2020 Summit for Life 

If you were unable to attend the 2020 Summit for Life or if you'd like to review any of the information packed into a short span of time, video recordings of the presentations are now available online. 



In addition, be sure to save the date for next year's Summit & March for Life: January 28 & 29, 2021!


 

Taking Abortion from Debate to Dialogue

By Jeanne Lee

Recent news about Virginia legislation that removes protections for the unborn (and their mothers) is disheartening. At the same time, we know that cultural transformation doesn’t begin in Richmond, Washington, Wall Street, or Hollywood. It begins in our homes and daily lives. Having conversations with others about abortion, especially with those who have varying views, is one way we can each make a difference.

The Falls Church Anglican will be hosting a workshop March 21, led by Justice for All, that will provide practical teaching on how to start a conversation and respond to common pro-choice arguments, all within the context of being a good ambassador for Christ.

Taking Abortion from Debate to Dialogue
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2020
Time: 9 a.m. - noon
Location: The Falls Church Anglican, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA (3rd floor)

The workshop is free, but please register here so there are enough materials for everyone. Bring your questions. Bring some friends!

Here is a workshop flyer you can share with others, which includes a registration link. For more information, contact Jeanne Lee.

Jeanne Lee is Co-Chair, TFCA Anglicans for Life

Postscript to the “Big Game”: Pornography in America

Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner

As I watched the halftime show at the “big game” this year, I couldn’t turn it off, at least not right away. I knew I should have turned it off, but I wanted to see how far it would go. Bad idea. It went farther than any halftime show that I remember had gone before, and now those images are stuck in my head. I took to social media expecting to see outrage. There was little. This is America today.

The halftime show, for those of you wise enough to turn it off, was pornographic under any definition that Christians should use, even if it passes muster with network executives. Nor should we be surprised. Never mind those outside the church, porn use is rampant among clergy and parishioner alike. The stats are alarming: Read here and here.  

Diane Langberg, recently tweeted out this reminder: 

“Be forewarned, those of you who use and enjoy pornography. You cannot objectify others through the use of pornography for years and not have its morally corrosive effects eventually leak out into relationships with live people, even your own spouses and children.”

Langberg would know, she is a well-respected psychologist with 35 years’ experience working with trauma survivors and clergy. For the rest of us, perhaps one of my family members, Amy Roen Fabey’s post game reflections resonate. She said this on social media in response to the halftime show: 

“I want to say that being a 47 year old female, what I saw was not my idea of empowering women. The women in my life that I look up to don’t have to be hyper-sexualized to be empowered. They sit at tables making important, intelligent decisions. They are careful, compassionate and decisive. They are strong when they need to be and don’t waiver when times get hard. They set goals and expectations and achieve them. I hope that my daughter and the younger women of this age are able to see through this facade of 'empowerment.'"

She is right, and the segment towards the end of the show about empowering girls did nothing to counteract its overall message. In an age that leans increasingly strongly towards images and memes rather than rhetoric and words, more viewers will remember the bulk of the show rather than a smaller segment towards the end.  

For myself, recalling Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 that “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Several years ago I posted a link to this blog post: Disciplining Our Eyes with Holy Images by Victoria Emily Jones on my social media feed. It’s worth reading and putting into practice. She writes, 

“We also need to beware of the propensity [images] have to plant themselves firmly in our minds and become idols. Whether it’s a perfume commercial on TV or an exotic dinner photo on Instagram, we need to break the power certain images have over us. Instead of allowing images to name us (“ugly,” “boring,” “unwanted,” “failure”), we must name them—denounce as false and unholy any image that claims ultimate authority in our lives, or that tries to redefine who we are against the definition scripture already gives us: we are Christ’s."

I’d encourage you to spend some time with this article. Scroll through the images at the bottom [of the article] for examples of “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely” in these images of Christ. Adopt the desires they illustrate. Doing so has helped me crowd out the images from the night before as I “crowded in” images of the true, beautiful and good. 

For those who are addicted to pornography or anything else for that matter, take the matter seriously and urgently, but DON'T go it alone. Seek the help of a pastor or counselor who will wisely steer you to resources and coach you into a supportive community. If you are isolated and alone, take a risk and ask for help. The healing power of God and supportive community can be transformative. Don't listen to the shame voices, and don’t think that this is a minor issue. Instead, get help now!

God created us “fearfully and wonderfully” in our bodies. Valuing life, as we thankfully do in DOMA, means that we value all life as a gift from God rather than distorting its image as our culture does.

The good news we preach is that there is help for the addicted and that God can change the human heart. If you are addicted to pornography, turn away from it now and seek help.  

Rev. Mary Amendolia Gardner is a spiritual director with Coracle.
 

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An Opportunity to Experience Visio Divina

All Saints' Church
Woodbridge, VA
Sat., Feb 29, 9 a.m. - noon
Details and registration

You are invited to a quiet, Lenten morning retreat contemplating Biblically themed visual art that draws us closer to God. Rev. Mary Gardner, spiritual director with Coracle, will guide us through this discipline known as Visio Divina. We will also consider what spiritual practices we might take up to help us transform and grow in faith. Childcare for children through 5th grade will be provided if interested persons register by February 27.

 

Sweet 16? Or is that 21?

David Comeau ordained to the transitional deaconate

Ordination of David Comeau to the transitional diaconate on Feb. 8, 2020, at Redeemer Anglican Church, Richmond.

Pew Edition Prayer Book Replacement

"Sale of the PEW EDITION of the PRAYER BOOK has been temporarily suspended due to a defect in the binding that can result in the cover partially separating from the body of the book. Because these books do not match our standards for durability, we are replacing them at no cost. Churches that purchased case quantities will receive letters in the mail notifying them that their books will be replaced with new books at no charge to them. Purchasers of individual Pew Edition Prayer Books may email us their names and addresses to receive replacement books at no charge as well. Sales will resume and replacements be made beginning April 1, 2020. The Pew Edition Prayer Books that were distributed at Assembly 2019 do not have this problem and are unaffected by this action."

If you have a 2019 Book of Common Prayer with a detached cover, you may get it replaced for free by being in touch via the website.
 

(photo credit, Sarah-Joy, age 12)

The Mid-Atlantic Messenger