In our previous post, we examined the pagan backgrounds of Christian practices that take place most often in Sunday worship services. Here we will look at special liturgies of the Christian church and miscellaneous Christian practices that have roots in the goddess and god cults of antiquity. Special liturgies Weddings and marriage. According to the […]
Episcopal Church
The Inspiring Hymns of the Rev. Dr. Carl Daw
We sing a lot in the Episcopal Church! It’s not that members of other Protestant denominations don’t sing (they certainly do), but our liturgies – depending on the individual congregation, priest, and music director – are routinely peppered not only with hymns but also chants, responses and intoned prayers. We sing many beautiful hymns – […]
Index to the Fourth Year
Thank you as always for checking in with WisdomWordsPPF! Below is a guide to the past year of blog posts. Here are the other indices: First year (October 2015-October 2016); Second year (October 2016-October 2017); Third year (October 2017-October 2018). US Politics, Trump Administration, 2018 and 2020 Elections Buyer’s Remorse and Self-Forgiveness: Humble Suggestions for […]
Message to LGBTQ Methodists: The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
In late February 2019, the General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) voted, once again, to “maintain the Church’s position on homosexuality, gay clergy and gay marriage as stated in the Book of Discipline” – that is, to ban gay marriage and gay clergy. The UMC at its General Conference in April 2008 had […]
Index to the Third Year
Thank you as always for checking in with WisdomWordsPPF! Here is a guide to the past year of blog posts (note that some posts appear in several categories). If you want a guide to the first year (October 2015-October 2016), you can find it here, and a guide to the second year (October 2016-October 2017) […]
A New Bishop for Newark
On May 19, 2018, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark (New Jersey) elected its 11th bishop. Several things are significant about this: she is a woman (the first woman elected bishop in Newark); she is African American (the first African American elected bishop in Newark); and she was elected on the first ballot, against two other […]
Statement by Bishops United Against Gun Violence
Over 70 bishops of the Episcopal Church have organized against the epidemic of gun violence in our country. Following the horrific mass shooting on Valentine’s Day in Parkland, Florida, the bishops issued yet another plea for action; the statement was distributed in our local parishes the following Sunday, February 18, 2018, the First Sunday in […]
Index to the Second Year
Thank you as always for checking in with WisdomWordsPPF! Here is a guide to the past year of blog posts (note that some posts appear in several categories). If you want a guide to the first year (October 2015-October 2016), you can find it here. Posts on Social Justice, Politics and Our Peer Nations The […]
The Paris Climate Accord: The Episcopal Church Takes a Stand
I wanted to share an important statement, issued on June 1, 2017, from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry. I also want to share a few things about Bishop Curry himself. Presiding Bishop’s Statement on President Donald Trump’s Action on the Paris Climate Accord With the announcement […]
Welcoming Lent
In the Western Christian tradition, we are about to enter the season of Lent. This year, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, takes place on March 1. Traditionally, Lent is the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter, when Christians fast, contemplate their sins, repent and ask for forgiveness. Lent (a […]