sinden.org/blog

Gene Robinson who, like Obama, is not
afraid to be photographed with pipe organs.

Bishop Robinson described his conversations with him as part of Mr Obama’s “extraordinary” outreach to all religious communities, not just Christian groups. Mr Obama, although not a member of The Episcopal Church to which Bishop Robinson belongs, is a committed Christian with the United Church of Christ.

He said that the Mr Obama was taller than he had expected and described him as “Lincolnesque”, both literally and metaphorically. They discussed the dangers both of being demonised by opponents and idealised by supporters.

Gledhill, Ruth. "Barack Obama asked gay bishop Gene Robinson what it was like to be 'first'". Times (London), 6 November 2008.

Labels: Anglicanism, Obama

A funny note in an otherwise sad news story from London:

Gene Robinson, an openly gay U.S. bishop was forced to stop his sermon at a west London church after a member of the congregation began to heckle him . . .

Robinson halted his sermon while a hymnal [sic] began playing. The man was escorted from the south west London church at which time Robinson resumed his sermon and asked for the congregation to pray for the man.

TransWorldNews: Gay U.S. Bishop Heckled During Sermon at London Church 13 July 2008. Emphasis added

I want that hymnal!

In all earnestness, I love Gene Robinson's preaching, and I intend to read his sermon this afternoon, heckles and all.

Powerful video of the heckling at the BBC.

Labels: Anglicanism, Episcopal Church, hymns, journalism

A happy Mothering Sunday to all with Simnel cakes aplenty.

Labels: Anglicanism, Feasts, food

Sinden.org has received the following in an email forward:

A Tribute to Anglo-Catholics
(tune: Aurelia: The Church's One Foundation)

Our church is mighty spikey with smells and bells and chants,
And Palestrina masses that vex the Protestants.
O happy ones and holy who fall upon their knees
For solemn Benediction and mid-week Rosaries.

Though with a scornful wonder men see our clergy, dressed
In rich brocaded vestments as slowly they process;
Yet saints their watch are keeping lest souls be set alight
Not by the Holy Spirit, but incense taking flight.

Now we on earth have uni on with Lambeth, not with Rome,
Although the wags and cynics may question our true home;
But folk masses and bingo can't possibly depose
The works of Byrd and Tallis, or Cranmer's stately prose.

(Here shall the organist modulate)

So let the organ thunder, sound fanfares "en chamade";
Rejoice, for we are treading where many saints have trod;
Let peals ring from the spire, sing descants to high C,
Just don't let your elation disrupt the liturgy.

Labels: Anglicanism, hymn, liturgy, parody

The first rule of gay clergy Communion club is that you do not talk about gay clergy Communion club.

Archbishop calls secret service for gay clergy to halt slide towards schism (from Times Online)

(And the second rule of gay clergy Communion club is like unto it . . .)

Labels: Anglicanism

Today (St. George's Day) in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we pray for "Royal Perculiars [sic] Chapels Royal, Religious Peculiars, and Westminster Abbey".

What's a Royal Peculiar, you ask?

A Royal Peculiar (or Royal Peculier) is a place of worship that falls directly under the jurisdiction of the British monarch, rather than a diocese.

It dates to Anglo-Saxon times when a church could ally itself with the monarch and therefore not be subject to the bishopric of the area. Later it embodied the relationship between the Norman and Plantagenet Kings and the English church.

Every good Anglican should know this.

A Royal Pipedreams peculiarity: It seems to me that the third selection on this week's episode of Pipedreams was not a Fantasia on MADRID, but rather KINGSFOLD (it starts at about 26:00 into the program). This is a little strange since host Michael Barone introduces this selection by referring to the ubiquity of hymn tunes in organist-composed music and saying "I expect some of you might recognize this one". Barone himself either does not recognize it, or is confused about its name.

A royal explanation? It was Spain's King Phillip II who moved the Spanish capital to Madrid. Previously, ruling families held court in Toledo and Zargoza. It is said that Phillip folded these the power of these other two capitals into Madrid, the "doblez del rey" or "king's fold".

MADRID is included in the Presbyterian Hymnal at 150: "Come, Christians, Join to Sing".

Labels: Anglicanism, hymn, prayer

I received this email last week, and with the approval of some Episcopal higher-ups and my ecclesiastical attorney I have decided to make it public:

Dear Sir,

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED FOR ACQUISITION OF VIRGINIA PARISHES

I write to inform you of my desire to acquire parish properties in Virginia on behalf of the Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Bishop of Abuja, and Archbishop of Province III.

Considering his very strategic and influential position, he would want the transaction to be as strictly confidential as possible. He further wants his identity to remain undisclosed at least for now, until the completion of the transaction. Hence our desire to have an overseas agent.

I have therefore been directed to inquire if you would agree to act as our overseas agent in order to actualize this transaction.

The deal, in brief, is that the funds with which we intend to carry out our proposed investments in your country is presently in a coded account at the Nigerian Apex Bank (i.e. the Central Bank of Nigeria) and we need your assistance to transfer the funds to your country in a convenient bank account that will be provided by you before we can put the funds into use in your country. For this, you shall be considered to have executed a contract for the Anglican Province of Nigeria for which payment should be effected to you by the Province, The contract sum of which shall run into US$25 Million, of which your share shall be 30% if you agree to be our overseas agent.

As soon as payment is effected, and the amount mentioned above is successfully transferred into your account, we intend to use our own share in acquiring more American parishes. For this too you shall also serve as our agent. In the light of this, I would like you to forward to me the following information:

1. Your date and location of your baptism
2. The ISBN of your Book of Common Prayer
3. Proof of your heterosexuality
4. (optional) any misgivings you have about "open communion"

Your quick response will be highly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation.

Yours faithfully,
Samuel Ajayi Crowther

Tangent: Okay, I admit it. I'm a fan of Nora, the piano-playing cat.

Labels: Anglicanism, parody, spam