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Giveone, two, three or more one-vear Uih subscriptions THE to LIVINGCHURCH magazineand save with everv Uih vou givel Sed be tki4-~ -or callus toll free at 1-aoo-211-2m II vuuhave mutuple ultt subscripUons, callus or write them on a separatepaper and send them to us. My name: I wish to give (check appropriate box and fill in): 0 ONE one-year gift subscription for $37.00 (reg. $39.00) Name ___ _ _________ __ __ _ 0 TWO one-year gift subscriptions for $36.00 each Address _____________ _ ___ _ ($36.00 X 2 = $72.00) D THREE OR MORE one-year gift subscriptions for $35.00 each City/State/Zip ____________ _ __ _ ($35.00 X __ = $__ ~ Phone ___________ __ __ __ _ Please check one: D One-time gift D Send r~newal to ~; -- ' Email ____ _ ____ __ __ _ _ __ _ My gift is for: Name___ _ ____ __ _ _ Makechec ks payableto: The LivingChurch P.O. Box 514036 Milwaukee, WI 53203-3436 Address.__ __ ______ _ Foreign postage extra First class rate s available I I[:..J City/State/Zip _________ _ D Please charge my credit card $ ____ .. ~ Pl10ne Card# _________________ _ Please start this gift subscription D ASAP D Dec. 17, 2006 Expiration date _______ _ ___ _ _ __ _ Sign gift card _________ _ Signature Offer expires December 3 1. 2006 GAl206 The objective of THE LIVING CHURCH magazine is to build up the body of Christ , by describing how God is moving in his Church; by reporting news of the Church in an unbiased manner; and by presenting diverse points of view. THIS WEEK- - -- -----------------..·-- ------~ ---~ ----- The Cover 5 11 13 Worshipers at The Falls Church, Falls Church, Va., after services Nov. 19, the first Sunday since the church's News vestry recommended that the congregation disaffiliate from 5 Falls Church, Truro Vestries The Episcopal Church (p.5). Jonathan Crocker photo Vote for Disaffiliation 6 Bishops' Task Force Opinion Identifies 'Problem Dioceses' 11 Editor's Column Play Ball! 12 Editorials OtherDepartments Smooth Start for Council 4 Sunday's Readings 13 Reader's Viewpoint Spiritual Housekeeping 16 People & Places BYJ. DOUGLASOUSLEY 15 Letters A Cheap Shot DEC EMBER 10. 20 06 · T H E LIV I NG C H URC H 3 • ,,I SUNDAY'SREADINGS " ,,• • " InvincibleHope • ,,I " 'Put onjorever the beauty of the glory from God' ,,• (Baruch 5: 1) ,,• TheSecond Sunday of Advent(Year C), Dec. 10, 2006 BCP:Bar. 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Phil.1:1-11; Luke3:1-6 RCL:Bar . 5:1-9 or Mal. 3:1-4 ; Luke 1:68-79; Phil. 1 :3-11; Luke 3: 1-6 EPISCOPAL Today's lessons build beautifully heart breaking ministry led eventually upon those of last week The theme for to the lamentations over the ruin of the CHURCHTIES the First Sunday of Advent was "Great city of God by her enemies. And yet it is Superbly woven pure silk ties. Hope in the Day of Fear." The lessons Baruch, who presumably was Shield in full color on navy presented an image of the earth Jeremiah's companion in that appalling or burgundy. $29.95 & $3.95 convulsed with fear and foreboding and time, whose name is on the exultant postage. Quantity order discount. cat:astrophic shifting of well-known and prophecy in today's first lesson. Other design s available: familiar ground, in the context of which Even the lesson from Philippians The Budded Cross, the JHC, was encouragement for the faithful. matches today's theme, if we recall that Cross and Flame, and the Chi Rho. Moving on to the theme of today's it was in that city that Paul and Silas Visit www.churchties.com lessons, we notice only the barest of were beaten with rods and thrust into (864) 895-7730 references to tribulation as we find prison. In that setting they converted ourselves immersed in descriptions of the jailer as the finale to a successful CHURCHTIES splendor, beauty, deliverance from evil, time of preaching the gospel. The 310 N Campbell Rd Landrum SC 29356 restoration of immeasurable loss, and Philippian Christians were dear to reversal of incalculable grief. Where Paul's heart , as today's selection shows . last week's lessons demonstrated even The introduction of John the Baptist's the cosmos itself showing evidence of ministry in Luke is likewise rich with coming judgment , in two of our lessons exultation. The call to repentance is this week, the earth cooperates in the manifestly not a wallowing in deliverance of God's people. recrimination and recounting of past evil Both Baruch and Luke present the and sin, but the conferring of a long well-known in1age of the mountains promised and long-awaited deliverance. Angel Solid Pewter with Candle Holder Antique Gold Finish and hills being made low and the John's manifestation is finnly dated with $157 valleys lifted up, to make the the recitation of the names of seven 7th c. Georgian homecoming of the people of God easy leaders of both Roman and Judean and pleasant. Even the trees give shade. influence. During a time of political All this is at the command of God. upheaval and oppression, John was Baruch was scribe to Jeremiah , who being prepared "in the wilderness" until prophesied in the time of immense the hour of his vocation came. For three suffering and heinous national sin that decades within the tens e Roman took place in an age of smug rebellion occupation of Judah he was against God, and which culminated in unrecognized as the one who would 11th c. the destruction of Jerusalem . Jeremiah 's fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah. LookIt Up How does today's psalm match the theme of today's readings? Jerusalem ThinkAbout H 14kt $245 Do times of great tribulation - personal , ecclesial , national, or worldwide - Silver $55. 95 invariably lead to great blessing? Receive 10% OFF your first on line ord er! Ent er coupon code TLC during checkou t. NextSunday www.gallerybyzantium.com TheThird Sunday of Advent(Year C), Dec.17, 2006 1-800-798-6173 BCP: Zeph. 3:14-20; Psalm85 or 85:7-13 or Isa. 12:2-6; Phil.4:4-7(8-9) ; Luke 3:7-18 ■a■a■a■n■a■ RCL: Zeph. 3:14-20; Isa. 12:2-6; Phil. 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 4 THE LIVING CHURCH · DECEMBER 10. 2006 NEWS FallsChurch, Truro Vestries Vote for Disaffiliation The vestries of two historic Virginia churches, Truro Parish , Fairfax, and The Falls Church, Falls Church, The Rev. Patrick announced Nov. 12 and 13 to their Ware, deacon at congregations that they had voted to The Falls Church , recommend disaffiliation from The greets members of the congregation as Episcopal Church. they leave the In both cases the vestries also rec church Nov. 19. ommended affiliating with the newly formed Anglican District of Virginia in Jonath an CrorkP r phor.o the Convocation for Anglicans in North America (CANA), a mission of the Church of Nigeria. In July, the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns, who has been Truro's rector since 1991, was conse crated missionary bishop for CANA. In late October, both parishes com pleted a 40-day discernment period in which members engaged in study and reflection "to seek the Lord's will for their place within the Anglican Com munion, as well as their expressed relationship with The Episcopal vestry meeting at his church as have witnessed firsthand how the Church in the United States," accord "prayerf ul and somber. We shared Episcopal Church has separated itself ing to a website developed jointly by prayers and tears as we voted to rec from the historic Christian faith of the the congregations. Both congrega ommend to the Truro parish this Anglican Communion over the last tions were to vote on their vestries' course of action." few decades. We are at a historic recommendation s. Tom Wilson, senior warden at The crossroads ." In a joint press release, Jim Oakes, Falls Church, said the vestry there "We are very, very sad that the senior warden at Truro, described the reached the decision because "we vestries are going to recommend to the congregations that they sever ties to The Episcopal Church," wrote Vir ginia Bishop Peter Lee in a press VirginiaBishop Candidates Announced release issued in response to the announcements. Col. Jean Reed, pres The Diocese of Virginia has nominees to succeed Southwest ident of the diocesan standing com announced a slate of five candidates Florida Bishop John Lipscomb. Canon mittee, said the committee "intends to for the Jan. 27 election of a bishop Lewis was a nominee earlier this year meet with those churches proposing coadjutor. to succeed Northern California bishop to separate from The Episcopal The candidates are: the Rev. Robert Jerry Lamb. He withdrew from the Church and review their situations on S. Dannals, rector of Christ Church, race about two months before the elec a case-by-case basis." Greenville, S.C.; the Rev. Canon Gay tion, writing to the standing committee With a combined membership of Clark Jennings, associate director of there that he could not uproot his 15- more than 5,200 and average Sunday the CREDO Institute, an organization year-old daughter. The period for nom attendance of 3,200, Truro and Falls providing educational and profes inations by petition closed Dec. 1. Church are among the largest and sional support for clergy; the Very Rev. Assuming sufficient consents, the wealthiest congregations in The Epis Shannon Sherwood Johnston , rector new bishop will be consecrated May copal Church.