The Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Living Boldly

Connecting with each other, our communities and the world

October 25, 2007

For a Church Convention

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel at our 102nd Diocesan Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dates & Deadlines

Diocesan Convention
For information and schedule see the October edition of The Diocesan Dialogue or click on Convention.

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 2 and 3: ECW Annual Holiday Bazaar at Good Shepherd, 2374 Grant Ave., in Ogden.
Friday, 6 p.m. All-you- can-eat chili and chili cook-off. Adults $5; Children, $2.
Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bazaar features Bake Shop, Courtyard Carnival for the kids! featuring a magic show, games, prizes, food and adult supervision.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 5-8 p.m.: IT'S CHICKEN DINNER TIME at St. Michael's, at 6th South and 200 East, in Brigham City. .Adults: $10; Children under 11: $5 (Children under 5, free). Dinner proceeds benefit Episcopal Relief and Development.

Dec. 1, 2007 Deadline for United Thank Offering Grant Applications. Send them to the office of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah; Attention: The Rev. Isabel Gonzalez, PO Box 3090, Salt Lake City UT 84110-3090. Two applicatons will be forwarded to national UTO office by January 31, 2008: Awards will be announced in May 2008.. Please follow the instructions carefully. Incomplete or late filed applications will not be considered. For more information contact Isabel Gonzalez.

FYI: The move to the new Episcopal Church Center of Utah by staff will most likely take place during the first two weeks of December. New address: 75 South 200 East, Salt Lake City UT 84111. PO Box 3090 remains the same.

Peace & Justice

But let justice roll down like waters ... Amos 5:24

Justice-Making at Christmas!
Episcopal Relief and Development has published a Gifts for Life catalogue. Modeled after Heifer Int'l, it is unique in that you may contribute to providing not only income-producing livestock, but also sanitation systems, wells, seed kits and other high impact gifts to "make your presents felt" around the world -- and help fulfill the Millennium Development Goals. View online catalogue at ERD or contact Episcopal Books and Resourcesl toll-free at 800-903-5544 to order catalogs for your congregation.

Help Heal the World (tikkun olam)
Empower farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia by switching to fairly traded coffee (workers receive just wages for their labor), tea or chocolate. Great for Christmas gifts or a new year's resolution for your congregation? Check out Equal Exchange Coop. To find out more about fair trade, visit Oxfam.

Think Globally, Shop Locally
Coming to Salt Lake City to shop? Benefit artisans from around the world at Ten Thousand Villages newly relocated to 1941 S 1100 E (801) 485-8827 just north of the Sugarhouse Post Office.

Adopt Wildlife
Support Conservation of human and natural communities by adopting any one of 80 animals in the wild, from a polar bear cub to a hippo, or support conservation efforts in a region. Call 1-800-CALL- WWF or visit World Wildlife.

Education & Spiritual Formation

Affirmations
Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m. -3:30 p.m.
Dr. Louis Weil, professor of liturgics at Church Divinity School of the Pacific devotes a day at St. Mark's Cathedral Center, SLC to explore The Integrity of the Eucharist: The Role of Musicians and Preachers in the Eucharistic Celebration. Of special interest to church musicians, choir members, clergy and all who wish to better understand how music and preaching serve word and sacrament in worship. Suggested donation: $10 to cover lunch. Register by Oct. 31. Contact Angela Rogers or call 801-322-4131.

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 8 p.m. KUED Ch. 7 presents The Long Walk: Tears of the Navajo, a documentary about the forced 300- mile journey undertaken by 8,000 Navajo men, women and children in the 1860s from their homeland to a Texas border, Bosque Redondo.

An hour earlier, at 7 p.m. KUED presents Pocahontas Revealed. From the program notes: "On the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, science is revealing the truth behind the myth of John Smith's infatuation with Pocahontas--a saga of adventure, greed, and savagery."

Promising Reads:
The Sum of All Heresies, The Image of Islam in Western Thought by Frederick Quinn, Oxford University Press, ISBN13: 9780195325638; ISBN10: 019532563X; Hardback, 232 pages Oct 2007, $29.95

Courtesy of Dr. Quinn: Current global tensions and the spread of terrorism have resurrected in the West a largely negative perception of Islamic society, an ill will fueled by centuries of conflict and prejudice. Shedding light on the history behind these hostile feelings, Frederick Quinn's timely volume traces the Western image of Islam from its earliest days to recent times. Quinn establishes four basic themes around which the image of Islam gravitates throughout history: the Prophet as Antichrist, heretic, and Satan; the Prophet as Fallen Christian, corrupted monk, or Arab Lucifer; the prophet as sexual deviant, polygamist, and charlatan, and the Prophet as Wise Easterner, Holy Person, and dispenser of wisdom.

A feature of the book is a strong portrayal of Islam in literature, art, music, and popular culture, drawing on such sources as Cervantes's Don Quixote; the Orientalism of numerous visual artists; the classical music of Monteverdi and Mozart; and more recent cultural manifestations, such as music hall artists like Peter Dawson and Edith Piaf; and stage or silver screen representations like The Garden of Allah, The Sheik, Aladdin, and The Battle of Algiers. Quinn argues that an outpouring of positive information on basically every aspect of Islamic life has yet to vanquish the hostile and malformed ideas from the past. Conflict, mistrust, and misunderstanding characterize the Muslim-Christian encounter, and growing examples of cooperation are often overshadowed by anger and suspicion. In this important book, Quinn highlights long-standing historical prejudices but also introduces the reader to some of the landmark voices in history that have worked toward a greater understanding of Islam.

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The Rev. Jessica Hatch
Education and Resource Office
801-322-4131 Ext. 362 jhatch@episcopal-ut.org