"FORTNIGHTLY "
OCTOBER 10, 2009

This bulletin will come on alternate Saturday mornings to provide a quick summary of what is happening in the Diocese and beyond. Rectors, especially those in the DHC, may wish to copy this Fortnightly to parishioners who have e-mail, or to have parishioners’ e-mail addresses sent to afdv1@yahoo.com.

South Carolina

Columbia – at the Pro-Cathedral Church of the Epiphany, a Practicum in Liturgics is taking place today and tomorrow, October 10-11, for Lay readers and Postulants for Holy Orders, under the tutelage of the Rev. George H. Clendenin, SSC, and the Very Rev. Craig E. Young, SSC.  Liturgical theology, history, ceremonial, and ritual will be addressed.

Spartanburg --  Regional Clericus at the Piedmont Club, on Thursday, January 14 at 12 pm, for all the clergy of our constituency in South Carolina and surrounding states.  Please note the January date for this Clericus.

Sweden

Stockholm – visits in the Mission Province and the Free Synod, 13-22 October.

England

London – the 16th Annual Forward in Faith National Assembly, 23-24 October, at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham Street, London SW1.  Representing the DHC will be Bp. Hewett and Mr. George Hillard of Christ Church, Southern Pines, NC.

Alabama

Birmingham – St. Bede’s, Episcopal Visit, November 7-8

Connecticut

Greenwich – Church of the Advent, Episcopal Visit, November 15, 5:00 p.m.

Bishop Bertil Gärtner died on September 20 at the age of 84.  He taught at Uppsala University, and from 1965-1969 was Professor of New Testament at Princeton University.  In 1970 he succeeded Bo Giertz as Bishop of Gothenberg, Sweden, where  Bishop Bertil served until 1991 and was widely known as a gifted theologian, pastor and champion of the Apostolic Ministry.  During his retirement he ministered as a “flying bishop” to traditional, orthodox parishes, organizations and renewal groups.  

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – ideas for Catholic formation are available at www.cgsvoice-phila.org.  “This website is to encourage parents, pastors, and teachers of religion in parishes, principals and Directors of Religious Education, and parents in home school coops…This catechesis, beginning with the three to six year old child, focuses on Christ Jesus, revealed in Scripture and Liturgy…to stimulate the graces of Baptism to flourish into a deep, loving relationship with Jesus and the Church.  This has inspired an enthusiastic participation in the Mass and strong foundation for reception of Sacraments.  The program has brought this blessing to children, catechists, and parents throughout many countries in the world and is growing here in the U.S.A. today.  This program was developed over a 50 year period in Rome, Italy, by Biblical scholar Dr. Sofia Cavalletti and her collaborator, Montessori educator Gianna Gobbi.” 

The reason we do not speak Danish:  October 26 is the Feast Day of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex and Father of England.  His defeat and conversion of the barbarian Danes allowed Anglo-Saxon-Celtic Christianity to continue in what would now become England.  A man of deep piety, he was zealous for reform in the Church and the spread of learning, and is the model of a Christian king.  Winston Churchill’s Birth of Britain gives a stirring account of the only English monarch called “the Great:”  “(Alfred’s) sublime power to rise above the whole force of circumstances, to remain unbiased by the extremes of victory or defeat, to persevere in the teeth of disaster, to greet returning fortune with a cool eye, to have faith in men after repeated betrayals, raises Alfred far above the turmoil of barbaric wars to his pinnacle of deathless glory.”  Since Alfred and the Saxons were victorious, the hope burned for a Christian civilization in England.  His example in forgiving and converting his enemies gave impetus for the conversion of Scandinavia.  May our youth all learn about Alfred the Great, and read, as soon as they are able, Churchill’s Birth of Britain.  d.  89