A Prayer for Labor Day

Almighty God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives: So guide us in the work we do, that we may do it not for self alone, but for the common good; and, as we seek a proper return for our own labor, make us mindful of the rightful aspirations of other workers, and arouse our concern for those who are out of work; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 261)

Have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend!

How Many Readers Do We Have?

At the Crossroads - Online is our new web-based parish newsletter - but how many of you really check in and read it? If you are one of our readers, drop us an e-mail by using the link at the left. Thanks for checking in!

St. Andrew's Adults to Study the Old Testament

St. Andrew's Adult Education Class will begin soon. We will be reading The Old Testament - An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible by Stephen L. Harris and Robert L. Platzner. Class begins on September 3, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Come and join us for the first class and see if you would like to attend. Food, fun and fellowship are part of every session!

Convocational Meeting to be Held at Grace Church

As we read in Bishop MacPherson's Pastoral Letter of August 10, the laity and clergy of the Monroe Convocation will gather at Grace Episcopal Church, in Monroe, on September 4, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in Kilborne Hall to discuss the events of the 2003 General Convention. Please make plans to attend this important meeting.

Family Night Potluck

St. Andrew's will have its August Family Night Potluck on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the parish hall. Bring a dish and join us for good food, fun and fellowship.

Need a recipe? Click here for a link to Food Network's Mexican recipes.

Website Launched by Those Opposed to Gay Bishop

Information and resources assembled by Episcopalians opposed the Rev'd Gene Robinson's confirmation as bishop-elect can be found at communionparishes.org. The website includes news, letters, articles and the viewpoints of those against the Church's decision to confirm Canon Robinson.

Wall Street Journal Article

A parishioner brough me a copy of an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal by Harvey Cox about the Chruch's confirmation of the Rev'd Gene Robinson and the Episcopal Chruch's long history of living with differences. The author supports the decision. The title of the article is A Schism Averted? and is available from the Harvard Divinty School website. Mr. Cox is the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard.
(Thanks to the Rev. Stacey Grossman for the link.)

Clergy of the Diocese to Gather for Conversation

The clergy of the Diocese of Western Louisiana will assemble at St. James Episcopal Church at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2003. They will gather for Eucharist; then join together in the parish hall for a time of conversation about the events of the 2003 General Convention and for lunch.

Please note this event is for clergy only. During gatherings that will be offered over the next couple of weeks, the laity will be given ample opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings.

Please pray for our clergy and bishop as they meet.

St. Andrew's Begins Its Conversation About the General Convention

St. Andrew's began its discussion of the events of the 74th General Convention at the coffee hour following Holy Communion on August 10, 2003. During the liturgy, a pastoral letter was read from our Bishop, The Rt. Rev'd D. Bruce MacPherson. In the conversation that followed, it is clear that we don't all see this issue the same way. Yet, while we don't all agree, we showed the love in Christ we have for each other by being able to stay in the conversation; to stay in the tension.

Speaking of tension, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold has issued a thoughtful statement. In an Episcopal News Service release, he states: "It is my own conviction that different points of view can be held in tension within the church without issues around sexuality becoming church dividing. Others may disagree but this is my firmly held opinion. This was also the view of the House of Bishops Theology Committee and of the International Anglican Conversation on Human Sexuality that I convened following the Lambeth Conference of 1998 at the request of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This international group included twelve bishops and primates who represented a broad range of views and met over a three-year period. Their conclusion was that if matters of homosexuality were to divide the Communion, it would be, to quote from the report, 'the ultimate sexualization of the Church, making sexuality more powerful, or more claiming of our attention, than God.'"

Please keep talking with each other and with me and with God about all of this. Especially with God! The evolving conversation in ourselves and in our parish will help us be articulate as we begin our discussion in the Diocese of Western Louisiana, in our province, Province VII and in the National Church.

(portions of this article are taken from The Episcopal Church of the Nativity's Weblog)

Special Meeting Called by the Archbishop of Canterbury

Reacting to events this week at General Convention, the Archbishop
of Canterbury has called a special meeting of the primates of the
Anglican Communion in London, October 15-16.

According to a news release on the Anglican Communion News Service's Web
site, Dr. Rowan Williams said a meeting is needed. "I am clear that the
anxieties caused by recent developments have reached the point where we
will need to sit down and discuss their consequences," he was quoted as
saying. (taken from the Episcopal News Service)

News from Bishop MacPherson at the General Convention

We have received word from Bishop MacPherson concerning the confirmation of the Rev'd Gene Robinson as bishop coadjutor-elect of New Hampshire. In an e-mail to the clergy of the diocese, our bishop said, "I will be sending a pastoral to you and the entire diocese." The letter will be read in the churches of the diocese on Sunday, August 10, 2003. The bishop is also planning to call the clergy together to discuss the issue upon his return. Bishop MacPherson also said that he will announce dates for gatherings in each convocation to give clergy and laity a time to discuss the matter. MacPherson said, " The experience of the church at this moment is one of great emotional tension; however, I feel most strongly that this is a time in which we must stand firm in the faith which is ours in Christ Jesus."

General Convention News

News and information about the 74th General Convention can be accessed by clicking here.

Vacation Bible School

St. Andrew's Son Harvest Vacation Bible School was a big success! The Spires' Itsacinch Ranch was transformed into our fair ground. We had great food, music, lessons, crafts and games. The hayride and clown had the kids lined up for more.

Thanks to all who helped! This is the third year that Christ Church and St. Andrew's have put together a great V.B.S.

Access to At the Crossroads - Online

At the Crossroads - Online may be accessed from St. Andrew's Website by clicking the link at the bottom of that page or at the following address - http://standrewsmrla.blogspot.com

You may also go directly to St. Andrew's Website from At the Crossroads - Online by clicking the link at your right.

St. Andrew's Begins Online Newsletter

On Friday, August 1, 2003, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church began its online newsletter called At the Crossroads - Online. Look for more information soon.