A Message from Rev. Lee Winter

Dear Folks, 

As some of you know, we have been having some “weird” problems with our email programs. We’re working on them so have patience and please let us know if you don’t get the newsletter Thursday/Friday. OK, I know if you are reading this, you got the newsletter - help us spread the word. There are hard copies of the service schedule in the Narthex, though. 

Our electronic communication world has some great advantages in terms of quick ways to send out information. The other side of that is the disadvantage that anybody can send out anything and call it news or information. We’ve had a couple of false emails sent out as coming from me (or Christ Church.) Unless the sender has gotten my email password or the church’s, the header - that stuff at the top that can be expanded to show the sending email - can show you who actually sent it. 

In general, we have to remember that anybody can send anything over the internet. There are almost zero limits on what is said. One of my Dad’s favorite courses he taught as a Journalism professor was “Law of the Press.” They do teach professional standards. 

For us, as consumers of the fire hose of supposed information on the internet, we have to exercise what you do when writing or reading professional papers, debating, arguing the law in court, etc. You look at who published this article, who that is (anonymous is almost always a bad sign), and what is their qualification to speak on this issue.  

 The homily or sermon that you hear in church should be grounded in good scholarship about what the Scripture and Tradition actually says. One of the things I like about using a lectionary is that we are exposed to the whole of scripture (minus a few lists of “begats”, etc.) over the course of the three year lectionary cycle. 

Peace 

Lee