Signs are important guides for our lives. We use signs to prevent injury (for example, stop signs), we use them to mark events, and we use them to direct us where to go. This General Convention has signs everywhere. There are signs pointing to the next event, signs stopping non-deputies from entering the floor of the House of Deputies and many signs of direction. Of all the signs at the Convention, none have been more powerful and more of a witness of the Spirit’s presence than a sign which came into our House two days ago.
During legislation, a bird (either a pigeon or a dove) came swooping down over the deputies and landed on top of the dais’ wall. It perched itself and began watching the deliberations. Since that time, the bird has not left and seems to make its appearance at each important vote that is to take place.
O.K., I might be discerning a bit too much into this one bird, but it seems to me that the Holy Spirit is trying desperately to communicate to us, to lead us and to direct us. Today, more than any other day, I felt the Spirit’s presence and us listening to that voice.
The Spirit’s presence began at 10:00 a.m. with the Festival Principle Holy Eucharist of the General Convention. Over 8000 individuals filled the hall and in common song and words, praised our living and loving Lord. Surrounding me were bishops, priest, deacons, laity and visitors from all corners of the world. All came together, in a spirit of unity, to worship the One who gives us life. The signs of the Spirit were clearly evident.
At noon, I participated in a special luncheon sponsored by the Chicago Consultation. The Chicago Consultation’s goals are to strengthen the movement toward the blessing of same sex relationships; to advance the inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in all orders of ministry; and to strengthen the Anglican Communion’s witness against racism, poverty, sexism, heterosexism, and other interlocking oppressions.
During the luncheon, guests heard four amazing presentations on leaders within the Church and the Anglican Communion on the ministry of all the baptized. The reports were “How I came to understand the importance/necessity of full-inclusion:” Bruce Caldwell; “Full-inclusion and TEC Polity:” Byron Rushing; “Full-inclusion and Mission within the Anglican Communion:” Dahn Dean Gandell; and “International Perspective: Full-inclusion and the Anglican Communion:” Jenny Te Paa.
The guests were made up of bishops, priests, deacons and laity who represent the depth of our communion. Some came from the 2/3rd’s world, some came from this country. Some agree fully with moving the Church back towards our baptismal covenant and canons and some disagree. Some were straight and some were gay.
At each table, there were two table hosts: a bishop and an out GLBT priest. I was one of the table hosts (there were 10 tables in total). After a quick call from a bishop who could not attend, I was joined at my table by the retired Bishop of Los Angeles, Bishop Borst. We were joined by another bishop, his wife, and two deputies. Our conversation was fruitful as we shared stories and I shared mine. The signs pointed us forward.
At the afternoon House of Deputies Legislative Session, the House discerned what to make of D025, the response by the World Mission Committee to B033. During the debate, members (all except one who gave a rambling quote from Scripture and warned the Church of dire consequences) were civil and readily understood the gravity of the resolution. To vote for it, would mean the Church, assuming the bishops agree, would state that all orders of ministry have been and are open to all the baptized. We would simply move beyond B033 and now move forward.
As any parliamentary session, those who opposed the resolution did some parliamentary tricks to try to weaken and/or effectively kill the amendment. Motions to divide the resolution in a couple parts and to strike some words which would have effectively neutered the resolution of its key statements, were greatly defeated.
Prior to the final vote, the Chaplain came forward and prayed. Guess what made its appearance? That’s right, the bird.
When the vote (a vote by orders – which means clergy vote and laity vote. There must be at least 3 clergy voting yes and 3 laity voting yes in each Deputation for it to pass) finally came, an amazing and truly Spirit-filled event happened. The House was of one mind. The final vote was 77-31 in the lay order and 74-25 in the clergy order. A strong mandate was made in both orders. Yes, signs were given and signs were listened to.
From today, the resolution goes to the House of Bishops. Perhaps, with such a great vote, the Bishops will consider even more deeply, just how much B033 hurt instead of helped the greater Church and why D025 must be the reality which we currently really do live in.
Sadly, there is so much more work to do and only 5 more days to do it in. There were resolutions passed on Hispanic Ministry and Liturgy Development. Yet, with both of these, funds must be found to do implement. Funds which simply are not present.
Perhaps, just perhaps, if our Church does take the strong global witness that we are the Church that truly does take our Baptismal promises seriously, we actually might no longer hemorrhage. Instead, we might, like we are doing at St. Jude’s in Wantagh, really and completely grow.
I’ll be watching that bird in the next few days. I hope you do, too.
Finally, here is the whole D025 text passed which will go to the House of Bishops:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of “listening to the experience of homosexual persons,” as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships “characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God” (2000-D039); and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God’s call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, which call through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church, as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience, disagree about some of these matters.
Copyright © 2009 The Very Rev. Christopher D. Hofer