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        <title>**Special Edition** - Bishop John Shelby Spong, June 16, 1931 - September 12, 2021</title>

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<div style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Bishop John Shelby Spong<br>

June 16, 1931 – September 12, 2021</strong><br>

<strong>Bishop Spong provided a much needed place for those of us who did not connect with traditional theology.</strong><br>

<strong>We love you Bishop Spong. You will be missed!</strong></span></div>


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                            <a href="https://mailchi.mp/8983ac04a1e6/special-edition-bishop-john-shelby-spong-june-16-1931-september-12-761356?e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#007fff;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">View this email in your browser</a>
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                                    <a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=6406e2eb1c&e=db34daa597" title="" class="yiv6132225248" style="word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
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<div style="text-align:center;"><br>

<span style="font-size:20px;"><span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-family:georgia, times, times new roman, serif;"><strong>ProgressiveChristianity.org and Progressing Spirit Mourn the Death of Bishop John Shelby Spong</strong></span></span></span></div>

<span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:georgia, times, times new roman, serif;"><strong> </strong><br>

There are few theological giants who shape the way that entire generations relate to their sacred texts. Bishop John Shelby Spong, through his intelligence, kindness, and love of scripture, did just that. Bishop Spong showed Christians who were ready to give up on their faith an authentic, intellectually honest approach to biblical interpretation that allowed many to remain engaged in their faith communities while demanding more theological rigor from both the pews and the pulpit.<br>

 <br>

Bishop Spong was particularly closely associated with <a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=053eaad6e2&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#007fff;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Progressive<br>

Christianity.org.</a> He served as an advisor to us for many years and helped us to shape the Progressive Christian Movement. When he retired from writing his newsletter, now called <a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=920aea75f6&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#007fff;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Progressing Spirit</a>, he entrusted ProgressiveChristianity.org with its care and trajectory. His life’s work was pivotal to empowering Christians to delve more deeply into their questions and not to accept easy answers and half-truths. His impact on the theological landscape of Christianity cannot be overstated.<br>

 <br>

While Christians all over the world mourn his death, Bishop Spong wrote, “<em>I prepare for death by living.</em>” He knew whatever waits for us beyond this life is beyond our knowledge or control, so we must focus on living the best life we can in the here and now. His life was well-lived and genuine. “<em>Death is ultimately a dimension of life through which we journey into timelessness</em>,” he reminded us. He has now transitioned into timelessness and will be deeply missed.</span></span></span>
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            <h2 class="yiv6132225248null" style="margin:0;padding:0;display:block;font-family:Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:22px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:125%;letter-spacing:-.75px;text-align:left;color:#404040 !important;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:georgia, times, times new roman, serif;"><strong><a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=7a153204bc&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#008080;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> to find Bishop Spong's books and videos and more on ProgressiveChristianity.org.</strong></span></span></h2>
<br>

<span style="font-size:16px;"><span style="font-family:georgia, times, times new roman, serif;"><strong><a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=2aa0108a7a&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#008080;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here</a> to find/access his Archived Writings and Articles on Progressing Spirit. </strong></span></span>
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<div style="text-align:center;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia, times, times new roman, serif;">Watch our <a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=7e45160881&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#008080;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Website</a> and <a href="https://progressivechristianity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b51b9cf441b059bb232418480&id=f7533c766d&e=db34daa597" style="word-wrap:break-word;color:#008080;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook Page</a> for further details on his Memorial Service. </span></strong></span></div>


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