RIP Terry Martin

 Friends,

This blog was born as a successor to a blog called "Father Jake Stops the World".  The author of Fr Jake was an Episcopal priest named Terrry Martin.  His blog addressed issues around inclusion and politics and fought against a conservative takeover of the Episcopal Church, and  Fr Jake (Fr Terry) not only shone light on the politics but also welcomed people into TEC.  when he hung up his blog, we stepped in.

Including my wife and me.  It is thanks to Fr Terry that we are Episcopalian.  We had hoped he could marry us in 2008, but the TEC wasn't QUITE there yet.  We corresponded a lot, met him briefly at the Anaheim General Convention in 2009.  I will always remember his dark eyes that burned with love.

We have learned today that our blog father has left this realm.  Don't know what happened, but oh! He was such a force at a critical time.  Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory, Terry.  You will be hugely missed, but your legacy will endure.  In my opinion, you earned a sainthood. Our world is smaller without you, and we will miss you so much.

Big blog announcement

Some of our readers have been around for a long time. I think most of us first met at Fr Jake's, at which time I explained that Your Token Atheist was hanging here in part to learn what I could tell my wife the RC about a sensible catholicism.

I am pleased, nay, absolutely delighted to inform you that my most beloved BP will be received into The Episcopal Church at the Easter Vigil by Bishop James Mathes in the Cathedral of St Paul in San Diego. It isn't an easy journey and I am awed by her strength and her serenity as she takes this step. Both of us feel very welcome at St Paul's (which is saying quite a lot, coming from me!)

Many of you have been invaluable in assisting me as well as BP in this journey, and I treasure you as dear, dear friends.

But I think the ultimate blog blame resides with that mysterious dark-eyed Terry Martin. Thank you, Terry, for so much.

Jake is back!

Well, after a little over a year, I've decided to return. The project that was the primary reason for shutting down Jake's place has come to an end. Beyond that, it has become quite clear to me recently that Jake still has a few more things to say.

Go on...you know where to find it... Father Jake Stops the World.

One hand giveth....

While we are happy at the GC's endorsement of GLBT friendly issues, we haven't talked about the drastic budget reductions TEC has suffered. But they have hit one of our own. Fr Terry Martin, aka Fr Jake, has a sad announcement at his blog. His job is one of the 37 eliminated from the national church. Rather foolhardy to eliminate evangelism entirely, you'd think, but there you are.

I think Fr Terry is by nature a traveller, so I hope this transition is kind to him as he steps out on the road for this next stage of his journey. And perhaps we might see Fr Jake along the way?

A new day in San Joaquin...

Reports from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin - what a difference a year makes:

Episcopalians from a diocese that divided partly over homosexuality overwhelmingly approved a proposal to create a new commission that would support gays and lesbians.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin gave the thumbs up to an "equality commission" during its annual convention, which concluded Sunday.

Delegates voted to create a commission that would include lay and clergy members to support, engage and affirm marginalized communities within the diocese, according to The Episcopal News Service. In this case, the marginalized are identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons, as well as women and various ethnic communities, among a few others.

More here and here.

Kudos to our inspirational blog - Fr. Jake Stops the World - for his work to bring about this new day.

Terry Martin's new job

You used to know him as Fr. Jake. You can now call Fr Terry Martin the Episcopal Church's Program Officer for Evangelism and Congregational Life. James' blog has all the info.

I told you we were watching a chrysalis! Looks like we have got a butterfly at last. He has a new blog:

Father T listens to the world.

Go over and wish him well.

UPDATE: Official announcement from the Episcopal News Service: The Rev. Terry L. Martin named Program Officer for Evangelism