integrity

Beth Marquart


“How can you initiate someone and then treat them like they are half-asses baptized?” Bishop Barbara Harris, Integrity Eucharist July 9, 2009

Bp Harris said is so much more clearly and wittily and with cleverly, sharply honed edges but my question - who the hell do we think we are to deny another human, another person, full participation in the life of the church - is the crossroad I have come to after yesterday.

I was seated in the House of Deputies the past 2 days and will be again today. Yesterday, the House of Deputies Committee of the Whole convened and we listened to 27 people tell their stories in relation to B033. Nineteen spoke to modifying or rejecting it, the remaining 8 spoke to the need to preserve it. The speakers were selected randomly through a lottery system; those with the lowest numbers were allowed to speak. My number was not among the lowest numbers and so I listened, puzzling over how people of God could possibly give up – sacrifice – one group of people in order to remain in relationship with another. I know, I know – allowing the Presiding Bishop…Lambeth….buying time….scism…. and my question, “Who the hell do we think we are….” was formed.

And it was informed and re-informed during the Integrity Eucharist last evening. There were 1200 people – joyful people – in that room and each moment of the Eucharist was holier than the last. I do not have words to describe my sense of joy, how welcomed we were, my sense of hope, the music – from African call and response to Jesus Loves Me - this was church. This is the church to which I wish to belong. The one where you and me and everyone else is truly welcome because of who we are, not who we aren’t. This is the Episcopal Church.

I pray that I’m seated in the House of Deputies when the resolution in response to B033 comes to the floor so that I can cast my vote to reject B033 and welcome all to the table in full participation. That is full participation because I echo Bp Harris’ question: how can you initiate someone and then treat them like they are half-asses baptized…