The collect for the week of General Convention as found in the Book of Common Prayer was a most fitting prayer: "O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them...." There has been much work in many areas of our ministry, but much attention has been given to Resolution D025 (Anglican Communion: Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion). It was the fruit of careful work by the World Mission Committee and a process of sharing and listening. In addition to the hearings of the committee, the House of Deputies addressed the resolution as a committee of the whole and even had a session of one-on-one conversations for everyone present.
In all the deliberations I was impressed with the spirit of respect and forbearance. People of many viewpoints desired that we find a way to express our commitment to the Anglican Communion as we desire to communicate the reality of the presence of homosexual persons in the life of our church and the reality that God has called and may call such persons into ordained ministry. We were also quite clear that we are not of one mind.
Both the resolution and the conduct of the assembly reflected the spirit of the prayer that asked God for the grace to bring together both truth and love. There was not a contentious spirit but rather a graceful spirit of respect for those who disagree.
I had fully expected the House of Bishops not to concur with the resolution (which would have prevented the resolution from going forward). However, they amended it to include a fuller expression of the mystery of the Holy Spirit involved in the calling of individuals to ordained ministry. To my surprise, the resolution was passed. There was a spirit of prayer and deep reflection throughout the process. It was an experience of grace to be present as this body of the church sought to discern its calling of faithfulness as the people of God.
Later we passed Resolution B056 which was a substitute developed by a group of 26 bishops who deeply listened to one another and sought to find the broadest agreement possible among them. Our Bishop Suffragan, David Jones, presented it on behalf of the group. It commissioned the collection and development of liturgical resources for same-sex blessings in consultation with as many as possible including the rest of the Anglican Communion. There was no authorization. The measure sought to address the pastoral need in states where same-sex marriage is legal while being fully aware that this is only a portion of our church.
IO observed the bishops as they conferred in table groups and then brought forth amendments that reflected what they heard from one another. Clearly they were not assuming action in 2012 but seeking to find out more about pastoral possibilities. Both Bishops Johnston and Jones voted Yes while Bishop Lee voted No. The House of Deputies concurred.
Both these resolutions acknowledge the reality of where the Episcopal Church is and the context in which we minister in parts of our church. I do not see the actions of General Convention 2009 overturning B033, the action at the end of the last convention which called for restraint in consecrating any bishop whose manner of life might raise a problem for others in the Anglican Communion--although some see it that way. I did not experience General Convention casting out those who disagree. In fact, I was impressed with the compassion expressed and the concern to listen to all and move slowly and prayerfully. There were no demonstrations or gleefulness from those who "won" in the voting.
I came away confident that the Spirit of God was indeed in our midst, guiding us to deal with difficult issues as best we can as people with differences seeking to be faithful. I heard people on all sides of the issues eager to end the focus on who is included in our church and to move on to a focus on mission and evangelism in a broken world.
Linda+
Linda+
