On Sunday February 10th, 17th & 24th the St. Thomas’ community was invited to attend meetings to determine whether or not the parish was “of a mind” to move forward in our discernment journey, which included the hiring of a financial (fund-raising) consultant and an architect. Of those who attended the meetings and voted, the final tally was 68 people who voted “Yes” to move forward; 2 persons voted “No”. The financial consultant will guide us in determining how much money we will be able to raise from within the parish membership for a building campaign, which could include a renovation as well as new construction. Our architects will conduct an investigation of our current support systems and building structures as well as render some simple architectural drafts of possibility in response to the discernment meetings. These next two steps will help us determine if St. Thomas’ is in a position to move forward with either a renovation and/or a building campaign.

The Rt. Rev. Ronald H. Haines, the seventh Episcopal Bishop of Washington, died on Good Friday, March 21, at his home in Lancaster, Pa. He was 73.

Haines served as the Bishop of Washington from 1990 until he retired in 2000. Prior to becoming the Diocesan Bishop, he was elected Suffragan Bishop in 1986 and served in that role until the sudden death of Bishop John Walker.

He was a tireless advocate for the ordination of women priests and defender of gender equality in the church. Regarding racism as one of the greatest sins of modern America, he confronted it with passion. He listened as a pastor to those who disagreed with him, believing that people of good will and shared faith may differ but remain in communion with each other.

Bishop Haines caused controversy when he ordained the Rev. Elizabeth L. Carl, an open lesbian.

» Read the Washington Post Obituary

The UK Gay News reports that a Changing Attitude Nigeria leader was attacked during a funeral ceremony held yesterday for the sister of Davis Mac-Iyalla, attended by six members of the Port Harcourt group on Thursday 20 March 2008.

Davis Mac-Iyalla, the leader of Changing Attitude Nigeria, is in exile in Togo. He visited St. Thomas' Parish in July to discuss the plight of gays in Nigeria.

» Read the whole article.

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