The Open Episcopal Church
A member of the International Council of Community Churches & the World Council of Churches


News

The Open Episcopal Church is now a part of the International Council of Community Churches and is a member of Churches Uniting in Christ and the World Council of Churches

Top Stories

  • ACTS
    Scotland
    At a recent members meeting of Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS) an application to join that was submitted by the Open Episcopal Church in Scotland was rejected on the basis that the church did not fully meet the second requirement, which is "a willingness to work ecumenically", and that it did not meet the third requirement which is "to be organised on at least a Scottish national level". As the Open Episcopal Church has fully demonstrated its willingness to work ecumenically but has been prevented from doing so largely due to hostility from several other churches and because the Open Episcopal Church is a UK wide organisation with congregations, missions and other ministries stretching from Bournemouth on the south coast of England to Kirkwall in the north of Scotland, clarification has been sought from the next members meeting of ACTS in an attempt to discern why our membership application has been rejected and what, precisely, the church needs to do to conform to the membership requirement of that organisation
  • Orkney
    Kirkwall
    The Bishop of Scotland will visit Kirkwall during the latter part of August, accompanied by the Archbishop of the Open Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend Jonathan Blake
  • Ordination
    Orkney
    Helen Hamilton will be ordained as a Priest at Kirkwall on Saturday 21st August 2010 during a public Mass to which all are welcome to attend. The ordination service will commence at 7:00 p.m. and will be in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.
  • Messy Angels
    Cramlington
    Messy Angels is an all age, all inclusive worship session that includes lots of creativity, arts, crafts, storytelling, music, worship and prayer followed by Sunday tea together. It will take place at Mayfields Community Centre in Cramlington beginning 6th June 3.00pm til 4.30pm
  • Conference 2010
    London
    The next national conference of the Open Episcopal Church will take place in London on the 18th and 19th of October, 2010
  • Fr John, Nightclub Chaplain
    Bournemouth
    Fr John of the Open Episcopal Church's Genesis Fellowship in Bournemouth found himself in the news recently for his work on the Bournemouth Nightclub scene. More details can be found here
  • Ordination of a new Deacon
    Cramlington
    The Reverend Lesley Dennis was ordained as a deacon of the Open Episcopal Church in front of a local congregation of around 150 people on Saturday 16th January 2010 at Beaconhill Community Centre, Langdale Drive, Cramlington NE24 8EH. During the service a collection was taken for the Haiti disaster raising over £400
  • Scottish Parliament
    Scotland
    The Bishop of Scotland will address the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 20 January 2010 and will lead the parliamentary 'Time for Reflection' at 2:30 p.m.
  • Ecumenical Participation
    National
    At a recent meeting of the Archbishop's Council, the decision was made to proceed with applications to the ecumenical bodies of the United Kingdom, commencing with an immediate application to Action of Churches Together in Scotland (ACTS). This decision reaffirms the intent of the Open Episcopal Church to take its place in the life of the Christian Church nationwide and to work together with other Christian churches for visible unity
  • St Cecilia's Oratory
    Lichfield
    St Cecilia's Oratory has opened in Lichfield. Lichfield is in the Midlands Diocese
  • Open Faith
    Midlands Diocese
    The new mission in the Midlands Diocese, "Open Faith", is now open. All are welcome
  • Ordinands In Training
    National
    Several new candidates have been accepted by the Archbishop's Council and are currently in training for ordination as deacons
  • Online Charity Shop
    Scotland
    The Diocese of Scotland has partnered with Amazon to provide an Online Charity Shop. All commission earned from this enterprise will go to further the charitable purposes of the diocese, which is a registered charity (SC037428)
  • London 2012
    The next Olympic Games
    The Diocese of London & South East England is to join with other local churches in providing a Christian presence at the next Olympic Games
  • ICCC Conference
    Indianapolis, USA
    The International Council of Community Churches 60th Annual Conference will be held in Indianapolis, Illinois July 19-23, 2010. Updates and links can be found throughout their website. You can also contact the Council office for information

War Memorial Dedication

Photograph by Gary Baker copyright © West Lothian Council 2009
Used with permission

Bishop David Gillham of the Scottish diocese, in his capacity as Padre to the Livingston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, led a team of ecumenical clergy to re-dedicate the Livingston War Memorial after its move to a new home at the recently completed Civic Centre. Bishop David returned the following week, Remembrance Sunday, to lead the annual Civic Service of Remembrance