CIVIL RELIGIOUS DISCUSSION: All things Christianity

[JettaKnight]

If just a rainbow sweater gets you expelled, it's probably not a school (or church) you should be at.


I've been known to use some rainbow-esque lighting at church... it was our symbol first!

 

[nonobaddog]

I would agree if it was JUST a rainbow sweater. But if you read the article it seems there was more to it. I'm thinking there is a lot of information about this that we just don't have. Just too incomplete for me to have an opinion yet.

 

[HoughMade]

If just a rainbow sweater gets you expelled, it's probably not a school (or church) you should be at.


I've been known to use some rainbow-esque lighting at church... it was our symbol first!

Always remember, that while there are irrational A-holes in the world, we are only hearing one side and will probably only ever hear one side because under federal law, the school cannot disclose information about a student's discipline.

 

[JettaKnight]

Always remember, that while there are irrational A-holes in the world, we are only hearing one side and will probably only ever hear one side because under federal law, the school cannot disclose information about a student's discipline.

So true, which is why I said, "If just a rainbow..."

It is likely that the case is more complicated, and diverse... like a rainbow.

 

[2A_Tom]

Never again by water, but I believe there is something about fire later on.

 

[HoughMade]

As to the rainbow, I ignore its co-option by single issue-focussed activists. It's the symbol of a promise that long predates marches and bullhorns.

 

[2A_Tom]

 

[nonobaddog]

As to the rainbow, I ignore its co-option by single issue-focussed activists. It's the symbol of a promise that long predates marches and bullhorns.

.






This time don't let the mosquitoes get on.

 

[T.Lex]

All this stuff happening during Lent (check your calendar tradition to confirm) does give one pause.

 

[T.Lex]

Evidence (to me) of God's sense of humor. I get a daily Bible verse. It is basically random, or at least, I haven't figured out the pattern. I didn't have a chance to look at it until just now.

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

 

[2A_Tom]

Chicago diocese, All masses cancelled as of tomorrow. Better go to mass today if you want to go to heaven.

 

[T.Lex]

Chicago diocese, All masses cancelled as of tomorrow. Better go to mass today if you want to go to heaven.

That's not how it works.

 

[JettaKnight]

That's not how it works.

But it's still funny.

Hey - want to know what I gave up for Lent?


THE POPE!






Yeah, it's not as funny as I think it is.

 

[T.Lex]

But it's still funny.

Hey - want to know what I gave up for Lent?


THE POPE!






Yeah, it's not as funny as I think it is.

You know what the pope gave up for lent?

YOU!!!

...

...

Well... that was just juvenile of me.

 

[2A_Tom]

Baptist here, I love lent. I can get a fish dinner nearly anywhere!

 

[T.Lex]

For as long as fast food places start offering/advertising fish sandwiches during lent, I will know that Catholic consumers are considered relevant.

 

[JettaKnight]

You know what the pope gave up for lent?

YOU!!!

...

...

Well... that was just juvenile of me.

I'm happy to see you active again - I'm believing it's because you missed me.

Baptist here, I love lent. I can get a fish dinner nearly anywhere!

Yup. That's how they get me in the door at the local Catholic churches.

 

[T.Lex]

I'm happy to see you active again - I'm believing it's because you missed me.

I gave up low blood pressure for lent.

 

[foszoe]

Our Bishop's Profile:Metropolitan Gregory was born in Charlotte, NC on Dec 7, 1958, with the baptismal name of George, the first of two children of Peter and Antonia Tatsis. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earning a BA degree in Biology (1981) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a MS degree in Biology (1989). Working for more than 20 years in the field of Cardiovascular Research at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC, he authored/co-authored over one hundred articles, abstracts, and book chapters

I highlighted what I found the most interesting parts, specific to us as Orthodox. As for myself, Item 3. I will continue to kiss icons and crosses. Recognizing that is irrational. Item 4 is prudent. Item 6. I was VERY surprised to see Roman Catholics cancelling Mass and not giving communion! Item 6 says it all for me personally. Either it is or it isn't. Now Communion is given differently in an Orthodox setting than most Roman Catholic services. Chalice contains all elements. Wine, Warm Water, and the Bread. For us the bread is leavened. The servants of God approach the priest and open their mouths wide, tilting the head back. The priest fills a spoon with the body and blood then holding it over the mouth of the servant/handmaiden of God, flips the spoon over basically dumping it into your mouth.
Item 6 was a surprise with antidoron, which literally means "in place of the gifts", just like antiChrist literally means "in place of Christ" not "against". At the end of the service, the priest stands at the front of the church and the congregation comes up to receive a blessing and they are given a piece of blessed bread ("antidoron") made from the remainder of the loaves (5 loaves are used) not used in the communion and kiss the cross and hand of the priest (practice referred to in Item 3). I figured that would be suspended. The Greek Orthodox have suspended the practice.


Letter of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory Regarding The Coronavirus or Covid-19 Pandemic

March 12, 2020
Protocol No. 7/2020
God is with us!
Dear Reverend Clergy and Faithful Laity of the Diocese,
I am writing to you today with a sense of urgency, as we confront the new Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic that is potentially affecting not only our physical and spiritual health but also our way of life in the United States of America. If you have turned on the television, listened to the radio, or followed the announcements on your phones for the last three weeks or so, you would think that the world is coming to an end. Local public and private schools are shutting down for several weeks. Professional sports leagues are suspending their schedules. Colleges and universities are closing down their on campus activities and doing everything on-line for the remainder of the spring semester. Even the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball March Madness Tournaments have been cancelled. What will we do for the next three weeks without our madness? How about going to Church and observing Great Lent in a more meaningful way.
Several Priests and lay people have contacted the Chancery and/or me personally asking for some guidance/directives on what to do as we deal with this current health issue. Some have even offered their own suggestions. Various Christian Churches, Roman Catholic and Protestants, have made pronouncements concerning the Coronavirus. Some of the Orthodox jurisdictions here in the United States and others around the world have made pronouncements encouraging their faithful.
Here are my thoughts and directives concerning this issue:

1. Anyone who is not feeling well should refrain from attending Church services until they are feeling better. Stay home. There is no need to put others at risk. This is to protect both the person who is ill and those who are not. Those at home can view Church services via the Internet on our Diocesan website (www.acrod.org) or say their prayers at the home’s prayer corner.
2. Parishes should provide hand sanitizers in the Narthex of the Church for the faithful to use prior to entering the Nave of the Church. Hand washing (warm water and soap) is also critical.
3. Venerating of icons and the hand cross is usually with a kiss. At this time it might be prudent to reduce or eliminate these activities. It is very difficult for me to tell a faithful individual who for many years has kissed these religious items to stop. It is a personal choice. If you wish to kiss an icon and/or the cross, go ahead. If you choose not to, just bow.
4. The Kiss of Peace which is observed in many of our Diocesan parishes should be avoided. Instead, at the appropriate time, parishioners should acknowledge each other with a bow.
5. Parishes should celebrate all Church services as usual. There is no need to cancel any of our opportunities to be with our God in His house. Worshipping Him. Thanking Him. Asking for His assistance in our time of need.
6. The Eucharist will be distributed as usual. Parishioners are reminded to approach the Chalice with their mouths wide open, in order to receive the Body and the Blood of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. This gift from God is the medicine of our lives. Either we believe that indeed it is the Body and the Blood of Christ or we don’t. In the Orthodox understanding it is and so the Eucharist cannot ever be a vector/method/way of illness or death.
7. Anointing with oil should be with individual cotton-tipped swabs or individual cotton balls.
8. Various items such as antidoron, flowers, palms, ***** willows, etc. should be distributed as usual. It might be helpful if the Priest quickly sanitizes his hands just prior to the distribution.
9. Following Church services a thorough cleaning and disinfecting should be performed on all exposed surfaces (for example door knobs, candles stands, liturgical items, etc.).

As we move forward additional directives may be announced if necessary, however as a minimum these are to be followed by all the parishes in our Diocese. Let us not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by this current stress in our lives. Focus on Great Lent as we journey towards Pascha.
“But the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you: do not be afraid, nor be terrified.” (Deut. 31:8)
Working in His Vineyard with much love,

+METROPOLITAN GREGORY OF NYSSA

 

[Cameramonkey]

I posted this elsewhere, but figured this audience is who really needs to hear it.

Regarding CV and attending services:
Stay home if it is what is in your heart. God will understand. Fire up the livestreams that guys like me spin up so you dont HAVE to go in to hear The Word. And if anyone needs a livestream because their church doesnt, We're still streaming on Facebook and may switch to Youtube soon. Service starts at 10:30 and the sermon usually starts a little before 11 if you dont want to listen to the WHOLE thing. And the pastor's husband puts up just her sermon later on as a separate video.


http://www.facebook.com/wnumc
https://www.facebook.com/WNUMC/videos/2743717135683888/?t=1483


And if you know your church/pastor would like to stream live and they just dont know how, reach out to me. I'm happy to provide guidance. (I dont charge for knowledge transfer) To broadcast a simple sermon requires nothing more than an account and the smartphone the pastor probably has in his/her pocket. (and either broadband or full bars of LTE where the pastor wants to deliver the message) It doesnt REQUIRE any expensive gadgets to do it simply.


This is an example of an iphone with a $20 mic propped up on the front pew hooked up to wifi.
https://www.facebook.com/phil.gatts....3658345368923/