Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ties between New Delhi and Washington are stronger and deeper than ever as India moves to secure what he sees as its rightful place on the world stage at a moment of geopolitical turmoil.

“There is an unprecedented trust” between the leaders of the U.S. and India, Modi said in an interview ahead of his first official state visit to Washington after nine years in office. He hailed growing defense cooperation between the two countries as “an important pillar of our partnership,” which he said extends to trade, technology and energy.

In Washington this week, Modi is expected to complete deals to manufacture jet-fighter engines in India to power advanced light combat aircraft, and to purchase high-altitude armed Predator drones from the U.S. in a multibillion-dollar agreement to boost surveillance efforts over the Indian Ocean and near its disputed border with China in the Himalayas.

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It's been a very long time since Modi did an interview with a Western media outlet. In WSJ, he hits on some of the key themes of India's foreign policy during his term-especially India as a leader of the global South and taking on a greater global role.https://t.co/8gnS2ZC2bF

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) June 20, 2023

Wilkinson Returns as Director of Music at St. Michael’s

Matthew Wilkinson recently accepted the position as the Director of Music at St. Michael’s Church, Charleston. In a note to the congregation, the Rector, the Rev. Al Zadig wrote, It is my pleasure to announce the return of Matthew Wilkinson as our Director of Music. Many of you remember Matthew who served faithfully as our Director of Music from August, 2014, through December, 2019, leaving to pursue God’s call for Master and Doctorate degrees. His first Sunday with us will be September 3rd. Matthew, his wife, Melanie, and their daughter, Annika, will be available for you to meet after each worship service on September 3rd. Please help us welcome them back to St. Michael’s Church. There is much to know about the Wilkinson family since they have been gone; including their time living and traveling through Europe and most recently their experience with Christ Church, Plano.”

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The Latest Edition of the #Anglican Diocese of #SouthCarolina Enewsletter https://t.co/jzNQxhnVdf #faith #religion #parishministry #media #lowcountrylife pic.twitter.com/GkEebU379U

— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) June 20, 2023

The action taken by the British government is the first time a Security Council Resolution has been passed on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and puts in place Recommendation 20 of the Truro Independent Review:

The FCO to use the United Kingdom’s position, as a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, to seek a Security Council Resolution to call on all governments in the MENA Region to:

a. ensure the protection and security of Christians, and other faith minorities, in their respective countries;
b. facilitate the establishment of security and protection arrangements for Christians, and other faith minorities, within the legal and governance structure of their respective countries;
c. permit United Nations observers to monitor the protection and security arrangements for Christians and other faith minorities in their respective countries.

FCO also to consider taking a similar approach for other regions as appropriate.

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Bishop of Truro @pmounstephen, is instrumental in the development of a new UN Security Council resolution, in conjunction with UK / UAE governments, on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Learn more at https://t.co/O1SAuXCVgL.

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) June 19, 2023

Downing Street has announced that the Venerable Adam Atkinson will be the next Bishop of Bradwell, succeeding the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, who became Bishop of Liverpool earlier this year.

Adam is currently Archdeacon of Charing Cross in the Diocese of London, a role he has served in since March 2020. He previously served as Director of Mission Development in the Two Cities area of London Diocese and as a parish priest in Stepney.

Speaking about his appointment Adam said:

“What a joy to be invited to join in with what God is doing here in Chelmsford. I pay tribute to the clergy and lay leaders and volunteers and servants of God in the parishes and ministries of the Bradwell Area. Particular thanks to the Area Deans but also to single out Archdeacon Mike, who has shouldered so much in the last several months. I come to serve alongside you who have also been called to work for the Kingdom of God to come in Bradwell as it is in heaven.”

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The Venerable Adam Atkinson is to be the new Bishop of Bradwell in @chelmsdio.

Read more at https://t.co/z74sU2vcjw.

— The Church of England (@churchofengland) June 19, 2023

There is a lot of pressure to be positive these days. Some people even regard it as a form of wellness treatment in itself and warn of the potential dangers of “allowing negativity into their lives”. But such enforced optimism ignores the realities of our existence. Some patients seem to think negativity will shorten their lives. But researchers in different studies have tested the hypothesis that optimism can impact survival in cancer patients and have found that it does not have an impact. In one of these studies, there was a suggestion that encouraging patients to be positive perhaps even represents an additional burden.

Whether you have terminal cancer or not, believing everything must stay positive just isn’t sustainable. It needs to be balanced with realism. An expectation that outcomes will and must always conclude well can in itself create disappointment and anxiety – because, at some level, we know that we cannot guarantee those wishes will come true.

Being pessimistic or negative on occasion can help, and patients tell me that it is pragmatic and even reassuring to talk about the worst-case scenarios that may lie ahead. When my patients spend more time getting used to the very real possibility that things will work out not so well, it can reduce anxiety considerably over future weeks and month

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“Whether you have terminal cancer or not, believing everything must stay positive just isn’t sustainable.”
A #PalliativeCare consultant on the cup not always being half full. Applies to all of life, not only healthcare. https://t.co/W3xfeXDVPW

— Michael Sadgrove 🇪🇺 (@MichaelSadgrove) June 19, 2023

Almighty God our heavenly Father, who hast given thy Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and hast commanded us to love one another as thou hast loved us: Make us, we beseech thee, so mindful of the needs and sufferings of others, that we may ever be ready to show them compassion, and according to our ability to relieve their wants; for the sake of the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

—-The Rev. James Mountain (1844-1933)

Hannah also prayed and said,

“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in thy salvation.

“There is none holy like the Lord,
there is none besides thee;
there is no rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
and on them he has set the world.

“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones;
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness;
for not by might shall a man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king,
and exalt the power of his anointed.”

–1 Samuel 2:1-10