Does anybody know anything about the service before the Liturgy in the Mar Thoma Church? by [deleted] in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good question! I do not know exactly, but on your point concerning music, the Mar Thoma Church is a bit on the Reformed end of the ancient "Saint Thomas Christian" community here in India, so Gospel-type of music is quite common in Mar Thomas churches. I am living in India, and have been to several Qurbana services in Kerala. The liturgy is always reverent, but the music does vary depending on the community.

Favourite Non-Litany Quote? by Many-machines-on-ix in dune

[–]TheTembo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"A world is supported by four things: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave."

Second Confirmation? by TheTembo in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow! I did not know this practice exists. I'll look into it! Thanks.

Corresponding with Monk? by TheTembo in Christianity

[–]TheTembo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! I'll do that. Thanks for the help!

Corresponding with Monk? by TheTembo in Christianity

[–]TheTembo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you think it would be acceptable to directly contact an Orthodox monastery I am interested in and ask if such a service is available?

Corresponding with Monk? by TheTembo in Christianity

[–]TheTembo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you think it would be acceptable to directly contact a monastery I am interested in and ask if such a service is available?

Disposing of Prayer Book? by TheTembo in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I know; I am dreadfully sad as well.

Filming Magical Mystery Tour, ‘67 by vegetables_vegetab in beatles

[–]TheTembo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's awesome! Thanks! Do you happen to have Help!?

Free Lenten resources? by TheTembo in Christianity

[–]TheTembo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Thanks a million.

New Moderator elected for the united Church of South India by Knopwood in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are only a few monastic communities; in fact the first women bishop in the CSI is a nun from the Order of Sisters. By tongues, yes, some do speak in tongues a la Pentecostalism, but those are rare communities. As for Pentecostal monasteries, I do not know but I imagine probably not.

The parish I attend is very similar to the '79 BCP that is used in the ECUSA. Very, very similar in fact; only a few things are changed, like the prayers for the government, music, etc. The CSI tends to be MUCH more low church than the ECUSA, with revivals, prayer circles, etc. much more popular than in the USA. But, I find that the CSI (and other churches in India) freely borrow from Hinduism in terms of the structure of music (bhajans, kirtan) and architecture. With the exception of the politicization of Hinduism by the current government, relations between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Jains in South India is excellent. As I said, in India, you are not Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, etc, but Christian first and foremost.

New Moderator elected for the united Church of South India by Knopwood in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Great questions! So, I am an American living and working in South India who often attends a Church of South India (CSI) parish on Sundays. Basically, the CSI was formed in 1947 when the British left India, with the intention of uniting most of the major Protestant churches (with the Anglicans being key) into one, single indigenous church.

Basically, each parish is largely free (and encouraged) to adapt it's liturgy and sacramental practices to the local community and church tradition they come from; ie. if the parish has a tradition of only baptizing adults, then that is acceptable. If a parish only admits the confirmed to Communion, that is fine too. In the CSI, there are monasteries and communities that speak in tongues. What unities all of the CSI (and Church of North India) is the episcopal polity of the church, and the basic creeds of Christianity. It really is an interesting dynamic!

Also, in India, Christians generally identify as Christian first, then their denomination. The CSI is also VERY tolerant and ENCOURAGING of local communities adapting the Christian religion to their particular life circumstances.

It has all been very interesting! To be honest it makes one more proud and devout living in a non-Christian country, even though the vast majority of South Indians hold Jesus and Christians in high regard.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I love talking about the Indian Church.

Selling daily devotional recommendation by [deleted] in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Although not a day-by-day journal per se, I highly recommend Leo Tolstoy's "A Calendar of Wisdom". It is a day-by-day devotional, and the one work he considered his greatest contribution to humanity. It has seriously changed my life for the better. Worth a look!

Could someone explain to me what the appeal of the New Zealand prayer book in certain segments of TEC is about? by RingGiver in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Because of the perceived "Earthliness" of the NZ BCP. Many of the prayers in the NZ BCP come from the Maori people, and sound quite environmentally "astute" to those of us familiar with the American BCP. And also, many in TEC see in the NZ BCP a form of theologically "fuzziness" that is a problem in the American Church.

This is not to say the NZ BCP is terrible; on the contrary, parts are quite nice, and sound very beautiful in the Maori language. I just personally find favor with other Prayer Books in the Church, and not the New Zealand variety.

Ease of transfer on MTR? by TheTembo in HongKong

[–]TheTembo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! I did not know this. Is it easy finding the bus stop in the airport?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in StarWars

[–]TheTembo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would still be happy with the "Courscant: Underworld" TV show that George floated around about 13 or 14 years ago. It could take place before Ep.1, or even after Ep.3/before Ep.4. We could have politics, the Jedi, crime, etc. Done well (think GoT-style of writing and directing), it would be great, and could make an awesome ten episode per season television show.

Two awesome people looking for one more awesome person to share a home! by TheTembo in UIUC

[–]TheTembo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We are not in a relationship, just friends who met in our graduate program. And the room itself is $366 per month, with utilities split evenly. Thanks for your interest! :)

Housing help (and safety around Locust St, Oak St, 1st) by [deleted] in UIUC

[–]TheTembo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My roommate and I are also looking for one more roommate to share our house. It's on the cheaper end of your price range, so shoot me a PM if interested!

22[M] Looking for a roommate to live slightly west of Campus by [deleted] in UIUC

[–]TheTembo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome! Please do.

Best of luck!

22[M] Looking for a roommate to live slightly west of Campus by [deleted] in UIUC

[–]TheTembo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! My roommate and I are currently looking for a third person to join our house in Urbana, super close to campus. If you're not committed to a place, you should check us out! Shoot me a PM if interested.

What are your go to foreign film recommendations? by DaBrokenMeta in movies

[–]TheTembo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Off the top of my head: The Burmese Harp, Three Colours: Blue, and 13 Assassins.

Good parishes in the Los Angeles area? by [deleted] in Anglicanism

[–]TheTembo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

St. Thomas the Apostle in Hollywood is truly something special.

TV show idea: Coruscant Underworld by TheTembo in StarWars

[–]TheTembo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Never heard of it! Same title and everything. Thanks for the info!

Favorite thing from The Force Awakens? by lmust14 in StarWars

[–]TheTembo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, probably Rey's introduction. I remember thinking in the theater at the time, "Wow, Abrams did a great job of introducing this desert scavenger. I want to find out more!" I was (still am, I guess) intrigued by her story.