tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-285449982024-03-12T21:17:38.369-07:00General ConventionReports from the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, by the Rev. Lowell Grisham, Deputy from the Diocese of Arkansas.
The 76th General Convention in Anaheim, California meets July 8-17, 2009.
(blogs from the previous Convention in 2006 are also below)Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-20394296949369209602015-07-03T19:03:00.001-07:002015-07-03T19:03:33.877-07:00The Last Day!<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Presiding Bishop Elect Michael Curry was the preacher
and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was the presider for our closing
Eucharist. The members of the Joint Nominating Committee for the Presiding
Bishop were given seats in the front of the worship space, so I got some good
pictures. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bishop Curry gave a rousing sermon, calling us to
"Go" in the strength of the Jesus movement that we have all been
baptized into. I encourage you to go online and enjoy the sermon. He is indeed
an outstanding preacher and will bring unique energy to the church and to the
world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://publicaffairs.cmail19.com/t/ViewEmail/r/09F6874C03F3EA562540EF23F30FEDED/15E42E05F8EB118A0B3A73003FEB3522</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the most contentious debates has been around the
church's strategy toward Israel and Palestine. The House of Bishops took out
language endorsing divestment in companies doing business in the occupation and
continued growth of settlements in Palestinian territories. We did pass a
thoughtful, nuanced, and controversial resolution B013 calling the church into
active participation in reconciliation toward a just and peaceful two-state resolution.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A group of 20 bishops have released a statement objecting to
the General Convention's endorsement of same-sex marriage rites. Among the
signers were 7 U.S. bishops, 7 bishops from Province 9 outside the U.S., and 6
retired or resigned bishops. The resolution passed the House of Bishops 129 in
favor, 26 opposed, 5 abstaining on Monday. The House of Deputies also passed
same-sex marriage on Thursday in a vote by orders – each diocese getting one
vote in each order (clergy/lay) determined by the four deputies in each order.
It passed: Clergy – For 85, Against 15,
Divided 6. Lay – For 88, Against 12,
Divided 6. These are overwhelming votes of affirmation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed three compassionate resolutions D033 Supporting
Refugee Rights in Central America, D041 Advocacy and Prayer for Syria, and D062
Addressing Prison Conditions and Areas for Advocacy. All of these are available
on the General Convention website. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I learned something new in our committee testimony some days
ago. In many places, creative priests are doing remarkable Sunday liturgies –
many outside of the church walls, many appealing to the
"spiritual-but-not-religious" and the "nones" and others
who are unlikely to be drawn toward our prayer book liturgies. They are vibrant
and growing communities. I spoke in support of a resolution making it explicit
that bishops can encourage these imaginative and creative "Rite 3"
liturgies on Sundays. It passed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed some new canonical regulations that, among other
things, will require each diocese to pay it full assessment (15%) by January 1,
2019. The Executive Council of the church will have power to grant waivers.
Without such waivers, failure to make full payment would render the diocese
ineligible to receive grants or loans from the Church. In my opinion, this is a
change that is long overdue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Late in the afternoon, the President invited our whole
committee to the platform to sing a hymn I wrote in praise of the Virtual
Binder, our paperless i-pad that we are using for all of our legislative processes
and for our worship. It also references our new digital process for voting and
for getting in the digital queue to speak. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's my hymn:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>A Hymn in Praise of
the Virtual Binder<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sung to the tune of <i>St.
Patrick's Breastplate<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My binder and my self today</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
will follow
Convention so virtually.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With invocations and play-by-play</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
my binder leads me
day-by-day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love my binder, it guides me on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amendments, motions,
that blue, blue book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With optional kick stand</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
it frames
attention</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
in endless meetings with just one look.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad be with me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad beside me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad before me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad below me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad to guide me </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and control me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pad in hand of friend and stranger. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My binder and my self today</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
will follow
convention so virtually.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By invocation of the same</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pray the
queue-master sees my name.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hands empowered to vote and sing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My card secured in
the voting thing,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such power for me is a great temptation,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
salvation comes NOT
from i-Pad-ing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a big hit and a lot of fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our song, the House passed by a large margin a
resolution proposing we explore the development of a new hymnal. We have set in
motion a process for updating both the Prayer Book and the Hymnal in tandem as
we did in the 1970's. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed a resolution commending the efforts of dioceses to
reconcile with and welcome those who have previously left The Episcopal Church
and wish to return. And one of the last courtesy resolution thanked the PB
Nominating Committee that I served on. That was nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our next to last item brought up our opposition to the
Dominican Republic's constitutional court which has been ruling as ineligible
for citizenship Haitians living in the DR if they were children of migrant,
checking birth certificates back to 1929, potentially making hundreds of
thousands stateless because of race. Horrible. Our last resolution also decries
the suffering of stateless persons. It is nice to end on a compassionate
response to the suffering of some of the most vulnerable people in our
hemisphere.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been fun to blog again for this General Convention. I started this blog so many years ago that I was able to claim the name generalconvention.blogspot.com. Now various forms of social media make following General Convention ubiquitous. So... this is my closing entry. I'm not sure what you do with a last blog. How do you close one of these things? Oh, well. I am thankful to you for reading. It has been a delight and honor to serve the church this way and to share it with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lowell</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-63239574868032130262015-07-02T21:09:00.002-07:002015-07-02T21:09:42.934-07:00Thursday, July 2<div class="MsoNormal">
For our morning Eucharist, I sat in the front near the
children's area in our worship space. We had lively, driving Latino music that
the children and many from the Youth Presence enjoyed with dancing. The Epistle
Reader held a child in her arms as she read the lesson.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our preacher was Colin Mathewson from the Dominican
Republic. We had the calendar observation for Charles Barnes, martyred in 1938
after writing letters to contacts in the American State Department objecting to
the slaughter of thousands of Haitians order by the dictator Trujillo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dean Mathewson told part of the story of the massacre.
Trujillo's soldiers stopped people in an organized way and asked them to
pronounce the Spanish word for "parsley." The French and Creole
speaking Haitians, unfamiliar with rolling their "r's," mispronounced
the word, and were killed, "for the sake of a word." Today there are
tens of thousands of Haitians being forcibly deported from the Dominican
Republic. Dean Mathewson decried the way we divide what should be united – all
humanity, for we are one – united by the Word made flesh. During our time here
in Salt Lake City, black churches continue to burn. People continue to die for
the sake of a word, for their faith, for their race. It is time to stop. Just
stop. Stop "we/they" and "us/them." We are all one. Every
person is created in the image and likeness of God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned the "housing first" model that Salt
Lake City has adopted, which is successfully lowering homelessness and costs.
At the busy crosswalk outside the Convention Center and elsewhere there are red
"parking meters" where 100% of the change goes to the <i>housing first</i> project. There is a sign
discouraging giving money to panhandlers. A friend of mine and several of his
friends took fruit, food and beverages around to those who are sleeping outside
around the neighborhood. Deacon Sara Milford carries energy bars to give to
anyone on the street who asks her for money. Others shared their "brown
bag" when coming back from a restaurant serving more than they could eat.
I am impressed with the Salt Lake City work to combat homelessness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We returned to debate the budget. There is a proposal for
increasing the draw on our endowment (from 5% to 5.5%) in order to fund some
new church initiatives. According to our treasurer, doing so would be likely to
lower the capital in the endowment. It is a four-million dollar gamble. We took
the gamble by a 60/30% vote. We also moved some money from the Development
Office to the Stewardship Development (TENS) office. That did not seem like a
good idea to me. With those two changes, the $127 million budget was passed.
(my numbers may be wrong)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We continued with many, many resolutions, most of which did
not prompt too much discussion or disagreement. Just taking care of the good
business of the church. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each deputation has its name on a pole in the area where it
is designated to sit. We have a hog hat on the top of our pole. Yellow ribbons
identify deputations where a senior deputy is so that they can be consulted over
questions of procedure. That's my ribbon. You get one after being a deputy for
seven conventions. This is my ninth as a deputy, the 11<sup>th</sup> I've
attended. I'm an old deputy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the more interesting resolutions calls for the Church
Medical Trust to reevaluate our church health plan. The Affordable Care Act
(Obamacare) has been so successful that almost one-fourth of the dioceses can
obtain health insurance more economically through the Health Insurance
Exchanges if that were allowed. We passed an option for churches to consider
other options, but it will probably not be accepted by the Bishops.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We voted to concur with the House of Bishops to encourage
divestment from fossil fuel companies and reinvest in clean renewable energy.
The matter does not affect the Pension Fund, but does instruct other
organizations like the Episcopal Church Endowment Fund and the Episcopal Church
Foundation. The resolution urges dioceses and parishes to engage the topic
within the coming year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We concurred with the Bishops to begin a plan for the
possibility of a revision to the Book of Common Prayer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the highlights of the Convention has been the
wonderful leadership of our Chaplain, the Rev. Lester V. Mackenzie of
California, a native of South Africa. Great energy and love. He added so much
to our prayers and spirit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just learned that my friend The Rev. Gwen Fry has been
elected Vice President of National Affairs for Integrity! Delighted.
Congratulations Gwen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last resolution of the day (past 7:00 p.m.) is an
attempt to equalize same-gender couples in the benefits of the Church Pension
Fund, including time that they would have accrued had they had the opportunity
to marry. We passed the resolution without the sound of a single "nay."
This is a good church. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Away for pizza with the Arkansas deputation on the last
night we will all be together.</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-47684073669371022442015-07-02T07:51:00.002-07:002015-07-02T07:51:12.771-07:00Thursday, July 2<div class="MsoNormal">
Spanish. We have the Spanish translation side-by-side with
the English in our .pdf online worship bulletins. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I read a touching article by Aisha Huertas Michel of the Diocese
of Virginia. She moved from Puerto Rico to the US when she was 12, excited to
be part of this new, "cool" world. But she also struggled, "as I
tried to integrate myself into a new community. I remember also experiencing micro-aggressions
because of the way I looked and spoke. I also remember praying and asking God
to just let me fit in and to allow me to be just like everyone else."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As she "succeeded" at covering her accent and
fitting in, she began to notice she and others like her were losing touch with
the culture and language of their origins. At some point she changed, being
less cautious with her accent, looking forward "to the hot, summer sun
that always enhances the darkness of my skin." She gladly embraced things
of her first language and culture. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I had one of these 'aha,' "yes, I get this'
moments earlier this week," she writes, "as I sat in the bilingual
Eucharist at General Convention. As Bishop Katharine began celebrating the
Eucharist in Spanish, my heart leapt, and I was instantly taken back to my earliest
encounters with God – sort of like certain smells and sounds bring us back to
our earliest happy memories. I stood there with hundreds of people but, in that
instant, it was just God and me – God as
I knew him way back when, with the unshakable faith of a little girl… Worship
is allowing god to speak to your heart, to completely overtake you in that
moment and to feel the presence of no one but the Holy Spirit. And, for me, …the
way for that to happen in its most awe-inspiring form is to hear the words and
the name of God in the way I first heard his name and understood his power –
'Dios.'"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
from <i>Center Aisle</i>,
Wednesday, July 1, 2015 <a href="http://www.centeraisle.net/">www.centeraisle.net</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are a couple of links about yesterday's big events in
the House of Deputies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The House provides equal access to marriage:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.deputynews.org/deputy-votes-provide-for-same-sex-marriage-in-the-episcopal-church/">http://www.deputynews.org/deputy-votes-provide-for-same-sex-marriage-in-the-episcopal-church/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The House passes significant restructuring legislation.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.deputynews.org/house-of-deputies-passes-two-structure-resolutions/">http://www.deputynews.org/house-of-deputies-passes-two-structure-resolutions/</a></div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-79597897385156946472015-07-01T19:12:00.000-07:002015-07-01T19:12:06.105-07:00Wednesday, July 1<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalene House founder and our great friend Becca Stevens
was the preacher at today's General Convention Eucharist. She is always a
spectacular speaker. I will send the link to the video and the text of the
sermon as soon as I can. Afterwards I went by the Thistle Farm booth in the
Exhibit Hall and it was buzzing with business. Becca was posing for lots of
pictures. A good day for this wonderful work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don't know how long it will be at this link, but I
encourage you to watch this video of the Bishops' March Against Gun Violence.
You'll get a taste of the inspiring preaching of Michael Curry, our Presiding
Bishop Elect. He can bring the word. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/featured-general-convention">http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/featured-general-convention</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's a story about yesterday's debate that resumed today
over the structure of the church. As I said yesterday, I don't have a dog in
this hunt, but for those of you who do, here's a report about it -- http://www.deputynews.org/house-of-deputies-passes-two-structure-resolutions/</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I rested today, and I visited the LDS Family History Library
where after a bit of tutoring I did some genealogical research at this amazing
facility. It was fascinating. I only made a modest bit of progress, but it's
given me a direction for some future research sometime down the line. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the convention recessed, I heard word that the House of
Deputies passed authorizations for the church to offer same-sex marriage. I'm
sure there are some nuances, and I will link more in-depth reports as soon as I
can. I'm getting a bite to eat and retiring early tonight. Should have a lot
more energy tomorrow after a pretty relaxing day. </div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-89989455641091426992015-07-01T09:35:00.001-07:002015-07-01T09:35:27.769-07:00Wednesday, July 1<div class="MsoNormal">
I am pretty worn out and taking the day off from General
Convention. I met my colleague Stan McKinnon at 7:00 a.m. so we can swap
credentials. Stan is our first alternate, and we are working to make sure he
sits at a majority of the legislative sessions so he gets full credit for this
convention. That helps with future seniority for committee assignment, and if
he serves at least seven General Conventions, he could get his "yellow
ribbon" as a Senior Deputy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this morning's 7:30 committee meeting of <i>Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Church Music</i>
we acted on all of our remaining legislation, sending it on to the House
of Bishops. Of particular interest, we
recommended beginning a process for hymnal revision (presumably to go along
with Prayer Book revision). These processes take several years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also passed an interesting resolution that gives more
access for using "Rite 3" services on Sunday with a bishop's
permission. We heard fascinating stories about creative churches in edgy places
designing their own Eucharistic liturgies especially consistent with their
communities. The purpose of this resolution is to encourage such ministry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can follow online so much of what the General Convention
is doing. I'm going to sleep a good part of the day. If I rebound with some new
energy, I may do some sightseeing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the General Convention web site: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PJJ5IbqQ0IkwPQTxRz32axN26JSC55adrQh0cqOnLSO2N1im1Q7zp0aJIz7puDD2fRAiBUSpgHqS4nnHJrJjDhA4d7qmffs5zWKI8VNfz6PNdVyktwlcELwTai8r7ff6nvVYtb3i2dXBprai4bvmmyZRTq4Lzcflha0qexLCorL1AK_02I0zkg==&c=Z1KOWfarYhvKy3jL5yHHYho6wSi5j3FofIT-K8YghEEmM33DYstpPQ==&ch=akin2g6Xt8S2v3Dx3xzIjJkqJwMtrodTJamaa1SFdZTjy6h8Ko_HMQ==" target="_blank">generalconvention.org</a><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the Media Center with livestreaming: <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001PJJ5IbqQ0IkwPQTxRz32axN26JSC55adrQh0cqOnLSO2N1im1Q7zp5Izue4_tEZG_c3FGm7Vq9QlZbADrdfNHIsuIk-xsVwtHrmeMaAP22dXKLCYdczHM4twXT39_KcEtHAoKPYDycIJ7orgnYn-oDRkA1VdbP90oMsnuCy3niEzAoTbHm0x56W7vke7T7eK&c=Z1KOWfarYhvKy3jL5yHHYho6wSi5j3FofIT-K8YghEEmM33DYstpPQ==&ch=akin2g6Xt8S2v3Dx3xzIjJkqJwMtrodTJamaa1SFdZTjy6h8Ko_HMQ==" target="_blank">episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc</a><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the House of Deputies news: <a href="http://www.deputynews.org/">www.deputynews.org</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a continually updating list of "Top Stories"
from Episcopal News Service," go to:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/top-stories/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/top-stories/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's a report what the House of Bishops in their debate on
marriage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/marriage-equality-resolutions-advance-to-house-of-deputies/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/marriage-equality-resolutions-advance-to-house-of-deputies/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here's a report on the Integrity Eucharist</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/integrity-celebrates-40-years-with-festive-eucharist/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/integrity-celebrates-40-years-with-festive-eucharist/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is an 18 minute interview with Presiding Bishop Elect
Michael Curry</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/video-interview-with-presiding-bishop-elect-michael-curry/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/video-interview-with-presiding-bishop-elect-michael-curry/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This link has five very brief videos about the Five Marks of
Mission that we talked about yesterday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/joint-session-focuses-on-taking-home-the-five-marks-of-mission/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/30/joint-session-focuses-on-taking-home-the-five-marks-of-mission/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A report on yesterday's release of the budget of the church.
The Budget will be presented to the General Convention this afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.deputynews.org/pbf-releases-budget/">http://www.deputynews.org/pbf-releases-budget/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-82986674548712205422015-06-30T21:00:00.000-07:002015-06-30T21:00:06.111-07:00Tuesday, June 30<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday, June 30 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Late yesterday when I served on the Media Panel briefing the
press on the day's events, I spoke particularly about two things we
accomplished yesterday. I'm delighted that we've authorized a comprehensive
revision of the <i>Book of Occasional
Services</i>. It will be a resource for many different occasions, both for the
church and for family use. I also
commented on our continued process of creating a calendar of observances, <i>A Great Cloud of Witnesses</i>. We also
spoke of major initiatives to increase our support for Hispanic Ministries and
our presence on the internet and in social media.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was so tired when I finished, I felt like I didn't have
enough energy to go to the Integrity Eucharist, one of the highlights of every
General Convention. My friend Bishop Mary Glasspool was preaching, and I love
her preaching. It was a disappointment, but my reserves are spent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't sleep well, so I felt pretty bushed this morning. I
didn't even try to put my contact lenses in. Wore my glasses – usually a sign
that I'm really tired. We had hearings on most of the other legislation that
our committee is responsible for. It was enjoyable and passionate testimony. I particularly
liked the witness who made an analogy between the early Church's Judaic roots –
everyone who was part of the early community was circumcised – and today's
conversation about the necessity of baptism for being in the Eucharistic
community. The early Church let go of that profound biblical precedent in order
to be inclusive. Maybe we should be more welcoming to communion, not requiring
either circumcision or baptism before incorporation which leads to baptism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our preacher at this morning's Eucharist was The Rev.
Kimberly Johnson, preaching on the celebration of James Weldon Johnson, the
author of the wonderful hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing." We sang it
with gusto (and I can't sing it without some tearful choking). During her
sermon, Kimberly told a story of her student communities working to delay or
commute the execution of a Georgia death row resident whose guilt had come into
great doubt. He was executed. A dejected group, many angry, gathered in defeat.
At some point, a tall, black student stood and began to sing <i>Life Every Voice and Sing</i>, including
these words from the second verse:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>We have come over a
way that with tears has been watered,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>we have come, treading
our path through the blood of the slaughtered,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>out from the gloomy
past, till now we stand at last<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>where the white gleam
of our star is cast.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning we had a special joint meeting of the House of
Bishops and House of Deputies to have discussion within each diocese, including
alternates and members of the Episcopal Church Women Triennial. Our topic: the
Five Marks of Mission. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They are:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. To proclaim the
Good News of the Kingdom.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. To teach,
baptize and nurture new believers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3. To respond to
human need by loving service.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4. To seek to
transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and
to pursue peace and reconciliation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5. To strive to
safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the
earth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a set of three questions for each of the Five Marks,
identifying and imagining ways we can implement them in our congregations and
dioceses. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had a celebration of the ministry of Presiding
Bishop Katharine Jefforts-Schori in an event hosted by PBS broadcaster Ray
Suarez. Former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold was with us and addressed the
house. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed two resolutions supporting alcohol responsibility
supporting policies similar to St. Paul's alcohol policies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We celebrated 75 years of outreach ministry through
Episcopal Relief and Development and its predecessor, the Presiding Bishop's
Fund for World Relief. Members of the Convention set a $75,000 fund raising
goal. Through many creative means, we raised over $120,000. Many of the leaders
celebrated on the podium. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got word from a friend that the House of Bishops has
declined by two votes to authorize a task force to study the theology of
opening communion to the unbapized. I'm disappointed. This is one of those
issues that creates strange bedfellows. Many believe that we should be inviting
people primarily to baptism and that Eucharist is for the family of Christ.
Others believe that Christ's example of eating with all is our strong
evangelistic tool for inviting seekers to the table and then bringing them to
baptism. The discussion has theological implications.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went into a special session to discuss three significant
resolutions about the structure of the Episcopal Church. I'm sorry, but I'm not
a very good reporter on this topic. I find I cannot generate much energy and
interest around it. One of the most significant aspects would be for the
funding of the church budget to change from an "asking" for 19% to an
"assessment" of 15%, with some sanctions. I like that. We would have
only two permanent standing commissions – Constitutions and Canons, and Liturgy
and Prayer Book. Otherwise, we would have Task Forces with sunset dates. We had
a long period of questioning about the structure resolutions, which were extended
when there were more questions that were not answered within the time frame. Then
we had extended debate, which was ended when we realized that we did not have
Spanish translations for the resolutions in question. We will take them up
tomorrow. We are making such quick progress that the translators can't keep up
with the texts. So, instead of recess at 7:30 p.m., we are getting off early at
6:45. Hurray!</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-44315171098745713132015-06-29T20:53:00.001-07:002015-06-29T20:53:51.589-07:00Monday, June 29<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday, June 29 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Legislative Committee for <i>Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music</i> met at 7:30 this morning. We
passed a resolution calling for the <i>Standing
Liturgical Commission on Liturgy and Music</i> to begin a process of developing
a plan for a revision of the 1979 <i>Book of
Common Prayer</i>. We also passed a resolution to study the possibility of
changing our canons to allow communion to the unbaptized.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note: When we pass something in our committee, it still has
a long route to take. It goes from our committee to the House of Bishops. If
they make a change, it must come back to us before going to the House of
Deputies. Both houses must pass the exact same resolution for it to be passed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our preacher at today's Eucharist was Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America. He spoke
with passion about the Armenian genocide one-hundred years ago. As he spoke, my
friend Sam Totten came to mind. Sam is a genocide scholar, retired from the U
of A, who has risked his life several times to bring resources to the people in
the Nuba Mountains who are suffering a genocide by starvation and military
bombing from the forces of President Omar al-Basir, indicted by the
International Criminal Court (ICC). St. Paul's has contributed to Dr. Totten's
work, and we encourage our friends to write the President and Secretary of
State to act to resist this genocide. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We returned to the House of Deputies. We honored our former
Secretary Gregory Straub, a delightful and quirky beloved leader. We had some
elections. They went much more smoothly. We passed a resolution encouraging
Interfaith Engagement. There is a resource for interfaith work on the Episcopal
Church website.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed support for anti-racism leadership training. We
authorized development of an online resource list and library of materials for
licensed lay leadership in small congregations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I joined the other officers of my committee to present two
resolutions that <i>Prayer Book, Liturgy and
Church Music </i>has worked on. The comprehensive revision of the <i>Book of Occasional Services</i> was the
resource that I chaired through a sub-committee. It was adopted by the House of
Deputies without amendment and adopted today by the House of Deputies without
amendment. I'm delighted! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our other resolution was the authorization of the
preparation of <i>A Great Cloud of Witnesses
(GCW)</i>. We took the entire allotment of 30-minutes of time for debate. There
was an amendment that downgraded the resource from being "authorized"
to being "made available for publication and distribution… for devotional
or catechetical use, or use in public worship." With that amendment the
resource was passed by a large majority. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed a resolution to support Latino ministry. We passed
a resolution to create a network for planning congregations and supporting
their leadership and development. We passed a resolution to promote
revitalization of congregations through collaboration and coaches. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the resolutions we are passing have significant
"price tags." All of these will be adjusted in the budget process,
many will be unfunded. Some of the resolutions call for external processes for
fundraising. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We've set a special order to consider the various
resolutions dealing with all of the work during the past three years examining
the structure of the Episcopal Church. We will undertake that work tomorrow at
5:00. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We debated a resolution on decreasing gun violence,
supporting laws that require criminal background checks for all gun purchases,
ban transactions on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,
ban full-automatic weapon conversion kits, tighten laws and increase penalties
for gun trafficking and "straw purchases," prohibit gun purchases
without evidence of gun safety training, and recognize the impact of existing
inheritance laws on the transfer of gun ownership. One of the first speakers
supporting the bill was a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA). She
said that all of the proposals of this resolution are also policies supported
by the NRA. The resolution passed. Later we passed a subsequent resolution to
support handgun purchaser licensing, also endorsed by our NRA deputy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed a resolution supporting a $15/hour minimum wage or
a living wage. We passed a resolution to urge all persons, public,
governmental, and religious institution to discontinue the display of the
Confederate Battle Flag. We passed a resolution to develop an online evangelism
initiative. We passed a resolution requesting dioceses and parishes to study
the resources already created in our report on the study of marriage, and to
continue the work of the Task Force on the Study of Marriage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While we were working this afternoon, the House of Bishops
passed some liturgies for Same-sex Marriage. For a report about
that, see the link below. The legislation still needs to come to the House of Deputies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.deputynews.org/house-of-bishops-passes-key-marriage-resolutions/</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we were finishing the session, I was asked by the media
folks to be one of the two briefers from the House of Deputies for the daily
Press Conference. Two conventions ago I did the briefings nearly every day.
Since I am an officer on the Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music committee,
and there was some buzz about what we accomplished today, I got to be part of
the daily press briefing. </div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-88239080435036589382015-06-28T20:26:00.001-07:002015-06-28T20:26:36.947-07:00Sunday, June 28<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday, June 28</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At yesterday's Eucharist, our preacher was a young Native
American priest, the Rev. Cathlena A. Plummer, daughter of the late Bishop
Stephen Plummer. She has worked as a shepherd, caring for her family's flock of
sheep. She told a moving story of searching for some lost sheep and hearing a
voice that guided her. Please enjoy her fine sermon, text or video at:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2015/06/27/cathlena-a-plummer-of-navajoland--preaches-at-general-convention/</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday as I was leaving the Convention Center, a priest
spoke to me to tell me that it was at St. Paul's, Fayetteville, that he came to
faith. He is now a church planter, and he named his new congregation St.
Paul's, after our own church. He is the Rev. Michael R. Gilton, Vicar of St.
Paul's Episcopal Church, Prosper, TX.
www.stpaulsprosper.org</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sunday morning – 7:15 – </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1,500 people and 79 bishops gathered near our hotel for a
march through a portion of Salt Lake City organized by a number of bishops concerned
by the "Unholy Trinity of Racism, Poverty, and Violence," marching as
Episcopalians Against Gun Violence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 10:00 we gathered for the U.T.O. ingathering and the
Sunday Eucharist of General Convention, always a highlight. The contributions
from UTO representatives from every diocese added up to almost $4.8 million. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many times at this Convention, I've found myself moved to
tears. Another happened this morning during the reading of the Epistle. The
lector was a young man overcoming a stuttering impediment. He read with grace
and courage. When he was finished, he was met with a generous applause. I love
this church. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Katharine Jeffert-Schori preached a fine sermon for our
Eucharist, using the compelling readings for this Sunday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/78th-general-convention-episcopal-church-june-28-sermon-presiding-bishop</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the afternoon, we passed an excellent resolution urging
congregations and dioceses to advocate for sensible and compassionate reforms
in our mass incarceration system. Our congregation has begun to know many
people who are serving time and many who are being released after doing so.
Resolution A011 (the substitute which was passed) has 14 possible initiatives
to address the destructive consequences of our mass incarceration system. I
went to the podium to encourage deputies to add one more to that list: In many
states people convicted of a felony and/or serving time incarcerated are
disqualified from many social benefits. A person leaving prison, needed to
recreate their lives, may find themselves unemployed, and banned by many
potential employers because of their felony record. They find themselves
unemployed, impoverished and often in need of creating a life in a new
environment away from the influences that may have contributed to their earlier
failures. That is the time when they most need the social benefits our society
extends to our poor neighbors. Without such benefits, many people find
themselves driven back to behaviors and places that create the likelihood of
recidivism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An interesting thing happened as we tried to pass what
looked like an innocuous resolution about which cities might be considered as
possible host cities for the General Convention six years from now. A deputy
added an amendment to exclude any cities in dioceses that do not pay the full
19% asking to the budget. Well… A lot of discomfort ensued. I was glad to see
the issue raised, though we are changing our apportionment system in order to
get more full compliance. For at least two General Conventions I've tried to
get deputies speaking to an issue that has funding implications to say what
percentage of asking their diocese gives before speaking about how we should be
spending their money. I got a bit of push back on that. Glad to see the anxious
conversation today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then got bogged down on elections. The new electronic
system has some bugs. Off for the night. Kathy is here. We're going out to
dinner with some friends.</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-86343930511516884822015-06-27T21:39:00.002-07:002015-06-27T21:39:22.735-07:00Saturday Afternoon and Evening<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, June 27 -- Afternoon and Evening</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our afternoon session started a bit late because of the
earlier extension to confirm and introduce Bishop Michael Curry as the
Presiding Bishop Elect. We passed a significant change in our funding
structure, making 15% the norm (lowering from either 18% or 19%, I can't
recall) with an expectation of more dioceses reaching that asking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed a strong resolution for combating systematic
racism. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also debated a compelling resolution about study and
advocacy to address the high rate of incarceration in the U.S., especially of
men of color. In the resolution there are 14 constructive ideas about improving
our prison systems. We ran out of time while debating that resolution. I'm in
the queue. One of the ideas that is not in the list is something that has
troubled me. In many states, when someone finishes serving their time, because
they are a felon, they are disqualified from many social services benefits.
Many businesses will not hire felons. They can't get jobs; they can't get
benefits that help the very poor. No wonder they turn to the familiar quick
dollar by an illegal route. You make a mistake, we keep punishing you to make
it impossible for you to re-create your life. Our "punishment first"
system is deathly to all. Through our prison ministry, I've come to know many
of the people who get caught in this system. There's got to be a better way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the evening I went to the hearing for PB&F – Program,
Budget, and Finance – our appropriations committee. Bishop Wayne Smith joined
me to argue for funding for the work of the Standing Committee on Liturgy and
Music – important work that has been underfunded like many other programs. We
had two minutes each to advocate for a remarkable range of work. The church
doesn't have the resources to do all that we would want to do.</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-49025278906478434582015-06-27T14:19:00.001-07:002015-06-27T14:19:05.240-07:00Saturday morning and afternoon<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, June 27</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our prayer at our <i>Prayer
Book, Liturgy and Church Music Committee </i>meetings is inspiring. We begin
with a chant in harmony which continues as we offer our various intercessions.
Then we sing a hymn—today <i>Joyful, Joyful,
we adore thee</i>. Wonderful way to start the day, as we began at 7:30.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our hearing involves a number of resolutions. First, a
resolution for a process asking the<i>
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music</i> to begin to make a plan for the
revision of the Book of Common Prayer. A169</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next resolutions are hot buttons:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
—C010: "Invite All to Holy Communion"—the
so-called "open communion" or "Open Table" resolution. More
than any other issues, this one seems to divide us unpredictably. Very
meaningful conversations. The resolution calls for a Task Force to study the
issue. The resolution also acknowledges that many congregations are already
experimenting with an open table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
—C023: an amendment to the Canons to relax the prohibition
on communion for the unbaptized, making exceptions for those who are receiving
communion with an intent to begin or strengthen a relationship with Christ and
eventually to become baptized; and congregations which open communion to the
unbaptized must do so as part of an evangelistic plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note to St. Paul's people: The Canons of the Episcopal
Church require baptism as a prerequisite for receiving communion. Many years
ago I asked Bishop Maze to allow St. Paul's to practice an open welcome to
communion largely because we live in a university community where many people who
are exploring and seeking do so first by experiencing and then by reflecting on
their experience. They are first seekers more than joiners. When they have room
to explore, they are more likely to go deeper and to be baptized. He gave us
permission to do so, and Bishop Benfield when installed renewed that permission
for us. It is interesting to me to note that whenever Suzanne or I ask the
members of our Inquirers' classes what it was that drew them into St. Paul's
community, the welcome to communion is often the most significant and most
repeated factor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Diocese of Connecticut has proposed trial use of another
question to be added as part of our Baptismal Covenant: "Will you cherish
the wondrous works of God, and protect the beauty and integrity of all
creation?" Response: "I will with God's help." C015</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
D036 is a resolution to add to the Book of Occasional
Services the "Rite for Claiming New Name" from our alternative
service booklet "Changes: Prayers and Services Honoring Rites of
Passage." The name change liturgy is used by people changing their names
after a marital change, as part of a monastic community, children taking
adoptive names, and transgender persons. Among those testifying was my dear
friend Gwen Fry, a transgender priest in Arkansas. She spoke of the day when
she and her spouse went to the courthouse for her name change. She wished she
could have come to her parish church and her parish priest to celebrate that
sacred moment. It was beautiful testimony. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the House of Deputies reconvened, President Jennings
awarded the House of Deputies Medal to several great leaders: Dr. Charles
Willie, the first African American President of the HOD. He was the preacher at
the ordination of the Philadelphia 11, the first women's ordination. When the
House of Bishops invalidated those ordinations, Dr. Willie resigned his office.
Also awarded were former HOD Presidents Bonnie Anderson and George Werner, and
long-time Deputy Vince Curry. Also awarded (in absentia) were former officers
David Collins, Scott Kirby, Brion Prior. We continued with a Happy Birthday
party – it is the 230<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the founding of the House of
Deputies in 1785. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Business then resumed. A few blocks away at the cathedral,
the House of Bishops was meeting to elect a new Presiding Bishop. Not long
before our scheduled recess time (1:15), we received word that the Bishops have
an election. Our process requires that a committee from the House of Deputies
meet with a deputation from the House of Bishops and bring back a
recommendation to accept or decline. When the President suggested we recess for
lunch, the House refused, wanting to learn who was elected. We continued to
work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The committee eventually returned with the announcement that
Bishop Michael Curry was elected on the first ballot. The house confirmed. We
have elected a new Presiding Bishop at 1:52 mountain time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We waited about 20 minutes for the new Presiding Bishop
elect to be escorted to the House of Deputies. He entered with Bishop
Jefferts-Schori and to thunderous applause. It was particularly moving to see
so many African American deputies so tearfully joyful. Bishop Curry addressed
us briefly. A JOYFUL DAY!!</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-46843037085503349432015-06-26T20:56:00.002-07:002015-06-26T20:56:50.308-07:00Friday, June 26<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is my birthday. I awoke to find a wonderful video
message from my grandson Reid, "Happy Birthday to LoLo!" As our
Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music committee came to order at 7:30 I got
serenaded with another chorus of the birthday song. We passed a resolution
asking for funding for the Standing Commission of Liturgy and Music to begin a
plan aimed toward a comprehensive revision of the Book of Common Prayer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the committee meeting we got word that the Supreme
Court had affirmed gay marriage. That felt like a fine birthday present for me.
(But my friend sitting next to me, a bishop from another diocese, felt it was a
tragedy.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we entered the worship hall, a jazz group was playing and
singing "Walking in the Light of God"—a wonderful female singer,
pianist-clarinet, trombone, two saxophones, stand-up bass, and drums—singing
and playing with such energy that I walked-danced down the aisle to get a seat
close to the front. They led us singing several great hymn tunes with
delightful accompaniment. The psalm included a sung versicle; while we read the
psalm verses the musicians played creatively in the background. I was surprised
when we got to the postlude, and our wonderful organist started playing an old
favorite—the Widor <i>Tocotta</i>—a favorite
of mine that Charlie plays so beautifully. The organ soared, filling the hall.
But a surprise. Two or three minutes into the Widor, the organist stopped, and
the jazz combo picked up the piece, creatively adapted. It was thrilling! The
organ and the combo continued back and forth through the piece, until the final
crescendo when they joined together for the ending. I had my phone recording
and videoing much of it (once I realized what was going on). I'll try to figure
out a way to post it. If you weren't watching on livestream, I recommend that
you get on your computer with the speakers turned up high and watch it online.
(I'll send a link to the service as soon as I get it.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After worship we held a joint committee meeting with the
House of Bishops in order to have a discussion on our church structure. Half of
our Arkansas deputation and half of the Georgia deputation had conversation
about what we liked and what we would like to change about the work of General
Convention, the Church Staff and Executive Council, the Provinces, and
Dioceses. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a quick lunch we came back for committee work. We had
extensive conversation about a resolution asking for ways to bring communion to
congregations who rarely have access to priests to celebrate the Eucharist. We
passed a resolution instructing bishops and ecclesiastical authorities to make
provision for such congregations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 4:30 we went back into the big Legislative Session. We
started with a series of nominations. I had the honor to again nominate Gay
Jennings for President of the House of Deputies, who was the only nominee and
thus re-elected.</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-40802316385403217562015-06-26T05:08:00.001-07:002015-06-26T05:08:54.248-07:00Thursday, June 25<div class="MsoNormal">
Thursday, June 25 – First Session</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After going through the formal ritual of organizing the
House of Deputies, President Jennings called all of the young deputies (born in
the 1990's) to deliver the message of our organization to the House of Bishops.
Among the group was Arkansas' own Thomas Alexander, 19, a student at Hendrix
College. As the group processed down the center aisle of Convention, Thomas
stopped for me to snap a picture. At our earlier meeting of Province VII,
Thomas was elected to the Executive Council of the church, essentially the
Vestry of The Episcopal Church.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was the celebrant and
preacher for our opening Eucharist. In a later note I will send a link to the
sermon text and the video. I found myself sitting together with three old
Oxford, Mississippi friends—Duncan Gray, III; Chip Marble, and Kee Sloan. Chip
was my parish priest who presented me for discernment to priesthood; Duncan and
I grew up together in the church his dad led; Kee and I went to seminary
together and were close friends. Chip and Dunc are retired Bishops of
Mississippi and Kee is the Bishop of Alabama. I feel like I've known these
friends nearly all m life. We're not growing older; we're growing bigger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
11:15 – Legislative Committee. We listened to testimony on
several resolutions. The most energy is around a proposal to allow lay leaders
to carry consecrated Eucharistic elements from another location to
congregations without ordained leadership. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The committee then took up work on the calendar. It is
complicated work. Much sausage making. One resolution had five amendments, with
much wordsmithing. Takes energy and concentration. We adjourned for lunch and returned to work
all afternoon. Made a lot of progress and finished the resolution that would
authorize the Standing Commission on Music and Liturgy to continue the revision
of the calendar of observations, now to be called <i>Great Cloud of Witnesses</i>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We left Legislative Committees and went back to the larger
Legislative Session. We had a big job – a complete re-write of the Rules of
Order of the House. A team has been working to revise the rules and has done
some remarkable work. Lawyers being constructive! It's tedious, but the new
President's team has improved our process significantly. Their careful
creativity was approved by an unbelievable margin – 794 for, 31 against (that's
96% for and less than 4% against). Wow! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Toward the end of the session we adopted a report and
resolution expressing our "pain,
grief, and sorrow" with the families and friends of those killed at
Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. We will send a Letter of Condolence from the
General Convention.</span>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-36527197232255908182015-06-24T19:34:00.002-07:002015-06-24T19:34:45.466-07:00Wednesday, June 24<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday, June 24</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7:00 a.m. First Committee meetings. Every resolution
proposed at General Convention is fully considered. The first step is to offer
public hearings on each resolution. We welcome testimony from deputies and
others about the content of each resolution. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So this morning, I had good news and bad news. The good
news: the resolution to authorize a comprehensive revision of the Book of
Occasional Services had good support in the testimony, committee conversation
and final vote passed our committee. The bad news: while that was going on I
wanted to be at another committee to testify on behalf of a resolution
supporting efforts on behalf of LGBT Anglicans in Africa. I think that other
resolution had other good supporters. Can't be two places at one time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did good work in our morning committee work and reported
out several resolutions. We had a half hour break, and then convened with both
the House of Bishops and House of Deputies for an orientation session that
included presentations from Presiding Bishop Jefforts-Schori and HOD President
Jennings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Above the dais are the flags of the 19 nations who are part
of The Episcopal Church. We are more than a "national church." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Presiding Bishop used her background as a biological
scientist to offer images for the journey and relationships that constitute the
living body of the Church. In her talk, among the things the Presiding Bishop
mentioned was creative ministries like Magdalene House. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Rev. Gay Jennings, the President of the House of Deputies,
took some time to share the gospel of the day—the Nativity of John the Baptist.
(Also the 4<sup>th</sup> birthday of my granddaughter Laura.) Gay invited us to
follow the example of John's father Zechariah—to listen and to understand your
identity. Be surprised by the rising of the new in our midst. The new is being
born in us, in the quiet of our souls, arising from what is in the corner of
our soul, often that which is neglected or discounted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were greeted by the President of the Episcopal Church
Women who are simultaneously holding their Triennial meeting. A great deal of
their focus is in conversation about healing the wounds of the trafficking of
women, which is of interest to St. Paul's and our new Magdalene ministry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then went through some extensive orientation to the
mechanics of operating a nearly paperless General Convention. Every deputy and
bishop has been issued an iPad with a Virtual Binder software that will take
the place of the enormous paper binders of previous Conventions. (I'm writing a
hymn, in process, to the tune "St. Patrick's Breastplate" – <i>I bind unto myself today…</i> is becoming <i>My binder and myself today, will follow
convention so virtually… --</i> more coming.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quick lunch in order to return for the finale of nearly
three years of work. I've been serving on the Joint Nominating Committee for
the Presiding Bishop. Our committee lead the process of presenting the four
nominees to the whole Convention: Bishops Dabney Smith, Ian Douglas, Michael
Curry, Thomas Breidenthal. Each bishop was introduced by a brief self-produced
video and opening statements. Our committee had collected questions from the
whole church and organized them into categories. We went through several rounds
of questions. I got to be one of the questioners. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The candidates did a beautiful job. Each was himself. I
heard a lot of people saying that they were pleased with the nominees. We will
formally nominate them in a subsequent session and then the House of Bishops
will elect. It's been a delight to be part of this process, and I'm glad that
the nominees seem to be well received. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After we finished I went to a reception given by the
Washington Cathedral. The Dean Gary Hall is a friend. I especially wanted to
say thank you to him and to Bishop Budde who allowed me to perform a marriage
in the Cathedral House last year for a faithful gay couple from our
congregation. The National Cathedral truly serves as a House of Prayer for All
People. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At our evening committee meeting we got pretty bogged down
in perfecting the procedure for recreating the church calendar of observances,
now being called <i>A Cloud of Witnesses</i>.
There's a lot of energy around whether or not John Muir will be added to the
calendar. </div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-8737315696973078242015-06-23T21:00:00.001-07:002015-06-23T21:00:45.905-07:00Tuesday the 23rd at General Convention<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be the only day I'll have time to eat a normal
hotel breakfast. Nice leisurely morning. At 9:00 I went to register. Three
lines – credentials, badge, and virtual notebook. This will be an almost
paperless Convention. Every deputy is issued an iPad with all of the reports,
resolutions, calendars and other information to replace the huge three-ring
binders of the past. It's promising, but I had to do some preliminary work to
be able to guide the sub-committee I'm chairing so we could all look at the
same thing at the same time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After registration I took an opportunity to go through the
exhibit hall. (I never got through the exhibits at the previous Convention.)
Our friends from Thistle Farm—Magdalene House were there. Learned some
interesting things about the "Living Compass" program that I think I
want to bring back to St. Paul's. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At noon our Joint Nominating Committee went through a
practice session for presenting the four nominees for Presiding Bishop. That
happens tomorrow at 1:30. You might want
to watch the livestream. http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc/</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 2:00 the officers and aides for the Legislative
Committees had an orientation session. We've made a significant number of
changes to the process for handling legislation, all designed to be more
efficient and more digital. Hope it works!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first Legislative Committee meetings were at 5:30. I'm
Vice Chair of Prayer Book, Liturgy & Church Music. It's a big committee,
with 39 members, as well as consultants and aides. After introductions we went
into sub-committees. I'm chairing the sub-committee to consider authorizing a
comprehensive revision of the Book of Occasional Services. We had a very
productive sub-committee meeting and are poised to report out our resolution
favorably. If the legislation passes, it would start us on the road to creating
a significant resource for the church's prayers and pastoral services. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn't get to eat lunch until 4:00, so when the Arkansas
deputation went to a Vietnamese restaurant, I just ordered from the tapas menu.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We start in the morning at 7:00 a.m. with hearings. First
from our committee will be hearings on the Book of Occasional Services (BOS) revisions.
I'm hopeful that it will get positive input and may be one of the first things
from our committee. We're asking for funding of $94,000 to do the hard 3-year
work of revising the BOS. I think it is a worthy project that will give the
church a compelling set of prayers and liturgies for so many circumstances that
aren't addressed in the Prayer Book.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to testify about a resolution to encourage efforts to
support the safety and affirm the dignity of LGBT people in Africa. I travelled
last year to Kenya to be part of a conversation group about the Bible and LGBT
persons. I have a similar trip planned to Ghana in September. I've come to know
some good people who live threatened lives. I may be unable to speak to the
committee about the resolution because it appears to be scheduled at the same
time as the Book of Occasional Services hearing is scheduled. Two places to be
at 7:00 in the morning. I'm hoping something works out for me to do both. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
NOTE: Tomorrow the four candidates for Presiding Bishop will
be presented in a meeting of both the House of Bishops and the House of
Deputies, 1:30-4:30. It will be
livestreamed online. </div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-71198699843282513402015-06-23T06:06:00.002-07:002015-06-23T06:06:59.529-07:00Arrival<div class="MsoNormal">
I landed in Salt Lake City last night just before 8 p.m. and
learned I had a first meeting to attend right about then. As soon as I checked
in I joined them. It was a working group, my presence wasn't critical, but
we're off to a running start. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After we finished, I walked to the nearest grocery to get
breakfast things for the next two weeks. With our morning committee work typically
starting at 7:30, it saves a lot of time to eat in the room and avoid the lines
for breakfast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is another good resource for following General
Convention: Deputy News – deputynews.org. They will produce a summary story of
each day's highlights as well as various special interest columns, video clips,
paired opinion pieces, and lots of photos. Highly recommended! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Registration starts at 9:00. I want to visit the Exhibit
Hall today. Last Convention it closed before I could go through it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lowell</div>
Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-3915668513475354322015-06-22T08:28:00.001-07:002015-06-22T08:28:38.051-07:0078th General Convention 2015The 78th General Convention is right around the corner. I'll be blogging again.<br />
<br />
I started this blog three Conventions ago in 2006. Part of my reason was my frustration with the lack of secular coverage of the GC and the poor content and understanding. I ended up writing almost like a reporter (with opinions).<br />
<br />
Now that we have live streaming access and robust coverage online, I don't need to work so hard. So I won't. I'll offer more of my observations and thoughts than I will do pure reporting. Since the sermons will be livestreamed and printed online, I won't do as much in-depth reporting on those either.<br />
<br />
My jobs this time<br />
-- Deputy from Arkansas<br />
-- part of the presentation of the nominees for Presiding Bishop (I was a member of the Joint Nominating Committee).<br />
-- Vice Chair HOD, Committee 11, Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Church Music<br />
-- Chair HOD, sub-committee on A056, Revision of Book of Occasional Services<br />
-- cutting up a bit. (I don't know how to defend my "Bonnie Ball" Championship from the previous Convention.<br />
<br />
Okay -- off to Salt Lake City.Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-24446467462319119742012-07-30T09:01:00.002-07:002012-07-30T09:01:33.997-07:00General Convention Summary (Last Blog Post)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Palatino Linotype","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I’m closing my General Convention email and blog with this
posting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Episcopal News Service </i></b>has published
a concise summary of the recent 77th General Convention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>That content is pasted below</u>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I'll start back with my <i><b>Morning Reflection</b></i> blogs on Wednesday. If you are interested, check it out at <a href="http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com/">http://lowellsblog.blogspot.com/</a> Here's what's on that blog each week:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (1) On Sunday or
Monday</i> – Next week’s scripture readings with suggested questions for your
reflection and with a link to a practice of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lectio
Divina</i> for praying with the scriptures.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> (2) Most weekdays</i>
(starting Wednesday, Aug.1) – a brief <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Morning
Reflection</i> that I write about the day’s readings for the Daily Office.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">______________ </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
If you would like to <u>continue to keep up with news and
commentary about the Episcopal Church</u>, here are some suggestions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Episcopal Café</b> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.episcopalcafe.com/">http://www.episcopalcafe.com/</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Four blogs:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Lead, Video, Daily Episcopalian</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speaking
to the Soul</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
I think <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lead</i>
keeps an especially good finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the
Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(disclosure: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Speaking to the Soul</i> picks up my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Morning Reflection</i> four days a week)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Episcopal News
Service</b> does a great job of posting news about the church and picking up
media articles from around the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
You can subscribe for email updates:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.cctomany.com/sub/ens">http://www.cctomany.com/sub/ens</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Connect on Twitter: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>@episcopal_news</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Episcopal Church</b>
has an official Facebook Page and Twitter account: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Facebook Page:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian">http://www.facebook.com/episcopalian</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Twitter @iamepiscopalian</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
____________________________________________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt;">Highlights and
overview of the actions and activities of the 77<sup>th</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>General Convention of the Episcopal
Church, July 5- 12, 2012, Indianapolis, IN</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Overview</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">We welcomed guests,
visitors and ecumenical partners from throughout the Anglican Communion
and the world. The 10-day program in Indianapolis was attended by
almost 850 deputies (lay and clergy) and 165 bishops, and viewed or read
about online by more than 60,000 unique visitors, including videos played
more than 44,000 times, via the Media Hub, Episcopal Church social media
sites, Public Affairs page, and Episcopal News Service throughout the
course of the convention. </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo1; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">General Convention addressed more than
450 resolutions on topics ranging from church structure and governance, to
liturgies, social issues and approval of the Church budget for the next
triennium, cast against the Five Marks of Mission (listed at the end). New
leadership for the House of Deputies also was elected.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Stories and video
about General Convention can be found at<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc2012/" target="_blank" title="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc2012/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc2012/</a>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/" target="_blank" title="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/</a></i>
</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Highlights are summarized below and
further information about specific resolutions can be found<a href="http://www.generalconvention.org/" target="_blank" title="http://www.generalconvention.org/">http://www.generalconvention.org/</a><br />
</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Church Structure</span></i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Church structure: a special task force
of up to 24 representatives from all parts of the church will meet in the
next two years to review reforms to structure, governance and
administration. (C095) Overall, nearly 100 resolutions were presented to
the Committee on Structure and, although most were similar, the Committee
on Structure considered the many options offered in making the final
recommendation.<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span>At
this time, no decisions on changes have been made. There will be a special
gathering from every diocese to hear what recommendations the task force
plans to make to the 78th General Convention. The final report is due by
November 2014. </span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l13 level1 lfo3; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">The numerous resolutions including
asking the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church to study the
current budgeting process and matters of financial oversight (A122), and
proposing an amendment to the constitution that would help dioceses that
want to merge with another diocese or divide itself into two dioceses to
do so without requiring sitting bishops in all dioceses involved (A102).
The House of Bishops approved a move away from, but did not authorize the
sale of, the Episcopal Church Center headquarters (D016).</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="color: black;"> <b><i>Liturgy and Blessings</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Much discussion was
held, and significant national discussion ensued, on our denominational
response to same-sex blessings (A049). The approved liturgy is for
provisional use, meaning that the diocesan bishop has to grant approval
for use in his/her diocese even in those states where same-sex marriage is
legal. The resolution is effective the first Sunday in Advent 2012
(December 2). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Baptism as the
normative entrance into Holy Communion (C029). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">With the bishop’s permission,
congregations may use the lectionary in the BCP rather than the Revised
Common Lectionary (B009). </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Other resolutions included authorizing
a task force to study marriage (A050) and new rites and prayers for
pastoral responses to people caring for animals, including the death of a
pet (A054). </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Budget, Pension and
Development</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">General Convention approved the $111,516,032 budget
for 2013-2015. The budget is based on the Five Marks of Mission (see
attached).and calls for a 19 percent asking each year of the Triennia.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">Bishops rejected several resolutions attempting to
postpone implementation of the Episcopal Church Medical Trust.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">Dioceses and parishes will have an additional three
years to provide parity in health insurance cost-sharing between lay and
clergy employees. That deadline is extended until Dec. 31, 2015. (B026)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo5; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Resolutions also passed to establish a
Development Office to solicit major gifts and other resources (D025) and
to create a pilot student loan fund for seminarians who agree to three
years in under-served areas of the Episcopal Church (D049). </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Ecumenical Relations and
Pastoral Topics</span></i></b><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">Anglican Covenant: General Convention affirmed the
commitment to building relationships across the Anglican Communion,
especially through the Continuing Indaba program, but declined to take a
position on the Anglican Covenant.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">The 11-year relationship of full communion with the
ELCA was commended and asks the Lutheran-Episcopal Coordinating Committee
to address areas where Episcopal and Lutheran practices differ, especially
who can preside at Holy Communion and the role of deacons (A036). The
status in the Episcopal Church of pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America who had been ordained by other pastors and not by
bishops also was clarified (A158).<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">The Standing
Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations was directed to
initiate dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the Mormon Church in
anticipation of General Convention 2015 in Salt Lake City (D081). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">Resolution A030 establishes how clergy who want to
leave the Episcopal Church for another part of the Anglican Communion can
do so without renouncing their Holy Orders. Separately, canons were
amended to provide a mechanism for addressing disagreements in the
pastoral relationship between a diocese and its bishop (B021).<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">Several resolutions enact a series of revisions to
Title IV, the clergy discipline canons, to fix some errors while
maintaining the underlying principles of the canons (A033/C049).<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo6; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">A resolution was passed to develop a
network of retired Episcopal executives to assist dioceses and parishes,
modeled on SCORE (D066).</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Government Legislation </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Israel-Palestine:
General Convention supported a resolution on positive investment in the
Palestinian territories. Bishops agreed to postpone indefinitely the
conversation on corporate engagement. In addition, positive investment in
the Palestinian Territories was affirmed and the church was called upon to
support “the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian study on peace with justice in
the Middle East (B019).” </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">The Convention
urged Congress to modernize the nation’s refugee resettlement program
(B028). In addition, Congress was urged to halt to the Immigration and
Custom Enforcement’s practice of detaining people suspected of being in
the country illegally without filing any charges against them
(D059). Also, Congress was urged to pass the DREAM Act (D067). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Congress also was called upon to repeal
federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, that discriminate
against same-gender couples who are legally married in the states where
that is permitted (D018). </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">The U.S. government was asked to enact
stricter controls on the use of carbon-based fuels (D055).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"> </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Evangelism and Mission</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l10 level1 lfo9; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">All Episcopalians are being called to
be evangelists to help grow the church (D023) and a “social media
challenge” calling upon every congregation to use social media in its
current and future forms (D069).</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">An “HIV Welcoming Parish Initiative”
effort was created to help congregations to become more engaged with
people living with HIV/AIDS (A167).<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span style="color: black;">A resolution confirmed solidarity with the poor and
indigenous people who bear great burdens because of climate change, with
special mention to the Inupiaqs of Kivalina, Alaska (B023). For more
information on the Inupiaqs and Kivalina, visit<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/wayfarer/" target="_blank" title="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/wayfarer/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/wayfarer/</a><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">A churchwide
response to bullying was passed (D022). </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo10; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Support for the transgender community
by adding gender expression and identity to two canons that prevent
discrimination: the ordination discernment process is open; and guarantees
equal place in the life, worship and governance of the church.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i><span style="color: black;"><br />
Additional details available at Episcopal News Service:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/" target="_blank" title="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/">http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/</a></span></i><span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<b><i><span style="color: black;">Elections</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo11; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings of Ohio was
elected President of the House of Deputies. Byron Rushing of Massachusetts
was elected Vice President of the House of Deputies. </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l11 level1 lfo12; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Executive Council
elections: The House of Deputies elected seven lay and two clergy members:
Lay members elected for six-year terms are: Joseph S. Ferrell of North
Carolina, Anita P. George of Mississippi, Fredrica Harris Thompsett of
Massachusetts, Karen Ann Longenecker of the Rio Grande, Nancy Wonderlich
Koonce of Idaho, and John Johnson of Washington (DC). Lay person Elizabeth
L. Anderson of Connecticut was elected for three years. Clergy members
elected for six-year terms were the Rev. Susan B. Snook of Arizona and the
Rev. James B. Simons of Pittsburgh.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo13; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;">Eight bishops received approvals to
their consent process: Atlanta, New Hampshire, Pittsburgh, Rhode Island,
Texas (Suffragan), Virginia (Suffragan), Western Louisiana, and Western
Massachusetts. Related, General Convention approved a change in rules so
elections held close to General Convention no longer need to go to General
Convention for the consent process.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;">Anglican Five Marks of Mission</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo14; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span class="apple-style-span">To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom</span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo14; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span class="apple-style-span">To teach, baptize and nurture new believers</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo14; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span class="apple-style-span">To respond to human need by loving service</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo14; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span class="apple-style-span">To seek to transform unjust structures of society</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo14; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; tab-stops: list .5in; text-autospace: ideograph-numeric ideograph-other;"><span class="apple-style-span">To strive
to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of
the earth</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"> ___________________</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
It was an honor to serve as a deputy from Arkansas to the
77th General Convention.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've rarely felt
prouder of the Episcopal Church or gladder to be part of this wonderful
denomination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself encouraged
and optimistic about the health and vitality of our church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we are in an ideal position to
respond to the needs of our time with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to connect
people to the grace and reality of God.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i>Lowell</i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-67638745409870312482012-07-12T14:53:00.001-07:002012-07-12T14:53:15.352-07:00General Convention, 2012 - The Last Day<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Thursday, July 12, the Last Day</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>General Convention notes</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>8:00 a.m. -- Legislative Session</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We started with a fine prayer written by <strong><em>Steven Charleston</em></strong>:</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em>Do
not doubt the faith that brought you this far, do not doubt the hope
that you still carry. I know that your journey has been a long one, with
enough disappointments along the way to discourage a saint, but you
trusted yourself to make this climb, you believed in who God made you,
and you took the chance. Don't quit now. Don't turn away. The outcome
may not go according to plan, but it will be a blessing. You did not
come this long distance to miss the moment when you know the destination
was worth the trip. Sometimes to have faith, you just keep moving.</em></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
made several procedural changes to speed legislation. We'll try to
pass all of the "discharge" motions as a group. We'll try to let
non-controversial resolutions go through without speeches of advocacy.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>On the fun side:</strong> I started the day in third place in <em><strong>Bonnie Ball</strong></em> - bonnie-ball.org - but I imagine competition will be fast and furious today.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Some
notes about things going on outside the hall. A waiter at a restaurant
near the Convention Center asked who we are? The Episcopal Church
General Convention, was the answer. Well, the waiter said, I wish you
could stay forever. You are the nicest bunch of Christians we've had
here. Usually these church groups just make me mad when they are here.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Yesterday
was "dress like Secretary Gregory Straub Day." Gregory is known for
his bow ties and his colorful sports coats. Ted Holder lent one of his
to me (and tied it for me). There were macrame bow ties, balloon bow
ties, and one youth representative just wrote "Bowtie" on a piece of
paper that he pinned to his collar.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Our
first order of work will be to deal with resolutions that originate in
the House of Deputies. If passed, they will go to the House of Bishops
for their consideration.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> We
passed several resolutions dealing with internal things -- the
discipline and structure of the church. Then we passed things having to
do with external things. We passed a resolution encouraging refugee
resettlement. We passed a resolution opposing the Immigration
Enforcement's Secure Communities Program and racial profiling. A deputy
asked what is racial profiling, calling it a fiction. A dark-haired
Anglo deputy from Arizona offered a litany of experiences she has had --
being pulled over four times for equipment malfunctions her auto
mechanic cannot find, having to show her passport to prove her
citizenship or risk jailing until she could. We passed a resolution
calling for a shift of rhetoric from war language to criminal language
as we oppose terrorism worldwide. We passed a resolution of solidarity
with communities who bear the greatest burdens of global climate change:
indigenous peoples, subsistence communities, and the poor; asking for
movement away from fossil fuels toward more sustainable alternatives.
We passed job creation legislation. We made a moral commitment to
health care for all. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>11:00 a.m.</strong> We
had our closing Eucharist. Presiding Bishop Jefforts Schori preached.
The lection included a passage about refraining from arguing and urging
agreement within the church. Nice quote from the P.B. - "We won't all
agree before the second coming. But there is but one and only rule:
Love one another." She cited St. Augustine's famous dictum, "Love God,
and do what you please." Deep down, the Body of Christ has memory of
trustworthiness. Maybe we can really learn how to love everybody in the
church. "Take a flying leap into the future and toward the other," she
said.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>After Lunch</strong>,
a deputy from Dallas read a statement from a group of bishops and
deputies who object strongly to the Conventions actions to create
blessings for same-sex relationships. After the statement he invited
deputies who agree with the statement to stand. A number of deputies
did so. Most of the South Carolina deputation has left.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
passed a number of things in a block of work, especially things to be
discharged or referred to an interim body. We passed resolutions for
small congregations, for older persons, an anti-bullying resolution, a
measure commending labor organizing and resources such as those provided
by the Interfaith Worker Justice, a resolution requesting bishops to
distribute "A Prophetic Clergy Call to Action", a measure requesting
every church to declare themselves as "Gun Free Zones", an endorsement
of anti-racism training, a condemnation of threats against sexual
minorities, a resolution opposing dangerous fracking. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>A
resolution recommending we return to a 10-day convention passed. I'm
very glad. The current 8-day convention is way too rushed and
pressured, and it leaves little time for things like small-group Bible
study, presentations, meditations, and things that help inspire energize
and educate the church.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>All
of the measures I've mentioned above must go to the House of Bishops
for their action. We now take up items that we can act upon with
finality because they come to us from the House of Bishops.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
agreed with the Bishops to move the Church Center away from its current
(expensive) headquarters in New York City. The Social and Urban
Affairs committee passed resolutions to deter backlisting of workers,
condemn the practice of wage theft, move toward full inclusion of
persons with developmental disabilities, and create an alternative to
the prison pipeline.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>It seems that the House of Bishops have finished with everything. We don't have anything else to send to them. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I was able to get all of our committee's legislation through in my last presentation. I think the <em><strong>Daily Prayer</strong></em>
resource will be something the church will treasure for generations to
come. And while introducing our new set of prayers for animals, I got a
lot of <em>Bonnie-Ball</em> points. I think I've got a great chance for a solid second place finish.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>Wait!!</strong> I've just gotten word that my last at-bat was a grand slam -- I've passed Secretary Straub for first place in <em>Bonnie-Ball</em>.
He still gets last chance as we wind down. I'm betting his final
announcements will give him the victory. But I'm proud of a solid
second. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I think we are very close to having all of the resolutions handled. Amazing. </span></div>
<div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The
"open communion" resolution came back to us. The bishops struck the
sentence "We also acknowledge that in various local contexts there is
the exercise of pastoral sensitivity with those who are not yet
baptized." That's disappointing. We voted to concur nonetheless. </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We've made it to the courtesy motions. I'm going to try to send this out anticipating near adjournment.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
It's
been a privilege to serve as a deputy to this convention. It is an
historic one in several ways. It also re-confirms my affection and
respect for this institution -- the General Convention -- and renews my
love for this Episcopal Church. I LOVE this Church.<em> </em></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em> </em></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lowell</em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
</div>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-48384792589058093422012-07-11T16:06:00.001-07:002012-07-11T16:06:34.664-07:00Wednesday, July 11 -- General Convention Notes<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #405b81;" style="color: #405b81; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Today's Notes from General Convention</b> </span><br /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />
<br />
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Wednesday, July 11, 2012 -- General Convention Notes</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>7:30 a.m.</strong> Our
committee had hearings on four resolutions. Most of the comments were
directed toward the conversation about which Bible translations to add
to the authorized versions for public worship in the Episcopal Church.
Earlier in the convention, when we introduced the resolution
recommending several translations that had been vetted and studied by
the <em>Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music</em> and another filed resolution, there was an <span _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;" style="text-decoration: underline;">amendment from the floor</span> to add the <em>English Standard Version (2007)</em>.
That amendment passed and the resolution passed. But when a deputy
read a passage from the ESV than many would regard as a poor translation
slanted toward condemnation of gay Christians, it was moved and passed
that the resolution be returned to the committee.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>There
was a lot of passionate testimony at the hearing -- both pro and con --
about the ESV. It is a Bible with a strong evangelical flavor -- a
bishop said it was the successor of the Geneva Bible, strongly reformed,
somewhat Calvinist. But much of the material that many find
particularly offensive or of questionable scholarship is in the
annotations and commentary rather than the translation itself, which is
what we are considering. One person said the translation was a project
that James Dobson of "Focus on the Family" had a large hand in. Many
evangelical Episcopalians very strongly prefer the ESV. We already have
translations that use similar phrases and English words for some of the
"clobber passages," as the verses are sometimes called that are used to
defend interpretations that define gay intimacy as essentially sinful. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Our committee chose to refer the resolution to the <em>Standing Commission for Liturgy and Music</em>,
since this translation was not part of their earlier study, and to ask
them to make a report back to the next General Convention. Since the
recommendation for the ESV came from the floor of this Convention, some
felt they didn't have the time and resources to evaluate it. We hope to
adopt the <em>Common English Bible (2001)</em>. I imagine this will provoke a floor fight.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>The committee went through the other remaining legislation, concurring with Bishops on their changes to <em>"Daily Prayer for All Seasons."</em>
We referred some resolutions promoting more work to create digital
liturgical resources. We referred all marriage issues to the new <em>Task Force on the Theology of Marriage</em>. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>9:30 Eucharist</strong> -- First: <a _mce_href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/general-convention-july-9-sermon-rev-dr-mary-crist" _mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/general-convention-july-9-sermon-rev-dr-mary-crist" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">a link</a> to the text of the sermon from Monday by Dr. Mary Crist, and the <a _mce_href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/general-convention-july-10-sermon-rev-albert-cuti%C3%A9" _mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/general-convention-july-10-sermon-rev-albert-cuti%C3%A9" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">sermon yesterday by Albert Cutie</a>. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Today
is the Feast of St. Benedict. A favorite! We are using rite one and
the music is contemplative and beautiful, led by the Cathedral Choir of
Men and Girls of Christ Church Cathedral here in Indianapolis. A
delightful sermon by someone I didn't know and whose name wasn't in the
bulletin. (I'll follow up about her later.) She did some wonderful
reflections on the three promises of the Rule -- stability, obedience
and conversion of life -- richly interpreted from the original latin
words. Here's a link to the sermon. But I want to quote from a great
riff toward the end of her message, about the way we welcome in the
Episcopal Church.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>11:15 a.m. Legislative Session</strong>. We are dealing with the Budget today. The enabling resolution was presented. We had a <em>Committee of the Whole</em>
period where people could make statements about the budget. The
PB&F Committee offered response. We had some time talking in small
groups. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>After the lunch break we returned to the budget. I'm delighted that <strong>John Tisdale</strong>
is in the deputation and is carefully following the presentations and
conversations. If you've got a question about the budget, he's your
guy. I'm like Sargent Schultz on "Hogan's Heroes" -- I know nothing....
NOTHing... NOTH.....ING. (not too good with numbers) The budget as
presented by PB&F held off three amendments and was adopted
overwhelmingly. A HUGE job.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We voted for 18 spots (two per province) for the <em>Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop</em>. I was delighted to be elected as one of the representatives from Province VII.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
passed a resolution calling for humane treatment of those imprisoned in
Cuba for religious reasons. (must go to the Bishops) We concurred
with the bishops to endorse a robust resolution for working to confront
poverty, supporting Asset Based Community Development and to work with
faith-based groups such as PICO, IAF, Gamaliel Foundation, the DART
Network, and the Inter-Valley Project.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
had a VERY lively discussion about a nuanced resolution dealing with
the discussion about access to communion, or open communion -- </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Here is the text: <em><strong>"Resolved...
that The Episcopal Church reaffirms that baptism is the ancient and
normative entry point to receiving Holy Communion and that our Lord
Jesus Christ calls us to go into the world and baptize all peoples. We
also acknowledge that in various local contexts there is the exercise of
pastoral sensitivity with those who are not yet baptized."</strong></em>
It appears that there are many who are very uncomfortable with this,
wishing to re-assert the canons that communion is for the baptized.
There was a call for a vote by orders. The Arkansas deputation voted
for the resolution. The results: </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Lay: 85 Yes / 16 No / 9 Divided -- passes with 77%</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Clergy: 70 Yes / 24 No / 16 Divided -- passes 64% </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Some clever somebodies have posted a fun web site called "Bonnie-Ball" at <a _mce_href="http://www.bonnie-ball.org" _mce_style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;" href="http://www.bonnie-ball.org/" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">www.bonnie-ball.org</a> .
Points are awarded according to various behaviors that have some
impact on the way the House does its work under the leadership of our
President Bonnie Anderson. Secretary Straub has a commanding lead in
points. I wore our deputation's Hog Hat for my most recent presentation
of a resolution -- that's worth 5 runs. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
passed an important resolution about implementing the Lay Health plan.
It is phased in and has the support of the Episcopal Schools
association. We passed a resolution commending stricter controls for
carbon emissions and to encourage our lobbying on behalf of that.
During a resolution endorsing a DREAM Act, a member of the Youth
Representation told the story of her father, who was undocumented until
an amnesty in the Reagan days allowed him to attain legal status. He
went to MIT where he met her mother. It was a touching story. </span></div>
<div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We
voted for the office of Vice President of the House of Deputies. A
great slate. Lots of good people to choose from. Byron Rushing, a
long-time deputy leader who serves as a legislator in Massachusetts was
elected. </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We
ended the day thanking the Youth Presence for being here. Maria Taylor
from St. Paul's has been part of the official presence, and I think
she's had a great time. The youth have added a lot to our convention. </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<em style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lowell</em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>
</div>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-1261670402044332672012-07-11T09:28:00.003-07:002012-07-11T09:28:38.317-07:00Another blogger comments from General Convention<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<br />I want to send a<b> "special edition"</b> of my General Convention blog this morning in order to share with you <i><b>an entry from another deputy's blog</b></i>. <i>The Rev. Evan Garner, Rector of St. John's, Decatur, Alabama</i> wrote this on his blog earlier this week.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Nice Lunch</b></span><br /><br />In addition to the two basic parts of General Convention-legislative committees and plenary sessions in each house-there are many, many opportunities for meetings and gatherings that happen on the side. Some of these are quasi-official like a seminary dinner and others are purely casual like three friends getting together for a drink one evening. Sometimes they are carefully planned, but often they just happen with no planning whatsoever. Yesterday, I went to a beautifully orchestrated lunch that delivered much more than food.<br /><br />There is a group within the Episcopal Church and wider Anglican Communion called the Chicago Consultation. Their mission is to "[support] the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion." Right away, that should tell you that there was an agenda for our meeting, but, given our church's highly publicized debates over human sexuality, that description, which is taken from the Consultation's website, probably suggests a gathering that involved a heavy-handed and highly political presentation. It did not.<br /><br />Instead, we gathered around tables for a meal and heard stories from the rector and some parishioners at St. Paul's in Fayetteville, Arkansas. And they were just that-stories. No one asked me to support any resolutions. No one claimed that a particular direction is right for the church. No one wanted to know whether I was on his side. The Consultation simply wanted to present some stories about how an individual congregation has become a church that welcomes and includes people regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity.<br /><br />The stories we heard were powerful examples of grace and love. Although I admit that isn't unusual for me to tear up in a sentimental setting, I found myself repeatedly wiping my eyes during our meeting. That wasn't because the individual's tales were particularly heart-warming, though they were. I was emotionally hooked by the experience because it was one of overwhelming, life-changing, genuine-resurrection grace.<br /><br />One of the people who told their stories is a transgendered man who now lives in Michigan. Born female, he reached a point in his life when the conflict between his biological sex and his psychosocial gender became too much to bear. Once an angry, wounded young woman, his outer appearance and inner identity are now united as a healthy, happy man. After he and his mother spoke, the rector, Lowell Grisham, talked about what it meant for their church family to welcome him as a part of their congregation. And that's what really got me-imagining a church that really was a "safe place" for someone who needed it.<br /><br />There's a lot more, I'm sure, to the issue of gender identity than I am qualified to write about. And I'm positive they could have said a lot more about it at our lunch. But that wasn't the point. They simply wanted us to hear a story of how a parish has claimed an identity as a "safe place" that, as all the participants from St. Paul's put it, doesn't judge those who walk in the door. When I let myself imagine what it must feel like to walk into a church that welcomes someone who feels so discounted in many other areas of society, I cried.<br /><br />The rector reflected that he watched the now transgendered individual change before his eyes from someone with a bent-over posture of fear into an upright, self-confident child of God. Although he didn't make the reference explicitly, I immediately thought of Jesus' encounter with the bent-over woman in Luke 13. In the story, Jesus calls to the middle of a synagogue a woman who had been literally bent over by the weight of demonic oppression, and he sets her free, enabling the woman to stand up for the first time in eighteen years. As a church family that shows love and grace to someone who doesn't find it in many other places, that congregation enabled that man to stand up straight and be set free.<br /><br />Regardless of my political leanings on issues of human sexuality or gender identity, I feel called by God to be the kind of priest and pastor who says to anyone who walks through the door, "This is a safe place. Stand up straight. You are loved by God, and we love you, too." Everyone needs a safe place. Perhaps there is a suggested political response to a gathering like yesterday's lunch, but, for now, I choose to leave it behind because I don't want to cloud the waters on what was an otherwise crystal clear presentation. I want to be a part of a church family that welcomes and loves people. I want to be in the resurrection business.</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
___________</div>
<br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://evandgarner.blogspot.com/search/label/2012%20General%20Convention" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to his blog. </span><i><b><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lowell</span> </b></i><br />Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-11036329798619156962012-07-10T20:33:00.001-07:002012-07-10T20:33:13.597-07:00July 10, 2012 - General Convention Notes<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Tuesday, June 10 - General Convention Notes</span></b><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the end of yesterday's session, Frank Wade returned to the House to be our Chaplain for our evening meditation. He read a great quote from Evelyn Underhill which was something I had read just a couple of weeks ago on her feast day. I thought I could find it on my computer or on line, but a quick search was futile. It's in a book at home. (That says something about this incredible age of information.) But I had fun going to a couple of web "quote" sites and reading a touch of her wisdom. Wonderful stuff. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are a few to start your day:</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Every minute you are thinking of evil, you might have been thinking of good instead. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Adoration is caring for God above all else. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Never forget that the key to the situation lies in the will and not in the imagination. ...The will is what matters -- as long as you have that, you are safe.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God is acting on your soul all the time, whether you have spiritual sensations or not.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">God is always coming to you in the Sacrament of the Present Moment. Meet and receive Him there with gratitude in that sacrament.</span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">(Evelyn Underhill, 1875-1941)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">___________</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was so tired Saturday night that I neglected to mention that I was nominated by Province 7 to be a candidate for the Nominating Committee for Presiding Bishop. Election will be later.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And speaking of being absent minded -- I now have 6 plastic card room keys. I've walked out of my room without my keys four times now. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the reasons I was nervous about taking the appointment to be a committee chair at Convention is that I am pretty scattered. All the staff at St. Paul's knows the rule -- "Never give Lowell the only copy of anything." </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last night I got to bed early and got a great night's sleep. Woke up at 6:00 to work on the committee agenda as we work to get every piece of legislation considered. Got a great list together. Ran out of time and had to get to the meeting (grabbing breakfast on the run). Got there and realized I had left the excellent list on my desk in the room.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But we did a good job clearing a few things. Our committee concurred with the House of Bishop's amendments to the resolution on same-sex blessings. That will go to the House of Deputies floor at 5:00 this afternoon. If we concur, the official provisional rite of blessings will be passed.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We also passed out of committee our considerably reworked version of <i><b>Daily Prayer for All Seasons</b></i>, a resource for what some call Prayer of the Hours -- a rich collection of brief offices at set times of the day, cued to the seasons. I think it is something that will be appreciated by many people for generations to come. It now goes to the House of Bishops for first consideration.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We also passed a collection of prayers for animals, including a rite for the death of a domestic pet. Again, some great sub-committee work in editing, including adding a verse in Lakota from a familiar hymn that comes from their tradition.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We recommended rejection of a resolution that would make the 1979 Lectionary optional. (As chair, I didn't vote, but would have voted to retain that option.) We also forwarded a recommendation for a week of prayer for AIDS. We set some hearings for some things tomorrow. Time is getting short. The pressure to get things handled is mounting.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the end of the meeting I had to miss church in order to try to work around one of the problems we've been having. We've had some of our legislation delayed because it had not been translated into Spanish. Evidently there has been a snag in the system. I think (hope) I have a workaround. After the committee meeting I gathered the Daily Prayer and Animal texts as amended to get them to an officer at the Episcopal Church Center who I think will facilitate the translations and distribution to the Spanish speaking deputies. Late in the day I learned they they had translated them in New York and sent them to the Secretariat that runs things in Indianapolis. I hope this will help us get everything to the floor early enough for consideration.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The <b>daily 9:30 Eucharist</b> is streamed online. I'm hoping they also are archiving them. I'd like to see what I've missed these last two days. Today, I was especially disappointed to miss the sermon by <b>Fr. Albert Cutie</b>, former Roman Catholic priest from Miami. We've been communicating and he has promised to come visit St. Paul's as one of our McMichael speakers next year. (We've also got <i><b>Bishop Gene Robinson</b></i> confirmed, and I'm hoping to tie down a date for <i><b>Winnie Varghese</b></i> while I'm here. We've crossed paths several times as she is our voting secretary.)</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Being a committee chair means that I'm not as good an observer of the overall Convention (or as good a blogger), and I've missed some other things.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>11:15 a.m. Morning Legislative session</b>. We have a couple of resolutions about the Anglican Covenant. They are polite and respectful resolutions, but you can feel the relief in the room that the threats the Anglican Covenant once held over the Episcopal Church are no longer shadowing us the way they once were.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had the election for President of the House of Deputies. <b>Gay Jennings</b> was elected. She'll be good. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Jenny Te Paa</b> gave the noonday meditation. She cited Thomas Cahill's book "Everlasting Hills." Cahill says that history is usually the record of war after war and outrage after outrage. Sometimes in the church there is a similar narrative from our own "noisy gongs." Sometimes we don't realize how significant all of our mission stories from past and from the present really are.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">History is also a narrative of grace. She went through a compelling list -- a life saved, a generous gift. He has his personal experience, a history of a life overwhelmed by a narrative of grace -- he is the beneficiary of generosities and sheer goodness.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do not be disheartened, Jenny said to the Episcopal Church. (She speaks as an Anglican from New Zealand, and one of the authors of the Anglican Covenant). One day history will remember you as the great gift givers, she said. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are all on a sacred journey and we each create our script. In some essential moments when everything is at stake, you are great gift givers, she said. You have been instruments of transition and transformation, awesome and delightful, making life more beautiful and strong. "Let me salute you, the great gift givers." Your work is part of the transformation of the world.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">During lunch <b>Ruth Meyers</b> and I shared in an interview with the New York Times. They are preparing a story for the anticipated passage of <b>A049, Authorize Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships</b>.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Afternoon Session</b> -- The House of Bishops joined us to receive the Budget and the report from the <i>Program, Budget and Finance Committee</i>. You'll have to ask <i><b>John Tisdale</b></i> about all of that. I'm not too good with money. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We received <b>the BIG resolution from the Structure Committee -- C095</b>. Over 50 separate resolutions were submitted to this Convention having intention to ask for the church to pursue some form of re-structuring our General Convention and/or other parts of our governance. It looks like the committee has done good work -- calling for a Task Force of as many as 24 persons, diverse membership with some people with critical distance from the Church's institutional leadership, accountable only to the General Convention. There would be a special gathering with representatives from each diocese to gather responses and recommendations. They would make frequent reports to the Church, and would make a final report by November, 2014. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">At the heart of this process of discernment should be the five marks of mission, asking that our structure and governance be oriented to support our mission: * Proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom; * Teach, baptize and nurture new believers; * Respond to human need by loving service; * Seek to transform unjust structures of society; * Strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We paused to have elections for the Executive Committee. That takes a while.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we got back to eh big structure resolution, we prayed before the vote, and (for the first time in my memory on a big, controversial issue) it sounded unanimous. I didn't hear a "No" in the room. Amazing. We burst into applause and sang a hymn. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Right after that the time came for our consideration of <b>A059 -- our Authorization of Same-Gender Blessings</b>. I had the honor to present the resolution on behalf of Committee 13. We had a vigorous debate of 30 minutes, with motions to refer back to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, a request for a vote by orders, and a motion to divide. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">While I was standing on the podium of the dais in front of the General Convention, I had a memory flash-back. Years ago at a previous Convention, I was standing in a long line for a microphone, hoping to speak in favor of a similar inclusive resolution. I got a note from one of the pages. It was "addressed" to the person standing in line, describing what I was wearing. On the other side of the paper it said, "I'm proud of you, Dad. Love Allie." I've kept that piece of paper since that time as a treasured memento. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">General Convention screen</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As I stood on the platform, I saw so many people in line before the microphones, and I thought how happy I am to be standing here seeing this church making another major stand in a spirit of compassion and inclusion. I feel so fortunate and glad to be here.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After debate was ended, we had a very complicated procedural affair, including the House overturning the chair's ruling about a motion to divide. The short version is, we voted not to divide the resolution. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Then we had a vote by orders. The results: </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the Lay Order: Yes 86 / No 19 / Divided 5 -- it passes by 78%</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">In the Clergy Order: Yes 85 / No 22 / Divided 4 -- it passes by 76%</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We have an authorized rite of blessing for same-gender loving couples.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It feels pretty exciting to participate in something historic. At the same time, our joy is tempered because good and faithful friends, whom we love and know, feel like their church has abandoned something important and essential to the faith. They are hurt and are feeling marginalized, not unlike what our gay friends felt for so many decades when they were a powerless minority. We need much love, restraint and respect for all, even as we rejoice at the affirmation and inclusion of those who were formerly excluded. It's been a big day.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lowell </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-42828332219370551962012-07-09T19:05:00.000-07:002012-07-09T19:05:27.232-07:00Monday at General Convention: July 9<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today's Update from General Convention</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Monday, June 9</span></b><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">General Convention Notes </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First thing: <a href="http://vimeo.com/45364734" target="_blank">A link</a> to the incredible sermon from Bishop Michael Curry the other day. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>7:30 a.m.</b> -- Our committee meeting started early in the morning, again. Since I was chairing today, I had to get up early to get prepared, and missed getting a bite of breakfast. But we had a big morning at the Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music. We had a brief hearing on two resolutions. Then we passed a recommendation to forward the Creation liturgies to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We debated resolution A049, the enabling resolution for the proposed rites of Blessing for Same-Sex Lifelong Relationships. Our sub-committee brought a significant group of changes to both the enabling resolution and the text. We had several amendments adopted to make the resolution more appealing to our conservative dioceses, insuring protection of conscience. At two points Susan Russell, former president of Integrity, announced her agreement with Bishop Dan Martins, a beloved traditionalist -- joyful moments. We had a couple of "hitches in our giddy-ups" before we passed A049, staying over about 20 minutes to do so. The House of Bishops will fast-track the measure since it is something that is of great interest so many.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We accepted a Minority Report, but the composer left before submitting it, so I had some anxious moments trying to track him down to get the text of his report so it doesn't delay the process. I ended up missing worship today trying to track that down. But that gave me a chance to grab a bite of breakfast. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>11:15 a.m.</b> Back to the House. We passed a few non-controversial things. I got to present some proposals that were about to pass, but we learned that they hadn't been translated into Spanish. We had to wait until later. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Very pleasant lunch at the Canterbury House nearby. No Archbishops of Canterbury sighted.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>1:15 p.m.</b> Return to the House. I had the privilege of being the nominator for <b>Gay Jennings</b> as a candidate for President of the House of Deputies. Also nominated were Frank Logue of Georgia (I like him a lot), and Martha Alexander of North Carolina (who I don't know). </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A good part of the afternoon was taken up with debate on two measures that have already passed the House of Bishops assuring non-descriminatory policies toward people on the basis of gender identity and expression. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the highlights of this Convention has been the testimony of transgender Episcopalians, including a number of priests. Some of the stories were so moving. Yesterday at lunch when our parishioner Cathy Campbell and her trans son told their stories, it was simply inspiring. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are voting by orders on D002 which reads "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, [gender identity and expression], disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing ordination, or election is hereby established." This resolution adds "gender identity and expression" to the Canon. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Voting by orders is a very conservative structure that we have for any controversial matters that the General Convention takes up. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's how it works: Each diocese has four lay deputies and four clergy deputies. In a vote by orders, each diocese is given one vote in the lay order and one vote in the clergy order. In order for a measure to pass, it must receive a majority of votes in both orders. But here's the catch. If a deputation votes 2-2, it is a divided vote and is considered as a "no." </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">That means that when the House of Deputies passes any controversial matter through a vote by orders, it must pass by a super-majority. (I once tried to do the math and it was beyond me, but I think it takes something between 55-67% to pass.) We are a conservative body by our structure. When we decide to change, it takes a pretty strong super-majority to effect that change.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The vote to add transgender persons to our protected classes passed by a vote by orders, Lay 94 yes/ 11 no /5 divided; Clergy 95 yes/16 no /0 divided. By an overwhelming margin this House welcomes the ministries of our transgender members. I love this church.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I presented our committee's resolution to create a task force to study the theology of marriage and report back to the next General Convention. That proposal also was moved to a vote by orders. It too passed, Lay: Yes 89 / no 15 / divided 5; Clergy: Yes 92 / no 14 / divided 3</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We had a special order for a discussion of a resolution about Israel and Palestine. There has been a great deal of testimony about the grave living conditions of Christian Palestinians in the Holy Land. The resolution calls for a cessation of violence, supports a two-state solution, and encourages Arab-Israeli-Palestinian interfaith dialogue. There is an Episcopal Hospital in Gaza that is in dire circumstances. The resolution supports forms of education, travel and dialogue. It encourages investment in the Palestinian territories, especially institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which provide healthcare, education, and social services without discrimination. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The House has received a publication "Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for a Just Peace." It documents many of the things that we saw on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land -- the wall, the settlements, the economic stranglehold around the Palestinian people. The document was not part of the resolution presented to us, however.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our statement is a substitute resolution that has very measured and diplomatic language. The committee chose to replace a more aggressive original proposal. B019. It passed along with a companion, C060. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Resolution C060 commits the church to invest in Palestinian companies. The resolution did not accept a proposal for any boycott or divestment of Israeli products or companies.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">There was as minority report for a far stronger statement of advocacy for ending the occupation of Palestine. The minority report commends "Steadfast Hope" as well as the <i>Karios Palestine</i> statement of 2009. Those documents were not part of the resolutions.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We've just heard from Twitter that the House of Bishops has passed our rite of blessings and resources for same-sex lifelong unions: 111 yes, 42 no, 3 abstain with minor amendments. Delighted!! Let me say it again -- I love this church!</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">One of the things I enjoy each General Convention is the Integrity Eucharist. It will be particularly joyful because of the passage of the Blessing rites. But I am tired, and I am going to bed early. Nite, nite.</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lowell </span>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-30911381669848467392012-07-08T21:13:00.002-07:002012-07-08T21:13:37.361-07:00Sunday, July 8: General Convention notes<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #405b81;" style="color: #405b81; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>Today's Update from General Convention</b> </span><br />
</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Sunday, June 8 </strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>General Convention Notes</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>7:30 a.m. -- Committee meetings</strong>. Our <em>Prayer Book, Liturgy </em> </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Sunday, July 8, 2012</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>General Convention Notes</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
This
post may be shorter than some of the others (to the relief of some
readers, no doubt). I’ve been going so consistently today that I haven’t
been able to take notes.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But I’d like to start with something I promised earlier. Dr. <strong>Jenny Te Paa</strong>
from New Zealand offered a poem as a prayer for our Noonday office. I
asked Jenny to send me the text, which she kindly did. I like it. (and
it sounds so much better in her gentle accent)</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>God, we’ve stopped talking</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What would happen if we stopped talking?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What would you do if we gave up on confession altogether?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I mean to say . . .</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Would it make a scrap of difference to you, God?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We only tell you what we want you to know.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We only speak what we can bear to admit.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
We do not say anything that would unmask our shame.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
With respect, all the rest we expect you to know.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What would be our state if we stopped talking</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
How, say, if we sit in silence and quietly look to you,</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
while you quietly look at us?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
What then, God?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
How long would we have to wait for you to speak?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Would your steady gaze unravel the past?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Would your whisper guide us through the maze?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Would your Spirit settle our plight?</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
O God, if only you would give us one of your looks!</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
One glance with your care would cure it all.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
One look from you would be enough.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
God we've stopped talking,</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
we are ready to trust in your vision.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
From: <em>Tranquil Moments. The Poetry of Prayer</em>. Hardie, Brian. Steel Roberts</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Ltd: Wellington. 2002</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>7:30 a.m.</strong> - Today was an optional day for committee meetings on our calendar. My <em>Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music Committee</em> chose to meet in sub-committees to work on several sets of liturgical texts: the <em>Blessings</em> material; a set of resources <em>Honoring God in Creation</em>; rites for the <em>Care of Beloved Animals</em>; and <em>“Daily Prayer for All Seasons,”</em>
a publication for prayers of the hours. Once they were together and
working, since as chair I wasn’t on a sub-committee, I went to have a
leisurely breakfast and read a portion of the newspaper for a change.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>9:30 a.m.</strong> - <strong>The U.T.O. Eucharist. </strong>Each
General Convention has a big Sunday Eucharist which includes the
ingathering of the United Thank Offering of the Episcopal Church Women
from every diocese. (If I remember my numbers, this is a service that
collects around $3 million - but don’t quote me because I’m terrible at
numbers.) Usually we have this service in an arena or a large convention
center hall. In 2009 we cut the budget for General Convention, so we
had to have the service in a very large hotel ballroom. I would guess
there were close to 2,000 people there, but hundreds couldn’t get int.
There was an overflow room with video, and many stood. And the seating
inside was VERY tight.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The music was outstanding. The choir sang a fine setting of <em>Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life</em> by Frank Boles. I was glad when we sang Hymn 51 <em>We the Lord’s People</em>, and during communion a hymn I remember from camp and Cursillo, <em>Brother, Sister, let me serve you</em> (from Voices Found, #124), an updated version of <em>Brother Let Me be Your Servant</em>.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Joining us before the service were some more friends from St. Paul’s - <strong>Dave Williams</strong> and his step-son <strong>James Allen</strong>, and <strong>Cathy Campbell</strong> and her son <strong>Noah</strong>. After the service they were the guests of the <em>Chicago Consultation</em> at a luncheon that featured some family stories from St. Paul’s.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
The
Chicago Consultation invited these friends from St. Paul’s to talk
about their own life in Christ as they lived it through their own
experience of what some think of as “issues” that the church is dealing
with. It was a wonderful gathering.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Dave
told about his relationship with Carl Allen and their marriage in San
Francisco during the window of opportunity in California. </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Kathy
and Noah told their story about a child who sensed himself in the body
of the wrong sex. Noah is now a happy, mature, adult, committed to his
church and comfortable in his own skin. Years ago, he was a miserably
unhappy girl, wishing he could be something other than what he was. He
and Cathy helped us put faces on something for many that is just "an
issue." </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
BUT...
I am typing at midnight. And I am too tired to tell you about this, or
other things that happened today, with much confidence in my accuracy
or typing. I need to go to sleep and hope I can get some time tomorrow
to fill you in on a wonderful day.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
But let me finish this day with this.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I
can’t tell you how many times I have been so glad to be part of this
church - to be an Episcopalian. To be at St. Paul’s (the noon gathering)
and to have been formed in Mississippi (the evening event I’m now
returning from). Simply to be Episcopalian (the wonderful Eucharist, and
everything). To be from Arkansas (every time our deputation gets
together in part or in whole). Over and over this week, I feel so lucky -
the beneficiary of so much unearned privilege - and the inheritor of
such a fine tradition. </div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Every
time I participate in the General Convention I feel more and more
thankful to be part of this peculiar branch of the Body of Christ. I
believe myself to be extraordinarily fortunate, and wonderfully happy.
Now I must get some sleep. But that is challenged by my desire to tell
you about all that happened today - a good day - but I’m too tired.</div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sometimes life is too much, too wonderful for a body to take. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" />
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<em _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>Lowell</strong></em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-75627692922297321822012-07-07T19:52:00.001-07:002012-07-07T19:52:20.108-07:00Saturday, July 7 at General Convention<span _mce_style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; color: #405b81;" style="color: #405b81; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <b>Today's Update from General Convention</b> </span><br />
<br />
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>Saturday, June 7</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>General Convention Notes</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>7:30 a.m. -- Committee meetings</strong>. Our <em>Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music</em>
committee first had hearings on two resolutions: A166, Week of Prayer
for Healing of AIDS and B009 which would Authorize Use of the 1979
Lectionary. </span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Afterwards
we spent the rest of the time of our meeting discussing and creating
the policies for our hearing tonight on the proposed Rites of Blessing
for Same-Gender Couples This will be <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a big hearing</span>
in one of the large ballrooms, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. We will spend one
hour listening to opinions about the proposal to have rites of blessing.
Then we will spend a second hour taking suggestions for ways to edit
or improve the liturgy.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<strong>9:30 a.m. -- Today's Eucharist</strong></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Kettle drums, jazz/blues piano, and soulful music. Our commemoration today is <em>Harriet Beecher Stowe</em>. Our preacher is <strong>Bishop Michael Curry</strong>
of North Carolina. He electrified the congregation. There is no way I
can do justice to his sermon which was repeated punctuated by laughter,
applause and an occasional "Amen!" I hope it will be posted as a
video.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
beginning to have a sinking spell. The pace of activity is pretty
tiring. A stop by Starbucks helps. But I may need to find a time for a
nap today.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>11:00 a.m. House of Deputies in session.</strong>
Fairly routine legislation. The Youth Representatives have challenged
a proposal to define the way that they are selected. We cast our first
ballot for members of the Church Pension.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>Lunch</strong>
-- Best lunch I've had since I've been here. Usually I've just grabbed
a chicken salad and fruit cup in plastic containers and run to a brown
bag meeting. Today, the committee chairs were invited to lunch together
to visit a bit about how the flow of legislation is going. It is going
pretty well, except... It seems that some bishops have prevailed in
omitting the funding for a number of basic functions -- things like what
happened to the <em>Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music</em>,
having their program funding cut to zero by the House of Bishops. It
seems like immature and passive aggressive behavior to me. Part of what
that means that we have to send three members of our committee, who
will miss our major hearing tonight, to testify before the Program,
Budget and Finance Committee so that we will be able include the funding
for the SCLM in the budget. There is something very strange afoot. <span>It's
okay with me to talk about wanting to restructure the church and to set
up some deliberative ways to discuss that, but it's almost childish to
de-fund major Commissions without notice. That seems dysfunctional at
best; like sabotage at worst.</span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><strong>2:15 p.m.</strong><span><strong> The House is back in session</strong>.
We have a second ballot for the Church Pension Fund. We had a voting
glitch, and we're stuck in a slow resolution discussion. During the
pause, I think I'll write a bit about the resolution proposing to
prohibit discrimination on the grounds of "gender identity and
expression" in the discernment process for ministry. I've learned a lot
about sexual identity in the past few years. Tomorrow during lunch,
and a mother and child from my congregation will offer a program telling
their story of Noah's journey as a transgender person. </span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span></div>
<span>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
have a transgender person in my family. He is much beloved. But read
these statistics: In a nationwide 2011 survey of transgender people --
78% reported being bullied or harassed as children; 41% said they had
attempted suicide; 35% had been physically assaulted and 12% had been
sexually assaulted; 47% of respondents had suffered employment
discrimination; 19% had suffered housing discrimination and a similar
number had been denied health care due to their gender identity. The
gut kicker in that for me is 41% saying they attempted suicide. And
this survey only includes those who survived such attempts. I'm am
hopeful that our church will be a community of compassion.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span></div>
<span>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><a _mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzCANWGsEdc&feature=youtu.be" _mce_style="color: #0000ff ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzCANWGsEdc&feature=youtu.be" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255) ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to an excellent video (27 minutes) called "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" that is a good introduction. <br />
</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span></div>
<span>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>I
had my first opportunity to present some resolutions to the House on
behalf of the committee. We ran into issues before I ever hit the
podium We had a canonical problem with the first one, and pretty
quickly (for this House) we re-referred the resolution to the committee.
A document that we referred to in the second resolution had not yet
been printed, so we withdrew that resolution for later. The third
resolution, authorizing three new Bible translations, passed, with an
amendment to add the <em>English Standard Version</em> to the other list
of translations we had approved. I felt pretty fortunate not to get
stuck in one of the procedural quagmires that we've had earlier.</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<span></span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>Later
in the session, the translations resolution was recalled. We're going
to have some sort of fight about the ESV. At issue is a pretty biased
"translation" that many would regard as polemical toward gay people.<br />
</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span> </span></div>
<span>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
adjourned around 6:15. I had to hurry to our hearing which was to
start at 7:00. This is the hearing for the resolution enabling blessing
rites for same-gender couples and about the texts for those proposed
rites. It is scheduled to be a two-hour hearing. <br />
</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span><br />
</span></div>
<div _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span>We
were in one of the very large ballrooms -- I guess there were 600
people there. I shared the chair with my colleague on the committee,
Bishop Wayne Smith of Missouri. We heard testimony from more than 40
people. I'm pretty tired now, so I'll try to find another opportunity
to summarize some of the things that people said. There were many
moments that were very touching and poignant. But for now, I'm tired
and headed to bed.</span></div>
</span></span></span></span></span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><em _mce_style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong>Lowell</strong></em><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28544998.post-89791870889858032022012-07-06T19:35:00.002-07:002012-07-06T19:35:36.140-07:00General Convention Notes, Friday, July 6Friday, June 6 -- General Convention Notes<br /><br />7:30 a.m. We opened our session of the Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music Committee with hearings on three resolutions of new liturgical resources -- "Liturgical Materials Honoring God in Creation," "Various Rites and Prayers for Animals" and "Daily Prayer for All Seasons." <br /><br />We heard enthusiastic testimony from people who have been experiencing the new Daily Prayer and the Creation liturgies. We also heard from supporters of the animal liturgies who are appreciative of these pastoral resources, especially the liturgies at the death of a pet.<br /><br />All three of these passed our committee and will be sent to the House of Bishops.<br /><br />We proceeded to work on "Holy Women Holy Men." We passed along the group of commemorations that had been proposed last Convention. And we amended the main enabling resolution to ask the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to continue to work on revising the calendar recommendations with special attention to the principles for inclusion, asking the SCLM to continue their work of writing and editing. All of the newly proposed commemorations were referred to the SCLM.<br /><br />The committee also re-emphasized that the church encourages local observances of noted leaders of the past. We have great latitude to be creative in our appreciation and remembrance of our "saints." We expect continued use of HWHM and other newly created observances around the church even as the SCLM continues the editing process.<br /><br />9:30 p.m. Our Eucharist<br />Our observance of the day is for John Hus, Czech reformer and martyr. Some of our music and our prayers were conducted in the Hmong language. The Hmong are a people without their own country, a nomadic tribe living in the jungles of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China. Members of a Minnesota congregation that has 700 Hmong members helped our worship. There was an exquisite moment during the Lord's Prayer. It is our custom to have everyone pray in our own native language. After we had all finished, the Hmong Episcopalians were still chanting the Lord's Prayer in their language, which takes a bit longer than our spoken English prayer. It was absolutely beautiful and holy to hear.<br /><br />House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson was our preacher. Her theme was "Courage," citing the example of John Hus. <br /><br />Quoting from Bonnie's sermon: "C.S. Lewis reminds us that 'Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at its testing point.'<br />Courage animates all our virtues- honesty, confidence, humility, compassion, integrity, valor. Without courage, all these virtues lie dormant.<br /><br />"There is no prescription for teaching courage. You may have noticed that courage 101 is not taught in school, or even in college, or even in seminary.<br />Even though, taught intentionally in school or not, all our lives, we are students of courage. We learn it from our parents, from friends, from role models like people in our Christian communities, from public figures who take courageous stands on important human rights concerns. We are students of courage all our lives. We read the wisdom of some early Christian mystical theologians who related that our spiritual journey embraces an essential conversion moving us from fear into abiding courage."<br /><br />The resource of the Internet now allow us to be watchers of courage around the world. We remembered the days when the Hmong of Laos suffered from Genocide from the Communist authorities there.<br /><br />Bonnie asked us each to remember the first time you stood up for something. Remember how challenging that was. And how empowering. Remember also those who have inspired you. When one person acts in a courageous way, it can be inspirational to others -- courage is contagious. <br /><br />Courage needs to be exercised, and it gets stronger as we practice courage. (Use it or lose it, my words.) Bonnie got a laugh when she said, "We've got an edge as Episcopalians -- We are spiritual AND religious."<br /><br />"...in the words of my friend Jeannie Wylie Kellerman, baptism requires 'obedience to our Lord's perverse ethic of vulnerability and gain through loss.'<br /><br />11:00 a.m. -- Legislative Session<br />A fairly cranky session. The House did not follow the committee recommendations on quite a few resolutions. We passed resolutions encouraging the reading of the Bible in its entirety this year, affirming the compatibility of science and the Christian faith, to ask for representation for the District of Columbia, to reaffirm the Millennium Development Goals, and we adopted moving toward a paperless General Convention.<br /><br />Jenny Te Paa led our noonday prayers. She spoke of the energy of this gathering and the sense of God's presence. Yes! She spoke of how much easier it is for her to experience God in these communal situations. Can she also have that sense of presence in solitude and silence. It's harder for her, she says. But it can happen, with patience, if we stop talking. A poem: What would be our state, God, if we stopped talking? I've written an email to Jenny asking her for a copy of the poem and I'll pass it along if she sends it.<br /><br />1:00 p.m -- I went to a sack lunch with a presentation by Mote Magomba from Tanzania, telling about his work with street children.<br /><br />2:00 p.m. -- Our Committee reconvened. Some of our air went out when we learned that the House of Bishops had rejected the funding proposal for the meetings of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music. That doesn't mean there will be no funding, but it seems that the bishops want to shift the process for our funding decisions. Their action is related to the very significant conversations that are going on about re-visioning the structure of the General Convention and of the Episcopal Church. Our committee deputized some of our officers to visit with PB&F (Program, Budget and Finance) to talk about the work of the SCLM. There is concern in our committee that some bishops may have lost an interest in evangelical potential and energizing vitality that emerges through our church's liturgical prayer and private devotion.<br /><br />We had one of those sessions that felt like it was bogging down and getting a bit chaotic. And then, it was like a wind grabbed our sails. We activated our four sub-committees -- three to work on the texts of the Creation liturgies, Daily Prayer resources, and the Blessings of Animals prayers, and our other sub-committee on Same-Gender Blessings met to draw up proposals for our public hearing tomorrow night. <br /><br />In the room next door the place was packed, with people in each door and spilling out into the hallway. The Ministry Committee was having hearings on open communion, or the admission of unbaptized persons to communion. There is a lot of energy around this. And, it's particularly interesting that people are all over the map on this one in unpredictable ways. Not the usual liberal/conservative or catholic/evangelical splits.<br /><br />4:30 -- House of Deputies Legislative Session. Some really tedious stuff. Then an inspiring address from two of you members of the Youth Representation. St. Paul's is proud that Maria Taylor is part of the representation and sitting on the floor every day with voice, but not vote.<br /><br />The issue that seems to be generating the most energy is the topic "Structure." I missed the hearing last night, and I have to confess I am pretty much in the dark about it so far. <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/06/structure-committee-begins-to-synthesize-resolutions/" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to the Episcopal News Service report of the hearing last night and of the Structure Committee's conversation today. <br /><br />After I read this report, I'm still as foggy as I was before. I'm hoping for some clarity as people find some articulation for what specific problems they are trying to address and what possible solutions they want to propose.<br /><br />This afternoon we considered a dramatic resolution instructing the Executive Committee to sell or rent the Church Center Building at 815 2nd Avenue, New York, City. There is a foundation rattling spirit afoot. We tabled the motion until after some of the Structure resolutions are dealt with.<br /><br />We ended the day with the presentation of a bunch of new bishops whose elections were confirmed at this Convention.<br /><br />The Arkansas Deputation went out to dinner tonight. The restaurant's air conditioner was broken. Good time. Hot though.<br /><br /><br />Lowell <br /><br /><br /><br />Lowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06076747108959365038noreply@blogger.com0