From the Editor's Desk.....

Are we ready for 2005? Perhaps not--but here it is anyway, another ten months of it, waiting to be dealt with in all our various and creative ways. So it seems fitting that in this time after the Feast of the Epiphany, as wemove through the gentle, sad days of Lent, we should celebrate the wise women--past and present-- who have sought God and offered their gifts.

In this issue, we have Joan Holmes article, "The Girl Child," a powerful indictment of global discrimination against women that redirects our attention to conditions that, unless corrected, will impact all of us. And we tell again the story of Li Tim Oi--celebrated in January in the United States and in February in Canada-- so we may always be reminded of the great beauty that can come out of the dark places of a troubled era.

For the literary among us, Michael Tan Creti offers a thoughtful essay on the 21st century pilgrims who still seek the Holy Grail--sometimes in surprising places. And Mark Harris finds William Blake's Tyger is still burning bright in the forest of the Anglican Communion's night.

In this issue we celebrate gains--ECUSA's first Latina bishop, Nedi Rivera, has been ordained. And mourn loss--a priest in Maine. Few ever heard of her, but after reading +Chilton Knudsen's moving requiem homily, you will know the world is poorer, and far less interesting, without her.

And finally, The Almost-Last Word (the page we think of as Ruach's rich, special-treat dessert) features a don't-miss essay by Tom Ehrich.