Let thy continual mercy, O Lord, enkindle in thy Church the never-failing gift of love, that, following the example of thy servant William Wilberforce, we may have grace to defend the poor, and maintain the cause of those who have no helper; for the sake of him who gave his life for us, thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Today in the Anglican tradition we thank God for William Wilberforce, an evangelical Anglican, slave abolitionist, founder of the CMS and RSPCA. Wilberforce understood Christianity as inseparable from justice! In a world of growing hate, let us remember and mirror his good works pic.twitter.com/i5RhLQwRva

— Victor-Joseph ❤️‍🔥🕊️ (@Anglicanvictor) July 30, 2025

Almighty God, who hast set thy law of love ever before us: Grant us thy grace that we may never harbour any resentment or ill-feeling in our hearts, but seek at all times the way of reconciliation and peace, according to the teaching of thy Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Boom..😁😁😁😁😁😁#Myoffice
📍KNP pic.twitter.com/FT39pU4cUt

— The Real KING OF THE JUNGLE (@EdwardthembaSa) July 30, 2025

And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; have no fear.” And he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes”²aret, and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

–Mark 6:47-56

Happy Wuthering Heights Day, the joint birthday of Emily Brontë (207) and Kate Bush (67). This is the ruin of Top Withins, said to be Emily Brontë’s inspiration for the location of Wuthering Heights. pic.twitter.com/SFPlZmH5fe

— Brontë Country Landscapes (@AFowlerPhoto) July 30, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Earlier today, Archbishop Wood sent a letter to the whole Province in response to an ongoing disagreement related to an ecclesiastical trial currently before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop. His communication included a statement entitled “A Joint Statement from the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee.”

I want you to know that I was not involved in the development of that statement and tried to object to its release for several reasons:

• First, I would not sign that letter for pastoral reasons. As their bishop, I can attest that both Mr. Alan Runyan and Bishop David Bryan are men of the highest integrity and Christian character. I continue to be confident of both men as exemplars of integrity and Christian character. I pray for them both, as this is without a doubt a time of extreme testing for them. 
• Second, I believe it is inappropriate for the College of Bishops to comment at all on this matter prior to the conclusion of the trial.
• Third, the statement was issued as if it reflected the unanimous voice of the College of Bishops, which it does not. As a member of the Provincial Tribunal—and a potential participant in the case of any appeals from the Trial Court—I, along with the other members of both the Trial Court and the Provincial Tribunal, recused myself from the call during which the statement was discussed. The entire College could not have endorsed that statement.

As difficult as it is, I continue to counsel us all to exercise the spiritual fruit and Christian virtue of patience. Earlier, I wrote to the clergy of the diocese asking that we “wait and see”; in short, I asked for patience. As information continues to fly around at breakneck pace, our anxiety grows. We want to jump in and try to solve things; the desire to forgo patience and “do something” has increased. But as CS Lewis articulated in his wonderful essay, Work and Prayer, prayer is actually significantly more potent than anything we could “do.”

So, if you find yourself wanting to do something, I ask that you continue to pray—for God’s wisdom, clarity, and grace—for all parties involved, even those whom you might not trust, at every level, as we seek to navigate this situation.

In Christ,

–(The Rt. Rev. ) Chip Edgar [The link for this may be found here if needed.]

SC Bishop’s response to Joint Statement Released by ACNA Today https://t.co/tVXwI0xRLK via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 29, 2025

In response to recent allegations of inappropriate actions by the Archbishop, the provincial staff and
Chancellor regarding matters before the Court for the Trial of a Bishop, the College of Bishops and
the Executive Committee of the Anglican Church in North America each met on the afternoon of July
28, 2025 to review all available information and documentation regarding the events and behaviors
in question. (Note: Some of the evidence is only available to members of the Court.)

Together, on behalf of the College of Bishops and the Executive Committee of the Anglican Church
in North America, we want to express our deep regret for the confusion and hurt caused by recent
attempts to air concerns of the Court in the public sphere. We are saddened that the parties expressing
concern did not utilize any of the canonical provisions designed to address them. We remain
confident in the Court’s ability to bring these matters to just resolution. Further, we find no evidence
to suggest that the Archbishop or members of his staff acted in any way that violates or compromises
the proceedings that are active before the court.

Read it all.

ACNA joint statement from the College of Bishops and Executive Committee rejecting charges of misconduct against Archbishop Wood and his staff https://t.co/8UFOu1LTvb via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 29, 2025

Read it all.

Carr concludes Superbloom by proposing we look for ways to turn aside and form alternative communities on the edges of these digital networks. “Maybe salvation, if that’s not too strong a word, lies in personal, willful acts of excommunication,” he writes, in “the taking up of positions, first as individuals and then, perhaps, together, not outside of society but at society’s margin, not beyond the reach of the informational flow but beyond the reach of its liquefying force.” 

He’s right, but it’s the togetherness aspect of this response that is particularly vital, for communication technologies by their very nature pose challenges that demand cooperative responses. What Carr does not say is that communities and even institutions already exist, all over our country, that are uniquely equipped to rise to this challenge: Christian families, schools, and churches.

We should be taking the lead in embodying alternative ways of communicating and feeling together. We need to practice developing a different kind of consensus, the consensus of members of the church conforming to the mind of Christ (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 2:16), not members of an increasingly secularized society oriented around New York and Silicon Valley. This type of consensus is the stability we need to avoid fresh waves of vertigo as dramatic technological development, particularly around artificial intelligence, continues apace.

Read it all.

“It’s our commitment to living as members of Christ’s body that will enable us to serve a techno-addled society and call it to a better way of life,” writes @jeff_bilbro.https://t.co/04inICPPOo

— Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) July 25, 2025

A combination of healthy activities including exercise, nutritious diet, computer brain games and socializing can improve cognitive performance in people at risk for dementia, according to a large new study.

The study, conducted in five locations across the United States over two years, is the biggest randomized trial to examine whether healthy behaviors protect brain health.

“It confirms that paying attention to things like physical activity and vascular risk factors and diet are all really important ways to maintain brain health,” said Dr. Kristine Yaffe, an expert in cognitive aging at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study.

The results were presented on Monday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto and published in the journal JAMA.

Read it all.

Big new study shows that a program helping folks do the stuff they already know they should be doing — eating well, exercising, using their brains — can indeed delay dementia. By @PamBelluck for the NYT. https://t.co/nCLiu1QHXj

— Paula Span (@paula_span) July 29, 2025

O God, heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ enjoyed rest and refreshment in the home of Mary and Martha of Bethany: Give us the will to love thee, open our hearts to hear thee, and strengthen our hands to serve thee in others for his sake; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” – Luke 10:42 pic.twitter.com/4O7FWeJA63

— Marietta (@nesci1811) July 29, 2025

O God, who hast called us out of the bondage of sin into the perfect freedom of thy children: Grant us grace that we may yield ourselves unto thee as alive from the dead, and our bodily members as servants of righteousness; that we may have our fruit unto holiness, and in the end everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Morning everyone I hope you are well. A bit of early morning light before the clouds move in over Holme Fell with views towards the Langdales.#LakeDistrict pic.twitter.com/R08qpAd0Sh

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) July 29, 2025

And they went through the region of Phry′gia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come opposite My′sia, they attempted to go into Bithyn′ia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; so, passing by My′sia, they went down to Tro′as. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedo′nia was standing beseeching him and saying, “Come over to Macedo′nia and help us.” And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedo′nia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Setting sail therefore from Tro′as, we made a direct voyage to Sam′othrace, and the following day to Ne-ap′olis, and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedo′nia, and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days; and on the sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyati′ra, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul. And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.

–Acts 16:6-15

A walnut tree for #thicktrunktuesday pic.twitter.com/BrwKuv80w8

— Sandy De Born (@SandyDeBorn) July 29, 2025

….Joseph was not Jesus’s only loss. His cousin, John the Baptist, was executed by a corrupt despot. Another blow. And then came Lazarus. When Jesus arrived and found him four days gone, he didn’t preach. He didn’t explain. He wept.

Jesus gets it. He gets me. His suffering wasn’t detached or sanitised — it was real, raw, and rooted in love. That truth became an anchor for me. Because, when I lost my dad, I didn’t need a theory. I needed a Saviour who understood.

And, even in his suffering, Jesus looked outward. The Gospels say that he had compassion on the crowds. The Latin root — compati — means “to suffer with”. That’s exactly what Jesus does. He co-suffers. He stays. He weeps with us.

IN THE early months of my grief, I found myself held — not just by God, but by the people he sent to walk beside me. Friends who prayed, cried, and remembered. Family who stood when I couldn’t stand alone.

Their presence reminded me of Ruth walking beside Naomi: “Where you go, I will go.” That’s what grace looks like — people who stay and pray.

Read it all.

A year after his father’s death, Craig Philbrick celebrates an unexpected gracehttps://t.co/ahyrhkXXG8

— Church Times (@ChurchTimes) July 27, 2025

An attorney should not have to throw a tantrum for a court to follow its own orders. I’ve waited patiently for a week to observe how the Archbishop, his staff, and the Court would respond. Unfortunately, I am left alarmingly disappointed.

Even if you disagree with his choice to resign, Mr. Runyan acted with integrity. He immediately communicated with the Archbishop who was the source of his appointment. The Archbishop told Mr. Runyan he would speak with him before saying anything publicly. He did not do so. Instead, the Archbishop sent out a surprise communication to the Province on Sunday evening leaving Mr. Runyan no choice but to properly and promptly notify witnesses, who had given so much of their time, effort, and courage to this process, of his resignation. Simultaneously, the Prosecutor was locked out of his Provincial email account. This precluded him from the ability to send the Court his resignation letter causing him to ask the Archbishop to make that communication for him. Based on what the Court stated, apparently that was not done.

Just as the Archbishop’s letter hit your inboxes Sunday night, I received a notification in my inbox from the COO and ACNA Chancellor that they wanted to meet with me first thing Monday morning.

Given that I know this case, its history, its facts, and its evidence more comprehensively than anyone in the ACNA, I expected the call would be to hear my perspective of what happened and to discuss my willingness to continue to help. Instead, I was invited to consider my termination that day.

It struck me that the two of the people whose actions directly undermined the court process were now the same two wanting to discuss my termination. Oh, the irony! In the real world, the judge would be disciplined for judicial misconduct and those who gave him improper access to a party’s files would be fired and disciplined.

According to the Archbishop’s recent letter to the whole ACNA, rather than being reprimanded or removed, this same chancellor was then tasked with the important job of selecting the new prosecutor.Despite that, the fact of the matter is that there is no way a new prosecutor will understand in
a timely fashion the nuances, details, and context that make up this case. Thus, if this process moves forward according to the Court’s timeline, the Province will not be competently represented.

Proceeding with the same tainted court and simply appointing a new prosecutor flies in the face of Mr. Runyan’s prescient warning that “this is not simply something that can be casually overlooked for expediency’s sake.”

Read it all.

ACNA members, I don’t post church news often, but this is serious. If our disciplinary processes are undermined everyone is vulnerable.

I have known Runyan and Thebeau for over 8 yrs. If they are concerned we should be too and do what we can to help.https://t.co/ENOLIjUG9H

— Andrew Gross (@frandrewgross) July 26, 2025

Although it is not our normal practice to speak publicly while proceedings are ongoing,
because the communication from the former Prosecutor was made public, the Court finds it
requires a limited response. This is particularly true when it calls into question the integrity of
the Court and the fairness of the trial in In the Matter of the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch, III.
The full seated Court has reviewed the recent publication of the letter by the former
Provincial Prosecutor concerning testimony and internal proceedings of this Court. The letter
includes commentary on confidential deliberations, public criticism of a sitting member of the
Court, and a call for the release of trial records—despite a standing order that the proceedings be
conducted in camera. These actions have contributed to public confusion, diminished trust in the
process, and placed pressure on a tribunal still actively engaged in the work before it.

The full Court has met to review, in detail, the exchange referenced in Mr. Runyan’s
letter. We affirm without hesitation that the questions posed by every member of this Court to the
witness in question were appropriate and fell squarely within our responsibilities. The line of
questioning, in fact, was based upon questions concerning the Province’s own exhibit directed to
his own witness. The former Prosecutor, who was present, invited to redirect the witness, and
given multiple opportunities to speak, raised no objections at any time during the line of
questioning he now complains of to the Archbishop. In fact, the objections he did raise in
response to defense questions were heard and, on multiple occasions, sustained.

Read it all.

Ruch tribunal president rejects resigned prosecutor’s allegations of misconduct https://t.co/hVAUCpXwnz via @Anglican Ink © 2025

— George Conger (@GeorgeConger8) July 23, 2025

Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, who dost teach us in Holy Scripture to sing thy praises and who gavest thy musicians Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel and Henry Purcell grace to show forth thy glory in their music: Be with all those who write or make music for thy people, that we on earth may glimpse thy beauty and know the inexhaustible riches of thy new creation in Jesus Christ our Savior; who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

28 July 1750. Johann Sebastian Bach died (aged 64). He’s one of the greatest classical composers of all time. His best known works include the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations. pic.twitter.com/YHHSxMZFko

— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) July 28, 2025

O Lord Christ, by whose single death upon the cross the members of thy body also die to servitude and sin: Grant us so to crucify the old man, that the new may daily rise with thee in the immortal power of thy free Spirit, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and thee, one God, world without end.

King Herod heard of it; for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Eli′jah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Hero′di-as, his brother Philip’s wife; because he had married her. For John said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Hero′di-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee. For when Hero′di-as’ daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” And she went out, and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

–Mark 6:14-29

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sunrise horizon – Folly Beach pic.twitter.com/Ollk4ERzQU

— Charleston Daily (@ChuckTownDaily) July 27, 2025

Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory!

–Psalm 24:7-10

Une vue magique, Anzère 🤩🏔️🤩🇨🇭#suisse #switzerland @valaiswallis @Anzere365 @MySwitzerland_e pic.twitter.com/EReU0YMsCv

— Délèze Dominique (@DelezeD) July 27, 2025

Almighty God, heavenly Father, we remember in thanksgiving this day the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and we pray that we all may be made one in the heavenly family of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever.

1/16 🧵
Today, we remember two quiet figures—so quiet, their names never appear in Scripture.
But their lives shaped the woman who said yes to God.
Today is the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Let’s walk with them. pic.twitter.com/jmyu8sF1IJ

— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) July 27, 2025

O God, give me strength to live another day.  Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties.  Let me not lose faith in my fellow men.  Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness.  Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them.  Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity.  Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things.  Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth, inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness, and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls; in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

–Robert W. Rodenmayer, ed., The Pastor’s Prayerbook: Selected and arranged for various occasions (New York: Oxford University Press, 1960)

torrent#river #rain #hiking pic.twitter.com/5ojVL7K1YZ

— Portmann Carrick (@PortmannCarrick) July 26, 2025

He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.

And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

–Mark 6:1-13

Mostly Cloudy. 21°C. Potatoes in flower. pic.twitter.com/Q5GnRWi1Je

— Yorkshire Wolds Weather (@WeatherWolds) July 26, 2025

O gracious God, we remember before thee this day thy servant and apostle James, first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ; and we pray that thou wilt pour out upon the leaders of thy Church that spirit of self-denying service by which alone they may have true authority among thy people; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Today's the feast of St James, Apostle and patron saint of Spain. In art he's usually depicted as a pilgrim, as at Cawston, Norfolk, 1490s, with pilgrim staff and scallop shell, the badge of those who've been to Santiago de Compostela. 1/3

Cawston: https://t.co/ARfPwBoMyq pic.twitter.com/EhcOYzDxjg

— Simon Knott (@SimoninSuffolk) July 25, 2025

O Lord Christ, who dost call thy disciples not only to follow thee but to become fishers of men: Give to us and to thy whole Church grace to obey thy word and to engage in a bold and adventurous evangelism; and grant that, attempting great things for thee, we may also expect great things from thee; to whom be glory for ever and ever.

Peace and quiet. pic.twitter.com/vzvRv86ahF

— Jim Scott (@jimscottphoto) July 25, 2025

Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilbo′a. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan and Abin′adab and Mal′chishu′a, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard upon Saul, and the archers found him; and he was badly wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and make sport of me.” But his armor-bearer would not; for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword, and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword, and died with him. Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

On the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilbo′a. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. They put his armor in the temple of Ash′taroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. But when the inhabitants of Ja′besh-gil′ead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh and burnt them there. And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

–1 Samuel 31:1-13

Nearly the #Weekend! 💚 Who recognises this well-known #Wensleydale hill?

Snapped from the roadside – with the Rosebay Willowherb in the foreground, we think the scene has a great #SummerVibe even if the weather doesn't always match the season! 🌸#LadyHill #FridayFeeling pic.twitter.com/nDlqPsDUhn

— Yorkshire Dales National Park (@yorkshire_dales) July 25, 2025

Six months ago, few people would have anticipated that the United States would place a 15 percent tariff on exports from Japan, one of America’s closest and most longstanding allies. President Trump had campaigned on the idea of a 10 percent universal base-line tariff, plus a higher levy on China, but it was not clear whether he would follow through.

But on Tuesday, when Mr. Trump announced a trade deal that included a 15 percent tariff on Japanese products — the highest rate those goods have faced in decades — there was a palpable sense of relief. Stock markets in Asia and Europe rose. The Japanese Nikkei 225 surged by over 3.5 percent, while shares of Japanese automakers, which will also be charged a 15 percent tariff on their exports to the United States, jumped more than 10 percent. The reaction is a testament to just how quickly and completely Mr. Trump has transformed the world’s expectations regarding tariffs.

Read it all.

Trump’s Tariffs Are the Highest in a Century. But After His Threats, They Seem Like a Relief. https://t.co/eevtXIQ4cC via @NYTimes

— ISMAIL (@iamaniku) July 23, 2025

Read it all.

Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last night I wrote to you about a concerning development in the ecclesiastical trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch III. As noted, I received a resignation letter from the provincial prosecutor late yesterday.  While I know that news is unsettling and my first note did not include a full explanation as the situation was still developing, I wanted to be sure you heard this news from me before the Court issued any rulings about its next steps in light of this unprecedented action.  I now want to offer a more thorough explanation.

It is fair to be asking: What happened?

As many of you know, I was elected to serve as your Archbishop just over one year ago. At that time, Bishop Ruch was pending trial, but a date had not yet been set. One of my first priorities as your Archbishop was to seek closure to this painful and unresolved situation. In my letter dated September 23, 2024 I announced the trial date of July 14 and also requested that all actions of the Court be public to improve visibility and transparency in the process. Bishop Foley Beach had appointed Alan Runyan as the Provincial Prosecutor, and I re-affirmed that appointment to avoid any delays in the process.

In the intervening months, both parties worked to prepare for the trial. In early June, the Court issued a statement of its intent to host the trial on a secure internet-based platform, and that it be closed to the public. On June 20, the Court hosted a pre-trial conference to determine the scope of the trial, including what would be included as evidence and how the proceedings would be organized. At this time, it was estimated that the trial would commence on schedule and last approximately 5-10 business days.

Last Monday, the trial commenced as scheduled and the prosecution began its case under the direction of Provincial Prosecutor Alan Runyan. I was not involved in these proceedings. When a trial is underway, neither I nor the provincial office is in communication with the court.

According to the prosecutor, on Friday afternoon as a witness was being interviewed, a line of questioning developed that drew on material that he did not believe was within the scope of the trial agreed upon in the June 20 pre-trial conference. In response to this concern, the prosecutor returned from a court recess and announced his intention to resign. Following this announcement, Bishop Ruch’s team filed a Motion for a Directed Verdict of Not Guilty. The court has not yet ruled on this motion.

I became aware of Alan’s announcement on Friday, however I did not receive a formal resignation letter from him confirming his intention until late yesterday afternoon. I’ve asked our Chancellor, Bill Nelson, to share that letter with you as well as some clarity and context regarding procedural matters.

Read it all.

C. Alan Runyan, the Provincial Prosecutor for the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), resigned effective 18 July 2025, in the midst of the high-profile trial of the Rt. Rev. Stewart Ruch III, bishop of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. 

In a letter addressed to the Most Rev. Stephen D. Wood, Mr. Runyan expressed “great regret and deep spiritual sadness,” citing “irredeemable taint” introduced into the trial process by a member of the ecclesiastical court who, according to Runyan, improperly questioned witnesses and drew on materials not entered into evidence.

In his letter to Archbishop Wood, Runyan detailed that the court member’s actions introduced “unwarranted suspicion of provincial investigative bias” and violated the court’s own previous order to keep focus strictly on the charges against Bishop Ruch, rather than the prior investigative process. He stated that attempts were made to cast doubt on the investigation itself, even though no evidence of impropriety had been presented in the trial record.

The prosecutor stressed that “a trial process that bears within it the seed of impropriety, no matter the outcome, must change,” and called for the full, redacted trial transcript to be made available both to any successor prosecutor and to the broader church for transparency. Runyan concluded by expressing his sorrow at the development and a hope for God’s glorification in the ultimate outcome.

Read it all.