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Closing day of General Convention 2009! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Although this convention has been much less contentious than (I’m told) previous ones, we are all weary. Fortunately, our deputation has worked remarkably well together and I am grateful to these other exhausted Alabamians for their friendship counsel these past two weeks. We have maintained a cheerful camaraderie even under the strain of differing opinions. We have engaged in honest and frank discussions of difficult topics in which my thoughts and beliefs have been challenged and informed and I am grateful to these good people for their willingness to be open to me and to each other even we
when we disagreed. Through all of it, we have maintained a care for each other - and for the process - that makes me very proud to be part of this deputation, especially in light of the increasing frustration level of some of our nearby deputations over the past few days.
Yesterday was a very difficult day as we made the hard choices of a convention called on to cut a budget by 12 ½ percent. Important programs were lost. People, real people with names and families, will lose jobs. Due to the current economic strains, “the asking” (the amount requested by The Episcopal Church from each diocese - currently at 21.5%) is being held level in 2010, and then reduced slightly in each of the following two years. This, of course, put even further strains on the budget with which we dealt this week.
Throughout this process, however, we have managed to maintain (and even increase) our commitment to mission. Our Presiding Bishop’s opening address and the theme that mission is the heartbeat of our church, resounded with those of us gathered to do the work of this 76th General Convention and led those who developed the budget to embrace the following five priorities in our budgeting for the next three years:
- Networking the members of the Body of Christ (within the Episcopal Church, the larger Anglican Communion, and in ecumenical relationships with other churches)
- Alleviating Poverty and Injustice
- Claiming our Identity
- Growing Congregations and the Next Generations of Faith
- Strengthening Governance and Foundations for Ministry
Many of the budgeting decisions we made were difficult and yet we remain in an atmosphere of hope and optimism. Some of the programs that were cut may have reached the end of their life cycle and their ending may generate new and exciting initiatives. We will find ways to reduce expenses (including the expenses of the next General Convention) and use more of our money for the mission of the church. More meetings will be held by teleconference, reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the earth, “our island home.” Resurrection from death – it is the pattern of our lives together and though not easy, reveals to us God’s goodness and care.
As we prepare to leave this place, there is some tension and unease about the position this convention has taken on the issue of human sexuality. Two resolutions, in particular, have captured the attention of the media who seem, remarkably, to have written their headlines long before we even arrived in Anaheim
The first is resolution D025. This resolution - passed by a wide margin in both houses - strongly reaffirms our commitment to the Anglican Communion and acknowledges that when the communion called on us “listen to the experience of homosexual persons” over the past 30 years - we actually did so. What the church found was that our membership includes many gay persons who are living in lifelong, committed relationships and that many of them have served, and continue to serve, in all aspects of the ministries of our churches, including ordained ministry. The discernment process for ordained ministry, as set forth in our constitution and canons, is open and available to all people God might call to those ministries and this resolution simply restates that. Finally, the resolution acknowledges that the people of The Episcopal Church continue to discern these issues and that in our discernment of Holy Scripture, tradition and reason, we are not yet of one mind.
This statement is, I think, a fair assessment of where we are as a church. The resolution does not instruct changes in our church. It does not change our constitutions or our canons. It seems to me simply an honest summary of where we are at this point in our common lives together. From my perspective, such honesty is the only beginning point from which true relationship can flourish.
The second resolution is one you may have already read about. It, too, passed overwhelmingly in the House of Bishops yesterday and passed overwhelmingly in the House of Deputies today. I have been amazed at how incorrectly this resolution has been reported in the media – including the Birmingham News – and, again, invite you to read the resolution for yourself.
This resolution begins by acknowledging the changing perspective and diverse dynamic in the United States
Resolution C056 instructs the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music (in consultation with the House of Bishops) to collect and develop RESOURCES (not liturgies – resources) and report them back to the next convention. (The Associated Press article which the Birmingham News ran implied that the bishops had approved rites for same sex unions. This is completely false and terribly misleading.) Once again, please read the resolution.
In addition to these two “hot button” resolutions, we also commissioned a major (and long overdue) study on the theology of marriage to be conducted by the Theology Committee which Bishop Parsley chairs. Actually having a clear and deeply thought-out theology from which to base these conversations will be tremendously helpful as we navigate the new and choppy waters in which we find ourselves.
There will be some additional information coming to you soon in the form of a letter from Bishop Parsley and I will also forward a letter written by Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori to Archbishop Rowan Williams and others in the Anglican Communion about the resolutions from this convention.
Though the experience has been personally taxing and stressful, as most difficult things tend to be, this process has been transformative for me. I have a different perspective of and a greater appreciation for the magnitude and scope of this our beloved part of the body of Christ. I am going to spend the next several days reflecting on the whirlwind of this 76th General Convention, re-reading articles, looking at my notes, re-reading some of the legislation that came at us so very quickly. (We processed almost 400 pieces of legislation – most of it we dealt with in our general session just this past week!)
I look forward to talking with you more about the Convention, the decisions that we made there, the decisions I made there. If you have concerns or questions, please ask freely and openly and I will answer as honestly as I can. I am very much looking forward to being among you again soon. God’s blessings. John Mark +
* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:
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D025
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Title:
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Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion
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Topic:
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Anglican Communion
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Committee:
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08 - World
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House of Initial Action:
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Deputies
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Proposer:
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Ms. D. Rebecca Snow
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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
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.
* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:
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C056
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Title:
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Liturgies for Blessings
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Topic:
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Liturgy
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Committee:
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13 - Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music
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House of Initial Action:
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Bishops
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Proposer:
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Diocese of
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Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.
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