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(Participants of the 2023 Young Adult Convo Singing Songs of Praise in Herrnhut, Germany) The watchword for the week: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! Psalm 97:12 Today is a day for praise, Today, we give thanks to the God who has created us. Today is a day […]

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a multibillion dollar reconciliation package that dramatically expands funding for immigration detention and deportation and slashes funding for key benefits and services that strengthen families, communities, and local economies. If signed into law, the bill would restrict access to health care benefits and food assistance for many otherwise-eligible humanitarian arrivals. ... Read More

Dr Anna Marie Aagaard passed away at the age of 90 on 24 May. She worked for the Faculty of Theology at Aarhus University in Denmark from 1961until her retirement in 2000 as associate professor. Her interests were missiology, dogmatics, and ecumenism, and in the late 1960s she studied in Rome. and was also influenced by liberation theology and women’s studies. 

At a 20th Believers Church Conference, being held June 1-4 in Amsterdam, Rev. Merlyn Hyde Riley, vice moderator of the WCC central committee and general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, joined in commemorating 500 years of Anabaptist beginnings. 

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church kicked off Pride Month celebrations and affirmations of LGBTQ+ people with a special livestreamed Eucharist at the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, New York. Watch the service on the church’s website or Facebook page. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe presided in person at the June 1 service, which served as a blessing and formal commissioning for Episcopalians and Episcopal congregations to observe Pride Month. The Rev. Cameron Partridge, rector of St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco, Diocese of California, and a trans man, preached remotely. “Let us love one another, not even though or despite our queerness – our transness – but because of the unique human beings God has created us to be and to become,” Partridge said during his sermon. “In the face of so many who refuse to know us, may our love, our lives reflect the glory of God, upholding us, transforming us, strengthening us and charging us to make our way forward in this moment – together, the grace, the love, the light of Christ.” Pride Month has been celebrated nationwide in June since 1970. It began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests that took place one year prior between June 28 and July 3, 1969. The riots started in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village neighborhood. In 1999, former President Bill Clinton commemorated the Stonewall riots’ 30th anniversary by declaring June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. June 28 is International LGBT Pride Day, though celebrations are held throughout June. “LGBTQ+” stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning, with the “+” sign representing the many other sexual orientations and gender identities that are not explicitly included in the acronym, including intersex, asexual, two-spirit and more. The inclusive terms and its variations – such as “LGBTQIA2S+” and others – are meant to acknowledge the diverse and expansive spectrum of human sexuality and gender expression. The service began with a recorded performance by Trinity Church Wall Street’s choir of “Epilogue: Meet Me Here” from “Considering Matthew Shepard,” Craig Hella Johnson’s Grammy-nominated three-part oratorio. Johnson composed the work as a musical response to the murder of Shepard – a young gay man who in 1998 was beaten and tortured to death because of his sexuality. Shepard’s parents held onto his ashes for 20 years out of fear his grave would be vandalized before they were safely interred at Washington National Cathedral. This year’s Pride Month is taking place as hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people continue to increase worldwide; and as anti-LGBTQ+ bills continue to be introduced nationwide, with six additional anti-trans bills passing since May 30. Since The Episcopal Church formally began to welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ people in 1976 through acts of General Convention, Episcopal dioceses, congregations, organizations and individuals continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. LGBTQ+ people also now serve in multiple clergy and lay leadership roles, including bishops. Many churches sponsor and march in their local Pride parades and festivals, while many others display the rainbow flag despite the risk of vandalism. The rainbow flag – designed by Gilbert Baker and other artists in 1978 by commission from Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California – reflects the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and the spectrum of human sexuality and gender. More Episcopal churches are also now flying the Progress Pride flag, a variation on the traditional Pride flag with added white, pink and light blue stripes to represent the transgender community, a brown stripe to represent communities of color and a black stripe in remembrance of the 42.3 million people who’ve died by HIV/AIDS since 1981 – many of whom were LGBTQ+. “Pride gives us an opportunity to remember the struggles, celebrate the joy, and give thanks for the love of God that binds us together and makes us one,” Rowe wrote in a message printed in the service bulletin. “Especially this year, Pride provides an opportunity to stand against injustice and fear by proclaiming that LGBTQ+ people are beloved children of God and cherished members of The Episcopal Church and the Body of Christ.” New Testament readings included passages from Acts 1:1-11 and Revelation 22. The Gospel reading was John 17:20-26 – Jesus prays for all believers. The service also included a recording of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California’s choir performing “In the Midst of New Dimensions,” a hymn written and composed by Julian B. Rush, an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. During the commissioning, adapted from the Book of Occasional Services, Rowe addressed the congregation: “You have been called to ministries of the church, to be carried out in communities, congregations, dioceses and all the places in which you serve. Will you faithfully do so to the honor of God and the benefit of the church?” The congregation replied: “We will.” Shaneequa Brokenleg, the presiding bishop’s staff officer for racial reconciliation and a Lakota “winkte,” or “two-spirit,” sang an original work called “Creator God, We Cry to You.” “Hear our prayer for all who serve across your church, for all who doubt and all who search, for all who seek, for all who find, for open hearts and open minds, for justice, peace and equity… .” Native American cultures generally have a broader understanding of gender identity than European cultures. As an example, the Lakota language does not use gendered pronouns, and two-spirit are seen as reconcilers and healers. The service also included a reading of the Prayers of the People, written by the church’s Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion: “For communities that honor queer and transgender lives, and for voices that proclaim your gospel of love and transformation. Strengthen your Church with power through your Spirit, especially where it has caused harm or withheld blessing. Teach us to […]

[Episcopal News Service] Grace-Based Films, a nonprofit founded and run by Episcopalians with experience in the film industry, has gradually increased the scope and reach of its projects in recent years. Its most recent success was the feature-length documentary “A Case for Love,” which was inspired by and featured interviews with former Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. “A Case for Love” was released theatrically in January 2024 and has been available since October on all digital rental services. Revenue from each of the nonprofit’s project helps fund future Grace-Based Films productions, and while the filmmakers await an eventual payout for “A Case for Love,” they have begun pivoting to their next project. The new movie has a title and a concept but is still very much a work in progress. It will be called “HOPE,” and unlike “A Case for Love,” the new project is a fictional film. It will tell the story of a group of diverse teenagers, struggling with the anxiety of contemporary life, the influence of social media and an epidemic of loneliness and isolation fueled largely by the pervasive availability of screen time. But Brian Ide, the director, told Episcopal News Service in a phone interview that he and the rest of the filmmaking team aren’t interested in creating a “problem” movie. In keeping with the nonprofit’s Christian calling, the filmmakers want “HOPE” to resonate with teenagers and inspire them to connect with each other and their faith communities. “The job first is to create something [teens] want to go to. … They need to see themselves in it. They need to see people they aspire to be,” Ide said, adding, “the film is called ‘HOPE’ for a reason.” He summarized the concept as a “modern day ‘Breakfast Club.’” Like that 1980s classic, “HOPE” will feature a cast of young characters who might not normally socialize with each other but are brought together and learn to trust and rely on each other. Instead of a stint in detention, the characters of the new film will bond when they get lost in the woods while on a trip. The filmmakers are working with a professional screenwriter on the story and recently received a $500,000 matching grant from a foundation that will commit Grace-Based Films to begin filming this year, with an estimated budget of $1.5 million. The team is in the middle of fundraising to cover the rest of the budget, and is planning to film on location in Sewanee, Tennessee, on the campus of the Episcopal-owned University of the South. Early donors have included Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, and Virginia Theological Seminary. Ide spoke to ENS from Des Moines, where he had recently screened “A Case for Love” before an audience of about 150 people at an event hosted by St. Paul’s Cathedral in a rented downtown theater. Touring with the documentary has been “an amazing journey,” Ide said, and talking to audiences around the country has been the focus of 90% of his work since the movie was released to streaming sites. The film’s distributor now is in talks with subscription-based services for a distribution deal that could get it in front of even more viewers. Grace-Based Films was founded by Ide with fellow members of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, California. Last year, it notched impressive numbers for the single-day theatrical release of “A Case for Love” in theaters across the United States. The 25,000 tickets sold placed it 10th out of all movies playing in the country on that one night. The documentary is structured as seven chapters featuring 14 individual stories of people from a range of backgrounds, whom Ide described as “ordinary people doing ordinary-to-extraordinary things.” The stories cover a wide range of experiences, from racial justice issues and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights to the foster care system and the military. The October timing of the release of the film on rental services was intended both as a tribute to Curry, who was concluding his nine-year term as presiding bishop, and to amplify the message of love over divisiveness as the United States approached its Nov. 5 presidential election. This year, in the early months of the Trump administration, audiences have found the message as relevant as ever, Ide said. “What felt like a film that touched on where we were in 2024 continues to evolve,” he said. “We still have to figure out how in the world we’re going to live together.” – David Paulsen is a senior reporter and editor for Episcopal News Service based in Wisconsin. He can be reached at dpaulsen@episcopalchurch.org.

Ecumenical letter urges immediate action on Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian aid; denominational letter outlines broader justice priorities for United Church.

[Anglican Communion News Service] The Rt. Rev. Jo Wells, deputy secretary general of the Anglican Communion, visited the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil) to celebrate the 135th anniversary of the church and the 40th anniversary of women’s ordination in the province. The Church of Brazil was a missionary district of the U.S.-based Episcopal Church until it became an autonomous province within the Anglican Communion in 1980. It now includes nine dioceses and one missionary district. Wells was hosted by the Most Rev. Marinez Bassotto, primate of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and regional primate for the Americas. Bassotto is the first woman to become a primate in the Church of Brazil and the third female primate in the global Anglican Communion. Well’s visit began on May 29, when she attended the national meeting of ordained women in Brazil, titled “Women Weaving Justice,” meeting with female clergy, laity, bishops and Bassotto. The meeting included teaching and dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing ordained women in the region and globally, as well as a reflection on the history of the ordination of women. Participants shared experience and celebrated achievements, so many of which have been led by women persevering in witness to God’s abundant love. The event gathered 50 people together. Among them was the Rev. Carmen Etel Gomes, who was the first ordained woman in the province. On June 1, Wells preached at the Anglican National Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in a service to commemorate both the 135th anniversary of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and the 40th anniversary of women’s ordination. The service concluded the four-day meeting of ordained women. Speaking about her visit Wells said, “I have been overjoyed to be part of the province’s celebration of 40 years since the first ordination of women, and in the diocese of Meridional where the very first of those ordinations took place. Over 50 women have gathered from across the country — lay as well as ordained — to recount the history and to consider next steps. “I am grateful to Bishop Marinez as primate for her invitation and to witness all she is doing to build and sustain an ambitious vision for mission. And I give thanks to God for the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, a church which may be small (relative to the size of this country), yet which bears significant impact and influence. Of course, there is so much more to do — across all the five Marks of Mission — yet there is so much here to celebrate, from inter-Anglican and ecumenical collaboration, to tackling issues of gender justice and environmental justice. “My visit began with volunteers at an urban church offering lunch to the homeless and it will end with hospitality from a rural indigenous parish – oh, the beauty and variety of God’s world, even in one province!” Speaking about the visit, Bassotto said, “The history of women’s leadership in the church is a story of strength, courage, boldness and faith. A story of transformation, movement, action, inclusion, resilience and equity. “The 40-year history of female ordination in the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil has come a long way. This story began in 1973 and culminated in July 1984, when the General Synod approved female ordination. The historic synodal decision allowed women to be ordained not only to the diaconate and priesthood, but also to the episcopate. This was an unprecedented decision in the Anglican Communion. On May 5, 1985, almost a year later, the church ordained the first woman to the sacred ministry. “Thanks to the strength of lay women in the church, thanks to the many women who did not even want to be ordained, but who wanted to ensure that those who were called, called by God to the ordained ministry, could say yes and live their vocations fully, many barriers have already been overcome. And many others still need to be broken with our boldness, passion, courage and faith – without ever losing sight of love!” The Church of Brazil released a statement about the celebratory events, stating, “Looking to the future, we reaffirm our commitment to awakening new female ministerial vocations, ensuring a safe church for all – both clergy and lay women – and promoting the ongoing formation of women, especially at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. We call on our church to continue opening and consolidating spaces for women to act, amplifying their voices in decision-making processes and canonically formalizing gender parity at all levels – parish, diocesan and provincial. “We also emphasize the urgency of gender, race and ethnic literacy for the entire ecclesial community, so that we may be agents of transformation of the unjust structures of society, challenging all forms of violence and promoting peace and reconciliation.” At the end of the final service, the Safe Church Working Group announced their publication of a major new resource, “Igreja Segura,” with resources for community dialogue. This is part of a major strategy across the Church of Brazil for addressing issues in safeguarding and protecting the vulnerable.

Note: On April 16, the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that a woman is someone born biologically female and that transgender women are excluded from that legal definition. The case before the court arose from a law in Scotland that called for 50-50 balance of men and women on the boards of Scottish public bodies. Its definition of women included trans women whose gender is legally affirmed with a Gender Recognition Certificate.  On May 29, the Bench of Bishops offered the following response. [Scottish Episcopal Church] The Bench of Bishops believe that every human being is a precious child of God, deserving of dignity and respect. We each have an innermost identity known only to God, which it is our purpose to discover in its deepest reality. We as bishops all know individual trans people for whom the struggle to find their true identity is often costly and difficult. With that in mind, and in response to the recent judgement of the Supreme Court, which has stirred such deep concerns on many sides, we want to acknowledge and affirm our collective identity as children of God, whatever our gender at birth, whatever our gender identity, and whatever our views on this sensitive issue. As society begins to process the court’s ruling, we call for practical compassion for those who feel the judgement has made them vulnerable, and for generosity from those who agree with the judgement. We all know individuals who feel distressed by the ruling, and we are aware that this is particularly challenging for younger persons, who are facing difficulties enough when negotiating the complexities of gender identity in a widely divergent society. To them, we say, the church welcomes you, as you are, always. Together, we commit to prayer for all who are touched by this issue, including the legislators and public authorities who face the difficult task of finding a practical and just way forward. And we call for greater compassion, greater understanding, and greater generosity so that all children of God can find in the Church, and in society as a whole, a welcome and a place to be their fullest selves.

I’m not sure I would ever be brave enough to risk being carried away in a nylon sack filled with flame-heated air. But I wish I could be.

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