St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

A few weeks ago, The Rev. Fr. Cutie, the most famous Latino Roman Catholic priest in the world, was received as an Episcopalian. In a year, he will be consecrated as a presbyter in the Church of God, Anglican division. Apparently, he’d been thinking about the switchover for about two years. About the time he met his fiancée.

The diocese passed a resolution that supported the Earth Charter. I didn’t oppose it, because, of course, I did support it. Because I support an end to evil.

But it does raise a few issues.

I’m not sure who is going to enforce or bring such a charter about. I think the only way we can create a perfect world, right here, right now, is through tyranny. Only in a world perfectly ordered, where people are micromanaged, will original sin disappear from the planet. I look forward to such a world. If I were in charge. Or if I were like God, and had God's mind.

The Mystery Worshipper

To try to keep their flocks, churches are turning to undercover inspectors, who note water stains, dull sermons and poor hospitality.

By ALEXANDRA ALTER (the Wall Street Journal)

Department stores hire mystery shoppers. Restaurant chains bring in undercover diners to rate their food and service. Churches enlist Thomas Harrison, a former pastor from Tulsa, Okla., and a professional mystery worshipper.

I recently updated our page about money. I tried to be as honest as I could about what the church needs, and how we might talk about it.

I'm convinced that churches can be the best local distributors of services to the indigent, the mentally ill, and the undocumented. I think, however, the theology gets in the way for most people.

One Atheist argued with me that the church is a money making institution. I admit, sometimes I wish it were. But that's not the experience of most churches, which struggle just to keep their buildings safe.

From the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing

(whats up with the long institutional names, people? This isn't even a convenient acronym. No wonder liberal religious don't get anywhere!)