Dear Friends in Christ:
Grace and peace to you. I write this at the conclusion of Legislative Day 9 (Thursday). The House of Bishops went into recess early, having completed everything before it. (There will be a flood of things to deal with in the morning --things on which the Deputies are hard at work, trying to finish and send on to us.) This gives me a chance to tell you a bit of what we've been up to. In particular, I want to mention some of the many actions of this Convention which have direct implications for our Diocese, and which will probably need some of our attention when we next gather in Diocesan Convention.
D007: urges each diocese to enter into a companion or covenant-based relationship with a diocese in Sudan. This is especially critical, as peace in that country appears increasingly fragile. I will be asking our Companion Diocese and MDG Committees to explore this for us. (Speaking of companion dioceses, Bishop Allen tells me that our joint request for a UTO grant to help build an AIDS clinic in San Pedro Sula has been approved!)
C051: calls on every diocese to establish an Episcopal Veterans Fellowship, and every congregation to become educated about, and responsive to the needs of, the wounded veterans in our communities, and to have an annual healing service for veterans. I ask that persons who feel a call in this regard make themselves known to the Deans, with whom I will confer.
A065: all dioceses are urged to identify and train evangelists. The Commission on Ministry will be talking about how to proceed with this.
D020: calls on every diocese to study and report on the latest draft of the Anglican Covenant. Look for more from the Office of the Bishop about this soon.
B025: every congregation is asked to partner with a local public school. Trinity Cathedral has a wonderful story to tell about just such a ministry, and I will be inviting them to tell it to us all.
A083: all dioceses are asked to develop a strategy for lifelong Christian formation. The Christian Formation Commission is now in transition, but I will be consulting with its members and other interested persons about how best to proceed.
C056: Of course, this is the one that got so much press. Initially, this was a resolution crafted in committee to incorporate the many resolutions put forward by bishops, deputies, and dioceses on the subject of same-sex blessings-including the resolution passed by our Diocesan Convention in November, 2007, which asked General Convention to develop and authorize blessing rites. The General Convention stopped short of doing that.
Instead, after a very long time of intense but respectful debate on Tuesday, the House of Bishops asked a broad-spectrum group of bishops to craft an alternative. That group worked hard that night and the next morning, and put their work before us yesterday afternoon. Debate took us past the appointed time for ending business, but the final result passed overwhelmingly (104 to 30). This resolution does not create or authorize the rites our Convention asked for; rather, it points us more in the direction which I had asked for as an alternative to that action: a church-wide exploration and conversation.
The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, and in an open process that invites "participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals," in our Church and throughout the Anglican Communion, will collect and develop theological and liturgical resources regarding same-gender blessings. I will be consulting with the Deans about nominees for a working group to assist me in designing and overseeing our participation in this process, including an articulation of what "generous pastoral response to the needs of members of this Church" might look like for us at this time.
We approved a Denominational Health Plan.
We approved new disciplinary canons for clergy.
We further established Lay pensions.
We approved new liturgies and additions to the calendar.
We took action on environmental issues.
We took major steps in ecumenical agreements.
(Various committees and officers will be asked to carry these things forward.)
We passed a budget for The Episcopal Church over the next triennium that cut $23 million out of the proposed budget-and restored the MDGs as a distinct line item.
All this and much more. Stay tuned. Stay in prayer.
Yours in Christ,
+Barry
Jul 19, 2009
Jul 18, 2009
Last Day
The One That Got Away
I don't usually shy from opportunities to speechify. But the prospect of addressing 830 members of the House of Deputies was truly terrifying to me. When invited by the Spirit or by other deputies to speak, I felt like a novice bungee jumper being nudged toward the edge of the Grand Canyon.
As it turned out, I never did address the House - though I was next in line to speak, heart pumping, when the final debate over the same- sex union resolution (C023) came to a close.
My regret is not that I didn't get to speak to that issue - there were plenty of others saying more or less the same thing - but that I didn't rush to the microphone to amend what I thought was a truly horrible resolution that passed nearly unnoticed - A063 from the Evangelism Committee: "Resolved ... that the 76th General Convention respond to the persistent and alarming numeric decline of Chrisitianity in the United States and the corresponding decline in the Episcopal Church by directing the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center of the Episcopal Church Center to actively initiate and participate in conversations on mainline mission and evangelism..."
I was embarrassed and alarmed by this resolution, and in the few seconds between the motion and the vote I felt an urging of the Spirit to speak. But in my terror I hesitated and the moment was lost.
This is what I would have said:
"There are many good reasons to do evangelism. Because we love God; because we love our neighbors; or just because it is fun to share one's faith in a deep and profound conversation. But the very worst reason - and the reason that will doom all evangelism efforts - is beause our church is in decline. Evangelism is only authentic when it is done out of love for the one being evangelized, and never when it seeks to perpetuate the institution of the church. People who are evangelized for that reason quickly smell the rat - that our only interest in them is to bolster our numbers, as if their only value is as a means to further our own ends.
"Let us never mistake our anxiety for the future of our church with a reason to do evangelism. I therefore propose that we amend it by striking lines [...] from the body of the text. "
So there it was - the fish that got away. But at least you have caught a glimpse of it - and that's almost as good!
I don't usually shy from opportunities to speechify. But the prospect of addressing 830 members of the House of Deputies was truly terrifying to me. When invited by the Spirit or by other deputies to speak, I felt like a novice bungee jumper being nudged toward the edge of the Grand Canyon.
As it turned out, I never did address the House - though I was next in line to speak, heart pumping, when the final debate over the same- sex union resolution (C023) came to a close.
My regret is not that I didn't get to speak to that issue - there were plenty of others saying more or less the same thing - but that I didn't rush to the microphone to amend what I thought was a truly horrible resolution that passed nearly unnoticed - A063 from the Evangelism Committee: "Resolved ... that the 76th General Convention respond to the persistent and alarming numeric decline of Chrisitianity in the United States and the corresponding decline in the Episcopal Church by directing the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center of the Episcopal Church Center to actively initiate and participate in conversations on mainline mission and evangelism..."
I was embarrassed and alarmed by this resolution, and in the few seconds between the motion and the vote I felt an urging of the Spirit to speak. But in my terror I hesitated and the moment was lost.
This is what I would have said:
"There are many good reasons to do evangelism. Because we love God; because we love our neighbors; or just because it is fun to share one's faith in a deep and profound conversation. But the very worst reason - and the reason that will doom all evangelism efforts - is beause our church is in decline. Evangelism is only authentic when it is done out of love for the one being evangelized, and never when it seeks to perpetuate the institution of the church. People who are evangelized for that reason quickly smell the rat - that our only interest in them is to bolster our numbers, as if their only value is as a means to further our own ends.
"Let us never mistake our anxiety for the future of our church with a reason to do evangelism. I therefore propose that we amend it by striking lines [...] from the body of the text. "
So there it was - the fish that got away. But at least you have caught a glimpse of it - and that's almost as good!
Last Day Thoughts by Cookie Clark
Two things that the Presiding Bishop said has stuck with me. Early in convention, she said "Give us the grace to make our decisions with hope and speak the word of God to the world." The other occurred in the introduction to the budget "There is death in this budget--death of program and death of positions."
Clearly we are called to hope. Hope for the future of the church. Hope for the way we live out our mission. Hope for economic stability of our congregations and The Episcopal Church. And certainly we can empathize with The Episcopal Church mourning the loss of program as we struggle with our diocesan and congregational budgets. As one speaker, on the budget, said "we believe that in death life is changed but not ended. It is the same as our budgeting process--lots of potential for living creatively amid the grief over cuts in program.
On Thursday we debated a resolution submitted by Bishop Allen of Honduras. Like the situation in Honduras there was much disagreement over the details of the resolution. The final decision was to support Bishop Allen.
On Wednesday Stephen+ gave his comfort cross on a beaded necklace (that he had created) to a cashier at Starbucks in our hotel. Friday morning I saw her wearing it!
Now that convention is closed, what are we called to do? Participate in Domestic Violence Prevention training--participate in World AIDS Day--hold a healing service for wounded veterans--study the Anglican Covenant draft(s)--name a diocesan Day of Repentance and hold a service of repentance for slavery--take action consonant with the Earth Charter--recommit to anti-racism training--raise awareness of recovery issues --any more!
Our chaplain, the Rev. Frank Wade of Washington, asked "Did we combine our energy in a morally satisfying way? I hope so!
Clearly we are called to hope. Hope for the future of the church. Hope for the way we live out our mission. Hope for economic stability of our congregations and The Episcopal Church. And certainly we can empathize with The Episcopal Church mourning the loss of program as we struggle with our diocesan and congregational budgets. As one speaker, on the budget, said "we believe that in death life is changed but not ended. It is the same as our budgeting process--lots of potential for living creatively amid the grief over cuts in program.
On Thursday we debated a resolution submitted by Bishop Allen of Honduras. Like the situation in Honduras there was much disagreement over the details of the resolution. The final decision was to support Bishop Allen.
On Wednesday Stephen+ gave his comfort cross on a beaded necklace (that he had created) to a cashier at Starbucks in our hotel. Friday morning I saw her wearing it!
Now that convention is closed, what are we called to do? Participate in Domestic Violence Prevention training--participate in World AIDS Day--hold a healing service for wounded veterans--study the Anglican Covenant draft(s)--name a diocesan Day of Repentance and hold a service of repentance for slavery--take action consonant with the Earth Charter--recommit to anti-racism training--raise awareness of recovery issues --any more!
Our chaplain, the Rev. Frank Wade of Washington, asked "Did we combine our energy in a morally satisfying way? I hope so!
A New Day in The Episcopal Church by Dean Brian Baker
I just arrived home. General Convention was absolutely exhausting, and exhilarating. If you haven’t heard, this morning we passed the resolution that will open the door for same-sex blessings/marriages. A few days ago we passed the resolution that will allow us to ordain gay or lesbian bishops. Both of these resolutions passed by huge majorities.
It is clear that a new era has come to the Episcopal Church. We have stopped holding ourselves hostage to the concerns of others in the Anglican Communion. Yes we care about our sisters and brothers in other provinces of the Anglican Communion. But we aren’t going to try to hold the Communion together by discriminating against gays and lesbians. Not anymore. Not ever again.
And we aren’t going to put a bushel-basket over the particular light we have in The Episcopal Church. Because we care about our siblings in the Anglican Communion, we will share with them the gospel of Christ that we have found. That gospel necessarily includes the full inclusion of those who are gay or lesbian. We now know that our church would be terribly diminished if we didn’t have the witness of the brave and holy gay and lesbian Christians. Why handicap Christ’s body?
That’s enough opining for tonight. I’m home for 36 hours. Then I get my son to scout camp and fly to Salt Lake to take care of some business before driving back to Sacramento with Andrea.
I’m hoping in the days to come I’ll have a chance to blog about some of my experiences at Convention. I had a lovely breakfast with the Dean of the Cathedral in Central Florida where we openly discussed our differences and explored what the direction of this convention meant for each of us. Andrea and I went to the opening of a short documentary about the strain on gay families caused by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I then participated in a panel discussion with Dan Choi and a few other folks. (This wasn’t part of Convention. It just happened to take place while we were there.)
It is clear that a new era has come to the Episcopal Church. We have stopped holding ourselves hostage to the concerns of others in the Anglican Communion. Yes we care about our sisters and brothers in other provinces of the Anglican Communion. But we aren’t going to try to hold the Communion together by discriminating against gays and lesbians. Not anymore. Not ever again.
And we aren’t going to put a bushel-basket over the particular light we have in The Episcopal Church. Because we care about our siblings in the Anglican Communion, we will share with them the gospel of Christ that we have found. That gospel necessarily includes the full inclusion of those who are gay or lesbian. We now know that our church would be terribly diminished if we didn’t have the witness of the brave and holy gay and lesbian Christians. Why handicap Christ’s body?
That’s enough opining for tonight. I’m home for 36 hours. Then I get my son to scout camp and fly to Salt Lake to take care of some business before driving back to Sacramento with Andrea.
I’m hoping in the days to come I’ll have a chance to blog about some of my experiences at Convention. I had a lovely breakfast with the Dean of the Cathedral in Central Florida where we openly discussed our differences and explored what the direction of this convention meant for each of us. Andrea and I went to the opening of a short documentary about the strain on gay families caused by Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I then participated in a panel discussion with Dan Choi and a few other folks. (This wasn’t part of Convention. It just happened to take place while we were there.)
It's a Wrap by Cookie Clark
Wednesday
I spent Sunday D-025 (witness to the Anglican communion) came before the house of deputies. I trusted our deputies to listen prayerfully to the Holy Spirit when they voted.
Tuesday I visited the House of Bishops. The ecumenical and interreligious visitors were there to greet the Bishops. A cantor, an Episcopal priest, and an Islamic leader sang an Abrahamic Blessing blending their voices. At the end they hugged. It was a very moving experience.
Following that, the Bishops considered A-074 (Theological statement on interreligious relations). Bishop +Beisner received special Kudos for noticing erroneous reference.
Time off the floor means being able to walk the exhibit hall. Multiply by 50 the number of exhibits at our convention. There are lots of free items: buttons for every issue you can think of, note pads, pens, booklets, etc.
I hauled an alb and stole to Anaheim and was assigned as deacon at all Eucharists. The duties of the deacons are to carry a flagon of wine to the altar, take it to one of the ten communion stations (mine has been number one), fill the eight chalices, and then look important – and be ready to fill any chalices that get low.
Meanwhile I discovered a resolution that contains a litany on trafficking of women and another setting Prison Ministry Sunday. I am looking forward to sharing these at Epiphany.
It has been exciting to meet so many people from our diocese. Thanks to Anne Pierson for all her work encouraging people to come to Anaheim and serve as volunteers.
Jul 17, 2009
Final Day!
It's the final day of General Convention 2009. We have a slightly longer legislative session today, in a bold attempt to finish all the work that we have before us. Experience tells me, however, that we simply will not be able to get through every piece of legislation in our calendar. However, the wisdom of the legislative process prevails: a motion has already been made that those matters which the General Convention cannot act on due to time constraints be sent to the Executive Council for their consideration. Things move forward, even when General Convention is not in session.
I also particularly ask your prayers for us and for all the deputies this morning--we will be deliberating and voting on the substitute resolution to C056, which was adopted by the House of Bishops on Wednesday afternoon. In my opinion, it is a beautiful Anglican piece of legislation on the subject of same-sex blessings: it provides for study, collection, and development of liturgical and theological resources, it asks for a report back to the 77th General Convention, and it asks Bishops to provide a "generous pastoral response" to gay and lesbian members of The Episcopal Church. You know this is a contentious issue: your prayers are important to us as we sit in this session. Thank you!
Jul 16, 2009
The view from here
This is the view from where I sat in the House of Deputies the other day. Way up in front you may be able to discern a raised platform, with flags draped behind it and people sitting on it. Those people are the leaders and staff of the House of Deputies, which comprises so many people that it can be physically quite intimidating. What you can't see is the hundreds of other deputies, seated behind and to the side of us. The giant screen in the front is one of two that allow the deputies to see whoever is speaking at any given time.
Here is a photo of a typical deputy's binder. By now, many more papers have been added, resulting in a very heavy burden to carry around! All of it is necessary to the process, however, and this process is one of the ways in which the Holy Spirit is moving in the church.
Here you see some of the deputies you have elected doing their work: listening carefully to testimony and deliberation as they ponder their votes on the pending legislation. Cookie and Stephen, our Senior Deputies, are knowledgeable about the legislative process and helpful to those of us with less experience.
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