Clergy banned from ministering to sick and dying

Apr 10, 2020 by

Clergy banned from ministering to sick and dying

by Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern: The Times reported that a letter was sent this week by the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, to all bishops and those involved in chaplaincy provision banning clergy who have volunteered their services as hospital chaplains from ministering to any sick or dying patients at the bedside. Bishop Cottrell is due to become Archbishop of York in June. Last year it emerged that evangelical clergy in his diocese have been told they ‘can leave’...

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Good Friday Readings, Art and Music

Apr 10, 2020 by

Readings, Art and Music for 15 minute meditation from St Leonard’s Eynsham View here  

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Jack Phillips back in court for refusing to bake lawyer’s transgender ‘birthday cake’

Apr 10, 2020 by

Jack Phillips back in court for refusing to bake lawyer’s transgender ‘birthday cake’

by Brandon Showalter, Christian Post: Colorado baker Jack Phillips was back in court Thursday after a lawyer filed a second lawsuit against him for refusing to create a gender-transition “birthday cake.” Phillips, who was victorious at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 following years of litigation for refusing to make a custom cake for a same-sex wedding in 2012 — at a time when the state of Colorado did not recognize same-sex marriage — is again being represented by the Alliance...

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Letter to the editor: George Pell verdict

Apr 10, 2020 by

Letter to the editor: George Pell verdict

from Anglican Ink: Sir: The Church of England hierarchy would be advised to familiarise itself with the unanimous decision of seven High Court judges of the Australian Court of Appeal to quash the conviction of Cardinal George Pell (“Cardinal Pell’s conviction quashed by High Court”, CT, April 7). The jury, “acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant’s guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted”. There was “a...

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Coronavirus: Bishop bans clergy from bedsides of the sick and dying

Apr 10, 2020 by

Coronavirus: Bishop bans clergy from bedsides of the sick and dying

by Patrick Kidd, The Times: Members of the Church of England clergy who have volunteered their services as hospital chaplains during the crisis have been told that they will not be allowed to minister to any sick or dying patients at the bedside, even when wearing protective equipment, because of the risk of spreading the infection. In a letter sent to all bishops and those involved in chaplaincy provision, the Right Rev Stephen Cottrell, the Bishop of Chelmsford, under whose authority the new...

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Church closures are a ‘mistake’ – Michael Nazir-Ali

Apr 10, 2020 by

Church closures are a ‘mistake’ – Michael Nazir-Ali

from Christian Today: Churches should be allowed to open their doors for prayer this Easter, the former Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali has said.  The Archbishops of Canterbury and York suspended public worship across Church of England churches and later told them to shutter completely, including for private prayer, after Britain went into lockdown due to coronavirus. Writing on his website, Bishop Nazir-Ali said it was “such a pity” that churches were not open for prayer...

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from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney

Apr 10, 2020 by

from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney

A live performance of the greatest Good Friday Hymn; Isaac Watt’s beautiful ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross’. The day before churches were shut down in Sydney, we very quickly recorded, with a very reduced and socially-distanced St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, several well-known hymns and psalms. We hope to share more shortly. We hope that you find them all useful in this difficult time when churches are unable to meet. Please feel free to share this or incorporate it in...

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Listen to the Good Friday and Easter story on the phone – a service for the elderly and blind

Apr 10, 2020 by

Listen to the Good Friday and Easter story on the phone – a service for the elderly and blind

Please tell elderly relatives and other friends that they can listen to the original story of Good Friday through their phones! Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;  he lifts his voice, the earth melts. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  (from Psa. 46) Dial 01865-920415 (at normal local rates) at the following times to hear 2 instalments each time...

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“Pills by Post”: Lethal abortion drugs are now being mailed to pregnant women by post

Apr 10, 2020 by

“Pills by Post”: Lethal abortion drugs are now being mailed to pregnant women by post

from SPUC: Pregnant women in the UK are now receiving by post lethal abortion drugs intended to kill their unborn children. Antonia Tully, SPUC Director of Campaigns said: “BPAS, Britain’s biggest abortion provider, has been quick to follow Marie Stopes UK in sending lethal abortion pills to women by post.  ‘Pills by post’ is the BPAS response to the Coronavirus lockdown. It seems that nothing must get in the way of women accessing abortion. Apart from the dangers involved, putting abortion...

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Lenten Meditations: Good Friday

Apr 10, 2020 by

Lenten Meditations: Good Friday

Fri Apr 10 am: 95, 22 pm: 40, 54 Lam 3:1-9, 19-33 1 Pet 1:10-20 am: Jn 13:36-38 pm: Jn 19:38-42   GOOD FRIDAY LITURGICAL THEME FOR THE DAY: Some have learned that the word Good is applied to today based on the idea that something good, namely redemption occurred on this day. That is may be a simple way to frame it but not historical. Some scholars suggest that is from the idea that this day was “God’s Friday” (Gottes Freitag); others maintain that it is from the German Gute...

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