The synod decides (by an extremely close vote in the house of clergy) to allow a religious community to elect a voting member of Diocesan Synod.
I speak against on the grounds that religious communities can be a haven from the politics of the church.
I also ask whether religious communities will now be expected to pay quota. (Apparently that will be up to each diocese).
I’m reminded of a remark which Senator Dianne Feinstein (D- California–which happens to be my home state and political party) made regarding our current President, to the effect that it would be better if we could help him to be a good president than if we merely got rid of him. Oh, my, did that ever provoke angry outpourings! At the time, I was attending a parish retreat, so it seemed appropriate to mention during a group discussion that this nice elderly Jewish lady was actually quoting Scripture and saying that “God desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live.” This didn’t go over very well, but there you are. God bless our elected politicians, indeed.
Amen. We don’t usually pray for the Queen, but we often pray for politicians and leaders. Good challenge about MEPs and those who make international government – EU, Council of Europe, UN etc – work.
Amen. I’m wondering whether this point works in reverse, as well: “If collectively, as a people, we had been more thankful for the EU, would we have prayed more for its welfare?”
If, collectively, as a people, we had prayed more for the welfare of the EU, would we have been more thankful for it? Might we have felt more like a part of it? It’s difficult to know the answer to either formulation.
this Sunday I was the lay intercessor at morning Eucharist at our church. In preparing the prayers, I looked at the last ones I had done, in Mid November, and used this one virtually unchanged as it seemed as relevant now as then.
“In our country, political leaders are struggling to agree terms for our exit from the European Union. Our politics seem ever more polarised and confrontational, and it seems that any possible outcome could cause further strife and division.
Almighty Father, we pray for all who have important decisions to make, and especially for our own country at this time.
Guide the decisions of those who govern so that they may strive for justice, freedom, peace and the common good.
Give those of us who are governed wisdom, love and courage, and the resilience to find ways to grow and flourish, whatever the future may bring.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Today I am a pilgrim. We are having a St Saviour's pilgrimage from Elie to Pittenweem along the Fife Coastal Path. Not a long way, but a journey nonetheless. The last time I went on anything described as a pilgrimage, it was the one at Haddington which happens in May. This was so very strange…
I'm meeting Jim Wallace tonight, to take him up to the University for a public meeting. Jim will be speaking in the University room A4 at 1945 on the theme “Partnership for Scotland”. Everyone is welcome and there will be the chance for questions afterwards.
Back to Perth Royal Infirmary yesterday to have my mouth poked around with by my oral surgeon again. I seem to be there all the time. This time, the cause of my visit was that my mouth has healed far too quickly. However improbable this seems, it is true.So, another hole in my gums and…
Yesterday, we had a wedding in church. I always enjoy getting to know people who want to get married. They have a lot of things to decide. What kind of music? What kind of service? What bible readings? I have never had anyone choose the first reading this morning (the wife of good character from…
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