Yesterday afternoon I attended the Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music public hearing on resolutions concerning blessing same-sex unions. There are many resolutions before the committee that fall into this category, and the committee heard testimony from bishops, deputies, visitors, and our very own Hannah Anderson, a youth from our Diocese who is here as a volunteer. She spoke very well and received a round of applause (which was then subdued by the committee chair, as applause is not permitted in these meetings). The testimony was generally thoughtful and often personal, involving stories drawn from individual people's lives. There is, of course, quite a bit of energy behind the question of blessing same-sex relationships!
Then yesterday evening I attended another open hearing, this one about "B033," which was the resolution passed at the last Convention that (essentially) asked Bishops and Standing Committees not to consent to the election of partnered gay or lesbian people as bishops. Needless to say, this hearing also had many who wished to testify, and went until 10:00 PM. Highlights again included many personal stories, some from people who are actively involved in ministry in other parts of the Anglican Communion. Many of these people suggested that the fear that opening the process of election of bishops to gay and lesbian candidates would sever our ties with the rest of the Anglican Communion was unfounded. Others were certain that repealing B033 would be tantamount to telling the rest of the Anglican Communion that we no longer cared about them.
This morning, I sat on the floor of the House of Deputies and heard even more testimony about B033 (I almost had the opportunity to speak myself, but there was not sufficient time)--now the issue has gone back to the committee on World Mission, which will work to determine what to do with the many resolutions that have been submitted on this topic. Stay posted for more!
