Today the House of Bishops will consider a resolution to add a series of supplemental prayer book materials that include prayers addressing situations such as unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, the loss of a child, termination of pregnancy,, infertility or sterilization and adoption.
The material was developed in response to the 2003 General Convention resolution asking for services for healing services for people who experience child-bearing or child-birth trauma.
Although the overall project was readily accepted and anticipated, the debate rose primarily over a specific 'Rite of Repentance and Reconciliation for an Abortion' The committee members acknowledged the difficulty about working with this resolution without making a political or theological statement about abortion
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Resolution D025
Convention 2009 passes Resolution D025 which allows for the ordination to anyone in the church through the discernment process outlined in the Constitution and Canons of the church.
The final wrote in lay order was 78 yes, 21 no, and 9 divided. In the clergy the vote was 77 yes, 19 no and 11 divided. The resolution had previously passed the House of Deputies on Sunday and sent to the House of Bishops who passed it with amendments on Monday. The amended version was sent back to the House of Deputies in order for the resolution to be adopted.
This concludes discussion and debate that took up most of the 9 days of Convention thus far not to mention the two plus years since the passing of the controversial passing of B033 at Convention 2006 which called for restraint in consenting to the consecration of bishops whose "manner of life" - widely understood to mean homosexuality - and would cause concern for other members of the Anglican Communion.
There were 13 resolutions submitted that addressed B033 and six of them called for 'direct repeal of B033'. D025 is seen as an attempt to move past B033 and continue the work of the church.
If the passing of this resolution further separates the Episcopal church from the Anglican Communion is left to be seen. It is apparent that the world is changing and the church will have to change also. We may lose some members, parishes, and even dioceses but when one reads the sign "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" no one can feel excluded.
The final wrote in lay order was 78 yes, 21 no, and 9 divided. In the clergy the vote was 77 yes, 19 no and 11 divided. The resolution had previously passed the House of Deputies on Sunday and sent to the House of Bishops who passed it with amendments on Monday. The amended version was sent back to the House of Deputies in order for the resolution to be adopted.
This concludes discussion and debate that took up most of the 9 days of Convention thus far not to mention the two plus years since the passing of the controversial passing of B033 at Convention 2006 which called for restraint in consenting to the consecration of bishops whose "manner of life" - widely understood to mean homosexuality - and would cause concern for other members of the Anglican Communion.
There were 13 resolutions submitted that addressed B033 and six of them called for 'direct repeal of B033'. D025 is seen as an attempt to move past B033 and continue the work of the church.
If the passing of this resolution further separates the Episcopal church from the Anglican Communion is left to be seen. It is apparent that the world is changing and the church will have to change also. We may lose some members, parishes, and even dioceses but when one reads the sign "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" no one can feel excluded.
July 12th
With approximately 4,00 people in attendance the atmosphere at today's Eucharist and United Thanks Offering in-gathering was almost an air of fellowship. The attendees hailed from across the nation and around the world. The Presiding Bishop Rev. Katherine Jeffers-Schori began her message with a take from today's Gospel referring to how we prepared for our participation at General Convention, whether a bishop, deputy, alternate or volunteer. She recalled that Jesus directed the seventy to carry with them no bag, no purse, no sandal, just go on their way to the towns and places that he planned to go. They were to just go in peace and at the house where they were greeted in peace, there they would be provided for. With her usual comfortable and sometimes comic tone, the Presiding Bishop encouraged us to greet and share the peace with others even with someone who is wearing mouse ears from the 'cathedral' down the street (Disneyland).
During the United Thank Offering in-gathering a representative from each ECW delegation from the nine provinces brought up their UTO contributions. Some were cheered by members of their dioceses that were in the audience. Contributions were also made by visitors from other regions around the world.
Communion was distributed to about three thousand members from 14 stations in a little over 15 minutes.
Even after a week I am still amazed with the coordination of this convention. From my assignment in Public Safety/GC Manager's office, I have had the opportunity to see what they do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
During the United Thank Offering in-gathering a representative from each ECW delegation from the nine provinces brought up their UTO contributions. Some were cheered by members of their dioceses that were in the audience. Contributions were also made by visitors from other regions around the world.
Communion was distributed to about three thousand members from 14 stations in a little over 15 minutes.
Even after a week I am still amazed with the coordination of this convention. From my assignment in Public Safety/GC Manager's office, I have had the opportunity to see what they do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Volunteer Experience
When elected as an alternate to the General Convention I didn't konw what to expect. Most of my convention experience has been with annual conventions. To be elected to a triennial was rather different. For almost two years I received publications and information in the mail in preparation. After making plans to be on the West Coast I later found out that the church only pays for deputies, not the alternates. Since my other plans were in place I decided to come on ahead and when the invitation for volunteers was sent out, I decided the best way to learn about the Convention was from the inside, so I signed up. I received my assignments in an email a few weeks later and when I arrived got straight to work. I was originally assigned to various tasks from registration detail to house services for the ECW. I was assigned in the Public Safety/Convention manager's office on the second day and that is where I have been for the past 7 days. Through this office I have had the opportunity to see everything that goes on with the coordinators of this massive event. I am in awe. (Kudos to them...especially Lori Ionnitiu)
The one thing that will stand out in my mind from this experience is the gratitude from the attendees. Everywhere I go someone says 'thank you for volunteering'. Volunteers are easily identified, not only are our name tags a different color but we are adorned in a bright yellow apron that bears the General Convention shield and says volunteer on the front.
The one thing that will stand out in my mind from this experience is the gratitude from the attendees. Everywhere I go someone says 'thank you for volunteering'. Volunteers are easily identified, not only are our name tags a different color but we are adorned in a bright yellow apron that bears the General Convention shield and says volunteer on the front.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
