"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'";
The above is taken from the pastoral letter from the Presiding Bishop to the Episcopal Church following this past General Convention and is a quote from the GC documents/resolutions. It addresses my continuing concern over what do we have as a guide to same sex morality that would make it sanctifying.
It would seem from my previous discussions with folks who are same gender oriented I could not find a working model as to what is a holy relationship. I got the distinct sense that the less guidelines the better and that is what was desired.
With this guideline now we are in a much better place theologically than we have ever been. I have not been opposed to same-sex relationships nor marriage not even opposed to sacramental marriage. But I did not know what was the guidelines which made this distinctly different from opposite sex relationships or the same, at least from a pastoral perspective.
Having said that these are pretty lofty guidelines. If this is what is expected in a opposite sex relationship not sure how many opposite sex marriages would qualify or come close.
Just maybe these may be over stated but from a pastoral perspective; however, I would love to have those as the guidelines of all marriages regardless of who.
I will be interested to know that if in the ordination discernment process this will be the guideline that is used. And if these will be the guidelines that a pastor will use to determine if a marriage can take place.
I do not like the idea of a same-sex blessing; either marriage or nothing unless we are willing to opt for opposite sex blessings in place of marriage. If we are going to continue down this path we must act in equality and get rid of this idea of a blessing instead of marriage.
Yes! I know that a same sex-marriage is illegal in many places but as an ordained person I do not receive a salary from the State. If we really believe that same-sex marriage is of equal validity as opposite-sex marriage then religious-civil-disobedience is required of us if we are to be faithful to God.
Peace
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church
I am still pondering on General Convention (GC). I was able to observe a great deal of it since I have been laid up with my back. The ability to observe so much of it was amazing in itself. In a real sense I probably was able to catch more of the total GC than those who were actually there. With the live streaming and on demand streaming I was able to be listening and watching both Houses. When I 1st started listening I was negative about how much this was costing and whether this was justifiable. By the time it ended I was absolutely convinced that this was money well spent. I have never seen this much transparency in religious body decision making body. If I had a delegates paper documents would have made this almost complete.
Several things stand out from what I saw, listened, and read.
Bishop Charleston sermon on the day designated for Creation Care was outstanding. The opening line: "10 Minutes!" I have 10 minutes to save the Earth" captured the message and the tone of the sermon. I have now had the opportunity to hear him several times and what a messenger.
The whole discussion and decision making regarding the many aspects of human sexuality was thought provoking in many aspects. What I heard saw and read is basically different than almost all of what I read and heard from the normal channels of news. Though the main line of reasoning was of approaching this from a Baptismal Theological perspective not everyone used that line of thought. I could not agree more in this being the place to start and certainly the place that Anglican Theology should start as well as anyone whose theological perspective is Catholic. But I also heard much that was truncated Baptismal Theology that is using baptism to carry forth an agenda already determined.
It is true that in baptism all charisms are open to all the baptized. And it true that the giving of the charisms is not dependent on any human state of being that the charisms are God's to give to whoever. One would be hard pressed to find anyone who deserves by there actions to receive any charism. But there is also the receiver of the gift has a responsibility thrust upon them. So while it is true that no matter whatever the human sexuality of a person they are not precluded from receiving any charism. And so no matter what the human sexuality may be there is responsibility thrust.
It is at this point that I am in a troubling spot. What do we do about the responsibility that comes with this charism. I am not so much concerned with the what we determine the responsibilities actually are as to who and how that is determined. It would seem that the GC has now thrust this upon the local diocese and I am just not sure that is such a good idea. The more local the decision is the more likely the blind spots. Self determining is a huge mine field. While determining from the whole has mines in it I still feel safer in that field than.
I listened to many sermons and talks by different folks from the GC and was enlightened by them for the most part. But one sermon I just not sit through and this is a rarity for me. I also think this is representative of what I was just speaking too. Bishop Harris sermon to, I think, the "Integrity" gathering was well... I could not listen to it.
More on this later
Several things stand out from what I saw, listened, and read.
Bishop Charleston sermon on the day designated for Creation Care was outstanding. The opening line: "10 Minutes!" I have 10 minutes to save the Earth" captured the message and the tone of the sermon. I have now had the opportunity to hear him several times and what a messenger.
The whole discussion and decision making regarding the many aspects of human sexuality was thought provoking in many aspects. What I heard saw and read is basically different than almost all of what I read and heard from the normal channels of news. Though the main line of reasoning was of approaching this from a Baptismal Theological perspective not everyone used that line of thought. I could not agree more in this being the place to start and certainly the place that Anglican Theology should start as well as anyone whose theological perspective is Catholic. But I also heard much that was truncated Baptismal Theology that is using baptism to carry forth an agenda already determined.
It is true that in baptism all charisms are open to all the baptized. And it true that the giving of the charisms is not dependent on any human state of being that the charisms are God's to give to whoever. One would be hard pressed to find anyone who deserves by there actions to receive any charism. But there is also the receiver of the gift has a responsibility thrust upon them. So while it is true that no matter whatever the human sexuality of a person they are not precluded from receiving any charism. And so no matter what the human sexuality may be there is responsibility thrust.
It is at this point that I am in a troubling spot. What do we do about the responsibility that comes with this charism. I am not so much concerned with the what we determine the responsibilities actually are as to who and how that is determined. It would seem that the GC has now thrust this upon the local diocese and I am just not sure that is such a good idea. The more local the decision is the more likely the blind spots. Self determining is a huge mine field. While determining from the whole has mines in it I still feel safer in that field than.
I listened to many sermons and talks by different folks from the GC and was enlightened by them for the most part. But one sermon I just not sit through and this is a rarity for me. I also think this is representative of what I was just speaking too. Bishop Harris sermon to, I think, the "Integrity" gathering was well... I could not listen to it.
Friday, July 17, 2009
A YEAR GONE BY.
In 10 days I will have been attending Annunciation Episcopal Church (AEC) a year. Much has happened in that year. I joined AEC in November transferring from St. John Episcopal (SJE) where my membership has been since 1982, despite becoming a minister in the United Methodist Church (UMC). I cannot recall the last time I was at SJE. Probably the Sunday before I left for St. Luke's Seminary. I actually was surprised that I was still left on the rolls.
It was time to get off the fence. I knew I would never go back to being an active UMC minister. I could not imagine worshipping in a UMC regularly. And the thought of being buried from a UMC was unthinkable.
This past Annual Conference in June I submitted a letter saying I was dropping my connection to the UMC. The dialogue/correspondence with the Board of Ordained Ministry is a story in itself and also indicative of why I could no longer be a UM. ( but that is another blog entry)
My intention is seek clergy status in the Episcopal Church. Rather that happens or not this where I plan to remain.
The truth of the matter it was a great relief to leave the UMC I had come to think I was jeopardizing my integrity.
AEC has been a blessing to me. The Providence of God is quite amazing. I cannot imagine that I would ever on my own found AEC. Much has happened there in the past year. The Rector left for another parish in Nov. The Canon of the Diocese, RS, served the church as the interim rector until the end of May. We are now without a rector and have supply every other week. This means Eucharist only every other week and Morning Prayers the other Sundays. While I have used the Divine Office since I was 10 years old I just do not think the Office should replace the Eucharist as the main celebration for Sunday. I would much prefer having Morning Prayers end with Communion from the reserve Sacrament, but for some reason in this Diocese this is not done regularly.
I found myself likely RS very much and I cannot begin to tell you how much we think alike, even his spouse was amazed at this. If one were to just look at us we would think that we would be miles apart. This alikeness goes well beyond theology into personal life style things.
He started teaching the weekly Men's Bible Study when our rector departed and before long is was basically we were co-teaching. When he left I was asked to teach which I am doing now. While RX was still there he asked to do some pastoral things
like visiting the sick and anointing them. On his last Sun. Something very interesting happened. While receiving Communion from him he first gave me the regular host but then he took it back and specifically gave me part of the fractured host. This is very old liturgical tradition that clergy present should receive the sacrament from fractured host.
I had a long conversation about my making the step into becoming an Episcopal Priest and he encouraged this. I am now in the process of trying to figure out how to go about this.
This past week I have been asked by 2 folks at AEC if I would consider doing the pastoral work at AEC which I would but I told them you need to talk to the Bishop about this. I am trying to play it as safe as possible i do not want to jeopardize my moving into the priesthood of the Episcopal Church.
So much has happened in the past year.
It was time to get off the fence. I knew I would never go back to being an active UMC minister. I could not imagine worshipping in a UMC regularly. And the thought of being buried from a UMC was unthinkable.
This past Annual Conference in June I submitted a letter saying I was dropping my connection to the UMC. The dialogue/correspondence with the Board of Ordained Ministry is a story in itself and also indicative of why I could no longer be a UM. ( but that is another blog entry)
My intention is seek clergy status in the Episcopal Church. Rather that happens or not this where I plan to remain.
The truth of the matter it was a great relief to leave the UMC I had come to think I was jeopardizing my integrity.
AEC has been a blessing to me. The Providence of God is quite amazing. I cannot imagine that I would ever on my own found AEC. Much has happened there in the past year. The Rector left for another parish in Nov. The Canon of the Diocese, RS, served the church as the interim rector until the end of May. We are now without a rector and have supply every other week. This means Eucharist only every other week and Morning Prayers the other Sundays. While I have used the Divine Office since I was 10 years old I just do not think the Office should replace the Eucharist as the main celebration for Sunday. I would much prefer having Morning Prayers end with Communion from the reserve Sacrament, but for some reason in this Diocese this is not done regularly.
I found myself likely RS very much and I cannot begin to tell you how much we think alike, even his spouse was amazed at this. If one were to just look at us we would think that we would be miles apart. This alikeness goes well beyond theology into personal life style things.
He started teaching the weekly Men's Bible Study when our rector departed and before long is was basically we were co-teaching. When he left I was asked to teach which I am doing now. While RX was still there he asked to do some pastoral things
like visiting the sick and anointing them. On his last Sun. Something very interesting happened. While receiving Communion from him he first gave me the regular host but then he took it back and specifically gave me part of the fractured host. This is very old liturgical tradition that clergy present should receive the sacrament from fractured host.
I had a long conversation about my making the step into becoming an Episcopal Priest and he encouraged this. I am now in the process of trying to figure out how to go about this.
This past week I have been asked by 2 folks at AEC if I would consider doing the pastoral work at AEC which I would but I told them you need to talk to the Bishop about this. I am trying to play it as safe as possible i do not want to jeopardize my moving into the priesthood of the Episcopal Church.
So much has happened in the past year.
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