Rest in Peace…. Please

The Diocese honored and laid to rest the Rt. Rev. Ronald H. Haines today at St. James’, Lancaster, but not before the local media had a chance to take one last whack at him. The problem, so far as we can tell, is the result of an articulate obituary by Washington Post staff writer Matt Schudel that was apparently picked up, very badly edited, and transmitted without attribution by the Associated Press wire service. Local papers in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and York, dutifully picked up the story and ran it, mostly as-it-was.

While Bishop of Washington, DC, Bishop Haines ruffled a number of feathers by agreeing to ordain a candidate for Holy Orders who was gay. The year was 1991, which, especially in today’s instant message world, makes the item decidedly Old News.

To be sure, editors walk a very fine line when crafting obituaries about famous or controversial figures. What to include? What to omit? You can browse an unexpectedly articulate discussion about which goes where at GetReligion.com here.

That post contains a sentence that caught my eye: Referring to coverage of the turmoil in the Anglican Communion, the author says, “The key is that hard issues are not avoided.” A propos, I would say, because that is also one of the hallmarks of Anglicanism. It has the strength and pliability to confront the hard issues, and it has historically done so by compromise, accommodation, and often by agreeing to disagree.

Bishop Haines was a faithful priest and bishop, and he sought to be a messenger of that faith in the most authentic way he knew—by “seeking God in all persons” and by conduct that sought to widen the circle of the faithful, not limit it. He did not require that his colleagues do the same, nor did he condemn those who disagreed with him. What his wife thought about the matter or what his children did later in life doesn’t materially change the story of who this man was, and so it has no place in an obituary.

A comment to the aforementioned blog post hits the nail on the head when its author says, “…now is hardly the time to go into [an analysis of Episcopal Church politics]. As the Trappist monks say: Now he knows more theology than all of us.”

Send us Your Photos!

The theme of this year’s Diocesan Convention is “Celebrating Global Anglicanism and Local Mission.” To help with Convention planning, we need your assistance. Tell us what mission means to your parish. Is it a local food bank? Is it a youth group trip to help a neighbor down the street or in another state? Is it supporting your sister parish in Sao Paulo? Or supporting a program somewhere else in the world?

Bishop Baxter has asked parishes to send us photos (with a description, please), illustrating a mission in which they are involved. We would prefer to receive good-sized, digital images, but smaller files will also be usable for this project. If you have photos you’d like to share—or know someone who does---please email them to tidings@diocesecpa.org along with caption information. Be sure to mention the name of your parish; it isn’t always obvious.

Thank you for your assistance.

Anti-Racism Training April 12

The School of Christian Studies will offer a full-day AntiRacism Training workshop at St. Edward’s in Lancaster on April 12. For further information, please contact The Rev. Canon Kate Harrigan (717 236 5959 or kharrigan@diocesecpa.org)

Enough Said

I had a reminder from the Diocesan Finance Office this morning that Parochial Reports are now overdue. Those of you who haven’t turned them in probably know who you are. Please do so promptly.

ECW Lenten Retreat

Registration for this year’s ECW Lenten Retreat closes in about ten days. You can find more information about the retreat, and a printable registration form, here.

On Tap Tonight...

Bishop Baxter will be the presenter for Theology on Tap tonight (Feb. 4). Theology on Tap meets on First Mondays on the second floor of Annie Bailey’s Irish Pub, King Street, Lancaster City, at 7:00 pm. Bishop Baxter will follow up his recent appearance on public television’s “Dialogues in Democracy,” by discussing “Early Constitutional politics and the roots of Progressive American Spirituality.” The program usually concludes by 8:30 pm and arriving early is suggested. The first 100 people get seats, and everyone after that sits on the floor, window sills, or stands around the edges.

Congregational Development Grant Requests

Mary Amato sends word that the deadline for the winter round of applications for Congregational Development grants is March 28. You can find details and a downloadable application here.