Articles written by Amanda Demers - Page 4

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About me - Amanda Demers

Here I am! I've lived in Texas for 8 years but am a native New Englander (of mainly Irish/Scottish extraction). I'm the co-owner of an online retail business, part-time merchandiser, and serve as a lay Eucharistic minister in my Episcopal parish.
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Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Diversity in the Episcopal church: 1 of 2
Because the Episcopal Church represents the diversity within Christianity, there are several groups within the church who have different approaches to worship and Scripture. The main groups within the Episcopal Church are: Low or Evangelical, High or Anglo-Catholic, charismatic, liberal, and Broad. At some point, I will prov... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Hurricane Katrina: Are the lawsuits about suffering or greed?: 1 of 2
A positively shocking news story was featured on MSN's website today. A whopping $3,014,170,389,176,410 (three quadrillion, fourteen trillion, one-hundred seventy billion, three hundred eighty-nine million, one hundred seventy-six thousand, four hundred and ten dollars) is being demanded of the US government by Katrina victi... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Religion & Spirituality (Other) Book reviews: Crossing Over, by Ruth Irene Garrett with Rick Farrant: 1 of 1
This was one of the most fascinating books I've read in a long time. I not only got a glimpse into the Amish world, but also learned exactly what Amish who "go English" face. Irene Garrett grew up in a large Old Order Amish family in Kolona, Iowa. Prior to reading this book, I had no idea there were Amish in Iowa. Her father... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Attending an Episcopal church service: 1 of 1
Before the Service When you enter the church, you'll be greeted by an usher and given a service bulletin. You'll notice that three books are used: the Book of Common Prayer, which contains the services and prayers used; the Hymnal 1982, which contains the hymns and service music (other hymnals may also be used), and the Bibl... More..
Computers & Technology > Web Design Setting up a parish website: 1 of 1
While a good number of parishes out there have websites, many still don't. After a webhost has been found and a webmaster has been hired (or voluntered), one huge question remains: what do we put on the website? Every parish website should have, at least: 1. A listing of service times 2. Information on weekly activities and ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Holidays & Celebrations What is the liturgical year?: 1 of 1
The liturgical, or Church year, is a practice held by Anglican/Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and many other churches. The year is divided into several seasons, all based on events found in Scripture. Advent The first season is Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas. Advent symbolizes how we await the celeb... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Brief history of the Episcopal church: 1 of 1
The Church of England, or Anglican Church, began as a Celtic church before the fourth century. Later, missionaries from Europe brought Roman Christianity to England in an attempt to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxons and the English church came under the authority of Rome, replacing the pre-existing Celtic church. As early as th... More..
Arts & Humanities > American Literature Book reviews: God's Unwanted Angels, by Ann Nason: 1 of 1
The title in and of itself is eye-catching, which is truly an asset for a self-published book. Who are these "unwanted angels" and why are they unwanted? They are the stray and otherwise homeless cats in this country, and they are "unwanted" simply because there are too many of them and not enough homes. This is a sad realit... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christianity (Other) Thoughts for Christians contemplating conversion to Judaism: 1 of 1
I'm not sure how many of us are in existance, but there are many Christians who have nearly left Christianity for Judaism at some point. Of the major world religions, for me, Judaism seems like the most attractive. However, there were some doctrinal issues that ultimately made me realize I could never be Jewish. I retain muc... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Holidays & Celebrations Can Christians ever manage to reclaim Christmas as a holy day?: 18 of 35
Christmas is a Christian holiday and I think that we can reclaim it for ourselves. What should be the most joyous time of year for many of us is becoming nastier and nastier. Non-Christians, mainly non-theists, take offense at the use of Christmas and insist on the use of "holidays". Many try to twist observances that are st... More..