Rhode Island Episcopal Diocese votes to go green

Hey boys and girls, it's global warming time! I'm assuming this falls under MDG #7 "Ensure environmental sustainability." From the Phoenix, a press release from Rhode Island Interfaith Power and Light:

In an action unprecedented in its Rhode Island history, the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island voted during its recent 217th Annual Convention held October 26-27, ‘that congregations be encouraged to engage in the process of “greening” their churches utilizing the support of faith based organizations’.

The four-point resolution, entitled “Energy conservation and sustainable development”, also calls on “all parishes, missions, and institutions of the Diocese” to have energy audits conducted; encourages Episcopalians to “add their voices of faith” to efforts regarding climate change; and mandates the establishment of a Diocesan task force to study issues of climate change and “function as a resource for education, advocacy, and action”. . .

And it's another task force! Read it all.

Bishop Wolf writes her diocese on the HOB meeting

From Bishop Geralyn Wolf of the Diocese of Rhode Island:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

I write to you out of deep prayer for the life of our Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.

The House of Bishops' meeting begins on Wednesday evening, September 19th, with the first two days spent in the honored company of Archbishop Rowan Williams, Primates from the Joint Standing Committee, and other invited guests.

Primarily, we are being called to offer a response to the Windsor Report (including an Anglican covenant), and the Primates' Communiqué from Dar es Salaam. Once the meeting adjourns, the Archbishop is to consult with other Primates to consider a response to our deliberations and resolutions, after which they will give us a timely response. In addition, we will discuss the MDG's, spend a day working in New Orleans, and visit neighboring parishes on Sunday morning.

On Wednesday, September 26th, I will arrive home about two hours before the regularly scheduled meeting of Diocesan Council, and will communicate with you as soon as I am able.

Please pray for me and all our bishops. I leave for this meeting with a deep sense of anxiety, and my prayers have been for wisdom and humility at a time when there seems to be growing entrenchment and self-righteousness. May we honor one another in the honor and glory that is God's gift through Jesus Christ.

May God bless all of us.

+Geralyn Wolf

And don't forget to visit Lent & Beyond this week, as a way to stay focused on prayer for those meeting.