To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the International Community of Christ, 1959–2009, the Right Reverend Sean Savoy, cardinal bishop, has designed new letterheads for stationery used by The Community. At the culmination of this fifth decade of our Ministry many similar activities and new materials are being planned and developed.
During the 2009 spring season the head bishop, The Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr. delivered homilies from the pulpit during the two Pannuches meal rites held in the Chapel of the Holy Child during the spring season.
While the April 4 homily is contained in the Features posts under “Order of Matriarchs Established,” the February 14 presentation was a continuation of the Saturday morning communion service homily begun earlier that day.
Bishop Savoy elaborated on his earlier theme by reading excerpts from the commentaries found in The Image & The Word, volume 4, relating to the Seventeenth Saying of Jamil. He encouraged those in the assembly to read the entire text (especially the Seventeenth Saying), which culminates in the Nineteenth Saying and which treats on the subject of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Order.
Also, before reading those passages, the bishop stated, “As we continue our discussion regarding the purpose and role of the Patriarchal and Matriarchal Orders, I believe the purpose will become clear. I ask that you pay close attention to the words with the idea that the healing of the sun is primary.”
Selected textual excerpts from the Sayings (pages thirteen through thirty-four):
“All the great world religions have prophesied that at the end-times, or at the end of the age, the earth would be destroyed by fire. The destruction of the earth by fire would have its origin in the sun; for if the sun were to die it would experience increased temperature which would destroy the earth in the process.
“According to scientific observation, the sun has become unstable. The expected life of the sun is undetermined. The sun could live for billions, millions, or thousands of years, or it could die tomorrow. Those of us who have been viewing the face of the sun for decades would say that the sun has become unstable in civilized areas of the world. The sun is very sharp and harsh, and difficult to look at in metropolitan centers. While at isolated areas of the earth, such as islands of the seas, jungles, mountains, and deserts, the reverse is true. Thus, where there are materialistic people or populated areas there exists a negative field that affects the sun, and consequently the earth, with harmful results.
“We know that the human mind can affect the sun. Therefore, as man becomes more materialistic, as religion becomes more helpless to combat the materialism of the earth, the process leading to the sun’s end might be speeded up. Considering these facts, it could happen very quickly, throwing the ecosystem of the sun and earth into chaos.”
“If the sun were to increase in brilliance and, consequently, heat, destroying the earth in the process, the earth would end materially. On the other hand, if the earth were to be transformed into a sun by a different process, we would have something else to consider. For example, if the earth were destroyed by the heat of the dying sun, we have a negative event. But, if the earth were to be transformed into a sun by a supernatural process or event, then we have a positive event. The first is to be likened unto death, the second unto life.
“As adepts we look at the physical sun, believing we can bring about its cure. We do it not by focusing on the physical sun but on the spiritual Sun of Righteousness. We do this not by means of our mind, will, or emotions, but by a developed spiritual consciousness.”
“Therefore, those few spiritual persons who are following the Way to immortality (Patriarchs and Matriarchs) by applying this spiritual science of Cosolargy are joined together in a new Order of God’s, a True Church, seeking to restore the world and the sun to a healthy state, and this entails a transformation.”
Excerpts from the Nineteenth Saying:
“Because God created man and woman in His image, both are of God and therefore equal.”
“In many of the former religions, women were subjected to an inferior role because men were not able to serve both the creative spirit in women and God; therefore, they separated themselves from women entirely, fearing that love for women and family would separate them from God.
“This Church is of God, and thus of spirit, but in order for it to be universal, it must include women in the ministry, as well as the children reared for the ministry; for a Godly life begins at an early age. Indeed, it begins even before birth, for the parents must be of God if the child is to be of God — in both blood and spirit, as animated by the living Image and the Word of God.
“There must be good order in the Church of God, and for this reason those admitted into the Church ministry, both men and women, mustneeds submit to the Codes of the Order if the Church would remain stable and be preserved.”
“And if women would follow as disciples of the Order you will have established as Patriarch, let them subscribe to the vows after passing the age of 30 years, holding the same requirements as the Patriarchs, but being called Matriarchs, and order of progenitors of a new race of man.
“And in this Church, the Matriarchs will exemplify the holiest path of devotion, inspiring their companions and offspring in time to come. And they shall be called Holy Mothers of the Church who will emulate the chaste and Holy women of ancient times. And they will take the necessary vows as a requirement of this sacred office.”
The seven-week jubilee cycle of the Saturday evening Pannuches meal rite was observed at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Child on February 14 and April 4. Officiating was the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr.
The Pannuches services are private assemblies of ministers-in-residence and are observed after sunset in the Chapel at the downtown Apostolic Chancellery. These services precede the Sunday morning Jubilee Sunrise Divine Service held at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary—this spring on Sundays February 15 and April 5.
The Pannuches meal rite also corresponds to the last supper of Jesus, master rabban of the Essaei Order, who by tradition celebrated the same ritual following the calendar of the Essene Community of Light in ancient Israel. The Essenes, unlike other sects and First Dispensation Christianity, who follow a lunar calendar in determining the Easter cycle, preserved a solar calendrical system that designates April 18 as the True Easter.
On Monday, February 2, 2009, The Community gathered at the Church of New Epiphany for Sunrise Divine Services in celebration of the forty-seventh annual observation of the Manifestation of the Sun of Righteousness, February 2, 1962. Sunrise was at 7:13 A.M.
Following the Sacred Calendar from Epiphany on January 6 to February 2, a period of vigilance and remembrance is observed by members of The Church of the Second Advent.
A vigil is also observed from February 2, Advent Day, through February 6, with Sunrise Divine Service each morning at Red Rock Consecrated Sanctuary.
This year all services, officiated by the Right Reverend Gene Savoy Jr., head bishop, were celebrated at the Church of New Epiphany. The concelebrant was the Right Reverend Sean Savoy, cardinal bishop. Assistants for the February 2 service were canons of The Church: the Right Reverends Peter Foust, Ileana Isfan, and Robert Petrovich.
During the Second Advent Vigil the following canons assisted Head Bishop Savoy:
February 3: Concelebrant Robert Petrovich, assisted by Roger Weld, Reano Castell, and Ileana Isfan.February 4: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.February 5: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.
February 6: Concelebrant Sean Savoy, assisted by the Peter Foust, Robert Petrovich, and Ileana Isfan.
Music for all services was provided by the Jamilian Hand Bell Choir, with Elizabeth Reece on harp and the Right Reverend Gary Buchanan conducting from the keyboard.
On Wednesday, February 4, during the Second Advent Vigil, noon communion in the Chapel of the Holy Child was officiated by the Reverend Deacon Rhys Andrews.
PHOTO D. Brian Burhart
A Sunrise Divine Service at the International Community of Christ Cathedral Church of the Americas was featured April 16, 2009 in the Reno News & Review “Fillet of Soul” weekly religious column written by local reporter D. Brian Burghart.
Click HERE to read the article online.
COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE
Volume 52, Number 4, Winter 2008–2009
< Read or download Winter 2008 Communique here. >
IN THIS ISSUE
2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Winter Season Brings Activity
By Gary Robert Buchanan
3 FOLLOWING THE SACRED CALENDAR
News on the Season’s Holy Days
5 FEATURE STORY
Pipeline to Transform Desert into Oasis
By Gary Robert Buchanan
6 SPECTRUM
Reports from Church Departments & Offices
7 SERVICE LISTINGS
A Quarterly Register of Liturgical Observances
(Listings begin on this page and continue through the issue.)
10 SPECIAL REPORTS
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Compiled by Robert Petrovich
INSIGHT
By Ileana Isfan
PERSPECTIVE
By Bill Bartlett
14 FROM THE PULPIT
Messages from the Episcopal Oversee
17 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
< Read or download Winter 2008 Communique here. >
Previous: < FALL 2008 >
Next: The Community Communique became an online publication in SPRING 2009! < Click here to go to the Home Page. >
COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE
Volume 52, Number 3, Fall 2008
< Read or download Fall 2008 Communique here. >
IN THIS ISSUE
2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Continuing the Great Work
By Gary Robert Buchanan
3 FOLLOWING THE SACRED CALENDAR
News on the Season’s Holy Days
4 FEATURE STORY
Church Hosts the Annual Convocation
By Gary Robert Buchanan and Sean Savoy
7 SPECTRUM
Reports from Church Departments & Offices
6 SERVICE LISTINGS
A Quarterly Register of Liturgical Observances
(Listings begin on this page and continue through the issue.)
14 SPECIAL REPORTS
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Compiled by Robert Petrovich
INSIGHT
By Ileana Isfan
6 FROM THE PULPIT
Messages from the Episcopal Oversee
17 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
< Read or download Fall 2008 Communique here. >
Previous: < SUMMER 2008 >
Next: <WINTER 2008 >
COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE
Volume 52, Number 2, Summer 2008
< Read or download Summer 2008 Communique PDF here. >
IN THIS ISSUE
2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Days of Undertaking and Accomplishment
By Gary Robert Buchanan
3 FOLLOWING THE SACRED CALENDAR
News on the Season’s Holy Days
4 FEATURE STORY
Mission Established in Japan
By Gene Savoy Jr.
5 SPECTRUM
Reports from Church Departments & Offices
6 SERVICE LISTINGS
A Quarterly Register of Liturgical Observances
Listings begin on this page and continue through the issue
11 SPECIAL REPORTS
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Compiled by Robert Petrovich
INSIGHT
By Ileana Isfan
13 FROM THE PULPIT
Messages from the Episcopal Oversee
16 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
< Read or download Summer 2008 Communique PDF here. >
Previous: < SPRING 2008 >
Next: < FALL 2008 >
COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE
Volume 52, Number 1, Spring 2008
< Read or download Spring 2008 Communique PDF here. >
IN THIS ISSUE
2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
2007: A Year in Transition
By Gary Robert Buchanan
3 FOLLOWING THE SACRED CALENDAR
News on the Season’s Holy Days
4 FEATURE STORY
Commemoration of the Last Supper
By Gary Robert Buchanan
5 SPECTRUM
Reports from Church Departments & Offices
6 SERVICE LISTINGS
A Quarterly Register of Liturgical Observances
(Listings begin on this page and continue through the issue.)
10 SPECIAL REPORTS
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Compiled by Robert Petrovich
INSIGHT
By Ileana Isfan
11 FROM THE PULPIT
Messages from the Episcopal Oversee
15 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
< Read or download Spring 2008 Communique PDF here. >
Previous: < WINTER 2007 >
Next: < SUMMER 2008 >
COMMUNITY COMMUNIQUE
Volume 51, Number 4, Winter 2007-2008
< Read or download Winter 2007-2008 Communique PDF here. >
IN THIS ISSUE
2 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Winter Weather Woes
By Gary Robert Buchanan
3 FOLLOWING THE SACRED CALENDAR
News on the Season’s Holy Days
7 FEATURE STORY
Church Celebrates Installation of New Head Bishop
By Gary Robert Buchanan and Sean Savoy
8 SPECTRUM
Reports from Church Departments & Offices
9 SERVICE LISTINGS
A Quarterly Register of Liturgical Observances
(Listings begin on this page and continue through the issue.)
12 SPECIAL REPORTS
FROM THE ARCHIVE
Compiled by Robert Petrovich
INSIGHT
By Ileana Isfan
14 FROM THE PULPIT
Messages from the Episcopal Oversee
15 EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
< Read or download Winter 2007-2008 Communique PDF here. >
Previous: < FALL 1996 TO FALL 2007 >
Next: < SPRING 2008 >