"A Glorious Messiness" Just About Says It All

Approximately one hour ago, the 76th General Convention came to a close. In truth, it was much less contentious than recent similar gatherings of the Episcopal Church. At least in the House of Bishop's, I can attest to you that there was grace filled listening and mutual respect in ways that I must confess have not always been as obviously the case. We did not agree on everything, but we did good and faithful work together.

I cited in an earlier blog the "opinion journal" offered by the Diocese of Virginia, "Center Aisle" found at www.centeraisle.net. In their final issue this morning, an editorial referenced the time we have spent together under the title "Glorious Messiness." I commend it to you.

I have never held out a lot of hope that an "Anglican Covenant" would ever be developed that the entire body of the Anglican Communion's constituent members could all agree to embrace. However, now that this Church has spoken through this convention to the Communion, the Communion decision makers now have more information with which to make their proposals. To this end, I suggest that we must not act precipitously to move beyond the space of self-defining we have made. Rather, we would be better served to now wait a bit longer as the official Instruments of the Anglican Communion respond to what they have heard us say.

To speak our truth takes courage. To listen also takes courage. In fact, to listen takes courage, patience and humility. To assist the Archbishop of Canterbury and others understand what we meant by the actions we have taken is important work. We cannot let others interpret and spin their meaning for us. As with all situations that have the complexity of a "glorious messiness," we need to name what we meant even if we do not always agree about it ourselves. To this end, a letter was composed and provided over the signatures of our Presiding Bishop and of the President of the House of Deputies to Archbishop Rowan Williams and to others in decision making positions that need to hear with clarity what we did while gathered in Convention. By now, it is inevitably on "the web," but in case you have had trouble finding it, I will provide a copy in a later post before the weekend is over.

Now it is time to pack our bags, get some supper and look forward to returning home. Jeannie and I have missed being with you all. But I hope that our contact through the postings of our various deputies and those that I have offered have helped give you a bit of a sense of what we have been doing in this time of shared discernment.

I thank your Deputation for their faithful work on behalf of our diocese. You made great choices in selecting and sending each one of them. They will have stories to share when we all return. Until then, know that we hold each of you in our thoughts and prayers even as we look forward to returning home tomorrow.

Jeannie and I will be taking a week of vacation next week, be back in the office, and squeeze in another week of vacation following that so that I might back in time to attend the Laymen's Conference. Then it is back to the office and the anticipation of many opportunities to speak and listen to one another as we take the next steps together along the journey of life we share. Know you are loved. +Don