Time for a shout-out to some blogging friends ...

It is time for me to give a shout-out to some of my blogging friends. I read all their posts and think you should check them out!

It's Better Left Said
Written by one of the brightest guys from my hometown, he's bright, funny, insightful, and fun to read - whether you agree or not. Check it out HERE


yearns&groans
Will writes from the Bay Area, where he is a priest at Grace Cathedral, and has recently taken on some other roles in the dynamic diocese of California. He is courageous, joyful, and dedicated to peace with justice. Check out yearns&groans HERE.


Scribere Orare Est
Jared writes from the perspective as an Episcopal priest working at Christ Church in Alexandria, VA. He is a great writer, and has a keen theological mind. He is a great fan of Archbishop Michael Ramsey (who I also love) and he has a book upcoming about Archbishop Ramsey's Ecclesiology. Check out his posts HERE, and also consider ordering his book when it comes out.


PoetProph
Kathy writes this blog along with writing and teaching poetry as well as ascetical theology. She is a great writer and a great soul. I have learned much from her and am so glad that she blogs HERE at PoetProph, and also occasionally at the Daily Episcopalian. She also has a new book coming out which I have already pre-ordered: Waving Back: Poems of Mothering Life, is available now for pre-order at the website of Finishing Line Press.


Creedal Christian
Bryan blogs over at Creedal Christian and he has some keen reflections on the goings on of the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. I learn much from him and appreciate his criticism of some of the "sacred cows" of our current Episcopal Church. While readers may not agree with everything he writes, they will go away knowing more than when they sat down to surf blogland. Check it out HERE.


Where the Wind
Adam is blogging at Where the Wind. He is a bright young man who is serving as an Episcopal priest in West Virginia. He's a good writer and I have appreciated his thoughts. He has recently joined the team of writers at the Episcopal Cafe. I also noticed tonight that he is making a foray into video blogging which should be good! Check out his blog HERE.

Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela convene "The Elders" - thanks be to GOD!

Will, over at "Yearns and Groans" blog has posted this item, and I feel some hope and gladness at what this group may offer us in our times of ghastliness!

"From "The Elders" website:

Despite all the ghastliness that is around, human beings are made for goodness. The ones who ought to be held in high regard are not the ones who are militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They are the ones who have a commitment to try and make the world a better place. We – The Elders – will endeavour to support those people and do our best for humanity. - Desmond Tutu

Out of deep concern for the challenges currently facing all of the people of our world, Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackling some of the world's toughest problems.

Please check out the Associated Press story about "The Elders" visit to the Sudan. Click here to read "The Elders" arrival statement.

KABKABIYA, Sudan — Former President Carter got in a shouting match Wednesday with Sudanese security services who blocked him from a town in Darfur where he was trying to meet with refugees from the ongoing conflict.

The 83-year-old Carter walked into this highly volatile pro-Sudanese government town to meet refugees too frightened to attend a scheduled meeting at a nearby compound. He was able to make it to a school where he met with one tribal representative and was preparing to go further into the town when Sudanese security officers stopped him.

"You can't go. It's not on the program!" the local security chief, who only gave his first name as Omar, yelled at Carter, who is in Darfur as part of a delegation of respected international figures known as "The Elders."

"We're going to anyway!" an angry Carter retorted as a crowd began to gather. "You don't have the power to stop me."

U.N. officials told Carter's entourage the Sudanese state police could bar his way. Carter's traveling companions, billionaire businessman Richard Branson and Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, tried to ease his frustration and his Secret Service detail urged him to get into a car and leave.

"I'll tell President Bashir about this," Carter said, referring to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

Carter later agreed to a compromise by which tribal representatives would be brought to him at another location later Wednesday. But the refugee delegates never showed up."

Read the rest of Will's post HERE.