Yesterday was a Surprise. Our Immigration resolution passed the house of deputies without a murmur. I was sorry that we did not talk about it; I had wished for higher visibility.
My work day started at 7:30 am when I worked on committee resolutions and ended at 9:00 am, following testimony on (underlined) four resolutions related to Palestine.
Aside from my first convention, I have now learned more this time than at any other convention that I have attended. Being a sub-committee chair has really opened my eyes to how the system works. It takes a lot of writing, rewriting, discussions, nit picking and more rewriting.
The people on my sub-committee are intelligent, thoughtful, and articulate. They include Bishop Andrus+, Bishop Jelinek, Four Laymen, and two clergy. All had opinions, but worked together lovingly.
Part of the joy was listening to young adults (college age) representing Episcopal peace fellowship. We were all impressed. At least one is sure to become a senator! The staff of The Episcopal Church's Offices of Government Relations are extraordinarily helpful. They were available to advise us and help us word smith. Without Anna Soto, we would still be working on the immigration resolution! Dewayne advised us on how to make the resolution entitled "Fix our broken labor laws" into language that would get it out of our sub-committee.
Since there were several laws working their way through Congress, I discovered how the General Convention Office of Government Relations used General Convention resolutions to advocate for what we believe.
Saturday is another 7:30 am to 9:00 pm day, but Sunday is a sleep in. I need it! More resolutions coming...
Jul 12, 2009
An Update from Stephen Carpenter
Good Saturday! Early morning committee meetings continue, new friendships are being formed, and we have the feeling that we are really making a difference for our church. I am amazed (wearied?) by the incredible "word-smithing" being done in the committees to try to perfect the resolutions before they go to the floor of the convention.
Our response to the Anglican communion is in great debate, as well as same sex issues. Again, I am curious where the holy Spirit will lead me. The church continues to change, transform, strengthen, and grow. We are in an incredible time in the life of the Episcopal church, and there is nothing "Mickey Mouse" about it. We are a part of a church that deeply cares about it's witness to all. Our churches have signs claiming "The episcopal Church Welcomes You" --we want it to be for all. We are holding fast to Jesus' call to "follow him" and remember that "as you do it to the least of these, you do it to me"...Keep us in your prayers.
Our response to the Anglican communion is in great debate, as well as same sex issues. Again, I am curious where the holy Spirit will lead me. The church continues to change, transform, strengthen, and grow. We are in an incredible time in the life of the Episcopal church, and there is nothing "Mickey Mouse" about it. We are a part of a church that deeply cares about it's witness to all. Our churches have signs claiming "The episcopal Church Welcomes You" --we want it to be for all. We are holding fast to Jesus' call to "follow him" and remember that "as you do it to the least of these, you do it to me"...Keep us in your prayers.
Sunday at Convention
Sunday is always the gentlest day at Convention. There is nothing before Eucharist at 10am. So today I got to sleep in! Then there is a break until the House of Deputies meets from 3pm to 6pm.
According to the Chicago Consultation, we are considering a resolution this afternoon that opens all orders of ministry to all people. Here’s what they said:
Today at 3:30 pm, the House of Deputies is scheduled to take up Resolution D025. This resolution reaffirms the Episcopal Church’s participation in the Anglican Communion and that God may call gay and lesbian people to any ministry in the Episcopal Church, “which call is tested through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.”
I also heard in another report that this was going to come to us on Monday. I haven’t seen our legislative calendar so I’m not sure. I’ll twitter/facebook from the floor when we consider this resolution.
As for the same-sex blessing resolutions, my committee will start again tomorrow (Monday) morning at 7:30. We need to present a resolution soon if it is going to make it through both Houses (being amended along the way, no doubt) before Convention ends on Friday.
Yesterday we heard brief presentations from six Anglican representatives from around the World (Ghana, Kenya, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa) assuring us of our close relationships and urging us to move forward on the justice issues facing us. Their testimony was powerful.
Here’s a report on one of the speakers:
On Saturday, July 12, Dr. Jenny Plane-Te Paa, Principal of Te Rau Kahikatea, College of St. John the Evangelist, Auckland, New Zealand, addressed the House of Deputies of the General Convention:
…If I could be so bold I want also to assure you that among ourselves as your international friends we are now all quietly urging you not to dwell unduly with any sense of uncertainty about your place within the global Anglican Communion. Sure the fearmongerers abound – they always have and they always will, but surely our gaze must always be fixed beyond the horizon of fear and just as surely that gaze must always apprehend first and foremost the images of those who are the least among us…
Read the full text of her prepared remarks here.
I wish I had time to track down other interesting reports and links to video or transcripts.
Dean Brian Baker
According to the Chicago Consultation, we are considering a resolution this afternoon that opens all orders of ministry to all people. Here’s what they said:
Today at 3:30 pm, the House of Deputies is scheduled to take up Resolution D025. This resolution reaffirms the Episcopal Church’s participation in the Anglican Communion and that God may call gay and lesbian people to any ministry in the Episcopal Church, “which call is tested through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.”
I also heard in another report that this was going to come to us on Monday. I haven’t seen our legislative calendar so I’m not sure. I’ll twitter/facebook from the floor when we consider this resolution.
As for the same-sex blessing resolutions, my committee will start again tomorrow (Monday) morning at 7:30. We need to present a resolution soon if it is going to make it through both Houses (being amended along the way, no doubt) before Convention ends on Friday.
Yesterday we heard brief presentations from six Anglican representatives from around the World (Ghana, Kenya, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil and South Africa) assuring us of our close relationships and urging us to move forward on the justice issues facing us. Their testimony was powerful.
Here’s a report on one of the speakers:
On Saturday, July 12, Dr. Jenny Plane-Te Paa, Principal of Te Rau Kahikatea, College of St. John the Evangelist, Auckland, New Zealand, addressed the House of Deputies of the General Convention:
…If I could be so bold I want also to assure you that among ourselves as your international friends we are now all quietly urging you not to dwell unduly with any sense of uncertainty about your place within the global Anglican Communion. Sure the fearmongerers abound – they always have and they always will, but surely our gaze must always be fixed beyond the horizon of fear and just as surely that gaze must always apprehend first and foremost the images of those who are the least among us…
Read the full text of her prepared remarks here.
I wish I had time to track down other interesting reports and links to video or transcripts.
Dean Brian Baker
Sunday Service Blessings
Our very own Bishop Barry Beisner pictured here during Sunday service blessings.
Photo by Canon Stephen Carpenter
The Holy Spirit
It is Sunday, July 12, and I have a moment to reflect just before going into our legislative session for the fifth day. My two most vivid impressions are of visits by the Holy Spirit.
The first visit was the address to us by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. He told us not to lie to ourselves, to the world or to others. In doing so he expressed both passion and reason. I have felt conflicted between my passions and reason. Experiencing him demonstrated that one can integrate both passion and reason: each must be strong and health to reinforce the other.
The second was the action of the Canons committee in working through the proposed revision of Title IV, which concerns clergy discipline. At the beginning of the week there was great contention as only lawyers and clergy demonstrate. Then those present commenced to listen to one another, and by the final session on the matter passed out a unanimous recommendation supporting a cleaned up package. There wasn/t a dry eye among the fifty people present in the room.
I am now on my way to the session where we consider relations with the Anglican Communion and the Windsor Report. The recommended action makes no change in Resolution B033 of 2006 which counsels restraint in participation by gays and lesbians in the life of The Episcopal Church. The recommended action declares a clear commitment to full participation and also a clear commitment to full participation in the Anglican Communion including financial support, and a clear declaration that the matter is contentious both within the TEC and the Communion. It is an authentic declaration of who and where we are, I believe a majority in support of full participation, and a substantial body of those who disagree. I believe that sets the stage for the serious conversation about what, prayerfully, comes next.
If some form of this resolution should pass, we then face the next challenge, that of affirming our love for those who disagree. As a liberal who has felt marginalized during most of the last generation, I feel it is of utmost importance that we do not marginalize those who disagree with us. The love of God is far greater than our divisions. Our shared commitment to Christ is far more important than the human issues that divide us.
Charles Mack
The first visit was the address to us by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. He told us not to lie to ourselves, to the world or to others. In doing so he expressed both passion and reason. I have felt conflicted between my passions and reason. Experiencing him demonstrated that one can integrate both passion and reason: each must be strong and health to reinforce the other.
The second was the action of the Canons committee in working through the proposed revision of Title IV, which concerns clergy discipline. At the beginning of the week there was great contention as only lawyers and clergy demonstrate. Then those present commenced to listen to one another, and by the final session on the matter passed out a unanimous recommendation supporting a cleaned up package. There wasn/t a dry eye among the fifty people present in the room.
I am now on my way to the session where we consider relations with the Anglican Communion and the Windsor Report. The recommended action makes no change in Resolution B033 of 2006 which counsels restraint in participation by gays and lesbians in the life of The Episcopal Church. The recommended action declares a clear commitment to full participation and also a clear commitment to full participation in the Anglican Communion including financial support, and a clear declaration that the matter is contentious both within the TEC and the Communion. It is an authentic declaration of who and where we are, I believe a majority in support of full participation, and a substantial body of those who disagree. I believe that sets the stage for the serious conversation about what, prayerfully, comes next.
If some form of this resolution should pass, we then face the next challenge, that of affirming our love for those who disagree. As a liberal who has felt marginalized during most of the last generation, I feel it is of utmost importance that we do not marginalize those who disagree with us. The love of God is far greater than our divisions. Our shared commitment to Christ is far more important than the human issues that divide us.
Charles Mack
Senior Deputies!
Pictured here are the badges of two Senior Deputies (those who have been to seven or more General Conventions) from our very own diocesan Team of Deputies --what an honor! Cookie Clark and Canon Stephen Carpenter are proud to be senior members of the House of Deputies.
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