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The Scottish Episcopal Church and the upcoming Primates’ Meeting
There’s been a little flurry of articles in the press this week about the Scottish Episcopal Church. “SANCTIONS LOOM FOR SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH’S PRO-GAY MARRIAGE VOTE” “SCOTS ‘TO FACE CONSEQUENCES’ OVER GAY MARRIAGE” “GLOBAL ANGLICAN CHURCH LEADERS CONDEMN SCOTLAND FOR ALLOWING SAME-SEX WEDDINGS” And so on. The only awkward thing about all these articles is…
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75 questions for people who want to help churches to grow
Helping churches to grow is hard work but there are some things that need to be addressed to help congregations to grow which seem to be fairly consistent across churches which are otherwise very different in style. Some time ago I published two lots of 25 questions for people who want to help churches to…
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To be an Episcopalian is not to be respectable
To be an Episcopalian means not to be respectable. This morning’s gospel reading is one of the most interesting of the stories about Jesus that are ever told. Even if we’ve heard it before, it still has the capacity to surprise. He said what? And what did she say in response? A mother begs for…
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Should straight people be allowed to get married – a sermon preached on 30 July 2017
The question that remains with me after all these years of debate about marriage has still not been resolved, even after this year’s General Synod. I’ve read theological opinions about marriage. I’ve debated about marriage. I’ve gone on the radio to talk about marriage. I’ve spent my time wishin’, and hoping and praying that we…
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The Scottish Episcopal Church Option
So, here’s the thing. You’re sitting in your rectory in the Wolds of Nether Essex and turning the wireless dial at the end of a long day in June. Through the crackle and fizz of the static you finally find the Home Service and a plummy voice says with just the tiniest hint of surprise:…
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Sermon – Hagar, Ambridge, Church Abuse, Eid Mubarak
If I think back to my grandfather, now long passed away, I have a number of memories. One strikes me in particularly today. And it was a particular devotion. Almost a religious ritual. It could be performed at lunchtime or it could be performed in the early evening. But the important thing was that it…
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Made in Scotland with Love
Today is my ordination anniversary. Nineteen years ago today on St Columba’s day I was ordained priest. For most of that time I’ve been promoting the fundamental equality of gay and straight people in the church. With others, I founded Changing Attitude Scotland 13 years ago. And so it will surprise no one that I’m…
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What the Scottish Episcopal Church is Voting On
As I write this, it is just over 24 hours until a debate and a vote in the Scottish Episcopal Church’s General Synod that lots of people are going to be more interested in than most other General Synod happenings. It is the debate and the motions relating to a change to the Canons (ie…
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The Tim Farron Question and the Archbishop of Canterbury
Let us return once again to the Tim Farron Question. Oh, I know, I really do know that you’d much prefer it if we could just move on. However, the Tim Farron Question is actually rather important. And trust me anyway, this isn’t [mostly] a post about Tim Farron, who might be expected to have…
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10 Thoughts on the Blessing of Asparagus
It seems that Worcester Cathedral recently had a service for the blessing of asparagus. As this is a matter that might be seen to have consequences for the wider Anglican Communion, I thought I’d offer a few thoughts. There can be no justification for blessing asparagus as asparagus is never mentioned positively in the bible.…