Daily Archives: December 11, 2016

[Guardian] What Theresa May's Christmas plans tell us about her faith

..Until she became prime minister earlier this year, May was a regular member of the congregation at St Andrew’s church in Sonning, part of her Maidenhead constituency. She had been “a valued and very supportive member of our church family for the last 20 years”, said the local vicar, Jamie Taylor, on her elevation to No 10. “I believe she is well placed to lead our nation.”

Two years earlier, May had spoken on Desert Island Discs about her faith, saying it was “part of me. It is part of who I am and therefore how I approach things.” But, she added, “I think it’s right that we don’t flaunt these things here in British politics…

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Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Ministry of the Laity, Parish Ministry

(AP) Church Collapse in Uyo, Nigeria, Kills More Than 150 Worshipers: Hospital

Metal girders and the roof of a crowded church collapsed onto worshipers in southern Nigeria, killing at least 160 people with the toll likely to rise, a hospital director said Sunday.

Mortuaries in the city of Uyo are overflowing from Saturday’s tragedy, medical director Etete Peters of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital told The Associated Press.

The Reigners Bible Church International was still under construction and workers had been rushing to finish it in time for Saturday’s ceremony to ordain founder Akan Weeks as a bishop, congregants said.

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Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * International News & Commentary, Africa, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Nigeria

A Blessing from today's C of E Morning Prayer Service to Begin the Day

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Anglican Provinces, Church of England (CoE), Liturgy, Music, Worship, Spirituality/Prayer

(ES) Egypt bombing: 22 dead after attack on Cairo cathedral

Twenty two people have been killed in a bombing at Egypt’s main Coptic Christian cathedral.

Another 35 people were wounded in the second deadly attack to hit Cairo in two days, according to Egyptian state television.

Egypt’s official Mena news agency said an assailant lobbed a bomb into a chapel close to the outer wall of St Mark’s Cathedral, seat of Egypt’s Orthodox Christian church and home to the office of its spiritual leader, Pope Tawadros II.

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Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, * Religion News & Commentary, Coptic Church, Egypt, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Middle East, Other Churches, Religion & Culture, Violence

A Prayer to Begin the Day from the Scottish Prayer Book

O Lord Jesus Christ, before whose judgment-seat we must all appear and give account of the things done in the body: Grant, we beseech thee, that when the books are opened in that day, the faces of thy servants may not be ashamed; through thy merits, O blessed Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Advent, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Spirituality/Prayer

From the Morning Scripture Readings

Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee. So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name. My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips, when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night; for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy.

–Psalm 63:3-7

Posted in Theology, Theology: Scripture

Sunday Worship on T19 2016


On next Sunday: Sunday Service live from St Helena’s Beaufort, SC
Listen live here at 10:15 am Eastern time [3:15 pm London time]

From December 11th,, 2016
+ The Coming of the Lord – Archbishop Stephen Than Myint Oo of Myanmar [James 5:7-10]
+ The bells of Sheffield Cathedral
+ Choral Evensong from St Paul’s Cathedral


Christmas Lights at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore

From December 4th,, 2016
+ Reach: Evangelism through the local church – Glen Scrivener [1 Thessalonians 1-3]
+ The bells of Exeter Cathedral
+ Choral Evensong from Portsmouth Cathedral

From November 27th, 2016
+ A Service for Advent with Carols from St John’s College, Cambridge [Live from 10 am EST 3pm London Time]
+ Sermon series: The Saviour of the World – Vaughan Roberts and others [Luke 15-17]
+ Choral Evensong from Wakefield Cathedral

From November 20th, 2016
+ The Bells of All Saints, Worcester
+ What about war in the Bible? – Dr Vince Vitale [link now included]
+ Doing Missions Anglicanly – Archbishop Foley Beach at St Andrews Cathedral, Singapore
+ Choral Evensong from Bristol Cathedral

From November 13th, 2016
+ The Bells of Westminster Abbey
+ Remembrance Sunday Service from the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris for the Royal British Legion
+ Ceremony of Remembrance from the Cenotaph, London
+ Choral Evensong from Ely Cathedral

From November 6th, 2016
+ Defeat, Shame, and Remembrance ”“ Dr William Witt
+ Holy Communion from St Columba’s Church [CofI], Knock in Belfast
+ Archived Choral Service with Mozart’s Requiem from New College, Oxford
+ Called to Witness – Dr Kendall Harmon

From October 23rd, 2016
+ Formed for God’s Purpose – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Jeremiah 1:4-10]
+ We are Called to be Worshippers of God in Spirit+Truth – Dr Kendall Harmon [Psalm 148]
+ JC Ryle: A Faithful Anglican – Rev Lee Gatiss
+ More talks from the Church Society 2016 Conference
+ Choral Evensong from Birmingham Cathedral

From October 16th, 2016
+ Suffering: Loving the Lord in your circumstances – Venerable Godwin Makabi of Jos at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore [Job 1]
+ Choral Evensong from St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle

From October 2nd, 2016
+ All Things Working For Good – Revd Canon Rinji Kwashi at St Andrews Cathedral Singapore
+ We are Called to be Devoted Students of his Word – Dr Kendall Harmon (Acts 2:42-47)
+ Renewal in Exile – Rev Samuel Kennedy [Nehemiah 10] – next available part of the series on Nehemiah from the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul, SC
+ Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples – Rev Vaughan Roberts [John 17:6-19]
+ Choral Evensong from Westminster Abbey on the 90th anniversary of the first broadcast of Choral Evensong

From September 18th, 2016
+ Repentance in Exile – Dean Peet Dickinson [Nehemiah 9] – next available part of the series on Nehemiah from the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul, SC
+ Jesus’ Prayer for Himself – Rev Vaughan Roberts [John17:1-5]
+ Choral Evensong from St Clement Danes Church, London sung by Genesis Sixteen
+ The End: Preaching Matters – Rev William Taylor

From September 11th, 2016
+ Sunday Sermon – Learning from the Potter and the Clay – Dr Kendall Harmon (Jeremiah 18:1-11)
+ Choral Evensong from the Charles Wood Summer School at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh

From August 28th, 2016
+ Rejoicing in Exile – Dean Peet Dickinson [Nehemiah 6] – next available part of the series on Nehemiah from the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul, SC
+ Death and the Life Heareafter – Dr Paul Williamson – Moore College lecture
+ Choral Evensong from Edington Priory, during the Edington Festival of Music within the Liturgy

From August 14th, 2016
+ Acts of Spiritual Power – Vaughan Roberts [Acts 19:1-22]
+ Rebuilding & Resistance in Exile – Jacob Graudin [Nehemiah 2:9-20, 3, 4] – part 2 of the new series from the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul, SC
+ Choral Evening Prayer [RC] at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral with the Royal School of Church Music Millennium Youth Choir

From August 7th, 2016
+ How do you think to Yourself? The Rich Fool – Dr Kendall Harmon [Luke 12:13-21]
+ ‘Stormy Weather’ – Rev Jeffrey Miller [Matthew 14:22-33]
+ Introducing a new sermon series on Nehemiah – Dean Peet Dickinson
+ Looking for Leaders: God’s Voice is Heard – Vaughan Roberts [1 Samuel 3]
+ Sunday Worship from the Keswick Convention with Emma Scrivener
+ Choral Evensong from Chichester Cathedral during the Southern Cathedrals Festival

From July 31st, 2016
+ Looking for a Leader: Those who honor me – Vaughan Roberts [1 Samuel 2:12-36]
+ The Holy Spirit – Archbishop Foley Beach
+ Choral Evensong from the Three Choirs Festival of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester Cathedrals
+ Preaching Matters: Preaching 2 Timothy – Andy Gemmill

From July 24th, 2016
+ The Power of Priorities & the Danger of Distraction – Dr Kendall Harmon (Luke 10:38-42)
+ Looking for Leaders: A son is born – Vaughan Roberts [1 Samuel 1:1-2:11]
+ Choral Evensong from Derby Cathedral
+ The Church and the State: The Christian’s Responsibility in the Public Square – Anglican Way Institute Summer Conference 2016 with Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali
[More on the AWI 2016 Summer Conference]

From July 17th, 2016
+ The Shape of the Christian Life – Dr Kendall Harmon (Luke 10:25-37)
+ Called to Freedom – Dr Peter Moore [Galatians, John]
+ More than Conquerors – Vaughan Roberts [Romans 8:31-38]
+ Choral Evensong from the Chapel of Eton College with the first 2016 Eton Choral Course

From July 10th, 2016
+ Sermon given at the Memorial Service for Bishop Salmon – Dr Kendall Harmon [See more here]
+ The Magna Carta of Christian Freedom – Dr Kendall Harmon (Galatians 5:1;13-25)
+ Choral Evensong from Durham Cathedral
+ Preaching 2 Peter – Rev William Taylor

From June 26th, 2016
+ Now that Faith has come – Dr Peter Moore [Luke 8:19-21, 2 Samuel],
+ The Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness – James Fletcher [Romans 8:18-27]
+ Choral Evensong from from the Chapel of St John’s School, Leatherhead, with the Guildford Cathedral Choir

From June 19th, 2016
+ Anointment and Forgiveness – Bishop Mark Lawrence [Luke 7:39-50]
+ God’s New Creation 1 – Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 21]
+ Choral Evensong from Lichfield Cathedral

From June 12th, 2016
+ It’s Not Man’s Gospel – Dr Peter Moore at St Philip’s Charleston SC [Galatians 1:11]
+ Matins [Morning Prayer] from St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham
+ Friday’s Thanksgiving Service from St Paul’s Cathedral for the 90th Birthday of the Queen [starts 15 mins in]
Order of Service

From June 5th, 2016
+ A Man’s Faith that Amazed Jesus – Dr Kendall Harmon (Luke 7:1-10)
+ The Fall of Babylon – Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 17:1-19:10 ]
+ Choral Evensong from the St Davids Cathedral Festival

From May 29th, 2016
+ Building the Church – Dr Russ Parker at the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul, Charleston
+ Town Hall Service – Vaughan Roberts
+ The Loud Absence: Where is God Amidst Suffering and Evil? – Professor John Lennox

From May 22nd, 2016
+ Pentecost: Power, Surprises and Understanding – Dr Kendall Harmon (Acts 2:1-11)
+ Talks from JI Packer on 1 Timothy at Laity Lodge, Texas [h/t Prydain]
+ Praying – Vaughan Roberts [Matthew 6:5-13]
+ Choral Evensong from Tewkesbury Abbey with Schola Cantorum

From May 15th, 2016
+ The Church is on Fire – Dr Russ Parker at St Michael’s Charleston
+ Jesus the Ascended King (Acts 1:1-11) – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ Choral Evensong from St John’s College, Cambridge
+ Choral Evensong from St Pancras Church during the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music


or there is an updated version from Rend Collective here

From May 8th, 2016
+ The Ascension of Jesus – Bishop Mark Lawrence
+ Choral Evensong from Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

From May 1st, 2016
+ God’s Building – Vaughan Roberts [1 Peter 2:4-8]
+ Choral Evensong from St John’s College, Cambridge

From April 24th, 2016
+ The Good News – Rev Paul Wasswa Ssembiro at Christ St Pauls [Romans 1]
+ The Gospel in those Seasons when we have no fish – Bishop Mark Lawrence (John 21)
+ Choral Evensong from Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, with the Choir and Orchestra of the Swan

From April 17th, 2016
Talks from New Wineskins
God at Work in South-East Asia – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Luke 9:51 – 10:2 and Luke 24]

See: Mission Consultation South East Asia

From April 10th, 2016
+ A New Day for All Humanity – Bishop Rennis Ponniah

+The Bishop of London’s Easter Day Address

From March 27th, 2016
+ Priestly Prayer: The Prayer of Jesus and Portrait of Prayer: Agony in the Garden – Dr Kendall Harmon [Parts 6 and 7 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls]
+ Easter Day Evensong live from Worcester Cathedral now
+ Good Friday Meditations from St Andrew’s Cathedral Singapore

From March 20th, 2016
+ Palm Sunday Sermon – Rev Peter Cook at St Andrew’s Singapore on Sunday [Philippians 2]
+ The Bridge Keeper – Rev C. Bradley Wilson at St Philip’s Charleston on Sunday
+ The Slain Lamb – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 5] [MP3]
+ Strengthened by the Holy Spirit: The Prayer of St Paul – Rev Craige Borrett last week [Part 5 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls – Ephesians 3:14-21]
+ Sermon at SC Convention Eucharist – Bishop Thad Barnum
+ The Seven Last Plagues – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 15 & 16]
+ The Loud Absence: Where is God Amidst Suffering and Evil? – Professor John Lennox
+ Choral Evensong from Wells Cathedral
+ Open Thread: Lent Resources

Elgar: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me from the Choirs of the Cathedral Church of St Luke & St Paul, Charleston, SC [words from Isaiah 61:1-3,11]

“Recorded live at Choral Evensong on the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, October 18, 2015. The Cathedral Church of St. Luke & St. Paul, Charleston, SC. The Cathedral Choir (with members of the Compline Choir.) Paul Thomas, Organist and Choral Ministry Director

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor:
He hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliv’rance to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,””
to preach the acceptable year of the Lord;

To give unto them that mourn a garland for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud,
and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth;
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel

From March 13th, 2016
+ The Freedom of Forgiveness – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Genesis 45:3-15 and Mark 18:21-35]
+ Talking Jesus – Rev Rico Tice [more]
+ The Harvest – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 14]
+ The Bible: Quaint Relic or Bright Light – Dr Ken Bailey at Trinity School for Ministry
+ The Prayer of the Apostles – Let us speak boldly – Dr Kendall Harmon last week [Part 4 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls – Acts 4:1-31]
+ Choral Evensong from Westminster Abbey


[More from ‘What is the Gospel?’ – Rev William Taylor at St Helen’s Training]

From March 6th, 2016
+ Feeding of the Five Thousand – Archbishop Stanley Ntagali at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore [John 6:1-15 and Mark 6:30-44]
+ What is Evangelicalism? – John Stott [from here where there is a summary]
+ I saw Heaven Open: the Two Beasts – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 13]
+ Choral Evensong from the Chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford
+ Hannah – Remember Me – Rev Craige Borrett last Sunday [Part 3 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls – 1 Samuel 1 to 2:10]

From February 28th, 2016
+ The Primacy of Religious Freedom – Bishop Mark Lawrence
+ Parting Thoughts – Rev. Jeffrey S. Miller [2 Timothy 3 & 4]
+ The Woman and the Dragon – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Revelation 12]
+ Solomon – Give me wisdom – Dr Kendall Harmon last week [Part 2 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls – 2 Chronicles 1:7-13 and 1 Kings 3]
+ Zechariah: When God Returns in Power – Bishop Rennis Ponniah Session 1, Session 2 and Session 3
+ Choral Evensong from King’s College, Cambridge

From February 21st, 2016
+ God Knows – Kevin de Young at St Ebbes, Oxford [Exodus 2:11-25]
+ Preaching Christ in the Old Testament – Kevin de Young in Preaching Matters from St Helens, Bishopsgate, London [see below]
+ Following Jesus Wholeheartedly – Bishop John Tan at St Andrews Cathedral, Singapore [Philippians 3:17-4:1]

From February 14th, 2016
+ David: I have sinned – Rev Craige Borrett [Part 1 of a Lent series on Prayer from Christ St Pauls]
+ Renewed and Empowered by the Holy Spirit – Bishop Rennis Ponniah today [Ephesians 4:17-28]
+ The Transfiguration – Dr Kendall Harmon last week [Luke 9] – well recommended by The Elves
+ Big Issues: Transgender – Rev Vaughan Roberts
+ Choral Evensong for Ash Wednesday from the Temple Church in London

From February 7th, 2016
+ Who is ‘God’s Servant’? – Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali at St Helena’s, Beaufort SC [John 12]
+ Rector’s Forum with Bishop Nazir-Ali
+ Facing up to the Truth – Rev Justin Terry at St John’s, John’s Island SC [Luke 4:14-28]
+ What do you see? – Rev Chris Royer at St Michael’s, Charleston SC [Ministry in the Middle East, John/Joel]
+ Pornography – Rev Vaughan Roberts [Matthew 5:27-30]
+ Sunday Worship from Down Cathedral in the Diocese of Down and Dromore [CofI]
+ Choral Evensong from Truro Cathedral

From January 31st, 2016
+ Do You Have Faith in Jesus? – Archbishop Mouneer Anis at Christ St Paul’s Today [Luke 4]
+ Sunday Worship from Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire
+ Assisted Suicide – Vaughan Roberts

From January 24th, 2016
+ Fix Your Eyes on Jesus – Bishop Jacob W. Kwashi at Christ St Paul’s[Luke 4:14-21]
+ Finding Hope in the Baptism of Jesus – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ When the Evil Day Comes – Bishop Jacob W. Kwashi at St Philip’s Charleston [Ephesians 6:10-20]
+ Something to Aim for – The Beauty of Total Commitment – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Luke 2:21-40; Philippians 1:1-6]

Sunday Worship live from St Helena’s Beaufort, SC
Listen here at 10:15 am Eastern time [3:15 pm London time]
Worship Bulletin [awaited]


The Cross at Camp St Christopher, SC

Previous posts are here

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

(Law & Religion UK) Clergy, the C of E and same-sex marriage: Pemberton v Inwood

The ET found that Bishop Inwood’s refusal to grant Canon Pemberton an EPML did fall under s 53 Equality Act 2010 and was a “relevant qualification” within the meaning of s 54: that was not the case, however, in respect of the revocation of his PTO. The ET further held, however, that the EPML qualification was for the purposes of employment for the purposes of an organised religion and the compliance principle was engaged; therefore, Bishop Inwood was exempt from liability by reason of paragraph 2, schedule 9 Equality Act 2010. As for the harassment claim, Bishop Inwood’s conduct did not amount to harassment. Context was everything: Canon Pemberton would not have experienced that (admittedly, unwanted) conduct had he not defied the doctrine of the Church. Moreover, Bishop Inwood had acted lawfully pursuant to schedule 9; it would be an affront to justice if his conduct was found to constitute harassment.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, Anglican Provinces, Anthropology, Church of England (CoE), England / UK, Ethics / Moral Theology, Law & Legal Issues, Marriage & Family, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology, Religion & Culture, Sexuality, Theology

(The Tablet) New guidelines for trainee priests anger LGBT Roman Catholics

Trainee priests must undergo a robust spiritual formation that roots out clericalism, an obsession with the liturgy and a “presumed theological or disciplinary certainty”, according to new Vatican guidelines.

But while the 91-page document primarily seeks to ensure that seminarians become mature pastors, it controversially reiterates a ban on ordaining gay men or “persons with homosexual tendencies”, first implemented in 2005 causing widespread offence to gay Catholics, including many gay priests.

It is also at odds with Pope Francis’ more compassionate “who am I to Judge?” response when he was asked about gay priests in 2013 – and the reiteration of the ban has already received a negative response from LGBT catholics.

Nevertheless the text was signed off by Francis and was written following a two-year process, including consultation with bishops from across the world and various Vatican offices.

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I will take comments on this submitted by email only to KSHarmon[at]mindspring[dot]com.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * Religion News & Commentary, Anthropology, Ethics / Moral Theology, Ministry of the Ordained, Other Churches, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology, Psychology, Roman Catholic, Seminary / Theological Education, Sexuality, Theology

(Guardian) Who are Generation Z? The latest data on today's teens

Today’s youngest generation with a label, born after 2000, are connected yet isolated, savvy but anxious, indulged yet stressed. They have grown up with social media, a constant proliferation of information on a fully mobile internet, the rise of Islamic State and other forms of terrorism. As these teenagers approach adulthood, against the political backdrop of Brexit and President Trump, how will they shape the future?

The single biggest difference between Generation Z and other generations is how connected they are, and have been since birth. On average, young people in the UK, aged between five and 16, spend three hours online every day. Connectivity permeates their lives ”“ from friendships to relationships, news, entertainment, shopping ”“ and has transformed how they interact. The most popular apps are Snapchat, Instagram and messaging app Kik; the average teenager has at least 150 followers on Instagram, and spends around half an hour a day on Snapchat.

Young people are also reported to have a much more fluid sense of sexual identity and gender. A National Citizen Service (NCS) poll of 1,000 teenagers published in October this year found that only 63% of teens aged 16 and 17 define themselves as 100% straight (compared with 78% of adults). Gender identity is also less binary, with 78% of young men identifying as 100% male, and 80% of young women identifying as 100% female, according to the same NCS poll.

Read it all.

Posted in * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, Sports, Theatre/Drama/Plays