tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216096762012-02-13T07:34:24.416-08:00<b>Sister Joan Chittister famously said, "We are each called to go through life reclaiming the planet an inch at a time until the Garden of Eden grows green again." Reflecting on that journey -- a blog at a time -- is the focus of this site.</b>SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.comBlogger33121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-40863413770993064072012-02-11T18:33:00.000-08:002012-02-11T20:11:57.513-08:00

... yes, I said FOX NEWS ... in this segment on the White House compromise on contraception insurance. Now the Dean of Episcopal Divinity School I've known Katherine since she was a deacon-in-waiting many years ago ... and what a privilege to count her a friend, colleague and sister in the struggle.If you ever want to point to an Exhibit A of how to stay on message with grace, confidence and

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-53997211506886859432012-02-11T18:02:00.001-08:002012-02-11T18:07:08.499-08:00

Remember "Julie & Julia" -- the film from a couple of years back? Well, tomorrow it'll be "Diane & Diana" at All Saints Church as we welcome Bishop Diane Bruce and Dr. Diana Butler Bass. +Diane will preach at the 9, 11:15 & 1:00 services -- Diana will speak about her new book "Christianity After Religion" at 10:15 in the Rector's Forum. Join Us if you're in the neighborhood ... or online for the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-47920778839781854582012-02-10T11:20:00.000-08:002012-02-10T11:36:00.884-08:00

How the proponents of a gay marriage ban just ran out of arguments.by Dahlia Lithwick Just found this one on Slate.com ... check it out:One of the most remarked-upon aspects of the first round of Prop 8 litigation, that concluded this week with a 2-1 defeat for the initiative at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, was the weakness of the case against gay marriage. As Andrew Cohen explained at the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-23412611685085746752012-02-09T10:56:00.000-08:002012-02-09T11:01:11.795-08:00

I watched a portion of the debate in the Washington state House yesterday before the vote on marriage equality and I was so very moved by the words of Republican Representative Maureen Walsh. Now you can be, too -- as her testimony is making the rounds on YouTube:

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-10750371299190000842012-02-09T10:43:00.000-08:002012-02-09T10:48:38.347-08:00

With the flurry of activity around here because of the Prop 8 decision I neglected to cross-post this blog that went up on the Huffington Post on Tuesday:I woke up last Friday morning to the "breaking news" that the Susan G. Komen Foundation had reversed its decision to pull funding for breast cancer screenings from Planned Parenthood.My reaction was that this was not just good news for the women

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-79147536998445535172012-02-08T14:52:00.000-08:002012-02-08T15:56:14.153-08:00

When I read the Prop 8 decision yesterday, the words "human dignity" jumped out at me as an Episcopalian -- begging the connection between our Constitution and our Common Prayer.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-14983170969301431582012-02-07T21:54:00.000-08:002012-02-07T22:08:07.546-08:00

I had the honor of representing California Faith for Equality at the AFER hosted Prop 8 celebration in the rotunda of Loa Angeles City Hall. And yes, I was stoked to be in the speaker line-up with Mayor Villaraigosa, Rob Reiner, Dustin Lance Black, Gil Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Bill Rosendahl and other luminary leaders.[photo credit: Kristin Bedford]Today's 9th Circuit Court decision is not just a

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-20602546646943134882012-02-07T10:17:00.000-08:002012-02-07T10:27:47.808-08:00

Today's ruling by the 9th Circuit Court that Prop 8 was unconstitutional is not just a victory for gay and lesbian couples in California – it is a victory for all Americans who believe that the “liberty and justice for all” in the pledge we teach our children really means ALL.From the ruling: "Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status andhuman dignity of

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-36268276757427813702012-02-06T10:42:00.000-08:002012-02-06T12:59:22.241-08:00

Just a few minutes ago, the 9th Circuit Court posted this announcement that they will file their ruling on the Prop 8 case tomorrow, February 7th, by 10:00 a.m. Tomorrow’s ruling will be another step toward putting California back on the right side of marriage equality history and undoing the shameful act of allowing a bare majority of voters to write discrimination into our constitution.At All

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-42257670798408564782012-02-04T19:14:00.000-08:002012-02-04T19:20:44.484-08:00

Eventually all the speakers, sermons and forums from the 20 Years of Blessing weekend will be up on the All Saints website, but for now ... here's a look at what's up so far ... in case you missed any of it or you want to see it or hear it again!First here's "Chapter One" -- the story of the journey to "God, Sex & Justice" and how George Regas came to the place where he felt called to step out in

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-10215696702743156842012-02-04T12:33:00.000-08:002012-02-04T12:34:53.543-08:00

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-83900051397372582182012-02-03T19:50:00.000-08:002012-02-03T19:52:40.068-08:00

From our 20 Years of Blessing Event: The "back story" of how All Saints Pasadena came to the decision to start blessing same-sex unions in 1992. And no, George Regas did NOT just wake up one morning and say, "Mary, I think I'll bless some gay people today!" Here's hoping this little bit of history will be an encouragement to those still working to make all the sacraments available to all the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-24954397224826811702012-02-03T09:03:00.000-08:002012-02-03T10:22:34.496-08:00

The Susan G. Komen Foundation announced this morning the reversal of their decision to end funding breast cancer screening through Planned Parenthood ... demonstrating that the power of public outrage can actually overcome the anti-abortion zealot driven politicization of women's health issues.From the statement issued by the Komen Foundation:We want to apologize to the American public for recent

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-72284326456437458752012-02-02T10:58:00.000-08:002012-02-02T11:25:45.194-08:00

Count me as one of those disappointed by the ruling today that the video recordings of the Prop 8 trial will not be released.The ruling ... available in its entirety here ... was summarized in the L.A. Time piece: “The trial judge on several occasions unequivocally promised that the recording of the trial would be used only in chambers and not publicly broadcast,” the panel said.I totally "get"

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-11062804475296404422012-02-02T09:43:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:47:09.793-08:00

"Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Jane Addams, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, Abraham Heschel -- the majority of great reformers in American history did their work not just because it was sound policy, or they had done good analysis, or understood how to exercise good politics, but because their faith and their values dictated it, and called for bold action -- sometimes in the face of

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-18344291695651471782012-02-01T12:16:00.000-08:002012-02-01T12:18:56.830-08:00

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-74602005093085650012012-01-30T21:12:00.001-08:002012-01-30T21:12:55.064-08:00

The dust is still settling from our celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the blessing of the Covenant of Mark Benson and Philip Straw -- but here, for a start, are some pictures that capture just SOME of the great moments of a truly extraordinary weekend:With deep gratitude to all who made it all happen ... and especially in thanksgiving for the courage, the love and the persistence of

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-36313002451476142062012-01-30T07:28:00.000-08:002012-01-30T16:50:12.061-08:00

... at what a FABULOUS weekend we had at All Saints in Pasadena!I've only got a minute this morning as we're off for a two day staff preaching retreat, but here are a few snaps to "whet your appetite" for more photos and reflection to come!Bishops Robinson and Glasspool just before the Saturday "20 Years of Blessing" Eucharist. Rector emeritus George Regas with Bishop Mary GlasspoolBishop

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-90410415069400140052012-01-28T07:01:00.000-08:002012-01-28T07:02:52.127-08:00

Twenty years ago last week, Mark Benson and Philip Straw stood together on the chancel at All Saints Church in Pasadena and promised to love, honor and cherish each other until death did they part. A 1992 editorial in The Living Church wrote of the service : “Undoubtedly similar events have taken place in clandestine circumstances but this is the first known “public” blessing in a prominent

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-61724988853358647252012-01-25T20:48:00.000-08:002012-01-25T20:49:47.873-08:00

Plans are being finalized for the upcoming 20YEARS OF BLESSING weekend event at All Saints Church -- including this fabulous menu of workshops focused on mobilizing for our future as we work to build on our past. The workshops will be offered in two sessions:Session One: 1:00-2:15 Session Two: 2:30-3:45Advocacy within the Episcopal Church: What’s next at the National Church level on LGBT

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-38850323154439631182012-01-23T18:12:00.000-08:002012-01-23T18:30:48.804-08:00

"Love Free or Die" ... Macky Alston's long awaited feature-length documentary on the work and witness of Bishop Gene Robinson ... premieres tonight at the Sundance Film Festival.It has been my high honor to watch from offstage (mostly) as this work has progressed. From +Gene's consecration in November 2006 [where I was in the press box] to the blessing of Mark & Gene's civil union in June 2008 [

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-759390925358894952012-01-23T15:19:00.000-08:002012-01-23T15:21:20.475-08:00

h/t Margaret and Helen

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-40557419686522351502012-01-23T12:01:00.000-08:002012-01-23T13:06:11.721-08:00

Of course I subscribe to email lists from folks from "the other side of the aisle" to keep an eye on what they're up to ... including the so-called "American Family Association" -- who have over the last few weeks had quite the full-court-press campagin out to pressure the Home Depot folks into ending support for LGBT equality.So I was delighted to open my email from the AFA today to find this

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-3577192587968618202012-01-21T12:55:00.000-08:002012-01-21T12:58:13.606-08:00

photo credit: Bob Niemic

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-62313906286037228242012-01-20T09:40:00.000-08:002012-01-20T16:21:15.990-08:00

"Love Free or Die" -- the feature length documentary of the work and witness of Bishop Gene Robinson premieres at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23rd.Here's a great "preview" from filmmaker Macky Alston -- who I am honored to call a friend and have been privileged to watch from "backstage" while this film was being made over now-these-many-years.L.A. Times film critic Ken Turan called it "

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-11762078112780775442012-01-17T10:20:00.000-08:002012-01-17T10:21:35.431-08:00

90 Years Young Today!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-16491083299620179272012-01-16T10:43:00.000-08:002012-01-16T10:48:33.292-08:00

“Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-31124736955779528382012-01-14T15:56:00.000-08:002012-01-14T16:03:31.033-08:00

The Episcopal Diocese of New York met today for its 235th Diocesan Convention. On the agenda were three resolutions regarding marriage equality -- presented by the LGBT Concerns Committee of the Social Concerns Commission. All three resolutions were adopted. [text available here.]The fact that the Episcopal Diocese of New York stepped up today on marriage equality is good news not just for gay

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-60422858631083391382012-01-14T10:45:00.000-08:002012-01-14T12:34:39.184-08:00

Do you know about the "TED Conference?" Here's the Wikipedia definition:TED (Technology Entertainment and Design) is a global set of conferences formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading."And the TED mission statement begins:We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-27839044744482002762012-01-10T12:02:00.000-08:002012-01-10T12:17:46.798-08:00

One of the gifts of God for the people of God we celebrated on Sunday here at All Saints Church was the gift of sharing with the Reverend Jeff Martinhauk in the celebration of his first Eucharist as a priest in the Church of God.Ordained on Saturday at St. John's downtown with this great crop of newly minted priests (pictured here with Bishops Bruno, Bruce and Glasspool) ...... Jeff will return

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-44720235461564671482012-01-07T21:08:00.000-08:002012-01-07T21:14:37.837-08:00

January 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the first blessing of a same-sex couple — Mark Benson & Phil Straw — here at All Saints Church. We will celebrate that milestone with a series of events and programs the weekend of January 28/29. Make your plans now to come celebrate the past and mobilize for the future!Saturday, January 289am—5pmConfirmed participants include:All Saints Rector Ed Bacon

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-88850597258500651242012-01-07T14:12:00.001-08:002012-01-07T14:26:34.251-08:00

A Bumper Crop of Brand New Priests: (from left, first row) John Livingston, Heather Erickson, Hsin-Fen Chang, Elizabeth Thayer, Patricia Ash, (second row) Bishop Mary Glasspool, David Erickson, Mary Crist, Karri Backer, Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce, (third row) Jeffrey Martinhauk, Bishop J. Jon Bruno, Matthew Bollinger -- January 7, 2012, St. John's ProCathedral, Los Angeles. (Episcopal News photo)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-76377908123940471902012-01-05T20:29:00.000-08:002012-01-05T21:34:17.861-08:00

Meet Carrie Ryan. She's a Rhodes Scholar.She's also a senior at the University of the South in Sewanee. And a native of Pasadena who will pursue a Master’s degree in philosophy at Oxford University, with a focus on social work that improves the lives of seniors. And she's a member of All Saints Church.This afternoon I was delighted to be among those celebrating Carrie and her accomplishments at a

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-1352803663539169632012-01-04T14:23:00.000-08:002012-01-04T16:50:41.492-08:00

This week I had sad news from two long time friends. One was a clergy colleague who lost his wife of 55 years to a long illness on New Year's Eve. The other was an ECW friend who lost her partner of 23 years on Christmas Day.Both are now coping with their own grief and loss while planning services to celebrate the lives of their beloveds as they claim the resurrection promise that in death life

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-79274737307925393482012-01-03T18:37:00.000-08:002012-01-03T18:43:50.740-08:00

...my "Gay is a Gift from God" blog went up on the Huffington Post.Check it out

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-65919221377962355452012-01-02T11:27:00.000-08:002012-01-02T11:38:09.485-08:00

a cross-post from our "dog blog" ... a little look backstage at yesterday's Rose Parade prep here in Pasadena[January 1, 2012 ~ Pasadena CA] Another New Year means another trip down Colorado Boulevard for our annual pre-Rose Parade look at the sights, sounds and craziness that makes up the Pasadena tradition of people, flowers and floats. This year our moms' friend Andrea came with us. (This is

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-16019155592629761882012-01-01T10:43:00.000-08:002012-01-01T10:47:06.297-08:00

h/t friend Bob Phibbs: Bill Watterson retired Calvin & Hobbes on New Year's Eve 1995 with this wonderful strip so relevant to New Year's day 2012:And Boy Howdy, it makes me feel old to realize that was 17 years ago! It was the sermon illustration that Sunday by Barbara Mudge at St. Francis in Simi Valley as she prepared to retire in the New Year!Happy New Year ... !!!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-12187806182292776742011-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:002011-12-31T12:18:32.236-08:00

In January 2009 Ed Bacon – my boss and the rector at All Saints Church here in Pasadena – was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show and spoke the words “being gay is a gift from God.”Those seven words – offered in response to a call-in viewer from Atlanta -- set off a ripple of reactions that lit up Oprah’s switchboard, almost crashed our parish email server and continues to bring people toward us

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-71307121799024112062011-12-30T10:46:00.001-08:002011-12-30T12:09:48.446-08:00

It's been interesting timing to have a conversation on the House of Bishops/Deputies listserve about issues of economic justice happening while we're sitting here in Pasadena in the middle of the "Occupy the Rose Parade" thing.There's been lots of back-and-forth about God's "preferential option for the poor" (as described by liberation theologians) ... leading me to wonder if another description

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-5459565925666226882011-12-24T10:55:00.001-08:002011-12-24T13:55:31.247-08:00

Yep ... Santa came early to Mountain View Street in Altadena this morning. Only he wasn't wearing a red and white coat and hat ... he was wearing a bright yellow vest and hard hat.And he wasn't driving a sleigh full of toys to deliver ... he was driving a dump truck full of debris to remove. As the San Gabriel Valley continues to clean up from the historic "wind event" that wrecked havoc here the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-50340906609161935042011-12-24T09:22:00.000-08:002011-12-24T09:26:05.893-08:00

When my boys were little, lighting the candles on the Advent wreath on the dining room table was a really big deal. I'd like to think it was because they had grasped the significance of the holiness of the Advent season as a time of spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord. However, I'm sure it was because if the Advent Wreath was there, the tree and presents couldn't be far behind! And

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-22074116880093295182011-12-23T13:14:00.000-08:002011-12-23T13:20:36.356-08:00

Pray for peace and work for justice ... this Christmas and always.Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-13172836973359059362011-12-22T14:41:00.000-08:002011-12-22T17:47:20.887-08:00

A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in AdventThis one's getting up late because I preached from notes rather than a text ... but decided to take time to tell the stories here. So -- for what it's worth -- here it be!In his weekly message to the Diocese of San Joaquin, Bishop Chet Talton wrote:"This Sunday marks the beginning of the last week of Advent. As we light the fourth candle on the Advent

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-11866815659149384982011-12-22T11:50:00.000-08:002011-12-22T12:59:20.231-08:00

No, I shouldn't be bothering to blog about this as it [a] only draws more attention to the pathetic state of political discourse in this country right and now and [b] the Christmas countdown clock is now hours instead of days and there's still LOTS to get done.However. I can't resist.Yesterday the story broke that Sarah Palin (erstwhile Governor of Alaska and would-be political pundit) had her

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-76554578517695030612011-12-21T12:57:00.000-08:002011-12-21T13:05:58.568-08:00

It's the week-before Christmas and all through the house not a staff member's idle ... because this is ALL SAINTS CHURCH and we've got four services Christmas Eve, two Christmas Day ... and as soon as we get baby Jesus safely asleep on the hay we've got the Occupy the Rose Parade folks coming to town. Oy!!ANYWAY ... all of this to say there is no elbow room for blogging but a girl has to eat (

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-63610601382509377472011-12-20T11:46:00.000-08:002011-12-20T14:38:37.146-08:00

"Buddhist Bootcamp" is one of my new favorites -- a site that describes its mission with this quote from the Dalai Lama:"Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are."Here's the piece making the rounds on facebook today!We are all equal.Regardless of religion or geographical region.Whether you believe we are all created in God's

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-76060363432676851342011-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:002011-12-19T13:53:41.235-08:00

Dear Mr. Clooney,I read with delight the announcement last week that you have been cast in the West Coast premiere of 8, the play based on the Prop 8 trial, and I am writing to thank you for putting your talent where your mouth is by stepping out and standing up to support equality for gay and lesbian Americans.These words of yours in the statement from AFER (American Foundation for Equal Rights)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-32355268736032596542011-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:002011-12-19T09:28:37.679-08:00

Think again!In a story being widely reported this morning, Newt Gingrich on Sunday hammered at the nation’s judiciary system, saying that if a court’s decision was out of step with American popular opinion, it should be ignored. There’s “no reason the American people need to tolerate a judge that out of touch with American culture,” Gingrich said on CBS’ Face the Nation.Host Bob Schieffer asked

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-55491087949493373392011-12-18T22:50:00.000-08:002011-12-18T22:56:47.330-08:00

"A member of the U.S. Cavalry in Kirkuk, Iraq Private First Class James Russell, a Blackhawk helicopter crew chief and the son of the Rev. Susan Russell, senior associate at All Saints, is ready to deliver some of the more than 400 Christmas cards that were sent to soldiers stationed there from parishioners of All Saints Church, Pasadena" [The Living Church: December 2006]An American soldier

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-68753350430031972842011-12-16T10:58:00.000-08:002011-12-16T11:30:01.205-08:00

This one's making the rounds in "church circles" ... I got it first from Elizabeth Kaeton -- adapted from this post on Commonweal -- and then quickly from a legion of fowarders. ENJOY!Cream these ingredients, that by their commingling, you may begin to make the dough:1 chalice of butter, 2/3 chalice of sugar.In a similar way, when the butter is consubstantial with the sugar, beat in One eggGather

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-18291854440807952432011-12-15T17:23:00.000-08:002011-12-15T17:25:35.333-08:00

Then check this one out ... I know today has kind of been a "all videos all day blog day" but I just couldn't resist sharing this great moment that's "making the rounds."[And MAZEL TOV ... to the expectant couple AND to the excited Grandpas!)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-38272112324399483302011-12-15T12:47:00.000-08:002011-12-15T13:13:22.217-08:00

Bravo, Bishop Robinson!! Great job on MSNBC this morning!It is breathtaking (and not in a good way) when someone who aspires to be the Commander in Chief denigrates the soldiers he means to command. Just like all the other soldiers in our military, our gay and lesbian soldiers are dodging bullets and IED’s to preserve our rights as Americans. The right of all Americans to represent their country

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-62680529669792895152011-12-15T12:18:00.001-08:002011-12-15T12:19:38.953-08:00

This year we decided to "multiplatformize" the rector's annual Christmas letter to the parish by turning it into a video. Here's a little glimpse of what Christmas looks like at All Saints Church in Pasadena. ENJOY!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-75204304241017652842011-12-12T21:25:00.000-08:002011-12-12T22:13:36.262-08:00

A lot has been written -- including by me -- about Rick Perry's offensive-in-so-many-ways video ad posted just a week ago tomorrow. My Huffington Post piece is up to over 500 shares/70+ comments (nowhere near the Kim Kardashian record, but hey ... ) and the YouTube video itself is over 4 million hits with 20,300 likes and 648,866 dislikes. That's a lot of attention to a 30 second spot. But no one

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-21908752405418373072011-12-11T20:22:00.000-08:002011-12-11T20:30:55.987-08:00

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and his family attended a worship service Sunday morning at an

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-13600269174888156322011-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:002011-12-11T07:46:28.404-08:00

Ed Watson died Wednesday at the age of 78.His partner of over 40 years, Derence Kernek, was at his side when he succumbed to complications from the rapid-onset Alzheimer’s he was diagnosed with just last year.Kernek and Watson videotaped a plea to the 9th Circuit in March, asking that the court allow Walker's ruling to take effect so they could marry while Watson could still remember their 40-

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-35982684877882663382011-12-10T10:17:00.000-08:002011-12-10T10:25:44.303-08:00

The Episcopal Church Office of Public AffairsPress Release: December 09, 2011Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music offers updated and new resources, materials onlineEpiscopal Church Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) has updated and posted new educational materials and resources online, offering easy access and free downloading for a myriad of references, resolutions, etc., on

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-68707424211417400112011-12-09T20:20:00.000-08:002011-12-09T20:29:30.673-08:00

A few weeks back I got a call from a local student working a piece for her college magazine. The college was Azusa Pacific University and the article was on being gay and Christian. Of course I was delighted to be interviewed for the feature -- which is running int the December issue of APU's Collide Magazine.By Sarah Rogers, staff writer English major“I’ve always known I was gay,” said Rod López

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-43220309961556075082011-12-09T09:06:00.000-08:002011-12-10T15:18:38.047-08:00

This is a piece I wrote for the Huffington Post in response to the despicable ad campaign launched by Rick Perry earlier this week. If you haven't seen it, here's the link ... and I was delighted to hear on the news this morning that the video is on track to be "the most 'disliked' video in the history of YouTube."(As I post this the tally is 10,587 likes, 434,564 dislikes)Rick Perry Decks the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-65281120488397210282011-12-08T19:59:00.000-08:002011-12-08T20:00:23.077-08:00

I posted a link to the text earlier this week ... but thanks to the marvels of modern technology you can watch it being well preached by our Bishop Suffragan Mary Glasspool. Enjoy!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-64495019358047904152011-12-06T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-06T12:16:32.741-08:00

Presidential Memorandum -- International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender PersonsMEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIESSUBJECT: International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender PersonsThe struggle to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-38739993902238014842011-12-05T17:28:00.000-08:002011-12-05T20:37:04.109-08:00

This just in from Rwanda:The head of the Anglican Mission in America has been threatened with ecclesiastical discipline for contumacy. Unless Bishop Chuck Murphy repents of his disobedience and apologizes for his offensive statements within seven days, the Rwanda House of Bishops will assume that he has “made a de facto choice to withdraw as primatial vicar” of the AMiA.To save you having to look

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-13713252214021197222011-12-05T09:05:00.000-08:002011-12-05T09:49:24.804-08:00

The evidence grows that Rowan Williams is itching to revision the historic comprehensiveness of Anglicanism into something tidier and more manageable. In his Advent Letter to the Anglican Primates -- a thinly veiled opportunity to bemoan (once again) the lamentable communion-wide resistance to the ill-conceived proposed "Anglican Covenant" -- Williams asks: "If the moratoria are ignored and the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-67637749810945988152011-12-04T20:22:00.000-08:002011-12-04T20:38:30.430-08:00

I mentioned in an earlier blog that Bishop Glasspool preached a quite-fabulous sermon at our just-completed diocesan convention. Entitled "The Mission of the Church" I was delighted to find that it's already up on the diocesan website. (Go, "Digital Diocese!")The link to the PDF is here.And here's a little bit to get you started:The Mission of the Church [December 2, 2011 ~ Riverside CA ]I am not

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-67974785481331820762011-12-04T07:46:00.000-08:002011-12-04T11:10:26.193-08:00

This morning I am SO proud of my bishops -- the Bishops of Los Angeles -- for their strong words at yesterday's Diocesan Convention condemning the effort to legislate homophobia in Nigeria. A full text of the bishops' statement will be posted by our diocesan communication office soon ... but in the meantime, here's what happened:The theme of this year's convention was "One Light, One Peace, One

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-69805114554067098822011-12-03T20:58:00.000-08:002011-12-03T21:00:40.444-08:00

More details later ... for now, here are some pics from Diocesan Convention 2011 -- L.A. Style.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-12660851703782155512011-12-01T14:08:00.000-08:002011-12-01T14:45:45.940-08:00

If you haven't heard of StoryCorps, it is an oral history project, recording what they call "meaningful conversations" throughout the United States. They are in Los Angeles until December 18. StoryCorps in Los Angeles is made possible by a grant from the David Bohnett Foundation ... and I was honored to be invited to participate by local public radio station KCRW.The "conversation" is taped for

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-41811929548129249472011-11-28T20:02:00.000-08:002011-11-29T23:10:33.261-08:00

"Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who occupy."photos by: Kristin Bedford

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-74180051774949680812011-11-27T13:08:00.000-08:002011-11-29T23:07:56.503-08:00

At church this morning -- the first day of the New Church Year -- we lit the first candle of the Advent wreath with a prayer that began: "The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope."And I'm struck this afternoon by the connection between that First Sunday of Advent prayer and the fact that this year the first Sunday of the new church year falls on the 33rd Anniversary of the Assassination

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-49901259451025549432011-11-26T12:27:00.000-08:002011-11-26T14:12:50.888-08:00

Yesterday in President Obama's three minute Thanksgiving address he wished the American people a Happy Thanksgiving -- and gave special thanks to the brave men and women serving overseas and those giving back to their communities during the holidays."We're especially grateful for the Americans who defend our country overseas," Obama said in his Thanksgiving Day address. "To all the service

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-64313091866895505472011-11-26T12:02:00.000-08:002011-11-26T12:05:01.743-08:00

Brilliant 2 minute tribute to TRULY Traditional Family Values. Watch. Share. "Like." And then let's make Marriage Equality happen! (Missy, get your Kleenex out first! :)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-86122666434424934432011-11-26T09:53:00.000-08:002011-11-26T12:13:35.195-08:00

Wherein Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori calls us to Occupy the World ... not Occupy the Pews! Brava!I am profoundly struck, however, by the parallels between the Occupy movement and Jesus’ band of homeless wanderers ... The covenant renewal possibilities around here are mostly about breaking down dividing walls – dividing walls between ourselves and God, between us and all sorts and

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-5534322125668129292011-11-25T18:20:00.000-08:002011-11-25T20:35:16.637-08:00

The leftovers are in the tupperware in the fridge; the turkey stock is simmering on the stove; the football game marathon continues; and as we R&R our way through Thanksgiving Weekend we're also on Countdown to Advent as we prepare to ring in a New Church Year on Sunday.Looking ahead to Advent, here's what Bishop Mary Glasspool wrote in her "Unofficial Letter Volume I, Number 22 November 25, 2011

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-34508623440679446622011-11-23T15:02:00.000-08:002011-11-23T15:13:24.456-08:00

Cross-posted from The Huffington PostI'm risking getting my gay card suspended by giving you all this glimpse behind the rainbow curtain, but I've decided the risk is worth it. So fasten your seatbelts for "the Gay Agenda: Thanksgiving 2011":•Pick up the free-range turkey we ordered last week from the meat market.•Make sure the guest room is ready for our son Jamie, who is arriving home for his

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-73451035714921252622011-11-22T12:53:00.000-08:002011-11-22T12:58:05.142-08:00

(May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963)Forty-eight years ago today. I'm remembering being at Good Shepherd Lutheran Day School in Highland Park and Mrs. Vordale calling us all into the Fireside Room to tell us the president had been shot and Pastor Lunde was going to help us pray for him, for his family and for our country. And I knew my parents were playing golf and I wondered who was going to tell

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-5866083190005430092011-11-21T18:30:00.000-08:002011-11-21T18:31:45.667-08:00

Just a few quick snaps to debunk the myth that we don't have "seasons" in Los Angeles. (Or blue sky, for that matter!) It was a LOVELY fall day in the neighborhood ...

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-42942106688128822072011-11-21T14:02:00.000-08:002011-11-21T14:13:25.288-08:00

CNN (among others)is announcing what we knew was coming:'Super committee' fails to reach agreementWatching "Super Committee" Republicans blame "Super Committee" Democrats for the budget impasse because it's clearly the fault of the Democrats that the Republicans are unwilling to compromise by balancing entitlement cuts to "the least of these" with taxes on the 1%.Color me Super Disgusted.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-27877497395795433622011-11-20T15:08:00.001-08:002011-11-20T15:10:28.931-08:00

I know, I know ... the last thing I need is ANOTHER coffee mug. But who could resist one with President Obama's "Made in the USA" birth certificate on it?

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-40775024437099894572011-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:002011-11-20T07:24:35.219-08:00

‘Christ the King’ Sundayby Melissa Hayes, Director of LiturgyAll Saints Church, PasadenaWhen we first started exploring this history of the feast of ‘Christ the King’ Sunday, I assumed it had been in our lectionary since the publication of the King James Bible (1611) – or at least the composition of Handel’s Messiah (1741). I decided to research its history going to the library (i.e., Google) and

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-77325701956021595402011-11-19T17:46:00.000-08:002011-11-19T18:07:08.652-08:00

Yes, it's been a busy week or so. Between "thank-you notes" to Kim Kardashian, Maryland Bishops Behaving Badly, action at OccupyLA and then the Prop 8 decision on Thursday there's been a lot to write, respond and blog about. Meanwhile, the All Saints beat goes on. We've got my rector back on Oprah on Sunday, some amazing speakers coming to All Saints in the weeks ahead, a cold-weather coat drive

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-57245557215996626382011-11-19T14:41:00.000-08:002011-11-19T14:42:51.324-08:00

Cross-posting Integrity's press release on the election today of Andrew Dietsche as bishop coadjutor in the Diocese of New York.Integrity responds to the election of the Reverend Canon Andrew Dietsche as Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese of New YorkToday, the people of the Episcopal Diocese of New York have concluded months of discernment by electing the Reverend Canon Andrew Dietsche as their

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-65799335593889397182011-11-18T19:33:00.000-08:002011-11-18T20:22:34.815-08:00

It was an email from Harpo Studios and it read:Super Soul Sunday News! On Sunday, November 20, 2011, we will be airing The Oprah Winfrey Show: When Life Breaks You Open featuring Ed Bacon, Elizabeth Lesser and Michael BeckwithAh, yes. We remember it well. Ed described it in a recent Huffington Post blog:As a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in January 2009, I said, "Being gay is a gift from God."

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-12877489437159168772011-11-18T10:14:00.000-08:002011-11-18T17:24:45.045-08:00

Commentary on the decision of the California Supreme Court to grant legal standing to the proponents of Proposition 8 to appeal the 2010 judgment invalidating it.What is at stake in the Proposition 8 challenge is not just the future of marriage for some Californians but the history of fundamental values for all Americans.Are we a nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-38708440715880494282011-11-17T12:26:00.000-08:002011-11-17T13:12:35.007-08:00

The CA Supreme Court issued an opinion this morning that the opponents of Prop 8 do have “standing” to appeal Judge Walker’s ruling that Prop 8 is unconstitutional. There’s lots of analysis coming in but Jon Davidson’s from Lambda Legal (received via email) … on quick read is the one I found the most concise and helpful: While today’s ruling from the California Supreme Court is disappointing, the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-69482313563161463852011-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:002011-11-16T17:14:45.602-08:00

Here's what the so-called National Organization for Marriage (more appropriately the National Organization for SOME Marriages) is running on their blog as an Emergency Alert: Reports out of Washington are now indicating that – just a week after forcing a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) through the Judiciary Committee on a party line vote – Senator Diane Feinstein, Senate

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-41452377920308877752011-11-16T14:39:00.000-08:002011-11-16T15:21:57.175-08:00

Glad you asked!And even MORE glad that thanks to our good friends over at the Courage Campaign's "Prop 8 Trial Tracker" here's an answer (summarized from their web page):Tomorrow the California Supreme Court will rule on the "standing issue" -- whether or not the Prop 8 supporters have legal standing to challenge Judge Walker's ruling Prop 8 unconstitutional. This is not a binding decision on the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-5237878587674952682011-11-16T12:53:00.001-08:002011-11-16T12:54:40.174-08:00

SUPREME COURT OF CALIFORNIANOTICE OFFORTHCOMING FILINGPERRY (Kristin M.) et al. v. BROWN JR. (Edmund G.), as Governor, etc., et al.S189476 (9th Cir. No. 10-16696; N.D. Cal. No. 3:09-cv-02292-VRW)Argued in San Francisco 9-06-11The court granted the request of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to address the following question: “Whether under Article II, Section 8 of the

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-38956814542128381562011-11-15T07:28:00.000-08:002011-11-15T08:05:30.919-08:00

A cross-post from the HuffPost, this piece is one I wrote last week in response to an article in the Baltimore Sun describing the call of Maryland's Roman Catholic bishops to parishioners to act against marriage equality and other measures that they say threaten "religious liberty." Keep it in mind as the Conference of Catholic Bishops meet this week in Baltimore. Bishops Behaving BadlyThe Nov.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-71896624472162667402011-11-14T10:18:00.000-08:002011-11-14T13:35:09.509-08:00

It started with a blog I called "A Thank-you Note to Kim Kardashian"... in which I thanked the reality show star for her high-profile illustration that "respect for marriage" had nothing to do with the gender of the couple making the vows. (The very week the Respect for Marriage Act debate was happening on Capitol Hill -- how timely was that?)The piece was posted on The Huffington Post on

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-61058880981976537612011-11-12T11:03:00.001-08:002011-11-12T11:07:39.413-08:00

Due to the marvels of modern technology we were able to watch the Consecration of a Bishop service streamed from Washinton's National Cathedral this morning and share in some part the joy and challenge of new beginnings for Bishop Mariann Budde [pictured left with her family] and the Diocese of Washington.Here are a few "screen shots" of the service -- not great photography but should give you a

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-84259798160512863962011-11-11T23:11:00.000-08:002011-11-11T23:11:02.669-08:00

Now we can do it all over again next year on December 12!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-50104941595485647642011-11-11T10:44:00.000-08:002011-11-11T10:47:55.969-08:00

On this Veterans Day here's a prayer of thanks for all veterans (including mine!) and for all those still in harm's way in a war-torn world. Pray for peace and work for justice!Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations;

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-65168734895012992212011-11-11T10:14:00.000-08:002011-11-11T10:20:32.814-08:00

Cross posting this piece from Walking With Integrity ... if you're a deputy please do read the white paper ... if you're not then please do lobby yours to get informed.A MESSAGE FROM SUSAN RUSSELLNovember 11, 2011Dear Integrity members,Next week the Episcopal Church will take another important step toward achieving one of Integrity’s long-time goals: the approval of liturgies for the blessing of

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-66857086385419114162011-11-10T13:19:00.000-08:002011-11-10T20:54:55.666-08:00

They don't exactly time Senate Judiciary Hearings to make it easy for westcoast wonks. I'm just sayin' ...Nevertheless, I woke up, booted up my laptop and managed to watch most of the hearing (thank you CSPAN!) ... where my pick for best quote of the day came from Senator Chris Coons of Delaware: Close seconds were Al Franken (Minnesota) taking exception with a statement by Chuck Grassley (Iowa)

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-34567560963255920722011-11-09T15:51:00.000-08:002011-11-09T16:02:33.199-08:00

"A Dog's Life:" The Morning Version"A Dog's Life:" The Afternoon Version

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-9680511264621115032011-11-09T10:25:00.000-08:002011-11-09T10:51:13.387-08:00

From House Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy: Tomorrow, the fight to repeal DOMA will reach a critical juncture.That’s when the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the Respect for Marriage Act, our legislation to ensure that the federal government recognizes all state-sanctioned marriages, including gay and lesbian couples.The Committee will also consider amendments to the legislation -

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-2708310218911801652011-11-08T08:36:00.000-08:002011-11-08T08:47:09.031-08:00

This video clip of Michele Bachmann speaking to the Family Research Council in Washington is making the rounds. After vowing to weaken social safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, and unemployment benefits, Bachmann said that if you are not working, you should not be eating.“Our nation needs to stop doing for people what they can and should do for themselves. Self

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-27642775196792199832011-11-07T20:22:00.000-08:002011-11-07T21:46:16.914-08:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyRachel: “In your role as a bishop why are you supporting this movement? Why do you think it’s important?”+Gene: “Part of what a bishop does is look for God at work in the world and I think I saw God at work in Zuccotti Park.It’s astounding to me that what I come away with down on Wall Street is a sense of this grieving I

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-56198359401966769272011-11-07T13:26:00.000-08:002011-11-07T13:29:07.311-08:00

Just received word that Bishop Gene Robinson is scheduled to be a guest on the Rachel Maddow show this evening ... in the 9:45-10:00 portion of the show ... talking about religion and economics in general and the Occupy Movement in particular. Here's a foretaste ... tune in tonight!

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21609676.post-3350959992752147102011-11-06T16:48:00.001-08:002011-11-06T16:51:11.954-08:00

Today we turned the clock back an hour -- like we do every year at this time. Some us are grateful for the extra hour of sleep. Some of us hate that it gets dark so much earlier. Some of us are grateful for the extra hour of sleep AND hate that it gets dark earlier. Such is life.Next year at this time we'll turn the clock back again. But we'll also be doing something else at this time next year.

SUSAN RUSSELLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01795717638621668638noreply@blogger.com1