http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians A forum for Episcopalians Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:03:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Although this blog has tended to avoid dipping into the political arena, I just could not overlook the comments by one of our Presidential candidates at the 63rd Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner held on October 16, 2008, at the Waldorf Astoria. Sure, the event was delightful in ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/the-church-in-society/what-a-democracy-should-be/ Funerals are always a difficult time for family, friends and even clergy. This past weekend we buried one of the founding members of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Not that I am unfamiliar with dealing with death, both personally and professionally, it is still a difficult time for everyone involved. Thankfully our ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/bcp/i-am-with-you-always/ Hopes dashed. Options reduced. Plans and fantasies dismantled. Depression. Loneliness. Frustration. Anger. Desperation. Isolation. All because a man died upon a cross on a lonely hill outside of Jerusalem. Although I'm forced to conjecture upon the situation in which Thomas found himself, since we are not told why he was not ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/pastoral-care/helen-a-20th-century-thomas/ In my previous posts dealing with various aspects of Holy Baptism, both theological and pastoral [See: Holy Baptism: The Salt of Baptism, New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism, Holy Baptism: An Adult Respected and We Receive You], I have based my comments and understandings on what I understand as my theology ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/ministry-in-action/the-tears-of-baptism-a-pastoral-response/ I reader recently passed along a short video clip in response to the posts regarding baptism. I just could not miss the opportunity to share the clip with you. Be sure to watch out for the second child being baptized. He is a hoot! baptising_kid http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/liturgics/who-says-you-cant-laugh-in-church/ This past Spring two members of St. Michael's approached me about a project they had in mind. This couple had been working on the grounds around the physical plant and were wondering about all the open space located beyond the paved parking lot and the surrounding residential homes behind the ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/ministry-in-action/the-manna-of-summer/ Almost every Episcopalian has had the opportunity to witness and share in the baptism of a child or adult during a Sunday morning worship service. Since Holy Baptism is most appropriate in the content of our Sunday morning Eucharistic celebration [See: New Baptismal Theology? Adult Baptism] one aspect of the ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/bcp/holy-baptism-we-receive-you/ Continuing with the theme of Holy Baptism some consideration needs to be addressed regarding some pastoral aspects of this sacramental rite. It’s my guess that very little thought is given to baptism by most laity except for their desire as parents to have their children baptized. More thought is surely ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/bcp/holy-baptism-an-adult-respected/ Previously I shared an old practice and use of baptismal salt as a part of the rite of baptism. (See: Holy Baptism - The Salt Of Baptism) Recently I have had the privilege of performing baptisms of two adults and was thus given the opportunity to think and preach ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/bcp/new-baptismal-theology-adult-baptism/ Recently I have had the privilege to perform several baptisms, two of these were adult men. Maybe my ministry has been exceptional in that almost exclusively I have performed baptisms of young children. But, I feel that my life in ministry is probably common in this matter. With these baptisms ... http://gbarbour.com/mannaforepiscopalians/liturgics/holy-baptism-the-salt-of-baptism/