Seeker

Patience is today's focus for prayer for the General Synod of the Church of England which meets next week. It's the 4th day of the  NovemberNovena  days of prayer leading up to and continuing through the 3 days of this significant event. See also: Prayer for General Synod: love and joy  which covered the first 2 days Prayer for General Synod: peace  which was the 3rd day. Today let us pray for patience,   that we never stop trusting God. Now the God of patience and consolation   grant you to be like-minded one towards another,   according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5   "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."   Colossians 1: 11-12 NRSV "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a clou...

I've just got back from "a quick trip to a supermarket". But it's never quick is it? 3 things hold me up: meeting people I know dithering over so much choice all the goods have moved since my last visit the shortest queue at the checkout turns out to be slowest Wikihow has a rather boring article 'How to Practice Supermarket Checkout Etiquette' .  It has 8 'Steps' . I won't bore you with the details, but here's the headings: Obey the express lane limit. Avoid standing in the walkway. Double check on your groceries. Have membership cards and coupons ready. Bag your own groceries. Relax and have patience. Respond to the cashier in a positive manner. Be sure to allow ample room between your cart and the person in front of you. Step 6 ' Relax and have patience' is the hardest for some people. I'm usually patient in a queue - partly personality, but also due to my tried and tested strategies for passing the time....

How long will it be before women may serve as bishops in the Church of England on equal terms with bishops who happen to be male? 2014 or even later? In July 2008 General Synod (all 3 houses) decided to plan for the consecration of bishops who happen to be female, with safeguards in the form of a code of conduct to protect those who cannot accept the authority of a bishop who is a woman. Yesterday the Revision Committee published proposals (to be brought back to Synod) for statutory provision to be made for those who cannot accept women as bishops (or priests) and those who cannot accept the authority of a male bishop who ordains women. I cannot see how such leglislation can avoid creating a 2-tier episcopacy. I share the disappointment expressed by WATCH (Women and the Church) that this "would be demeaning to women and would fundamentally damage the office of bishop in our church. Were such proposals to pass through our church synods, the Church of England would be...