November 8, 2005

Devotions, gospel music, scripture readings, prayers, and preaching by Dr. James A. Forbes, one of the most inspiring preachers in the country, are just some of what's in store for participants of "Word to the City," a two-night revival November 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. at Washington National Cathedral.

Forbes, senior minister of New York City's Riverside Church, will bring a message of spiritual renewal to attendees through his sermons titled "God's Response to Gideon's Question," and "God's Concern for Our Satisfaction."

Sponsored by the Diocese of Washington and the cathedral, the revival is open to all parishes in the diocese and to churches of other denominations across Washington, DC. Its goal is to leave participants renewed and even more focused to work for the good of Washington and all who dwell there.

Other leaders of the interdenominational gathering include: Bishops John Bryson Chane, and Barbara C. Harris; and the Very Rev. Dean Samuel Lloyd of the National Cathedral; the Rev. Susan Newman, senior advisor for religious affairs for Mayor Anthony A. Williams; the Rev. Frank Tucker, pastor of First Baptist Church, Washington, DC; and the Union of Black Episcopalians gospel choir.

For more information visit http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/worship/special.shtml.

Note: The following title is available from the Episcopal Book/Resource Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017; 800.334.7626; http://www.episcopalbookstore.org/.

To read: Where God Happens: Discovering Christ in One Another by Rowan Williams (New Seeds Books, Boston Massachusetts, 2005, 174 pages, $19.95.)

The place "where God happens," according to Rowan Williams's striking new reading of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, in between each other. It's a truth that we of the twenty-first century most urgently need to learn in order to heal the experience of alienation that has become endemic to our age, and these odd and appealing ancient figures, surprisingly, hold keys to this healing.

Rowan Williams, the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury, is an acclaimed theologian, writer, and pastor, in addition to being the spiritual leader of the world's 100 million Anglicans. He was a lecturer at Cambridge University and held the Lady Margaret Chair of Divinity at Oxford University. He has been Canon Theologian of Leicester Cathedral, Bishop of Monmouth in the Church of Wales, and Archbishop of Wales. He is the author of several others books including: "The Dwelling of Light" and "A Ray of Darkness."

Episcopal News Service