Wales, Wales, where the Gospel goes to die

I have been following the slow demise of the Church in Wales (CiW) for several years now. It seems that the CiW has been in a race to the bottom with the Episcopalians, the Church of England, and the Anglican Church of Canada. The current Archbishop of the CiW is a partnered lesbian. The following news is therefore not a surprise.

From Premier Christian News,  

The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make permanent provision for church blessings for couples in same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships.

The decision follows a five-year experimental period and was approved by the required two-thirds majority across bishops, clergy and laity at a meeting in Llandudno.

Speaking after the vote, Most Rev Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, who is in a same-sex relationship, told Premier Christian News she was happy with both the decision and the tone of the debate.

She said: “I’m very pleased at the way the debate panned out… it was done very respectfully… it was Christ-like, the way I would hope Christians would be able to speak to one another despite their differences.”

On the decision itself, she added: “It seemed to many of us that it would be ungenerous to take that offer [same-sex blessings] away from those for whom it had been important, and indeed a lifeline.”

The archbishop said only around 10 same-sex blessings have taken place in the province since it was allowed in 2021. 

There is a conscience clause in the legislation, providing "security and protection" for clergy who don't agree with taking services of blessing for same-sex couples.

The decision comes after scathing criticism from conservative Anglican group GAFCON, which last year said the election of Cherry Vann as Archbishop “shatters the communion” and called it a departure from Anglican orthodoxy.

Responding to wider disagreement within the Anglican Communion on issues of sexuality and marriage, Archbishop Cherry said provinces are in “very different places and very different contexts”, adding that each must decide its own position on issues relating to human life and community.

“We respect those for whom this is bad news,” she said, “but we graciously ask them to accept that here in Wales the Governing Body has taken a different view”.

On whether the move signals a step towards same-sex marriage, she said there are “very different views” within the Church, with some who supported blessings finding further change “difficult”. Consultation will continue ahead of possible proposals in 2027.

On her personal view of same-sex marriage, she said: “I have to be careful not to confuse my role… with my own personal opinion. I’m ambivalent on the matter.” She added that she and her partner do not feel “diminished” by not being able to marry in church.

Reflecting on her wider prayer for the Church on the issue, Archbishop Cherry said: “That we will learn to see ourselves as members of the Body of Christ, whatever our views… our unity is held in Christ.”

She added: “We don’t agree on this, but we are Christians… called to work together as the Body of Christ for the sake of the world.”

Earlier this year, the Church of England paused its formal Living in Love and Faith process on introducing standalone blessing services for same-sex couples, deferring any final decision.

However, prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or blessing for same-sex couples within regular church services, are permitted. 

 Alas poor Wales, where the Gospel goes to die.

Another Lectionary Edit

 This Sunday we have another Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) hatchet job on the Psalter. I believe it is important to hear the whole thing because that us what God intended us to do. I have included the verses in red that were not heard in churches that use the RCL. Can you guess why those words were omitted?

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

31 In te, Domine, speravi

1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.

3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.

5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me,
O Lord, O God of truth.

6 I hate those who cling to worthless idols, *
and I put my trust in the Lord.

7 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy; *
for you have seen my affliction;
you know my distress.

8 You have not shut me up in the power of the enemy; *
you have set my feet in an open place.

9 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; *
my eye is consumed with sorrow,
and also my throat and my belly.

10 For my life is wasted with grief,
and my years with sighing; *
my strength fails me because of affliction,
and my bones are consumed.

11 I have become a reproach to all my enemies and
even to my neighbors,
a dismay to those of my acquaintance; *
when they see me in the street they avoid me.

12 I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; *
I am as useless as a broken pot.

13 For I have heard the whispering of the crowd;
fear is all around; *
they put their heads together against me;
they plot to take my life.

14 But as for me, I have trusted in you, O Lord. *
I have said, "You are my God.

15 My times are in your hand; *
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.

16 Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me."

17 Lord, let me not be ashamed for having called upon you; *
rather, let the wicked be put to shame;
let them be silent in the grave.

18 Let the lying lips be silenced which speak against
the righteous, *
haughtily, disdainfully, and with contempt.

19 How great is your goodness, O Lord!
which you have laid up for those who fear you; *
which you have done in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.

20 You hide them in the covert of your presence from those
who slander them; *
you keep them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord! *
for he has shown me the wonders of his love in a
besieged city.

22 Yet I said in my alarm,
"I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes." *
Nevertheless, you heard the sound of my entreaty
when I cried out to you.

23 Love the Lord, all you who worship him; *
the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full those who act haughtily.

24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, *
all you who wait for the Lord.

I assume that the deleted verses go against the image of the god that the editors want to present, one that is at odds with the God of the Bible. 

Some people don't want to feed the sheep with the full Word.

No Pride in Tennessee

 From The Daily Mail, 

"A new Tennessee law declaring June as 'Nuclear Family Month' - and not Pride Month - has sparked outrage. 

Governor Bill Lee signed the controversial resolution on April 9, just two days after it was sent to his desk, following passage through both chambers of the Republican-controlled state legislature. 

It defines the family unit as comprising 'one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children' and describes the nuclear family as 'God's design for familial structure' and 'God's perfect design for humanity.'"

 

Both Gate and Shepherd

 This Sunday's reading puzzled his disciples, and Jesus had to explain it to them.

John 10:1-10

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Who will you follow? 

Thieves and bandits or the Shepherd?

Be Glad You Don't Live in Finland

We have been following the never ending case of Finland's Päivi Räsänen for ages as the State continues to try to silence Christian witness.

From GBN news,

A politician from Finland has been found guilty of hate speech over a 22-year-old church pamphlet.

The Nordic country's Supreme Court delivered a split verdict in the long-running case against parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen, finding her guilty of hate speech over a church publication from 2004 addressing marriage and sexual ethics.

The Supreme Court simultaneously cleared the veteran politician unanimously regarding a social media post from 2019 that featured a biblical passage.

Ms Räsänen, who previously served as Finland's Interior Minister, is also a qualified medical doctor and grandmother to twelve children.

Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola was convicted alongside her for the pamphlet, which was originally written for their church more than two decades ago.

Kristen Waggoner, CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom, warned that punishing peaceful expression rooted in religious conviction "undermines the very foundation of free societies".

According to the court's findings, Ms Räsänen and the Bishop were found to have "made available to the public and kept available to the public opinions that insult homosexuals as a group on the basis of their sexual orientation".

The judges noted, however, that the material did not encourage violence or contain comparable threatening incitement to hatred.

The court declared: "It must be taken into account that the text forming the basis for the conviction did not contain incitement to violence or comparable threat-like fomenting of hatred.

"The conduct is therefore not particularly serious in terms of the nature of the offense".

The politician had previously been cleared of all charges unanimously by two lower courts, before the prosecution mounted a third appeal to the Supreme Court.

The original proceedings saw her face trial in early 2022, and again in 2023, over three matters - the tweet containing scripture, a radio discussion from 2019, and the church booklet.

The Supreme Court only considered two charges, as prosecutors did not challenge the radio debate acquittal.

The ruling follows the court's hearing of the case in October 2025.

The conviction falls under a provision of Finnish criminal law categorised within the section covering war crimes and crimes against humanity, specifically for making and maintaining public access to material that insults a group.

A crucial factor in the conviction was that Ms Räsänen continued sharing the pamphlet on her personal websites and social media accounts in 2019 and 2020, after investigators began examining the matter.

She has been ordered to pay criminal fines amounting to several thousand euros, with the offending material to be removed and destroyed.

Ms Räsänen is now seeking legal counsel about potentially taking her case to the European Court of Human Rights.

She said: "I am taking legal advice on a possible appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. This is not about my free speech alone, but that of every person in Finland.

"A positive ruling would help to prevent other innocent people from experiencing the same ordeal for simply sharing their beliefs".

Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, which coordinated her legal defence, welcomed the tweet acquittal, but condemned the pamphlet conviction.

"The conviction for a simple church pamphlet published decades ago before the law under which she has been convicted was even passed is an outrageous example of state censorship", he said.

"This decision will create a severe chilling effect for everyone's right to speak freely".

I am so glad that I don't live in Finland.  

Maybe the readings for this Sunday are out of order

This Sunday's reading speak of the resurrected Jesus. The Psalm for today gets overlooked so often, and gets chopped up in the Revised Common Lectionary, that I took a second look at it in its entirety. I found that it should probably be read after one reads the New Testament readings. See if you agree.

Psalm 116 Dilexi, quoniam

1 I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of

my supplication, *

because he has inclined his ear to me whenever

I called upon him.

2 The cords of death entangled me;

the grip of the grave took hold of me; *

I came to grief and sorrow.

3 Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *

"O Lord, I pray you, save my life."

4 Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *

our God is full of compassion.

5 The Lord watches over the innocent; *

I was brought very low, and he helped me.

6 Turn again to your rest, O my soul. *

for the Lord has treated you well.

7 For you have rescued my life from death, *

my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.

8 I will walk in the presence of the Lord *

in the land of the living.

9 I believed, even when I said,

"I have been brought very low." *

In my distress I said, "No one can be trusted."

10 How shall I repay the Lord *

for all the good things he has done for me?

11 I will lift up the cup of salvation *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

12 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people.

13 Precious in the sight of the Lord *

is the death of his servants.

14 O Lord, I am your servant; *

I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;

you have freed me from my bonds.

15 I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *

and call upon the Name of the Lord.

16 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *

in the presence of all his people,

17 In the courts of the Lord's house, *

in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

It seems to be an appropriate prayer of thanks, and a pledge to follow Him who has rescued us.

Hallelujah!

Add autism to the list...

From Live Action,  

A teenager diagnosed with autism has been euthanized in the Netherlands, and experts are warning of similar dangers in other countries.

Key Takeaways:

• A Dutch teenager between the ages of 16 and 18 was euthanized less than five years after being diagnosed with autism.
• He described his life as joyless and remained in bed all day, but his doctor still approved the euthanasia. His mental health difficulties appeared to stem from many of his struggles related to autism.
• Euthanasia for psychiatric reasons has drastically increased in the Netherlands since it was legalized.
• One psychiatrist pointed to the case as a "wake-up call" for Canada, where euthanasia laws are even more lax.

What diagnosis is next?