The 76th General Convention has come and gone now, and it is what it is. I am deferring a listing of its decisions for now, because it occurs to me that I am uncertain what they are-- I lost track of what the House of Bishops did with many of the resolutions from House of Deputies. That list will have to come later.
Meanwhile, I thank the people of the Diocese of West Virginia for the honor they have bestowed upon me in electing me to be their deputy at the last two General Conventions. Serving with my fellow deputies has been a most enjoyable privilege. I think more of our clergy and laity ought to have the opportunity to serve their church in General Convention.
Toward that end, I am announcing now that I have no plans to seek election as Deputy to General Convention 77 meeting in Indianapolis in 2012. I hope that information will help others, including some of the younger or newer clergy in our diocese, to offer themselves as candidates.
Thank you, West Virginia, for entrusting me with this responsibility.
Donald
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
And We're Out ---
Beth Marquart
From House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson:
"The mood has been extremely, extremely -- I don't think there's a wordcalled ubuntu-ish, but if there were, that is how I would describe the moodof this General Convention. We did not all agree 100percent. We have been struggling. We have heard each other. We have been so careful to make sure that we have listened to and responded to the needs of our church.”
This has been an extraordinary experience, thanks be to God.
Please remember us in your prayers as we make our way home. Please also remember my friend and mentor, Lawton Posey, in your prayers. He had a cochlear implant today. Thanks ---
From House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson:
"The mood has been extremely, extremely -- I don't think there's a wordcalled ubuntu-ish, but if there were, that is how I would describe the moodof this General Convention. We did not all agree 100percent. We have been struggling. We have heard each other. We have been so careful to make sure that we have listened to and responded to the needs of our church.”
This has been an extraordinary experience, thanks be to God.
Please remember us in your prayers as we make our way home. Please also remember my friend and mentor, Lawton Posey, in your prayers. He had a cochlear implant today. Thanks ---
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Day 9
Beth Marquart
Today I’m a free agent because all of the deputies of our laity deputation are seated on the convention floor.
My plan today is loose, the floor sessions convene at 9:30am and the plan in both houses is to approve the budget. One of the rules announced yesterday in the House of Deputies was that if one wishes to amend a line item by adding funds to it, one must also say what line item will be reduced to care for the increase, causing care and good stewardship to reign.
And speaking of the budget, PB&F, the committee that created it, is to be commended for their difficult work. Bishop Klusmeyer spoke about the huge gap between available funds and the proposed budget so I won’t reiterate any of that. But they worked hard and kept their eye, beneath their eyeshades with abacus at hand, firmly planted on the priorities named and adopted. As a result things like the Millennium Development Goals remain fully funded at 0.7% and domestic poverty in the Americas is also funded at 0.7% through Jubilee Ministries.
A recommendation has been made to reduce the 77th General Convention by 2 days which affords savings across the board as delegates, dioceses and the convention itself realize savings.
The CCABs (Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards) that meet between conventions and do the yeoman’s duty on the directives passed at GC have been challenged to make electronic meetings their norm and their travel budgets have been greatly reduced as a result.
Each of these actions, and many many more unnamed, point to the good stewardship and difficult decisions untaken by PB&F. Thanks be to God for their work.
And once more --- please follow the action on the Episcopal News Service, http://ecusa.anglican.org/ens/. Much good work has been accomplished at this 76th General Convention and we are not able to do service to it but the good folks at ESN are doing so. Another good source of timely news is the Episcopal Café, http://www.episcopalcafe.com/ . Actually, Episcopal Café is always a good source of news and posts a reflection every day.
So, I think I may go to the House of Bishops and sit in the visitors gallery. The process they employ is very prayerful and intentional. I witnessed it yesterday and was struck by these aspects amidst their disagreement which was characterized as loving and respectful of one another.
Thanks for electing me as an alternate to this 76th General Convention. I would not have missed it for anything; the experience has been worth the 2 weeks of vacation time it took to be here. I will never forget the people I have met here. I will carry the worship experiences in my heart and the acts of kindness and civilty extended to one and all, across the board. I hope you’ll send me again --
Today I’m a free agent because all of the deputies of our laity deputation are seated on the convention floor.
My plan today is loose, the floor sessions convene at 9:30am and the plan in both houses is to approve the budget. One of the rules announced yesterday in the House of Deputies was that if one wishes to amend a line item by adding funds to it, one must also say what line item will be reduced to care for the increase, causing care and good stewardship to reign.
And speaking of the budget, PB&F, the committee that created it, is to be commended for their difficult work. Bishop Klusmeyer spoke about the huge gap between available funds and the proposed budget so I won’t reiterate any of that. But they worked hard and kept their eye, beneath their eyeshades with abacus at hand, firmly planted on the priorities named and adopted. As a result things like the Millennium Development Goals remain fully funded at 0.7% and domestic poverty in the Americas is also funded at 0.7% through Jubilee Ministries.
A recommendation has been made to reduce the 77th General Convention by 2 days which affords savings across the board as delegates, dioceses and the convention itself realize savings.
The CCABs (Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards) that meet between conventions and do the yeoman’s duty on the directives passed at GC have been challenged to make electronic meetings their norm and their travel budgets have been greatly reduced as a result.
Each of these actions, and many many more unnamed, point to the good stewardship and difficult decisions untaken by PB&F. Thanks be to God for their work.
And once more --- please follow the action on the Episcopal News Service, http://ecusa.anglican.org/ens/. Much good work has been accomplished at this 76th General Convention and we are not able to do service to it but the good folks at ESN are doing so. Another good source of timely news is the Episcopal Café, http://www.episcopalcafe.com/ . Actually, Episcopal Café is always a good source of news and posts a reflection every day.
So, I think I may go to the House of Bishops and sit in the visitors gallery. The process they employ is very prayerful and intentional. I witnessed it yesterday and was struck by these aspects amidst their disagreement which was characterized as loving and respectful of one another.
Thanks for electing me as an alternate to this 76th General Convention. I would not have missed it for anything; the experience has been worth the 2 weeks of vacation time it took to be here. I will never forget the people I have met here. I will carry the worship experiences in my heart and the acts of kindness and civilty extended to one and all, across the board. I hope you’ll send me again --
Entering the Home Stretch, from Donald Vinson
We still have a great deal on our agenda here in Anaheim, but the shadow of a certain time for adjournment Friday evening is looming. At end of session yesterday, my committee, now Small Congregations, met briefly to refer all three of our resolutions, which have passed the House of Bishops unscathed, to the Consent Calendar. This means that we consider them non-controversial matters that can be passed in a bundle to save time, disallowing debate on the individual measures. Otherwise, they might never reach the floor of Deputies, and might just die (our resolutions started with the Bishops.) A couple have some particular significance, because they are about the support of the church for Indian missions, including Navajoland, which were created in 1970 to assuage the conscience of the church, but which have never been properly funded. We also created several new dioceses back then that have never been viable financially. Some are teetering on bankruptcy today.
Clearly, the church needs to do a wholesale reconfiguring of diocesan boundaries, particularly in light of the four "departed" dioceses, now populated by a small "remnant," which are not viable on their own anymore. While at it, why not offer others the opportunity to make adjustments that would strengthen them? But that is work to be done for the next GC, not for this one.
The report of PB&F is a grim one. We are just about out of money. Cuts are being made everywhere, and the blood is on the floor. Our task today is not going to be a happy one, I expect.
But there is much to be done. This convention is far from being a one-issue meeting, despite the impression left by the press. By the end of session tomorrow, I will work with fellow Deputies to produce a list of significant actions folks at home might like to hear about.
It will be a long day on 5 hours sleep, as I still wake up on Eastern time.
Clearly, the church needs to do a wholesale reconfiguring of diocesan boundaries, particularly in light of the four "departed" dioceses, now populated by a small "remnant," which are not viable on their own anymore. While at it, why not offer others the opportunity to make adjustments that would strengthen them? But that is work to be done for the next GC, not for this one.
The report of PB&F is a grim one. We are just about out of money. Cuts are being made everywhere, and the blood is on the floor. Our task today is not going to be a happy one, I expect.
But there is much to be done. This convention is far from being a one-issue meeting, despite the impression left by the press. By the end of session tomorrow, I will work with fellow Deputies to produce a list of significant actions folks at home might like to hear about.
It will be a long day on 5 hours sleep, as I still wake up on Eastern time.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
General Convention Impressions
I am pleased to serve as a deputy for our General Convention. This has been a very enlightening experience for me as a young priest full of hope for the Episcopal Church.
First, I have found the legislative process to be quite tedious. There are many here (none in our deputation) who seem to simply enjoy the sound of their voices. These folks regularly stand at the microphones to raise an “important” point that really is of no consequence. Folks such as those previously mentioned offer me the opportunity to pray for grace and patience, to accept them fully for who they are and whose they are. For indeed, we are all children of God seeking to do God’s work.
Regarding Resolution D025, as previously mentioned on our blog and various internet sites, I voted in favor of D025. I believe that D025 is our most faithful and loving way to move forward. That being said, I am prayerful that folks will not think in terms of “winners” and “losers.” It is quite clear from the tenor of of this legislative body that D025 is indeed the way to go; however, there are folks who are greatly pained by the passing of this resolution. I believe it would be fruitful for all involved to pray for one another and the life of our church.
I have enjoyed the collegiality among our deputation and the experience worshipping with marvelous music as well as the visual arts. The preaching has been outstanding. The church deserves excellence. I believe we are to give God our very best whatever event we undertake. As we live in today and expect a glorious future, I am hopeful that we won’t seek mediocracy, but will rather live into excellence with one another.
May we continue to acknowledge God’s blessings in all that we do!
God’s Grace,
Eric L. Miller+
Reflections from Cheryl
Cheryl Winter
First of all, many thanks to Beth for posting this for me – I am here in Anaheim without access to computer or internet.
This is my 5th General Convention. The tenor of this one is very different than in the past. I have sensed a generous spirit even in the midst of disagreement. This has not been at all true in the past, in my experience. I welcome it. It gives me hope for our church as we move into the future to which God has called us.
Other deputies have reported on the crazy daily schedule, the D025 resolution and the glorious worship. Let me tell you about the presence of young people at this convention.
There is the Official Youth Presence. This group is made up of 2 young people from each of the 9 provinces of TEC. They have seat and voice on the floor of the House of Deputies. On each of the resolutions that have brought discussion, members of the Youth Presence have spoken with great skill and passion. They have spoken on both “sides” of the matter being discussed. They have encouraged the “older” church to listen to them and to take them seriously. This representative group gives me hope for the future of the church. And our own Jason Beschinski here as a chaperone to the Youth Presence.
In addition to this official presence there is a significantly larger representation of under the age of 30 deputies than in 2006. They bring a perspective to the official and unofficial discussions about the life of the church, present and future.
Tonight many of us will attend an “emergent church” worship experience provided by the Diocese of Los Angeles. It promises to be an exciting and energizing experience. More on that tomorrow!
Keep praying for us and our church.
First of all, many thanks to Beth for posting this for me – I am here in Anaheim without access to computer or internet.
This is my 5th General Convention. The tenor of this one is very different than in the past. I have sensed a generous spirit even in the midst of disagreement. This has not been at all true in the past, in my experience. I welcome it. It gives me hope for our church as we move into the future to which God has called us.
Other deputies have reported on the crazy daily schedule, the D025 resolution and the glorious worship. Let me tell you about the presence of young people at this convention.
There is the Official Youth Presence. This group is made up of 2 young people from each of the 9 provinces of TEC. They have seat and voice on the floor of the House of Deputies. On each of the resolutions that have brought discussion, members of the Youth Presence have spoken with great skill and passion. They have spoken on both “sides” of the matter being discussed. They have encouraged the “older” church to listen to them and to take them seriously. This representative group gives me hope for the future of the church. And our own Jason Beschinski here as a chaperone to the Youth Presence.
In addition to this official presence there is a significantly larger representation of under the age of 30 deputies than in 2006. They bring a perspective to the official and unofficial discussions about the life of the church, present and future.
Tonight many of us will attend an “emergent church” worship experience provided by the Diocese of Los Angeles. It promises to be an exciting and energizing experience. More on that tomorrow!
Keep praying for us and our church.
Final Text of D 025
FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution: D025
Title: Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion
Topic: Anglican Communion
Committee: 08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action: Deputies
Proposer: Ms. D. Rebecca Snow
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, and that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.
EXPLANATION
This resolution provides clarification in light of the Windsor Report (2004) and subsequent discussions in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
The first resolve reaffirms resolution A159 adopted at the 75th General Convention General Convention, in 2006. While much attention has been focused on official statements and resolutions from the primates meetings, Lambeth Conference 2008, and Anglican Consultative Council meetings in 2005 and 2009, our participation in the Anglican Communion consists of a much richer tapestry of ministries and networks as well as personal relationships. Hence the second resolve encourages Episcopalians, individually and in dioceses and parishes, to build relationships with our sisters and brothers around the Anglican Communion by participation in these networks and ministries.
Another sign of the Episcopal Church's commitment to the Anglican Communion is financial. In 2007, The Episcopal Church budgeted $661,000 for the Inter-Anglican budget, which sustains the work of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Communion offices in London. The 2007 financial report of the Anglican Consultative Council (the latest available on the Anglican Communion website) reports a total income from Inter Anglican Budget contributions as £1,134,745 ($1,864,574.36, using 2009 currency rates). In other words, The Episcopal Church contributes a substantial portion of the Inter Anglican Budget. This resolution reaffirms our financial commitment.
Our relationships in the Anglican Communion have been tested by the question of the ordination to the episcopate of individuals living in a same-sex partnership. Resolution D-039 of the 73rd General Convention, in 2000, acknowledged that the membership of the Episcopal Church includes persons living in same-sex relationships; established an expectation that "such relationships will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God"; and further denounced "promiscuity, exploitation, and abusiveness in the relationships of any of our members." Three years later, the 74th General Convention reaffirmed this expectation. These standards thus provide guidance for access to the discernment process for ordination to the episcopate.
The acceptance of the ministry of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons is not settled in The Episcopal Church or in the Anglican Communion. While the church continues to discern God's will in these matters, it is important to remind ourselves that sacramental theology since the time of Augustine of Hippo has affirmed that the validity of sacraments does not depend on the character of the ordained person celebrating those sacraments.
Resolution: D025
Title: Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion
Topic: Anglican Communion
Committee: 08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action: Deputies
Proposer: Ms. D. Rebecca Snow
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, and that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.
EXPLANATION
This resolution provides clarification in light of the Windsor Report (2004) and subsequent discussions in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
The first resolve reaffirms resolution A159 adopted at the 75th General Convention General Convention, in 2006. While much attention has been focused on official statements and resolutions from the primates meetings, Lambeth Conference 2008, and Anglican Consultative Council meetings in 2005 and 2009, our participation in the Anglican Communion consists of a much richer tapestry of ministries and networks as well as personal relationships. Hence the second resolve encourages Episcopalians, individually and in dioceses and parishes, to build relationships with our sisters and brothers around the Anglican Communion by participation in these networks and ministries.
Another sign of the Episcopal Church's commitment to the Anglican Communion is financial. In 2007, The Episcopal Church budgeted $661,000 for the Inter-Anglican budget, which sustains the work of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Anglican Communion offices in London. The 2007 financial report of the Anglican Consultative Council (the latest available on the Anglican Communion website) reports a total income from Inter Anglican Budget contributions as £1,134,745 ($1,864,574.36, using 2009 currency rates). In other words, The Episcopal Church contributes a substantial portion of the Inter Anglican Budget. This resolution reaffirms our financial commitment.
Our relationships in the Anglican Communion have been tested by the question of the ordination to the episcopate of individuals living in a same-sex partnership. Resolution D-039 of the 73rd General Convention, in 2000, acknowledged that the membership of the Episcopal Church includes persons living in same-sex relationships; established an expectation that "such relationships will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God"; and further denounced "promiscuity, exploitation, and abusiveness in the relationships of any of our members." Three years later, the 74th General Convention reaffirmed this expectation. These standards thus provide guidance for access to the discernment process for ordination to the episcopate.
The acceptance of the ministry of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons is not settled in The Episcopal Church or in the Anglican Communion. While the church continues to discern God's will in these matters, it is important to remind ourselves that sacramental theology since the time of Augustine of Hippo has affirmed that the validity of sacraments does not depend on the character of the ordained person celebrating those sacraments.
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