04 July 2009

Following GC09

Episcopal Life has published an online version of the Guide to General Convention. It's really an informative document and worth your reading. I will warn you that it is very slow to load - I tried the site four times and the speed never increased.

In the "old days," the only way for non-attending Episcopalians to find out what was going was to subscribe to the Convention Daily which mailed each day. Of course, all the information we received was three-seven days old by the time we read it. Things are different now!

For readers who are not able to attend GC09, here are a few places to follow the event. I have attempted to be even-handed in the following list. We can be sure that the official publications of TEC will post daily if not more often, but I'm not sure exactly how much daily coverage there will be forthcoming from the other sites listed.
If you know of any other sites covering GC09, please let me know and I'll link to them.

Fr. Martin offers us a chance to "chat live" from GC:

One of my ideas for General Convention is to have a chat room available at various times during the day. So, I'm testing out a particular product:

http://www.stickam.com

Stickam has the advantage of allowing both audio and cams. The other rooms there are mainly made up of young people, some of them with extremely foul mouths, so I cannot recommend them.

I've created a room with a password, so we won't have to deal with such folks.

So, if you want to help me out, come visit the room. Here's what you have to do:

  1. Go to Stickam
  2. Register. It's fairly non intrusive and just takes a minute
  3. You'll be asked to go to the email account that you used and respond to the Stickam email
  4. Once you are logged in, go to group chat
  5. Scroll down to "Episcopal Chat"
  6. Enter this password: TEC815

Come try it out. If this works, we'll be using it as part of the reception hosted by the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center at General Convention, as well as throughout Convention.

Dates and times of regular chat sessions TBA... For now, if you don't find "Episcopal Chat" on the menu, check back later. Once again, I do not encourage you to visit any of the public rooms. They can be quite toxic.


Check it our folks.
And while you're checking things out take a look at Wakeup Call a blog I just discovered.

03 July 2009

Of bastard bishops and hypocrisy

If you'd like either a good laugh or to make your blood pressure increase a bit, you must check out the tirade released 30 June from Texas.

It purports to be a "response" to a letter sent by the legitimate episcopal authority of the Episcopal Diocese of Ft. Worth, the Rt. Rev'd Edwin F. Gulick, Jr. to schismatic clergy warning them that they are in danger of deposition for abandoning the discipline of The Episcopal Church (TEC).

What the document really is, however, is a revelation of how ill the author is. The document opens,
In recent days I understand that all of you have received two threatening letters from representatives of the rump diocese. The first is a letter from The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr., the Bishop of Kentucky, in a capacity he claims as the “Provisional Bishop” of the rump diocese, threatening to inhibit and then depose you if you do not recognize his authority over you as your bishop. The second is a letter from Jonathan Nelson, legal counsel for the Gulick-led group, addressed to our vestries, treasurers, and finance committee members, as well as to all our vicars and rectors.
Notice the "Christ-like" tone of the letter from the opening sally. The use of "rump" is a deliberate, albeit juvenile, attempt to insult the legitimate episcopal authority and the legitimate Diocese of Ft. Worth. Unfortunately, this sets the tone for the delusional Schofieldesque missive. The document is worth a read for many reasons.

In a letter that is supposed to be both a scathing condemnation of the dishonesty of TEC, the insignificant sharper bastard (definition 2) bishop tells boldfaced lies.
The Bishop of Kentucky has no ecclesiastical authority to act within the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, first and foremost because the Diocese has realigned with another Anglican Province in communion with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.
One would think he'd have learned from Schofield's mistakes. But here are the facts, again.

The Episcopal Diocese of [Insert name] did not realign. A bastard group found a dishonest presiding bishop who was happy to violate his own province's canons and constitutions and grant them a false sense of security in the hopes of receiving stolen goods. They are not affiliated with any province that is in communion with the Sea of Canterbury. If they mean ACNE, I mean ACNA, that is a bastard organization not in communion with the See of Canterbury or the Anglican Communion. Yawn.

In the 30 June "letter", we find this protestation of his legitimacy:
We challenge the allegation that the realignment of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone constitutes an abandonment by us of the “Communion of this Church”, pursuant to PECUSA Canon IV.10.1. We have made no “open renunciation of the Doctrine, Discipline, or Worship” of the Church, nor have we sought formal admission into any religious body not in communion with the Church. Upon our ordinations, Holy Orders were conferred upon us in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Although we do not consider ourselves affiliated with PECUSA, we do intend to continue to exercise the obligations, duties, rights and privileges associated with the Holy Orders that were conferred upon us.
On 12 November 2007 the same man said:
Our plan is not only to disassociate, then, from the Episcopal Church, but to officially, constitutionally re-affiliate with an existing orthodox province of the communion that does not ordain women to the priesthood.
On 22 June, just mere days ago this same man hosted a "convocation" that created a bastard organization posing as an "Anglican Church." Not only did he host it, but according to Duncan, he was a major player therein:
The delegation representing the Diocese of Fort Worth is among the largest, with six clergy and six lay representatives, all of whom were elected according to our diocesan canons in the last two diocesan conventions. The Assembly is unicameral, so the delegates will be seated with Bishop Iker, rather than in a separate body, as is the arrangement at General Convention.
On 30 June from his own pen
Although we do not consider ourselves affiliated with PECUSA, we do intend to continue to exercise the obligations, duties, rights and privileges associated with the Holy Orders that were conferred upon us.
Yet, to paraphrase him, Who says I abandoned TEC? That' a dirty rotten lie. Just tell me who said that! "Put 'em up, put 'em up! Which one of you first? I can fight you both together if you want. I can fight you with one paw tied behind my back. I can fight you standing on one foot. I can fight you with my eyes closed. Oh, pullin facts on me, eh? Sneaking up with truth on me, eh? Quotin my own words, eh? Why, I'll... Ruff!"

But it gets better. He asserts that he was never a bishop of TEC. No, he was and is ordained/consecrated by the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church (OHCAC). Again, the facts prove him a liar.

The vow bishops take at their consecration is found on page 513 of the Book of Common Prayer make that crystal clear:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I, N.N., chosen Bishop of the Church in N., solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church. (emphasis mine)
Conform ... Discipline ... doctrine of what? The Episcopal Church. Note that the words OHCAC do not appear in the vow he made to God, the congregation, and the diocese for which he was consecrated. He was consecrated by, in, and for The Episcopal Church.

Fr. Jake put it succinctly here
While the people ask for the candidate to be consecrated "a bishop in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church," it is the Episcopal Church to whom each ordained bishop is accountable for the oath of conformity.
Roman bishops are accountable to Rome; Orthodox bishops are accountable to their branch. No one is consecrated a bishop by the OHCAC. Not even the Archbishop of Canterbury
. His ordination/consecration was from the Church In Wales and The Church of England.

In fact, Anglican orders are nul and void in the rest of the OHCAC.
No Anglican Rite presbyter can preside at the altar of a Roman or Orthodox church. Period. If this bastard bishop fled to Rome or Constantinople he would be a lay person (so we know that is not going to happen!).

And, we can bet the farm that he would scream bloody murder if anyone suggested +Robinson, +Andrus, ++Jefferts Schori and +Bruno are bishops of the OHCAC. The hypocrisy never ends.

Finally, he has to play the Ace of Spades in the schismatic deck of cards - "poor, persecuted me."
We very much regret the fact that this matter is being placed before secular courts. We would much prefer a negotiated settlement among brothers and sisters in Christ who have been separated from one another. However, we are fully prepared to make our case in a court of law and will do so when the time comes ... With God’s guidance and grace, we shall defend our churches, our faith, and our property against these unjust claims
I'm sure he does regret that the US legal system is involved in the case. He knows he will lose in court and be declared legally a bastard bishop and a pilferer; and that his "diocese" is illegitimate and forced to return the stolen property. Schofield learned that lesson in California and schismatics learned it in New York. They will learn it in Texas, too, and eventually in Virginia.

None of their plans are working out. The AC didn't roll over and play dead, They haven't been recognized, the courts haven't sided with them, their numbers are continually dropping, the ABC didn't kiss their rump. Their only resort is to scream "foul" loudly enough in the hopes that someone, somewhere, somehow, will listen to them.

If you take time to read the bastard bishop's "letter," make sure to note the link to a letter from a non-existent person. There is no Archbishop Venables (and man, do they love those titles - makes them think they are a church, you know), that's another wee lie from the pen of a bastard bishop. Oh, I almost forgot, see if you can spot the lie from the pen of Venables.

- - -

On an unrelated matter, a reader pointed out to me that 1 July was the one year anniversary of TTLS. In that year we've had
183,074 unique visitors. Who'd have guessed that.

It is also the anniversary time of The Grapevine, Off Topic, Friends of Jake, Fr. Scott, and several other Fr. Jake children. Mazel tov everyone.

02 July 2009

Do you know your delegates?

General Convention 2009 is right around the corner, literally. Many of you may not even know your diocesan delegation. I thought you might find the delegates list useful. Also, you may find information on the bishops here.

The site is operated by Louis Crew who is one of the most remarkable Episcopalians of our generation. We owe him a lot of thanks

01 July 2009

GC 2009 Resolutions at a glance

One of the Episcopalians I greatly admire is Ann Fontaine. I almost always agree with her opinions and I value those opinions.

As a delegate to GC09, Ann dutifully read each and every word of he Blue Book. She has summarized each of the resolutions and on the Feast of St. John the Baptist (24 June) graciously gave me permission to post her summations. She asked that I make sure you understand aht these are her opinions and not an official synopsis.
    A001 - clarifying the process for nominations for Church Pension Fund -- I am unclear why nominations are not allowed from the Floor. In the Canon 1.8.2 it is allowed - but current practice is not to allow it??

    A002 - to allow members of the Nominations Committee to serve until the next GC instead of having to resign when others are elected in their diocese -- this would be a good policy for all the Standing Committees and Commissions as it is totally disruptive to the commissions and committees - I speak as one who was appointed during the triennium to fill a seat on State of the Church- while it was great and I loved being on the Committee - it took me a while to catch up. As committees do more work with fewer face to face meetings - this becomes even more difficult. Is this something that could be expanded to cover all CCAB?

    re: Nominations for the Trial of a Bishop -- will all be done from the floor - the Nominations committee has soem they will nominate but can't share the names due to lack of proper authorization. They did select some for appointment in between 2006-2009? Who?

    pp. 37-40 Planning and Arrangements
    Note that the latest draft Schedule is at the GC site on the web (#10)
    http://www.episcopalchurch.org/gc2009_11695_ENG_HTM.htm?menu=menu91932

    Possible sites for 2015 -- Atlanta, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Salt Lake City -- I hope SLC will win as it would be a great witness for the Church in the west - where we have more "none" church people than anywhere. (and they have changed their drinking laws if that matters to you)

    pp. 41-81

    Program Budget and Finance -- hope we restore the MDG line item. More study of the budget later

    Pastoral Development and College for Bishops

    A008 - formation for newly elected bishop -- asking for funding of a unfunded mandate -(these need to funded or not mandated) this program seems like an excellent idea for new bishops.

    A009 - study the nomination and election of the presiding bishop -- good idea -- having served on the Nominating Committee - we might find out some things that would be helpful in the future.

    Theology Committee
    Completing its sexuality study in 2011 -- seems like 30 years would have been enough for this to be completed - one wonders why we are only getting to it now.

    Just War -- re-examining Just War theory. another thing I am not sure this needed doing - people are going to justify whatever countries want to do. or maybe I am just getting too cynical. There is a recommendation of Pedagogy for Christian Citizenship -- another thing I doubt will result in much.

    State of the Church --this has been pretty well discussed on HOBD - I recommend reading it and studying the statistics -- then going back to your community and inviting someone to church!! The bottom line - our culture is becoming non-Christian with many not interested in denominations even it interested in following Christ. Also nobody likes to go to churches where there is fighting - no matter the issue or the side one agrees with.

    pp 82-88

    Task Group on Rules of Order

    A010 -- noon day prayers -- changing noon to midday
    I oppose this resolution. One of the most memorable things about General Convention is to STOP all business and noon and pray. It is one of the things I tell about going to General Convention - no matter where we are or how hot the topic - we stop at NOON and pray. The second part of the resolution is for any member to request stopping for prayer -- open to being convinced on this one as I think the President and Chaplain(s) are capable of knowing when we need to pray.

    A013 - all legislative matters to be amended or voted on in public - discussions may be held in executive session though-- I am generally (almost always) opposed to executive sessions. If one is not willing to stand up in public - then one should probably not serve a church body. Voting publicly is a good first step to transparency - I would like to see some resistance to most executive sessions (which seem to have proliferated on some national committees and councils

    A020 -- does the entire deputation have to agree before calling for a vote by orders or just the majority?

    A027 - shortening remarks from distinguished visitors from 10 to 5 minutes-- I would be happy to do away with all remarks from visitors - shortening is a good step to more efficient meetings of legislative sessions.

    The other resolutions are typo, grammar, gender neutral, and clarifying resolutions YMMV

    pp. 91-104

    Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice- lots of good work by this committee on really depressing areas of the world - I know this is work that some on HOBD don't want us to do -- I see it as part of the drop by drop wearing away of injustice

    A032 -- Human Rights Violations in the Philippines - urges US to use its influence there - some of our own Anglican Communion leaders have been jailed and tortured and killed there.

    A033 - Sudan - commends the work by TEC and ELCA bishops, recommends continued advocacy and development work, and prayer for peace

    A034 - Cuba - end embargo against Cuba

    A035 - Establish Standing Commission on the Environment

    Zimbabwe Executive Council resolutions -- continuing the resolutions on Zimbabwe made by EC regarding Bp Bakare's leadership and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe

    MDGs - no resolutions but thanks for all the good work

    Haiti -- Commission visited Haiti and renews its commitment to that country and commends the ongoing work by the Diocese and its partner dioceses in TEC. A036

    A037 - pray that the walls around Bethlehem come down

    A038 - Re-affirm resolution 1991 A149 -- reduce arms in region, transparency of aid funds, no new settlements

    A039 - lobby ending the Wall

    A040 - Single Sovereign State of Palestine

    A041 -- Iraq War -- Just War principles were not followed - (see Bishop's Theology Committee on Just War also)

    A042 - First Use Military Action - condemn first strike war when danger is not imminent

    A043 - Relief for those suffering from International Gangs

    A044 - appoint ad-hoc team to learn more about gangs

    A045 Restrict use of bottled water

    Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communications

    A frustrating commission to serve on - lack of communications with the church center staff hampered work for much of the triennium - hopefully improving with new director. Lack of response to budget and spending questions was an issue. Lack of coordination with others doing communications work around the church (like the ad campaign that came and went without much advance planning for it --cutting carrots anyone?)

    A046 Creation of Position of Information Officer --- to oversee a strategic plan for use of modern communications and to remove obsolete equipment and services to implement best practices for cost saving and better more efficient use of technology

    A047 Extend the 2006 A048 Task Force on Best Practices -- members were not chosen in time to do much this triennium - hopefully it will be extended so it can function to investigate and recommend appropriate technology by TEC church center.

    A048 Funding the SCECC - the funding last triennium was cut to zero -- the committee functioned by email and internet given by members.

    A049 Task Force to empower data sharing in TEC -- to standardize data and sharing protocols among and between bodies of TEC

    A050 - Church Center Technology Audit -- ongoing audit of technology at Church Center so those who are charged with decision making can know what we have and whether it is useful.

    Constitution and Canons (a commission that did not expend all its budget by using conference calls and other techno processes. They also addressed what needs to be changed in the canons to allow technology to support our work.

    A051 - broadens who can serve in TEC to allow for new agreements like the one we have with ELCA

    A052 - 2nd reading of who can vote in HoB and what constitutes a quorum: (hopefully neither house will amend it this time.
    This amendment to the Constitution had its first reading in 2003 (B005). At second reading in 2006, the House of Bishops amended the Resolution, making it a “second” first reading. The Resolution now proposes to amend Article I.2 as follows:
    Resolved, That Article I, Section 2, of the Constitution be amended as follows: All Bishops of this Church, except any excluded by canon or under the Rules of the House, shall have seat and voice in the House of Bishops. Each Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction, Bishop Coadjutor, Bishop Suffragan, Assistant Bishop, and every bishop holding an office created by General Convention shall have a vote in the House of Bishops. A majority of all Bishops entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for transaction of business.

    A053 - first reading -- laity elected by GC must be confirmed adult communicants in good standing.

    A054 - reporting of status of congregations

    A055 -- allows for signing of documents in "counterpart" by Standing Committee members. Saves having to meet face to face to do business and sign documents

    A056 - editorial correction to canon

    A057 - clarifies the election of a current bishop to be bishop of a different diocese and adds that Standing Committees "consent" to elections parallel to language with GC consents - former language is "we know of know impediment", takes out "at" as signing can be done with people in various places - not all "at" one place. Seems like this resolution should be divided - as it takes on several points -- but maybe it is all okay and can be passed as one

    A058 -- housekeeping "editing" changes

    A059 - one of the resolutions that did not get considered last GC due to running out of time (note: EVERYONE - let's do as much as possible as quickly as possible early in our sessions)

    A060 - study the idea of a Registrar for the HOB

    Title IV Task Force proposals have had a lot of discussion on HOBD and also on the PHOD's listserv for Deputies and First Alternates -- I hope that we will pass them and then make changes as needed --- we need to move from the military code of justice to a system that is similar to other professional disciplinary processes and also has more hope of reconciliation.

    I really like having the BB in pdf -- reading it is so much easier than trying to wrestle that large "harvard crimson" paper copy.

    Domestic Mission and Evangelism

    A061 Strategic Planning - proposes an ongoing Committee on Strategic Planning -- I have yet to see a top down strategy work in our time -- but kudos for at least recognizing that planning has been minimal.

    A062 asks State of the Church to consider measuring non-Sunday attendance, people served in schools and soup kitchens

    A063 Convene mainline churches for discernment and evangelism

    A064 adds Evangelist to licensed ministries (Canon III.4.9)

    A065 training for Evangelists

    A066 Develop Toolkit for Evangelism

    A067 Develop Strategies for establishing new congregations --

    A068 Reconciliation Training --provide curriculum for faith based reconciliation

    A069 Fund a full time National Mission Funding Office ($5,000,000 over six years) to raise funds for TEC

    A070 Amend rules of order to give more specific instructions to committees of GC -- seems that the committees are capable of doing this without more being added (some of which is subjective) to their instructions

    A071 Evangelistic Opportunities of GC -- create 12 sites for downlink of GC -- hahaha - I have enough trouble getting people to be interested in Diocesan Convention or even annual meetings -- I think we overreach with this if we think anyone will show up other than those who are already church groupies.

    Lots of good resources for Reconciliation training appended to the report - worth looking at if your group or congregation is planning this work.


    Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations

    A072 - continuing the Interim eucharistic sharing with the United Methodist Church

    A073 Moravian-Episcopal Dialogue and moving to Full Communion, eucharist sharing and recognition of each church's orders.

    A074 Theological Statement of Interreligious Relations -- a theology of how we enter into and proceed in dialogue with other denominations

    A075 Approve Agreement with the Presbyterians (USA) main hang up with moving further with the Presbyterians ---Mutual recognition and reconciliation seems to rest upon mutual acceptance of the concepts of “personal” and “corporate” episcope. Until this matter is mutually resolved it will be difficult to move into
    full altar and pulpit fellowship,

    A076 begin dialogue with Church of Sweden -- the CofE is already in relationship through the Parvoo Agreement. (of course some of our members may have trouble "communing" with a married lesbian bishop - although this does not seem to be a problem in England)

    Also reports of other on-going dialogues -- RC, Orthodox, COIC (formerly COCU - I remember when this was the big deal of the century for GC - some sort of communist conspiracy as I recall!!), Muslim, Jewish, National Council of Churches, Philippine Independent Church. WCC, Lutheran-Episcopal, CTT, Diocesan Officers network news.

    STANDING COMMISSION ON HEALTH ---was created in 2003 but not funded so no one was appointed - this past Triennium they were funded.
    Working with the networks already in place to help share information between them.
    Also looked at the Archives to see what has already been done or resolved.
    This is a model of how commissions should work IMO

    Commission supports the continuation of previous GCs on Universal Health Care and End of Life issues. No new resolutions

    A 077 - encourages all churches to implement health ministry --

    A078 Celebrate recovery ministries - does not suggest a Sunday but a good way to raise awareness

    A079 Addiction Education for Ordained ministry -- all clergy should study the nature of addiction, identification and intervention, 12 step programs, also asks Dioceses to continue to address these issues

    urges approval of the Denominational Health Plan

    A 080 - Ministry Discernment for Disabled Persons -- urges same standards (I object to the title of this resolution not the content - as disabled is not the full being of persons with disabilities - just as I don't like praying for "the poor" "the sick" etc All of us are first and foremost persons - -not conditions.

    A081 Accommodation for People with Disabilities -- for conference and meetings

    STANDING COMMISSION ON LIFELONG CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FORMATION
    a new commission

    A082 Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation -- a major initiative for encouraging education, formation, transformation of all ages.

    A083 Dioceses to formulate strategies for A082

    A lot of work has been done by PEALL (Proclaiming Education for ALL) - this will build on that work.

    A084 Continue Province IX curriculum project -- development of educational offerings and programs in the various languages and cultures of Province IX

    A085 Commend PEALL (see above)

    A086 Continued development of Theological Education for All (TEforALL) web site, resource sharing, electronic resources - I wonder how many deputies know of this resource?? http://www.teforall.org/

    A087

    STANDING COMMISSION ON LITURGY AND MUSIC
    Much of this has been discussion on HOBD -- I just want to say thanks for including John Roberts of Wyoming in the calendar-- the Wind River ministries thanks you especially the women who went to the girls school at Shoshone Mission where unlike other schools = the girls were allowed to speak their language when not in class. I like the idea of Holy Women Holy Men -- saint of the day (saint du jour) -- and sometimes more than one - an abundance of saints for us to savor. Our youth group loved to study up on them and then do vignettes for the congregation.

    STANDING COMMISSION ON MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT pp. 583
    not sure why the resolution to add gender identity to the non-discrimination canons was tabled by this group. We have transgender clergy serving this church - protection from discrimination would be good - I think there is a resolution coming from a Diocese on this.

    A103 -- develop a continuing education resource web site.

    A104 - Leadership development for multi-cultural ministries - study support for training and education for clergy in diverse congregations. - calls on Dioceses to do more

    A105 Fresh Start -- funding for Fresh Start program -- more on the program
    http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1521_9624_ENG_HTM.htm

    A106 - educational debt of seminarians -- commends a three phase plan for limiting debt.

    A 107 - funding for those studying for ordination to the priesthood ---$450,000 in aid --

    A 108 - funding the committee

    pp. 590 ff -- reports from the seminaries-- worth reading to see what they are saying about themselves

    NATIONAL CONCERNS
    A committee that calls the church to stand up for the dignity of each person

    A 109 - Model Prisoner Ministry-- seeking models that address after programs for the incarcerated - to support people in their re-entry into society after prison

    A 110 - Addressing education disparity --- looking into the voucher system for education -- I would oppose this as I think we should be putting our efforts into making public schools better rather than making attendance at Episcopal Schools easier through use of tax monies.

    Also a reminder of the The Church and Children: Vision and Goals for 21st century.


    A 111 Economic Justice Ministry with Lower Income People -- a helpful policy for our ministries for and with people. -- emphasizing engagement

    A 112 - Funding the committee

    SMALL CONGREGATIONS p 607
    over half of congregations are classified as "small" -- ASA of fewer than 70 - many are in rural areas or small communities.

    There is a DVD "Creative Models of Sacramental Leadership in Small Congregations" from a conference in 2007- it explores best practices, a variety of models and support for sacramental leadership. Suzanne Watson was excellent in her work for Small Congregations - sad for those of us in small churches when she was promoted out of that position.

    A113 - Strengthening Small Congregations
    1) publish innovative strategies
    2) collaborate with networks - Living Stones, Domestic Missionary Partnership, Ministry Developers Collaborative, Native American ministries, Appalachian ministries, Rural Ministry Network, and others who work with small membership congregations.
    3) work with Church Pension Fund - ways to support ordained and non-ordained leadership in these congregations
    4) participate in conversations with seminaries and other vehicles for formation, education and support for ministries
    5) celebrate

    STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT p. 610
    Applauds the Mission Funding Initiative (to do major gift fund raising) of the Church Center but has grave concerns:
    1) lack of long range planning
    2) lack of adequate staffing and budget
    3) lack of preparation of principal bodies of the church

    A114 - Funding Mission Funding Office - increase funding so campaign has a chance of success

    other things - develop online giving program for web site, develop newer stewardship materials, urge adopting the term Annual Giving Campaign instead of Stewardship Campaign to expand the meaning of Stewardship beyond money.


    STRUCTURE p. 614
    A hardworking group trying to make our work more efficient and cost effective.

    A115 AMEND CANON I.4.3(G): COMMITTEES OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
    clarifying the committee structure of Council

    A116 AMEND CANON I.4.3: ESTABLISH AUDIT COMMITTEE
    Establishing the Audit Committee by Canon - although there has been one - this places it in the canons

    A117 DISCONTINUE THREE COMMITTEES
    HIV/AIDS, Status of Women, Jubilee --- recommends placing the work of these groups elsewhere in the church administration

    A118 AMEND CANON I.1.2(N): ESTABLISH TWO STANDING COMMISSIONS
    Science, Technology and Faith, Eradication of Racism

    A119 AMEND CANON I.1.2(N) STANDING COMMISSION MANDATES
    Clarifying the roles and duties of Standing Commissions to prevent duplication of work, some changes come at request of commissions.
    Small Congregations becomes Congregational Vitality.
    Domestic Mission and Evangelism becomes Mission and Evangelism of The Episcopal Church
    National Concerns becomes Social Justice and Public Policy
    Health - gets a more clear mandate - identify and study national and international healthcare issues, practices, and policies and the Church’s healthcare ministries, and to make recommendations to General Convention

    A120 AMEND CANON I.1.2: STANDING COMMISSION PRACTICES
    no Executive Council member may serve on a Standing commission

    Presiding Bishop Nominating Committee --- no changes recommended after extensive study

    A121 AMEND CANON I.2.1: JOINT COMMITTEE MANDATE
    Clarify the mandate of the Joint Nominating Committee for the Nomination of the Next PB

    A122 AMEND CANON I.9: PROVINCIAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
    Clarifies mandate of Provincial Leadership and accountability of funds given by GC used in the Province

    A123 AMEND CANON I.15.10: DISCIPLINE PROCESS CLARIFICATION
    Clarifies the use of Title IV in overseas dioceses under the Episcopal Church jurisdiction - harmonizes with Title IV even when amended or changed

    A124 FOREIGN LANDS TASK FORCE
    Study the needs of churches of the Episcopal Church in lands other than the US -- asked for by the Convocation of the Churches in Europe
    (note from Bp Whalon of Churches in Europe - We asked for a thorough revision of the canon under which we operate: I.15. SCSC got cold feet when it realized that this canon doesn't just relate to Europe but to any congregation outside the US that is not in an existing Anglican province (or one that we recognize.

    The resolution calls for a thorough review of the international mission of TEC. I wonder where SCWM fits in, though I note the recommended change in its mandate...

    So we didn't get what we asked for. The previous resolution A123 was a provisional patch I proposed at GC 2006 in order to have a regular disciplinary process. All the problems of the 1859 canon remain otherwise.)

    A125 ANGLICAN COMMUNION TASK FORCE
    A group to address inter Anglican matters - Covenant, Instruments of Unity, etc --- I think this needs to be the Executive Council not an appointed body.

    A126 AMEND CANON I.4.6(A) AND (B) AND JOINT RULE OF ORDER 10(D): BUDGETING PROCESS
    updating budgeting process

    A127 DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
    proposals for future work of the Commission on Structure.
    Examine Agencies of TEC
    Role and term of PB
    Role of Chancellors
    Role of Parliamentarians
    Examine cultural aspects of the canons
    Examine Budgeting process of TEC
    Examine Provincial structure

    WORLD MISSION p. 629

    Concern for our missionaries - becoming supported more and more by dioceses or independent mission societies. Do we need to get back into a better system of support from the church as a whole? Also need to be sure all have health insurance and other benefits in their packages. Missionaries work at the request of the local Province of the AC

    A128
    FUNDING MISSIONARIES
    requests more funds for missionaries

    A129 MISSION ORIENTATION IN THE NEW BISHOP’S CONFERENCE
    Adding a world mission component to new bishop's education - + funding

    *good overview of all our covenants, partnerships and agreements with other provinces p.632 ff

    A130 COVENANT WITH BRAZIL
    authorize the covenant with Brazila

    A131 COVENANT COMMITTEE GATHERING
    a meetup of all the groups participating in agreements with TEC

    A132 COVENANT COMMITTEE REPORTING
    report about agreements meetup

    A133 AMEND CANON 1.1.2(N)(11)
    clarifies the area of responsibility of the commission -- to focus on mission outside TEC (the previous wording was unclear about TEC churches outside US)

    A134 “MISSION PARTNERS”
    changes the name "missionary" to "mission partner"

    A135 SEMINARIAN CROSS-CULTURAL FORMATION
    more money for cross cultural experiences for seminarians

    A136 EPGM FUNDING
    Funding for Episcopal Partnership for Global Mission network that draws all the groups doing mission with seminaries, and others

    EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND OTHER RESOLUTIONS p. 641

    A137 CONTINUATION OF THE TASK FORCE TO STUDY EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
    studying the relationship with 501c3 affiliated bodies and employment and benefit policies

    A138 ESTABLISHING A MANDATORY LAY EMPLOYEE PENSION SYSTEM
    definitely needed and a justice and fairness in our churches issue

    A139 DIOCESAN RECONFIGURATION STUDY
    a waste of time IMO -- diocese will reconfigure as needed - they will seek creative solutions without help from on high. The canons already have a process

    A140 DOMESTIC POVERTY
    The PB's call to make this a priority concern

    A141 CONTINUATION OF EC COMMITTEE ON HIV/AIDS
    continue this committee in view of rising rates of infection in all demographics (like nursing homes!)

    A142 TO RECOMMIT TO BEING ANTI-RACISTS FOR THE NEXT THREE TRIENNIA (UNTIL 2018)
    continue anti-racism training

    A143 EXTENSION OF GENERAL CONVENTION RESOLUTION A123 (2006) TO GENERAL CONVENTION 2012
    ongoing work to study our complicity and benefit from the slave trade

    A144 EXTENSION OF RESOLUTION 127 TO GENERAL CONVENTION 2012
    includes study of oppression and genocide of Native American tribes and other groups

    A145 RACISM IN THE DISCERNMENT, SEMINARY, ORDINATION AND DEPLOYMENT PROCESSES
    collecting data on inclusion of persons of color in recruitment for ordination and deployment

    A146 PROMOTING ANGLICAN PARTNERSHIPS
    provides for meetings of Anglican Indigenous Network

    A147 CLAIMING OUR IDENTITY & PROMOTING ANGLICAN PARTNERSHIPS
    commend the work of the Anglican Indigenous Network

    A148 DOING JUSTICE & ALLEVIATING POVERTY; IDENTITY; GROWING CONGREGATIONS; STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE AND FOUNDATIONS FOR MISSION; PROMOTING ANGLICAN PARTNERSHIPS
    Increasing funding to "aided dioceses" with ministries with Native peoples (South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, and Navajoland)

    A149 SUPPORT FOR THE INDIGENOUS THEOLOGICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE (ITTI)
    support for this fine training program for leaders in Native communities

    A150 ENDORSEMENT FOR THE OKLAHOMA CONSULTATION FOR LEADERS IN INDIGENOUS MINISTRY
    endorsing a collaboration project

    A151 IN SUPPORT OF ADDITION TO LESSER FEASTS AND FASTS OF PAUL CUFFEE AND SAMSON OCCUM

    A152 PRESERVATION OF BURIAL SITES
    study and assess burial sites and sacred places of indigenous peoples with goal of preservation

    A153 FEDERAL TRIBAL RECOGNITION
    work for federal recognition of several tribal groups

    A154 TO AFFIRM COMMITMENT THE JUBILEE MINISTRY GRANTS PROGRAM
    keep our commitment to this grants program

    A155 TO ESTABLISH OF PROGRAM FOR THE ALLEVIATION OF DOMESTIC POVERTY
    see A140

    A156 SACRED ACTS FOR SACRED WATER
    fund a part time position on the environment especially as it relates to water

    A157 CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS
    how climate change will affect achievement of the MDGs and our commitment to work to ameliorate climate change

    A158 CONTINUING RESOLUTION
    Continue the HIV/AIDS committee

    A159 ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF AIDS
    work to stop the spread of AIDS

    A160 ACCESS TO ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS
    advocate for adequate care

    A161 AIDS EDUCATION AND RESOURCES
    compiling and distributing accurate information on prevention, education in face of rising risks (especially among younger people)

    A162 DOMESTIC STRATEGY COMMITTEE ON AIDS CRISIS
    convene a strategy meeting

    A163 MANDATE ON NEAC AIDS TUTORIAL
    All leaders to take online tutorial on HIV/AIDS prevention

    A164 COMMENDATIONS TO PRESIDING BISHOPS
    commendation of several PBs messages on World AIDS Day

    A165 WOMEN AND MONEY
    CPF to make available investment vehicles that support women and their lives. (like Women's Equity Fund)

    A166 PARENTAL LEAVE
    develops a parental leave policy

    A167 TRAFFICKING
    support legislation and action against trafficking of humans - especially children and women

    A168 ANNUAL DATA GATHERING ABOUT GENDER PARITY IN DIOCESAN LEADERSHIP
    gather data on gender parity

    A169 ANNUAL DATA GATHERING ABOUT EPISCOPAL ELECTIONS; CLERGY COMPENSATION
    continue data gathering

    A170 OBSERVANCE OF FIRST ORDINATION OF WOMEN TO THE PRIESTHOOD
    celebrate the anniversary of the ordination of women on July 29

    A171 ON RECORDS AND ARCHIVES OF THE PROVINCES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
    Provinces to keep records of Synods and other meetings -- not required currently

    A172 AMENDMENTS TO THE CANONS AFFECTING DATA COLLECTION AND RECORDS IN ELECTRONIC FORMATS
    can send data in electronic or paper forms

    A173 Amend Canon I.5.3(a) Board of the Archives Membership
    changes in board membership due to moving out of Seminary of the SW

    A174 BUDGET APPROPRIATION FOR THE ARCHIVES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
    If you have not visited the archives online -- you will be pleasantly surprised at what is available -

    A175 AMENDING CANON III.16, SECTION 1
    Changing name of Church Deployment to Transition Ministry

    A176 AMENDING CANON III.16, SECTION 2
    more changes in name - and description of duties

    A177 DENOMINATIONAL HEALTH PLAN
    We have talked about this on HOBD -- and also most Deputies have had a presentation on it

    I recommend reading the whole report of the Church Pension Fund - to see all they are involved int

    A178 ESTABLISH THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT AS EPISCOPAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT SUNDAY
    to give the church a focus Sunday for the ERD work - although I am generally not in favor of "special Sundays" this one is needed IMO

    Also don't forget to re-establish the line item for MDGs in the national budget --- this is the $ that can be leveraged to do amazing work by ERD.


    A179 BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GBEC
    funding for General Board of Examining Chaplains

    A180 GENERAL ORDINATION EXAM FEE
    $500 to take the GOEs

    A181 AMEND CANON III.15.2(A)
    deletion of areas of exam and recommendations for testing in other ways

    A182 CONTINUE FORWARD MOVEMENT
    continue Forward Movement Publications

    A183 DEVELOP NINE-YEAR VISION AND BUDGET CYCLE

    A184 STUDY EFFECTIVE LEVELS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF CHURCH RESOURCES
    continue the Budgetary Funding Task Force

    A185 PROPOSED TITLE IV REVISIONS
    Another area we have discussed on HOBD
    Puts forth a disciplinary canon focused on promoting healing, repentance, forgiveness, restitution, justice, amendment of life and reconciliation among all involved or affected.
    Only for clergy
    sets up a system more like other professional groups discipline procedures (not a criminal or civil court system)
    That by making ordination vows clergy commit to certain standards
    Especially note that is it only for "weighty" issues





30 June 2009

Brazil Anglican theologian dies

Jaci Corréia Maraschin
1929-2009
priest, poet, and theologian.

The Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil (IEAB) is greatly saddened to announce the passing of one of its most illustrious members. Ardent defender of liberty, inclusiveness, the ordination of women, and creativity in hymns and liturgy, the Rev. Mr Maraschin was born in Bagé, State of Rio Grande do Sul, where from an early age he began to put his talents to work for the church.

He was a youth leader at his home parish, Matriz do Crucificado, and a leader of the monthly publication Flámula ("Flame") for young people in the church. He entered seminary in Porto Alegre in 1951 and was made a deacon in 1953 at Igreja da Ascensão in Porto Alegre. The year thereafter he was ordained a priest and went to study at General Theological Seminary in New York.

As soon as he returned to Brazil, in 1956, he was put in charge of coordinating Christian education and began to teach at the Theological Seminary of Brazil, ambitiously modernizing religious education and seeking to incorporate the diversity and richness of Brazilian culture. His next experience abroad was in 1964, when he traveled to Strasburg, France to do his doctoral studies in Religious Science. With his thesis on Frederick Denison Maurice, he graduated Magna Cum Lauda, the first Brazilian Episcopalian/Anglican to earn such distinction in Europe. Back in Brazil, he continued to teach at the Seminary and began to represent the Brazilian Church in denominational and ecumenical forums in Brazil and in other countries.

The Rev. Mr Maraschin was one of the founders of the Association of Evangelical Theological Seminaries (ASTE) and served as its executive secretary for many years. In 1976, he was elected member of the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches and in 1981 was chosen by the Archbishop of Canterbury to represent Brazil at the Anglican Consultative Council in 1990, where he helped to draft guidelines for the Provinces of the Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury chose the Rev. Mr. Maraschin to serve on a few international commissions, including the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), within which he helped construct the famous document Gift of Authority, signed by both churches. Rev. Maraschin's contribution to liturgical music, as author, composer, and translator, is a valuable legacy not only for the IEAB but also many other churches in Brazil and beyond. His latest project was to coordinate a revision of the IEAB's hymnal.

It would be difficult to think of a priest, theology student, or lay leader in the IEAB who was not profoundly influenced by Rev. Mr. Maraschin, whose motto was "life goes only as far as liberty does". He is survived by his spouse, Ana Dulce and daughters Ana Isabela and Rosa Maria and four grandchildren.

28 June 2009

Trinity III

The Third Sunday after Trinity
Proper 8

(RCL) 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 and Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
    Introit: The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid? My enemies that trouble me have themselves been weakened and have fallen. -- (Ps. 26. 3). If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear
“God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living.”

What do you think about that verse from Lamentations?

If God didn’t make death and doesn’t delight in the death of the living, then why do we die and who thought up heaven and hell? Why do our loved ones or good people or poor people or children die?

If there were no death, God would be a lot easier to figure out, don’t you think? Then God might be only the completely loving God who takes care of us, heals our sickness. A nice God, one who watches benignly from above as we live to be – what? – a million, a billion? Oh wait, now this gets to be confusing. If there were no death, we’d have to rethink the whole living thing.

So, what do we do?

First, we need to go back and consider where this passage from Lamentations comes from. Fortunately, we don’t read the scriptures as coming literally from the mouth of God into the ear of Moses, or any other writer of Biblical texts. These passages came from the hands of human beings just like you and me. The writers didn’t have magic powers to be able to probe God’s mind. They wrote from their own life experiences and an understanding of the culture and situations they found themselves and their people in at the time. We say inspired, we don’t say dictated.

And this is the beauty of scripture. The books of the Old and New Testaments were included in the canon of scripture because they, out of all the writings of those particular times, best commented on the connection of God to God’s people. These books were the ones used by the communities of those eras as helpful commentaries on how God worked in people’s lives. The writers were most likely very holy, thoughtful, devout people. They were probably very faithful to their prayers and so were able to listen to the inspiration of God. But they were human and had human questions and concerns.

Death has always been a question – especially the death of the young. If God loves us so much, why do we die? The writers of Lamentations and Jairus from our gospel probably wondered this. Maybe it’s because we don’t really know what’s on the other side. We have only God’s word of eternal life in union with God as promised especially by Jesus to hold on to.

The Book of Wisdom tells us that heaven is a place where tears are no more, neither crying nor sighing. The dead are in the hand of God. But what does that mean to us? Have you ever really thought about it?

In our mortal lives we don’t have a good image of what that means. Of course, we have those nice little carvings of a child leaning into the palm of a huge hand. The tenderness of that image gives us some idea, but there must be more. What we might do then is when we’re led into considering death as we do especially when we hear gospel stories like the daughter of Jairus or the raising of Lazarus, is to let our minds and hearts be just open to taking in our own images of what we see in the stories. We might consider the beauty of the church building around us – the music that stirs us – the image of a loving and faithful God that carries us into each day. Somehow all of this may be part of that place we call heaven. God does love us so much that our eternal life will be peace and love and joy. No one’s who’s ever had a near death experience has ever come back and said it was awful, have they? So, we must trust.

But that doesn’t answer the question of why the death of others so often hurts us so much. In an alternative Old Testament reading for today, David mourns the death of both Saul and Jonathan. And that’s a bit odd, don’t you think, when Saul gave David such a horrid time of it? Surely David loved Jonathan like a brother, but in their deaths, David mourned both. He cried,

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you with crimson, in luxury, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.”

There is part of our answer. We are the ones who mourn. Those we love are no longer visible to us. We can’t touch them or see their love for us. If we believe what we know and if we really trust God as we claim to in our prayers, hymns, and worship, then we know that they are in a good place – a place where they are not suffering but are whole and joyful and intimately united with the God we pray to. Our hearts are broken. They break not only for our own loved ones, but our hearts break when we hear about genocide, when we remember times in our history such as the Holocaust or times in our current day when people still die for their faith and the faith of others. We think of people like Archbishop Oscar Romero, martyr of El Salvador – we think of our most beloved friends and our hearts break.

But – but – we must believe as many writers and holy people have told us, that God weeps with us, too. When the writer of Lamentations says, “God did not make death, and he does not delight in the death of the living,” we must remember that this writer is speaking from a human understanding. In one way, that writer is right – God didn’t make death. Death is a natural part of being a human being with a finite life on a finite planet. Suffering, sickness, pain, and evil is a part of being a human living in the natural world.

Death happens, and as we consider death on a Sunday like this when we’re not involved right now in a requiem service, we can look at it perhaps more objectively. We can ask our questions and think quietly about them.

Maybe we can come to a deeper trust that the second part of that verse is true: “God weeps with us, too.” God weeps because we weep. God is there to comfort us as we weep. There’s nothing wrong with pouring out our deep sadness as the loss of someone we love or at an evil that’s been committed in our world, but we are not alone.

Another thing Jesus was offering us in his raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead was the promise of the resurrection. As humans we need visual images to help us understand. The idea of finally all being together in eternal life, rising from our own death, is hard. This helps us a little. This and the other stories of Jesus raising people from the dead give us an insight into resurrection.

It might also give us an understanding that the dead are indeed still with us. They are spirits, both Wisdom and Revelation tell us, but they are in our hearts as God is in our hearts. We may not be able to see or touch, but they are with God, they are with us.

God is love. God is with us in every emotion, in every part of our lives. We pray for the dead not because they need it, but because it helps us – it keeps them close to us, it touches our memories.

As it says in 2 Samuel: “Beloved and lovely! In life and in death we are not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.”

-- The Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz is executive director of the Center for Ministry in Small Churches at the School of Theology, Sewanee, Tennessee, and assistant professor of Contextual Education. She is also publisher of Tuesday Morning, a quarterly journal of ministry and liturgical preaching.