I write to you on this last day of the 77th
General Convention. It has been an
empowering and strengthening experience.
I am deeply impressed by the caliber of faithful people gathered to
serve the greater Episcopal Church. I am
bolstered by their steadfast faithfulness over the past ten days. I witnessed a sizeable body of Christians,
who are bound together by a particular Anglican way, earnestly discern and
prayerfully deliberate the voice of God.
It was like making sausage – it is imperfect and laborious process that
makes a presentable, tasty and nourishing result.
For me, one of the greatest gifts of this General Convention
was in hearing all the divergent voices of TEC: young people, non-English
speakers, the establishment, those who live on the margins, those on the right
and left of theological and social issues.
Reconnecting with old friends and making a load of new ones graced
me. The worship and music were robust;
the legislative committees were a cross-fertilization of ideas; the legislative
sessions were thoughtful, deliberate and respectful; the Deputation of West
Tennessee was a delight. Although this
gathering was long and arduous, Christ’s presence was genuinely felt with holy
surprises emerging at all moments throughout our cloistered days. Thank you for electing me and trusting me
with this privileged role. Thank you to
my family, staff and friends for your support and prayers – it was lovingly
received.
“We refuse to exclude” seems to be General Convention’s
overall theme. For us, we claim the indwelling Christ in each Christian as what
is most essential: not economic, ethnic, racial or physical characteristics,
sexual orientation, age. Through our
baptism, we claim that each of us has a unique sacred gift to help God’s dream
for the world come true.
- I believe this why Resolution D022 first passed with broad support in the House of Bishops as well as in the House of Deputies. No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or age. Nothing on the exterior will prohibit baptized persons from the full participation in the life and witness of the Episcopal Church
- Resolution A049 also was passed by a vast majority. This action gives clergy resources that aren’t currently found in the Book of Common Prayer or in the Book of Occasional Services for the “witnessing and blessing of a life-long covenant in same-gender relationships.” This is a grace for those who need a legitimate way to recognize gay couples who are making lifelong commitments to each other in Church. But the resolution also has specific language saying that no clergy person has to use the materials if it goes against her/his beliefs.
- Structure of The Episcopal Church was a big topic, and in overwhelming fashion, multiple resolutions were passed to re-imagine the workings of The Episcopal Church to prepare for mission in the 21st century. A special task force will be created to make Church governance as nimble and efficient as possible. The task force is called to look at this restructuring from all angles.
- Many hoped more would be agreed upon in the deliberation around the Anglican Covenant. The House of Bishops concurred with the deputies to affirm their commitment to building relationships across the Anglican Communion, especially through the Continuing Indaba program, and to decline to take a position on the Anglican Covenant.
- Many resolutions were adopted around social issues to protect and bolster the weakest among us: the illegal, the elderly, the homeless, the disregarded.
It was not a perfect convention. It was a human endeavor. So, it was messy at times, but, from my
observation, it was a prayerful, earnest and responsible attempt for us to
listen deeply to God’s prompting that directs us to the full Reign of Christ on
Earth.
This Thursday, July 19 at 6:30 PM at Church of the Holy Communion, the
Bishop and Diocesan Deputation will share their thoughts, field questions, and
share conversation around the events of this General Convention.
On August 5th at the 10:00 AM in the St. Mary’s
Cathedral Parish Hall, I will give a fuller presentation of my experience
The Very Rev. Andy Andrews
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