[Listen to the audio.] Some places are just down right scary: dark alleys and empty parking garages immediately come to mind. In any TV drama, if a person is walking down an alley or through an empty garage, there is going to be trouble. Let’s add another such place: churches at night. That’s right: churches at night. As nice as … Read More
Help Rebuild the Episcopal Church in Haiti, Brick by Brick
When the earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, it effectively leveled the most populous diocese of The Episcopal Church. Seventy percent of church buildings were considered a total loss. Diocesan-run schools, clinics and hospitals that served over 100,000 Episcopalians, as well as countless community members, were wiped out in thirty-five seconds . . . Read more here. To purchase bricks to … Read More
Bishop Benfield’s Sermon from the Opening Service at the 139th Convention of the Diocese of Arkansas, Friday, March 11, 2011
When the committee assembled to decide which scripture lessons we would read in church at public worship, the person bringing the Bible into the room must have had a loose-leaf version in a three-ring binder and dropped it, and subsequently lost all the Old Testament except Isaiah. The evidence for this accident is that week after week in the lectionary … Read More
Agenda for the 139th Convention of the Episcopal Church in Arkansas
We look forward to seeing you this weekend at the 139th convention of the Diocese of Arkansas. Some details you need to know before you arrive: Agenda: Friday – March 11– all activities at Trinity Cathedral (17th & Spring Streets), except the reception at the Governor’s Mansion Registration opens at 3:00 p.m. in Chancellors’ Hall The opening service is at … Read More
139th Annual Diocesan Convention, March 11-12, 2011 in Little Rock
To the Episcopal Congregations in Arkansas: The Central Convocation churches north of the Arkansas River, and I as your bishop, invite you to the 139th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Arkansas. It will convene with Holy Eucharist at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2011, at Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock. The evening will continue with a reception at … Read More
2011 Diocesan Budget approved
Tuesday the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church in Arkansas met and approved the diocesan budget for 2011 and also reviewed the financial results for 2010. First, the historical part: In 2010 the diocese ended up with a $4,000 surplus based on expenses that totaled $1,344,000. It was thanks to your generous gifts and the hard work of staff members … Read More
Bishop Benfield’s Sermon at Holy Trinity, Hot Springs Village, December 5, 2010
Lately everyone has been fascinated by the notion of energy independence, even if we are not truly trying to become independent, and the poster child for it is the hybrid car. A Prius is now a status symbol, just like, but oh so very different from, the Hummer a few years back. The Prius is in some ways the tangible … Read More
The Rev. Mary Craig Caruthers installed as rector of St. Paul’s, Newport, November 13, 2010
The Rev. Mary Craig Caruthers was installed as rector of St. Paul’s, Newport, on Saturday, November 13, 2010. Caruthers had previously been serving as a priest in mission in the Dominican Republic. St. Paul’s has a rich heritage as a Delta congregation and also has a thriving Latino service on Sundays.
Interested in the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant?
Many things have already been said in the public arena about the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant. As Provinces around the world continue to discuss this important document I think it worth clarifying some points about it. I am not arguing here for or against the Covenant, merely pointing out that it should be debated fairly, with an accurate reading of … Read More
Bishop Benfield’s sermon for St. Margaret’s and Trinity Cathedral, 12 September, 2010
They call it “shift work.” For those of you with office jobs, you may need a reminder of what it is. It is working in one’s job at different shifts of time of the day or night. Formerly it was a manufacturing job term, but now it includes such jobs as customer service representatives, so that all of us with … Read More