska Trying to Pass Strong Anti-abortion Law
• Are the Names on Petitions Privacy Protected?
Anglican News & Comment
• Bishop Wants Constitutional Amendment that States USA is a Christian Nation
• Reports: Holy Redeemer and Good Shepherd
• “Outlaw” Writes Wondrous Hymn
Health & Family News
• Cancer and Weight Connection
• Fruit Will Not Rot in Your Gut
• Encourage Ants AWAY from Your Picnic
• Be Healthy; Spend More Time in Prayer
• Poem: Clearance Sale
Religion and Health
A quote from Dr. Andrew Weil
Restoring that which is broken is the function of religion; the word means “to bind again.” Religion is medicine of
the soul; the same activity directed toward the same end but concerned with the spiritual realm rather than the
physical body. In most societies throughout most of history, magic, religion and medicine have been intertwined. In
our society, the commonality of religion, magic and medicine is obscured. Our medical doctors have narrowed their
view to pay attention only to the physical body and the material aspects of illness. As a result, they do not see or
integrate the nonphysical forces that animate and direct the physical body. For that same reason, many doctors
cannot come up with a better definition of health than “absence of disease.” They do not grasp the concept of
wholeness as perfection that is the root meaning of the word, nor realize that health and illness are particular
manifestations of good and evil, requiring all the help of religion and philosophy to understand. You cannot restore
health in yourself or in others until you know in your heart what health is. [Excerpted from Health and Healing,
Chapter 4, Health as Wholeness; Wholeness as Perfection. Best-selling author Dr. Weil is an MD who practices
integrative medicine and has researched and written extensively and positively about alternative forms of medicine,
including homeopathy and herbal as well as allopathic medicine.]
General News:
ECUSA BISHOP DECLARES HELL “HALLOWED” GROUND. Unbeknownst to the hierarchy of the Episcopal
Church, ACIC General Secretary Bishop Johnson ACOVA) was invited to attend the Ordination and Consecration
of The Rev. Canon James Beattie Magness at the National Cathedral, Saturday, June 19. His invitation came due
to his association with the Chaplaincy Corps. Much to the surprise of the “regular Episcopalians” he arrived bright
and early and clearly representative of what they were not. They didn’t know what to do with him. Still, politeness
reigned, and once the chancellor was hurried over to inspect him a place was found for him.
The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr. (Kentucky) had been chosen to give the sermon. One of his statements (as
reported by Bishop Johnson to the Anglican Voice) was that basically everybody is acceptable to God because
Jesus went to hell to hallow it. Giving an example, Bishop Gulick said God loved the Egyptians who were chasing
the Israelites across the parted Red Sea because He told Moses to admonish the Israelites for laughing at their
plight. [Note: Unable to find that Scripture reference.]
Keep watching www.theanglicanchurch.net for details and photographs of Bishop Johnson’s visit to our beautiful
cathedral, now held hostage by secularists and atheists.
CATHOLIC MISSAL LIKELY TO CHANGE. Though the official date for the introduction of the new Roman missal
has not yet been set, Bishop Edward Braxton said June 6 that the likely date will be November 27, 2011 (the first
Sunday of Advent 2011). The bishop is a former member of the U.S. bishops’ liturgy committee who worked on the
news translation. The Roman Missal is the ritual text of prayers and instructions for the Catholic celebration of
Mass. Many of the changes are to parts of the Mass in which the laity respond to prayers said by the priest. The
changes will affect some of the most recognizable parts of the liturgy, including the familiar greeting and sign-of-
peace response "and also with you," which will become “and with your spirit." Changes to the Nicene and Apostles'
creeds have also been made. "A lot of people are expressing a fear that Mass is changing," said Monsignor William
McCumber, director of the St. Louis Archdiocese office of worship. "But Mass is not a museum of prayers: It's a
living entity. Once people realize there's a better way of expressing what we believe, it'll be easier." [“Big Changes
to the Catholic Mass Coming Next Year,” Tim Townshend, St. Louis Dispatch, June 15, 2010]
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS WARNS SCHOOLS ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL MISINFORMATION.
Letters have been sent to school superintendents asking that students not be told that an attraction to a student of
the opposite sex means they are homosexual. The group reports studies that indicate that most adolescents who
initially experience same-sex attraction, or are sexually confused, no longer experience such attractions by age 25.
One study shows that as many as 26% of 12-year-olds reported being uncertain of their sexual orientation, yet
only 2-3 percent of adults actually identify as homosexual. There is a Website (www.FactsAboutYouth.com) which
has materials for educators and students.
CHURCHES OF ALL DENOMINATIONS CALLED TO SPECIAL PRAYER JULY 4. Pastors across America will
observe “Call2Fall” in their local church services on Sunday July 4th. This is a starting and continuing point for
churches to respond to God's offer to heal our land if we will humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from
our wicked ways. To help Call2Fall spread across America, visit the site and click "I'm In.” Individuals as well as
church leaders can participate.
While Anglican Churches are not known for participating in such events, it is useful to note that July 4 does fall on
Sunday this year. Priests can take this opportunity to encourage congregations to recognize God in their
celebrations.
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their
wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)
EPISCOPAL CHURCH CONSECRATES TWO WOMEN; ONE A LESBIAN. Mary Glasspool and Diane Bruce
became the first two women bishops in the Episcopal Church's history to be consecrated together in the same
lengthy service, which was enlivened by hip-hop dancing, a Mexican mariachi band and Japanese-style taiko
drumming. Becki Sander, Glasspool's partner of 19 years, was in the congregation.
Glasspool’s appointment has already tested the Episcopal Church's ties to the Church of England almost to
breaking point. Hoping to retain the allegiance of conservatives still furious over the ordination of Gene Robinson,
the first gay Anglican bishop, in 2003, Dr Rowan Williams has said that Canon Glasspool's ordination "raises very
serious questions not just for the Episcopalian Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the
Communion as a whole". As Williams is a man of words and little action where these matters are concerned, he will,
as he has in the past, do nothing.
While newspapers and broadcasters report these events as happenings in the “Anglican” communion, nothing
could be further from the truth and somebody somewhere must gain enough of a platform to begin explaining the
difference between Anglican and Episcopalians!
U.S. NOW ON ANNUAL GLOBAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORT. The U.S. government has for the first time
included itself in its annual report on global human trafficking. The report, released in mid-June, puts the U.S. in
the top category of compliance with minimum standards set forth by the U.S. trafficking Victims Protection Act in
2000, but says the U.S. is nevertheless a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children
subjected to forced labor, debt bondage and forced prostitution. Around the world there are 12.3 million adults and
children living this way; only 4,166 were successfully prosecuted last year. The State Department says that human
trafficking is one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world. [Intercessors for America, June 16, 2010
www.ifapray.com]
NEW BRITISH PETROLEUM HEAD WORKED FOR RUSSIAN OIL COMPANY. British Petroleum has replaced the
oft-erring chief Hayward with Robert Dudley (who has been managing director of BP since 2009. Previously he was
the president and chief executive of BP’s joint venture TNK-BP, Russia’s third-largest oil and gas company. [The
Scotsman, June 19, 2010]
NEBRASKA TRYING TO PASS STRONG ANTI-ABORTION LAWS. Though the governor vetoed the bill passed by
the legislature requiring women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound with the monitor within their view, the
veto was overridden. Still a judge has halted the law pending a legal challenge. The governor of Nebraska recently
signed a state law banning most abortions after 20 weeks.
ARE NAMES ON PETITIONS PRIVACY PROTECTED? That is what the U.S. Supreme Court will rule shortly. In late
April the Court hears a case to determine whether names on a petition can be kept secret. The issue the court is
considering focuses on whether signing a petition is a form of free speech that ought to be protected from
harassment, or a type of legislative document that ought to be open to the public. It came up because gay rights
activists sued to gain access to the names on the petition against gay marriage
.
Anglican News & Comment:
BISHOP WANTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT STATES USA IS A CHRISTIAN NATION. Bishop
Johnson, ACOVA, has proposed a constitutional amendment that proclaims the United States as a Christian nation.
In his proposal he outlines not only the reasons why he believes this is necessary but also why he believes our
founding fathers intended that. One of the more important points is that by being a Christian nation, we are tolerant
of other religions. See www.theanglicanchurch.net for the full paper.
HOLY REDEEMER (Virginia). Father Ralph Gardiner, Rector of Holy Redeemer Church in Montross, Virginia,
spoke at the 6th annual Memorial Day Service at Haynesville Correctional Center (HCC) where the dead of all wars
were remembered. A bell was tolled as the names of the deceased who were related to the inmates and had
served in the military were read. “One day, Memorial Day, is dedicated to their memory,” noted HCC counselor
Roger Himler who sponsors the Veterans Outreach Group. Rev. Gardiner, a retired Navy Master Chief, reminded
the men that “those who fell in their country’s service had been living out Christ’s greatest commands: Love the
Lord thy God with all thy heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself. They placed themselves in harm’s way so others
like us could live in freedom and in peace…”
Mike Cumbee, a layreader at Holy Redeemer, is undergoing instruction under the tutelage of Fr. Gardiner in
preparation for the Diaconate. Mike is the father of seven children; the Cumbee family provides beautiful music at
Holy Redeemer Sunday services, each having been gifted with talent in voice and musical instrument.
GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH (Oklahoma) Sunday morning class is studying Letters to Malcolm, Wednesday
afternoon study Reflections on the Psalms and Wednesday evening study, we are finishing up book three of Mere
Christianity and will begin book four in the fall. Sunday, July 4, Good Shepherd will celebrate the Independence
Day with our regularly scheduled Holy Communion services followed by hamburgers and hot dogs with all the
trimmings, and special music! If you are near Good Shepherd Church you are welcome to join us. Contact
jmichaelr@sbcglobal.net for information and directions to the church.
“OUTLAW” WRITES “WONDROUS” HYMN. Born in England in 1674, this man proved to be a gifted pupil, but he
broke the law. Those who did such were not permitted to study at Oxford or Cambridge, so he trained at one of the
dissenting academies and in 1702 was appointed minister at Mark Lane Chapel in London. About ten years later
his deteriorating health caused him to have to retire. He spent the last thirty six years of his life as a semi-invalid.
Sir Thomas Abney and his wife took him in as a guest, and this man, who might have turned from God due to his
misfortune, instead began to write hymns. He had shown a propensity for verse at a very young age, but had given
it up after his father beat him for making up what he considered an irreverent verse. (“A little mouse for want of
stairs ran up a rope to say his prayers.”)
Charles Wesley considered at least one of this man’s hymns the greatest ever written: When I Survey the
Wondrous Cross. Wesley praised him in generous terms. This new hymn was the first to get away from objective,
doctrinal hymns and to introduce a subjective personal faith. It may be the first to have included the personal
pronoun “I”. [Information gathered from This England, Spring 2009]
Note: While this hymn is well known to Anglicans, our 1940 hymnal (like hymnals of most other denominations)
leaves out the fourth verse, reportedly because it is considered too gory. The fourth verse is here and might be
suggested to be included in these politically turbulent days. (I have deliberately left out the name of this man,
hoping my omission will cause you to turn to the hymn … page 337 … and read the whole thing.)
His dying crimson, like a robe, spreads o’er his body on the tree;
Then am I dead to all the globe and all the globe is dead to me.”
Health & Family News
CANCER & WEIGHT CONNECTION. Evidence suggests that the amount of fat a body has to carry can influence
not just general health, but can actually promote cancer. More than 100,000 new cases of cancer each year in the
United States alone can be attributed to an excess of body fat. It breaks down this way: 49% endometrial cancers,
35% esophageal cancers, 28% pancreatic cancers, 24% kidney cancers, 21% gallbladder cancers, 17% of breast
cancers, and 9% colorectal cancers. A report by the American Institute for Cancer Research found that only half of
the population realizes that being overweight is a risk factor for cancer.
FRUIT WILL NOT ROT IN YOUR GUT. It is a myth that fruit, unless eaten by itself on an empty stomach, will
ferment (or rot). The human digestive system (as designed by God) handles all food combinations efficiently. As
foods are broken down into their various components, they pass into the small intestine, where bacteria are
naturally present. The bacteria sometimes act upon certain compounds in fruits and vegetables and promote gas,
but this has nothing to do with rotting or in what combinations you ate the foods. [US Berkeley Wellness Letter,
June 2010]
BE HEALTHY; SPEND MORE TIME IN PRAYER. Studies show that people of faith tend to be healthier, live longer
and recover from illness faster. Also, studies show that those who pray and are prayed for have happier lives.
Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect and neither do we; as stated by author and co-founder of the Quiet Garden
Trust of England Richard Foster.
“The truth of the matter is we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives – altruistic and selfish, merciful and
hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from
the impure. But what I have come to see is that God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. We do not
have to be bright, or pure, or filled with faith, or anything. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by
grace, we live by it as well. And we pray by it. [Richard J. Foster, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home].
ENCOURAGE ANTS AWAY FROM YOUR PICNIC. Before putting food on the table, set each leg in a shallow bowl
of water. That should stop the ants from climbing up. Also sprinkle talcum powder around the area where you will
be eating. [Better Homes and Gardens July 2010]
CLEARANCE SALE by Patience Strong
Coats and hats, books and beads, all jumbled in a heap. Music, curtains, magazines and pictures, faded, cheap.
Things raked out of dark old corners, clothing frayed and torn – bits and pieces, this and that – and boots and
shoes, well worn.
Every now and then in life we ought to hold a sale. We ought to have a clearance on a grand stupendous scale.
Turn out the bitter memories, old habits and ideas – get rid of all the grievances, the grudges and the fears.
Old prejudices lie in gloomy attics of the mind – and if we seek it long enough we’re almost sure to find – a lot of
musty, dusty stuff. So clear it all away! Keep what you need, throw out the rest – and start afresh each day.
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Today’s AnglicanVoice
Volume 4 Number 1 Summer 2010
A Woman’s Perspective on Anglicanism
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