It's Just Begun

Friday the House of Deputies by a 2/3s margin in both orders concurred with the House of Bishops in resolution CO56 (click on it for the specific language) in providing, under the direction of diocesan bishops, local same gender blessing opportunities. The resolution also calls the church to continue to study, widely confer and gather liturgical resources for the possible development of church-wide Rites.

This action joins the momentous step taken earlier in the convention with the passage of DO25, which returns the church to its constitution and canons and their provisions for full access of all persons to all levels of ordination, including the order of bishop.

While both resolutions passed by huge margins in both Houses, many conservatives in the church will have a difficult time processing these moves when they return home. And conservatives in the worldwide Anglican Communion will be unhappy as well. No doubt some harsh statements will be made in the days ahead. However, the Episcopal Church of Scotland has already issued a statement applauding the actions of the Episcopal church.

Conservative parishes in our own diocese will probably have a difficultly working through these decisions. All of us owe our own bishop support and encouragement as he provides pastoral support and leadership to these faithful Episcopalians.

Integrity USA has issued a statement saying that with the passage of these two resolutions, the work has just begun - LGBT members are now freed to promote an Episcopal Church of full inclusion.

Returning to a theme I mentioned in an earlier report, despite the enormous emotional impact of these actions, on both sides of the issues, the debate has been respectful, the atmosphere collegial and there has been no triumphalism. Beginning now to heal or deeply hurt by the outcome, the decision-making process saw us at our best. If there are happy hearts this day, they want very much to honor and respect brothers and sisters who are sad.

As often happens in moments of great tension, someone does or says something that is comedic in part by the way the moment is played and in part because of the exaggeration of the trauma. Not long after the report on the vote for CO56 and while the static electricity in the hall was still quite high, a relatively minor item appeared on the agenda - some changes in the propers used on the day in the Calendar of Saints for 'Mary the Blessed Virgin.' Somehow and unintended, the phrase, "Blessed Virgin Mary" had been replaced in a couple of spots with just 'Mary' while the full expression continued in the title and in several other places. Given more time the House would have made the corrections and sent it back to the bishops, but there was no more time and any change at that point would have derailed the entire item for three more years. But that wasn't good enough for a grandmotherly priest from Albany (a very conservative pocket of the Church). She was another central casting figure - saintly face, stock of wonderful white hair and no doubt makes wonderful chocolate chip cookies, but at that moment and while still feeling the sting from CO56, she was a Christian scorned. So down the center aisle and out the door she marched barefoot while slapping her sandals above her head lest any dust from the place remain. No one laughed out loud - she was a person in pain. But while unintended, it was for the reasons noted above, high comedy disguised as drama. Some moments later I saw her back at the Albany table.

The Chaplain Gets the Last Word

Anything else I might say about the convention at this point would be anti-climatic. Well, except to pass on the report of the secretary that the convention completed over 360 items of legislation. If congress could work at that speed or the folks we call our state legislature, they would be able to adjourn by springtime.

The last word should come from the Chaplain. Here's what he said before he gave us a blessing -

"Nations and people who stop telling their founding story, lovers who stop telling their mates they love each other, friends and family who stop telling the life experiences and contributions of those who are now gone, soon forget how. And if we forget these things, we forget who we are." By remembering and telling, we know why and how we are in this place and the values that sustain us; we know and feel the depths of mutual love and we know that we are our parents' child and our friends' beneficiary. Remember and tell"

I wonder how we'll tell the story of this remarkable 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church?

by Jim Greer