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…
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
General Convention Day Three
GENERAL CONVENTION OBSERVATIONS, DAY THREE
HAVING A GREAT TIME—WISH YOU WERE HERE
We’re at a brief moment right now of proceeding quickly through a multitude of little resolutions that have to do with rules and order, but nothing yet of any real substance. Maybe this is a good day to reflect upon some of the things I’m liking about the way this General Convention is going.
• Anaheim is an excellent place to have a General Convention, even in the shadow of Disneyland. The Marriott is bright and comfortable. The Hilton, where committees are meeting, it just across the street. The Convention Center, where sessions, worship, and exhibitors are located, is next door, or at the end of the street.
• We’re actually using our hospitality room this year, because it is comfortably arranged as a gathering place. From our perch on the 17th floor of the Marriott, we can watch the nightly fireworks show at Disney and wind down after busy days.
• Our exercises on personal story-telling are better than expected. Phyllis, our “coach” from Southwest Virginia, is a nice younger priest doing a good job. We did actually use the practice with strangers yesterday in session, and I think it was positive.
• Worship is a high point, as expected. More on that separately later.
• Having the Archbishop of Canterbury present for a couple of days has been a treat.
• We are suspending our rules of order to have some periods of open dialogue on some of the more contentious issues we face, instead of formal debate. That is going to be much less tense, and I hope, more helpful to us.
• A group of us rode out to a Thai restaurant last night and had a non-hotel meal, for a nice break. We now have our own taxi driver (with van, no less) to call directly whenever we want to go someplace.
One of the things I enjoy about Convention is the Exhibitors’ Hall. It is open only when I cannot go there. Go figure.
I was complaining earlier about the removal of my Committee’s resolution from the Deputies’ calendar. I found out later it was just due to an error—it was supposed to have been sent to the Bishops first, not to Deputies; it will be back to us if approved by the Bishops. Fine. But why couldn’t that have been said out loud? Also, no announcement was ever made about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appearance, causing frustration and consternation that was totally avoidable with a 30-second announcement from the dais. So communication issues continue to plague us, completely unnecessarily.
My Committee (Church is Small Communities) is now finished with its assigned business, having dealt with two resolutions and produced one of our own, unless the Bishops amend one of ours and it gets sent back to us, or someone refers something new to us. Maybe that will leave some gaps in schedule for me to shop at Exhibitions—a very important part of General Convention. Otherwise, how will I get a new Episcopal Church belt and matching collar and lead for Oscar?
HAVING A GREAT TIME—WISH YOU WERE HERE
We’re at a brief moment right now of proceeding quickly through a multitude of little resolutions that have to do with rules and order, but nothing yet of any real substance. Maybe this is a good day to reflect upon some of the things I’m liking about the way this General Convention is going.
• Anaheim is an excellent place to have a General Convention, even in the shadow of Disneyland. The Marriott is bright and comfortable. The Hilton, where committees are meeting, it just across the street. The Convention Center, where sessions, worship, and exhibitors are located, is next door, or at the end of the street.
• We’re actually using our hospitality room this year, because it is comfortably arranged as a gathering place. From our perch on the 17th floor of the Marriott, we can watch the nightly fireworks show at Disney and wind down after busy days.
• Our exercises on personal story-telling are better than expected. Phyllis, our “coach” from Southwest Virginia, is a nice younger priest doing a good job. We did actually use the practice with strangers yesterday in session, and I think it was positive.
• Worship is a high point, as expected. More on that separately later.
• Having the Archbishop of Canterbury present for a couple of days has been a treat.
• We are suspending our rules of order to have some periods of open dialogue on some of the more contentious issues we face, instead of formal debate. That is going to be much less tense, and I hope, more helpful to us.
• A group of us rode out to a Thai restaurant last night and had a non-hotel meal, for a nice break. We now have our own taxi driver (with van, no less) to call directly whenever we want to go someplace.
One of the things I enjoy about Convention is the Exhibitors’ Hall. It is open only when I cannot go there. Go figure.
I was complaining earlier about the removal of my Committee’s resolution from the Deputies’ calendar. I found out later it was just due to an error—it was supposed to have been sent to the Bishops first, not to Deputies; it will be back to us if approved by the Bishops. Fine. But why couldn’t that have been said out loud? Also, no announcement was ever made about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s appearance, causing frustration and consternation that was totally avoidable with a 30-second announcement from the dais. So communication issues continue to plague us, completely unnecessarily.
My Committee (Church is Small Communities) is now finished with its assigned business, having dealt with two resolutions and produced one of our own, unless the Bishops amend one of ours and it gets sent back to us, or someone refers something new to us. Maybe that will leave some gaps in schedule for me to shop at Exhibitions—a very important part of General Convention. Otherwise, how will I get a new Episcopal Church belt and matching collar and lead for Oscar?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Reflection Day 2 - Almost 3.....
At some point today I stopped being shocked by the size-of-it-all here at GC and became aware of the Ubuntu, I in You, You in Me where the collective wisdom is greater than the individual. This is the theme of this convention and I see it around me and am aware of it around me and in the midst of me.
I spent some time this afternoon resting at a table in the food court (where Wayne Rollins found me, but that is another story), cup of coffee in hand with not quite enough time to head back to the hotel to catch even 10 zzzzz’s and not nearly enough energy to keep going. I found myself studying a huge quilt panel which told 6 stories of people who died of HIV/AIDS in the late 80s and early 90s. I was struck by the set of the information table placed before the quilt – it looked like an altar; 2 red candles burning, one to the left, the other to the right and a huge, contemporary floral arrangement throwing up its huge leaves in celebration of life and love and hope. Ubuntu --
George, the volunteer at the HIV/AIDS booth, and I spent some time talking quietly about the work they do, the variety of responses to the quilt – people stop to pray, cry, tell their stories. In fact, I shared a story of a friend lost to HIV/AIDS and the celebration of another friend who has lived with the virus for 20 years. Ubuntu –
George, with great sorrow, told about young people who have no memory of the terror this disease held for us all and how cavalier they are about being able to live with it, since ‘no one dies of it any more.’ Ubuntu --
And all God’s children do have a seat in the choir – even me! Ubuntu ---
During this afternoon’s session we told our stories to another person whom we did not know. I spent time with Ann, a delegate from Lexington, warily at first because the topic was B033; our story in relation to it; our church’s story in relation to it and where we go from here. We discovered that for very divergent reasons we agreed that we, as individuals, as members of our local parishes and delegates to GC believe it is time to move on, by overturning this resolution. And we, the collective, GC-wide we, will work our way through this in the days to come. Ubuntu ---
Thank you for electing me as an alternate to GC. Ubuntu ---
I spent some time this afternoon resting at a table in the food court (where Wayne Rollins found me, but that is another story), cup of coffee in hand with not quite enough time to head back to the hotel to catch even 10 zzzzz’s and not nearly enough energy to keep going. I found myself studying a huge quilt panel which told 6 stories of people who died of HIV/AIDS in the late 80s and early 90s. I was struck by the set of the information table placed before the quilt – it looked like an altar; 2 red candles burning, one to the left, the other to the right and a huge, contemporary floral arrangement throwing up its huge leaves in celebration of life and love and hope. Ubuntu --
George, the volunteer at the HIV/AIDS booth, and I spent some time talking quietly about the work they do, the variety of responses to the quilt – people stop to pray, cry, tell their stories. In fact, I shared a story of a friend lost to HIV/AIDS and the celebration of another friend who has lived with the virus for 20 years. Ubuntu –
George, with great sorrow, told about young people who have no memory of the terror this disease held for us all and how cavalier they are about being able to live with it, since ‘no one dies of it any more.’ Ubuntu --
And all God’s children do have a seat in the choir – even me! Ubuntu ---
During this afternoon’s session we told our stories to another person whom we did not know. I spent time with Ann, a delegate from Lexington, warily at first because the topic was B033; our story in relation to it; our church’s story in relation to it and where we go from here. We discovered that for very divergent reasons we agreed that we, as individuals, as members of our local parishes and delegates to GC believe it is time to move on, by overturning this resolution. And we, the collective, GC-wide we, will work our way through this in the days to come. Ubuntu ---
Thank you for electing me as an alternate to GC. Ubuntu ---
Province III Luncheon with VTS
Pictured left to right are Sissy Poland, Kevin Kelly, Dean Markham, and Cheryl Winter. Yes, for those of you who are wondering, i am in a cervical collar. I was in a car accident three weeks ago involving a drunk driver and found out last week i have a neck fracture. I don't recommend it, by the way.
Day Two: Ubuntu
THE GENERAL CONVENTION: DAY TWO
UBUNTU
Descartes: “I think; therefore, I am.”
Ubuntu: “I am, because you are; you are, because I am.”
Much is being made, this General Convention, of Ubuntu, a traditional African way of relating that is touted as being inclusive, mutually respectful, and just. Ubuntu’s faith is based in the collective wisdom of the community rather than the energy, drive, and ambition of the individual. It emphasizes the good of all, not the power of a few. It recognizes our inter-dependence, rather than one’s independence.
These concepts could, presented fairly, be very helpful and corrective. I’m a big fan of inter-dependence and justice. Still, one of the advantages of being my age (there aren’t many) is the perspective of having seen catch-words and phrases come and go over the years, making scarcely a ripple of change in the way things are actually done. Apparently, Ubuntu is somewhat like Aloha, an all-occasion sort of word. I can’t help feeling that, a handful of years from now, we’ll wonder what Ubuntu was all about. It’s all a kind of fashion-statement. Here’s a summary of the present status of in’s and outs.
Africa is good: Europe is bad. The United States is VERY bad.
Color is good: white is bad.
Feminine is good: masculine is bad.
Community is good: individuality is bad.
Indigenous is good: mainstream culture is bad.
I do not claim that white men of European ancestry have done such a bang-up job of running the world and managing its resources over the last half-millennium that they should continue to be given free and exclusive reign over it. Far from it. I do claim that, however fair it might be to hand over the scepter to women of color for the next five hundred years, that would not serve us all that much better (and besides, it ain’t going to happen!) I like to see power being shared more widely and broadly. I like to see white males of the Establishment changing not only their attitudes, but their ways, and some of them being toppled from their pedestals of power. I like the concepts of nationalism, rugged individualism, and capitalism, which—let’s face it, comprise our true religion far more than Christianity ever has done—challenged fairly.
But both Ubuntu and its immediate predecessor catch-word (which we hardly hear any more) Endaba bother me, in that no one ever mentions their negative side. Likewise, it is almost socially unacceptable in some quarters to mention the positive side of western individualism. We need to keep both before us as well as their opposites.
Western individualism did not bring us slavery or poverty. The world had both of those already, and Africa has both still. Western individualism brought us democracy, the termination of slavery (through abolitionism, which was a minority movement), and the creation of the middle economic class. Western individualism did not invent the inferiority of women: it allowed the women’s movement to bring about greater liberties for women.
The actual practice of Ubuntu in African society devalues women almost entirely. It also inhibits the open expression of ideas that question those of the group’s leadership. It leaves no room for dissent or loyal opposition. It thwarts experimentation by an individual or a few, which could flop ignominiously, or provide a major new advance to the benefit of all. In the end, it is essentially authoritarian, not democratic. Incidentally, I’m seeing some of that last right here at General Convention 76: it is not cool to question the agenda of the leadership of the House of Deputies.
In other words, exchanging one partial truth for another partial truth won’t save us. I’ve heard “the spirit of Ubuntu” invoked here in Anaheim as if it were synonymous with the Holy Spirit. It isn’t. Ubuntu conveys some truth: it is not The Truth. As there are negatives to western culture and philosophy, masculinity, and individualism, so there are negatives to African, native American, and Eastern cultures and philosophies, to feminism, and collectivism as well. We should not be looking to replace one flawed cultural outlook with another. We should be looking for balance.
We should also be looking for meaningful and productive change, not just jargon. I find it amusing that, in all of this talk of Ubuntu, we at General Convention continue to act like the United States Congress (because we are structured and governed that way). If we don’t change our structures and rules, we can never change our way of acting.
UBUNTU
Descartes: “I think; therefore, I am.”
Ubuntu: “I am, because you are; you are, because I am.”
Much is being made, this General Convention, of Ubuntu, a traditional African way of relating that is touted as being inclusive, mutually respectful, and just. Ubuntu’s faith is based in the collective wisdom of the community rather than the energy, drive, and ambition of the individual. It emphasizes the good of all, not the power of a few. It recognizes our inter-dependence, rather than one’s independence.
These concepts could, presented fairly, be very helpful and corrective. I’m a big fan of inter-dependence and justice. Still, one of the advantages of being my age (there aren’t many) is the perspective of having seen catch-words and phrases come and go over the years, making scarcely a ripple of change in the way things are actually done. Apparently, Ubuntu is somewhat like Aloha, an all-occasion sort of word. I can’t help feeling that, a handful of years from now, we’ll wonder what Ubuntu was all about. It’s all a kind of fashion-statement. Here’s a summary of the present status of in’s and outs.
Africa is good: Europe is bad. The United States is VERY bad.
Color is good: white is bad.
Feminine is good: masculine is bad.
Community is good: individuality is bad.
Indigenous is good: mainstream culture is bad.
I do not claim that white men of European ancestry have done such a bang-up job of running the world and managing its resources over the last half-millennium that they should continue to be given free and exclusive reign over it. Far from it. I do claim that, however fair it might be to hand over the scepter to women of color for the next five hundred years, that would not serve us all that much better (and besides, it ain’t going to happen!) I like to see power being shared more widely and broadly. I like to see white males of the Establishment changing not only their attitudes, but their ways, and some of them being toppled from their pedestals of power. I like the concepts of nationalism, rugged individualism, and capitalism, which—let’s face it, comprise our true religion far more than Christianity ever has done—challenged fairly.
But both Ubuntu and its immediate predecessor catch-word (which we hardly hear any more) Endaba bother me, in that no one ever mentions their negative side. Likewise, it is almost socially unacceptable in some quarters to mention the positive side of western individualism. We need to keep both before us as well as their opposites.
Western individualism did not bring us slavery or poverty. The world had both of those already, and Africa has both still. Western individualism brought us democracy, the termination of slavery (through abolitionism, which was a minority movement), and the creation of the middle economic class. Western individualism did not invent the inferiority of women: it allowed the women’s movement to bring about greater liberties for women.
The actual practice of Ubuntu in African society devalues women almost entirely. It also inhibits the open expression of ideas that question those of the group’s leadership. It leaves no room for dissent or loyal opposition. It thwarts experimentation by an individual or a few, which could flop ignominiously, or provide a major new advance to the benefit of all. In the end, it is essentially authoritarian, not democratic. Incidentally, I’m seeing some of that last right here at General Convention 76: it is not cool to question the agenda of the leadership of the House of Deputies.
In other words, exchanging one partial truth for another partial truth won’t save us. I’ve heard “the spirit of Ubuntu” invoked here in Anaheim as if it were synonymous with the Holy Spirit. It isn’t. Ubuntu conveys some truth: it is not The Truth. As there are negatives to western culture and philosophy, masculinity, and individualism, so there are negatives to African, native American, and Eastern cultures and philosophies, to feminism, and collectivism as well. We should not be looking to replace one flawed cultural outlook with another. We should be looking for balance.
We should also be looking for meaningful and productive change, not just jargon. I find it amusing that, in all of this talk of Ubuntu, we at General Convention continue to act like the United States Congress (because we are structured and governed that way). If we don’t change our structures and rules, we can never change our way of acting.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Day One - First Impressions of a First Time Deputy
Okay, today is actually Day 2, so i'm a day late posting this, but i'll just blame that on the difference in time zones. I have just a few initial impressions about The General Convention i wanted to share with you. The first is, it's big. There are a bunch of people here. I knew that going in, but it still makes an impression when you see the whole body of the Convention gathered for our different functions. And for such a big event, things are mostly going really smoothly. Clearly, the folks in charge have done this before. That said, it's a lot more normal than i thought. From what i've heard about General Convention, i guess i expected to see people walking on stilts, or trailing shawls and beads behind them, or something, but mostly it's just folks. The people here look pretty much like every other group of Episcopalians i've seen before, and they mostly dress normally. Well, mostly. Okay, see this one in particular...
You might recognize her as Amy Seitz, one of our Deputies. She's actually taking part in a skit meant to teach us how things work on the floor of the legislative session, and here's she pretending to be Deputy Cinderella from the Diocese of Bippity Boppity Boo, trying to submit a substitute resolution about... well, never mind what it was about, it was funny and instructive. Most of the other deputies weren't wearing crowns, at least not yet.
One last thought about being here. I've heard from folks who've attended these before that one of the best things about General Convention is that you get to see all your old friends from the Church who are now spread all over the country and beyond. I have to admit that i was a little apprehensive about that, because i didn't think i'd been around long enough to know that many people. I was wrong. It's been a very pleasant surprise to see so many people that i recognize, some of whom i haven't seen in ten or fifteen years. And, as so often happen with good friends who haven't seen each other in a while, we just pick up right where we left off, as if no time had passed.
I am eager to see how the next ten days go, how many old friends i'll get to reconnect with, and how many new friends i'll meet before i leave.
kevin
P.S. - Remember, you can post comments to any of the stories we post on this blog. We hope you will.
Exhausted in Anaheim
GENERAL CONVENTION DAY ONE
Just arriving in Anaheim after an exceedingly long day of travel (one-hour fog delay at Tri-State Airport resulted in an eight-hour delay in arrival) is an occasion for more than the usual thanksgiving. I’m grateful the first day of committee work and orientation are relatively low-stakes, because I fear we’d all be snarling at one another out of simple fatigue-crankiness if we had to deal with more serious business right off. Even in my present jaundiced view, though, I can recognize that this convention is getting off to a better start than the last one. One reason is the schedule: it is front-loaded with committee meeting time, but light on legislative session time early on. Later, that ratio will flip. This is having the effect of hustling resolutions along to the floor quickly so that they will not all pile up at the end, as we complained of in ’06. I’m told that some of the most “interesting” and controversial matters are advancing rapidly in their committees so that even they will come up much earlier than would have been the case before. We have to be on our toes at every legislative session, it seems, which is fine by me.
My committee is “Church in Small Communities,” and I’m enjoying it despite my sleepiness. We are two committees meeting together: Bishops and Deputies have parallel bodies. Bishop Tom Ely of Vermont is Bishop Chair, and I’m impressed with his leadership. Deputy Chair is Ivette Linares of Puerto Rico, who is learning her role, but very personable. We have only two resolutions to process, but we are asking to have a portion of a third referred to us. We held a hearing on one, A 116, last night and sent it on to the House of Deputies with some amendments which, in my opinion, improved it considerably.
The amendment process at GC is just like the one at Diocesan Convention level. We began with informal conversation working toward consensus. Then, when we were ready, we moved to formal consideration of amendment language. I observe, for whatever this means, that bishops speak out more than Deputies, and that priests speak up more than laity, men and women about the same. As usual, I was determined to keep my mouth shut, but as usual, unsuccessful, as there were a couple of wording issues that needed a little tweaking.
We had spent our first session getting to know one another, which was a time-consuming process. However, it pays off later when it comes time to express a difference of opinion, however slight. When the members have some knowledge of one another and have had some cordial words together (and some of us are acquainted from earlier life), it makes a big difference in how one can make an alternate suggestion, and in how that feedback is received. There is much less chance for misunderstanding or resentment being produced.
So we are off and running. I’m writing this at 5:00 a.m., the latest I was able to stay in bed. I’m assured by Ben James that I will eventually adapt to the time change—on the day I leave for home. Might as well brew some coffee; our opening session begins at 8:00!
Donald Vinson
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