Report from W. Dyer Rodes, Lay Deputy

A Deputy’s Reflections on GC 2009

by Dyer Rodes

At the time of this writing, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, commonly referred to as GC 2009, ended just two weeks ago.  As a first time deputy, I found it both inspiring and frustrating, stimulating and tedious.  I spent the week immediately following GC 2009 in the heavenly environs of Grand Teton National Park.  It was a good place to reflect and thoughtfully consider the events I witnessed in Anaheim.

To be sure, we Episcopalians think a lot of ourselves and of our influence on national and world affairs.  We pass resolutions telling other countries how to behave and to tear down the very walls protecting them from terrorists, while we live in a country building a wall to keep out illegal aliens.  We pass a resolution reprimanding countries for striking first in a war while we declare war on water bottles at the next General Convention in 2012.  We take a firm stand against human trafficking, but who wouldn’t?  None of these resolutions serves to distinguish us a church.  These causes may be noble and worthwhile, but in my view, they could be (and already are) well fought by social conscience organizations.

When Episcopalians come together to worship God, we are at our best.  There is something very moving and awe inspiring when you join with 1500 of your fellow churchmen and churchwomen from every diocese across the country in a very large space for worship.  When we speak to God in a unified voice from our Book of Common Prayer, sing to God our familiar hymns (most of the time), and receive communion together, the divisions existing within our denomination melt away. 

I wish the spirit of unity experienced by all during worship could be carried down the hall into the House of Deputies and upstairs into the House of Bishops.  For some reason it cannot.  In those forums, the man-made church appears.  There, for all of the world to see are the agendas set forth by groups which have been planning and orchestrating for this moment.  Seeking their opportunity to forward their cause.

The House of Deputies is a disproportionately progressive body.  Undoubtedly, on the whole, the Episcopal Church leans toward a more progressive view on many issues.  That said, by the numbers, the House of Deputies appeared skewed disproportionately toward the progressive view. In truth, progressives had a sufficient majority to pass just about any resolution they wanted to pass.  The number of moderate and conservative deputies was insufficient to even make the votes interesting.  Relative to the rest of the House of Deputies, the deputation from the Diocese of Tennessee was a moderate to conservative group.

Resolutions D025 and C056 received the most attention at home and abroad.

D025 is a resolution with a split personality.  Public reaction to its passage has since confirmed this. On one hand it affirmed the Episcopal Church’s participation in the Anglican Communion yet on the other hand it took steps that may widen the gap between the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. D025 was viewed by some as a declaration and acknowledgement of the prevailing thought within the Episcopal Church, namely, that gay and lesbian persons may be called to ordained ministry.  Others viewed D025 as a repudiation of B033, the resolution from GC 2006 which placed a moratorium on the consecration of non-celibate homosexual persons as bishops.

Resolution C056 directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop liturgies for the blessing of same-gender commitments.  These new liturgies are to be presented for approval at GC 2012.  It also granted the Ecclesiastical Authority of each diocese permission to authorize the use of liturgies for blessing same-gender committed relationships.

Both resolutions were voted on by orders in the House of Deputies.  Under a vote by orders, each deputation submits two votes, one from the clergy and one from the laity.  Four clergy vote yes or no and four laity vote yes or no.  These votes are tallied by the chair of the deputation.  For a yes vote to be submitted to the House from either order, there must be at least 3 yes votes from that order.  A split vote (2 to 2) is registered as a no vote.

As you know by now, both resolutions passed by at least a 2 to 1 majority in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.  The Diocese of Tennessee deputation and our Bishop voted no on each of these.

Creation of The Denominational Healthcare Plan was the other significant resolution approved by both Houses. The plan provides for the collective purchase of health insurance under the umbrella of the national church.  The anticipated result is reduced health insurance premiums.  Health insurance coverage will be extended to include any parish employee who works an average of 30 hours per week. Participation will be mandatory for all parishes and dioceses.

For ten days, Episcopalians from around the country came together to meet, greet, politic, and worship.  And then, as abruptly as it began, it ended.  Now, we sit and wait to see what fruit will be born from our efforts, what the repercussions of our decisions will be. In three years we will do it all over again.

View Legislation Updates

The main General Convention website has a Legislation page from which you can view all the legislative issues which were voted and/or acted upon in Anaheim. Please note that they are still updating the results and only the ones marked Final are, in fact, the final action. Check back often for updates.

Report from Scott Kammerer, Lay Deputy

As a first-time deputy to General Convention, I had very few expectations when we arrived in Anaheim. Now that I am back home, here are some highlights and lowlights that stand out to me.

Spending time with and getting to know the other deputies from Tennessee was a great blessing. There was time at convention set aside for “Personal Narrative” within our deputation, and although I entered quite skeptical, it was a rewarding exercise as each of us had a chance to share personal stories with others in our group.  The diocese should be proud of all of our deputies, who worked hard and faithfully for ten long days.

Another pleasant surprise for me was running into a woman who had been a close friend of mine in college, whom I hadn’t seen in eighteen years. She is now a priest in Connecticut and is in a same-sex partnership.  She and I both enjoyed being able to spiritedly discuss our different perspectives of the church without having to worry about damaging our friendship.  It was also nice to meet and talk to many other deputies from across the country whom previously I had only known by name or through faceless internet postings. Building these relationships was my key takeaway from this convention.

In terms of actions taken by the Convention, I was frequently reminded of the old quote about laws and sausages: you’re better off not seeing them made. On the positive side, I think the convention passed a lot of good resolutions that will not get a lot of attention: there was a strategic approach to Hispanic and Latino evangelism approved; plenty of emphasis on mission; and recognition and celebration of the diversity in our church.  Unfortunately, most of the mission and strategic planning was ultimately weakened by severe budget cuts across the board.

Most of the press and attention will focus on the two most controversial resolutions passed: D025 which clarifies that all people including gays and lesbians are eligible for all levels of ministry within our church; and C056 which allows for ”generous pastoral response” from bishops in response to same-sex marriages, civil unions and partnerships.  Convention also called for the collection and study of same-sex liturgies to be considered at the next convention in 2012.  Bishop Bauerschmidt and both orders of our deputies voted against D025 and C056, but it is clear that most of the leaders of the Episcopal Church are in a different place regarding these issues than we are here in Tennessee.

It’s good to be back in Nashville and I am looking forward to turning my focus back to our diocese and our mission and ministries here.

The Daily, No. 11

The Daily, with features on the Public Narrative, the Closing Eucharist and a full list of elections and appointments is now available from Episcopal Life Online.

Report from Bishop John Bauerschmidt, No. 4

It’s now [Friday] the final day of the 2009 General Convention, with most of the work of the Convention done.  The Presiding Bishop in her concluding sermon reminded bishops and deputies that an important task lies ahead: taking the work of the Convention back to our dioceses in a graceful and life-giving way.  In the weeks ahead our deputation will reflect together and seek ways to share our experience with the Diocese of Tennessee, with clergy and laity alike.  My comments at this point in the Convention do not have the benefit of that consultation and reflection, but I offer them as prelude to a more considered response.

Financial matters have occupied the attention of the General Convention.  The Convention has been forced by our current circumstances to reduce the programs and personnel of the Episcopal Church by a significant amount.  We are told that many staff positions at the Church Center will be eliminated in the budget for 2010-2012.  Some longstanding programs of the Church will no longer be funded by the budget, and other desirable new programs will not be able to be introduced.  These are sobering developments.  The same constraints that operate on the local level have had a ripple effect throughout the life of the Church.

The Constitutional change that would have eliminated the vote for retired bishops was referred by the House of Bishops for more study, effectively ending the attempt begun in 2006 to make this change.  The bishops believed that more consideration needed to be given to a more nuanced approach that might put the burden of considering financial issues on active bishops, while not depriving us of the “wisdom of our elders”.

Much of the press reporting about the Convention has centered on Resolutions D025 and C056, which addressed issues of access for all people to the ordination process, and the development of resources and liturgies for same-sex blessings for the Church to consider during this next Triennium. 

Please note that Resolution D025 does not mention the 2006 General Convention Resolution B033, which had urged restraint in the ordination of persons to the episcopate who might not be acceptable to the wider Communion; still, D025 has been widely perceived as moving the Episcopal Church “beyond” B033.  I see the Resolution as ambiguous at best, yet a large number of people in the Convention interpret it as a weakening of our resolve to abide by the moratorium against the consecration to the episcopate of a person in a same-sex partnership commended to us, first in the Windsor Report and now by the Instruments of Communion.

Resolution C056 does not authorize same-sex blessings at present, yet it does move us closer to the adoption of rites.  Again, this movement conflicts with the request by the Instruments of Communion that Churches refrain from authorizing liturgies for the blessing of same-sex unions.

It is clear that the majority of deputies and bishops at the General Convention desire to move ahead on these issues; yet it is also true that a minority do not wish to do so.  I voted against both D025 and C056 because I hope that the Episcopal Church will remain a constituent member Church of the Anglican Communion, and also because I believe that this is the best way forward for us in our local context as a diocese to remain connected to each another.  I have signed the “Anaheim Statement” that has been widely reported on blog sites.  I think this statement speaks for itself, clearly and honestly. 

You know I have a passion for the Church and for the connection we have in Christ.  When I visit our parishes and missions the reality of the Church is made visible for me in your faces.  There is so much that I could say about the life we have together in Christ as a Church.  It is precious to me.  There are many different angles of approach when Christians consider these weighty issues, which I freely recognize and acknowledge.  I’m committed to remaining connected to all of you, in spite of different perspectives.

Please continue to pray for our deputation as we make our way back to Tennessee.  We look forward to being home. – Bishop John

The Daily, No. 10

The Daily, from Episcopal Life Online, is available, featuring articles on the retired bishops issue, the final budget and more on social issues.

Report from Judy Hines, Diocesan ECW President pro tem, No. 6

Day 10, Thursday July 16, 2009 (continued) -

“Take It Home”

Who are we and why are we here?

How do we do it? Build fellowship/gather

Learn about ourselves/discover

Use tools given to us/communicate

A discussion about Triennial 2021 in Indianapolis was held. We were all urged to bring our 4 delegates. Timefor lunch – this is and will be my last turkey salad. Now anticipating arriving home Saturday to harvst our garden for some “real” meals – southern style.

Exhibit Hall closes at 2:00 PM today so Gene and I are making one more last minute pass to pick up as many free items as possible. The final afternoon session beganat 2:00 PM with the commissioning of the 2009-2012 ECW National Board,commissioning of the 2009-2021 UTO Committee and the closing ceremonies.

Day 11, Friday July 17, 2009 – General Convention Closing Eucharist was held at 11:30 AM. It is now concluded for the 76th General Convention and the 46th ECW Triennial Meetingin Anaheim CA. We now return home on Saturday, invigorated, renewed and ready to continue God’s work in mission and outreach.

Thank you for your daily prayers that sustained us during this time. I am available to speak with you at any time and look forward to seeing you all at the Diocesan ECW Annual Meeting, September 19 at St. Bartholomew’s Church Nashville.

The Daily, No. 9

The Daily, from Episcopal Life Online, is now available, with features on the Budget, same gender blessings and a new section of e-letters to the editor

Report from the Rev. Randy Dunnavant, Clergy Deputy

The race is on… GC 2009 is almost over and there are hundreds of resolutions (many are important to one group or another) that have yet to receive action or even come to the floor.  

Today we have dealt with the Budget which is a complicated and multi-multi-lined document (an expense line over three years of $140,856,531.00).  Like diocese and individual church budgets, this one is underfunded by depending upon which speaker is defining $14 – 24,000,000.00 over the next three years.  Like diocese and churches, this budget expects job losses and cuts among the 600+ line items.

Resolutions here have run the gamut from Budgetary items to Evangelism efforts to Consent to Election of Bishops (elected within the last 120 days prior to this Convention) to Mission Priorities to be expressed in a budget that is $14 – $24,000,000 under-funded to a mandatory Denominational Health Plan and Lay Pension availability through the Church Pension Fund to the more controversial around issues of same sex unions, ordinations and acceptance in the Episcopal Church (full inclusion in the sacraments of the church) and changes in the liturgy of the Church.  Some decisions come very easy and others are fraught with painful reminders for someone for this House is not of one mind or spirit. 

Your deputation has accorded itself in a manner in which you would be pleased.  They have voted their hearts and minds about the resolutions on the floor.  We have represented the Diocese of Tennessee (even though we have been instructed from the beginning that we are not to represent but to vote the “Holy Spirit moving in our hearts and minds” as we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit – President of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson  and Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori in their opening remarks).

We have often found ourselves voting with the minority.  However, Ray Suarez (Senior Correspondent for The News Hour with Jim Leher on PBS), the preacher in Saturday’s Holy Communion stated that the Episcopal Church is a church of minorities.  So, we are in good company!

Some of my perceptions have been and are (remember my perceptions alone):

• Patience is getting a bit shorter than when we started.
• People are tired and tired of the “Disney area” up-charge on food and services.
• And most folks are ready to go home!
• The Exhibition Hall is running on a “skeleton staff” as exhibitors are packing their wares to leave.
• Having 45% of the House of Deputies first time folks has made for a slow start to the Convention and if the same is true for the 2012 GC which is proposed to be 2 days shorter – that should be an interesting event!).  The scope of General Convention is huge and takes more than a few minutes to understand.
• There is some bit of anxiety about the nature of and the future of the Church in connection to the full Anglican Communion in response to resolutions around human sexuality and the likelihood of a resolution of the House of Deputies concurring with the House of Bishops concerning a resolution to collect resources for same sex blessings and consider designs to be presented for further conversation and reported to the 2012 77^th General Convention.  It should be note that it is collecting – not endorsing use of any such rites or liturgies.  Bishop Andy Doyle of Texas was quoted in the Convention Dailey [July 16, 2009, page 3] as saying that the majority of people here at GC represent a broad spectrum of the church that is interested in moving forward toward these rites.
• But there are differences in people gathered here in that TEC is not of one mind, one color, one language nor agreement of direction or mission of the church. Seldom is there a unanimous vote on any resolution or issue of the 500 or so presented at this convention.
• Our worship reflects those differences in music, prayers, and liturgies.  The Episcopal is more than a National Church as most understand but is an International Church with diocese from outside the boundaries of the United States.  We have heard readings in worship in Spanish, Lakota Sioux, Korean, French that I recognized – and I am sure there were others!  My perception is that this is an important aspect of presentation at this Convention – that The Episcopal Church is by itself an international Church.
• This General Convention is my fourth.  It appears to me that words such as invite, encourage, endorse, support and urge have been replaced with words like direct, must, shall, will and create.  The “order of the day” at this Convention seems to be control issued from the headquarters of the Church.
• A typical day at General Convention for your Deputies begins with breakfast followed by Committee Meetings and Open Hearings.  Our first session in legislative gathering is at 9:45 breaking for Community Worship at 11:30.  Committee Meetings gather again at 1 pm with Legislative Session meeting again at 2 lasting generally at 6.  Many Committees and special gatherings come together at 7 pm.  Tonight, Thursday, we have reserved 8 – 10 pm for another Legislative Session.

It has been an honor to be here for you and all of our deputation is of one mind in that respect.   Continue to pray for us and for our church.

Report from Judy Hines, Diocesan ECW President pro tem, No. 5

Day 9, Wednesday July 15, 2009- Following beautiful music/singing lead by David and Nancy Stankey, “Gathering Time”in the Plenary Room started our day at 9:00 AM. Chaplain Ellen Sloan led devotions and prayers. Kay Meyer, National ECW Outgoing President, introduced Past ECW National President 1994-1997 Gini Peterson from the Diocese of Atlanta.

Resolution #1 presented to the assembled for voting was re: Study Committee INC 055 have representation of members from ECW and UTO on the Committee as there is presently no specific representation from ECW and UTO. This resolution is to be presented to the 2012 General Convention. There was unanimous approval.

Resolution #2 that the 2009 Triennial Meeting Delegates invite the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church to reactivate their liaison representation on the United Thank Offering Board and the Board of Episcopal Church Women in order to uphold current by-laws of the respective organizations. There was unanimous approval.

“Takin It Home” by the Rev. Liz Habecker featured her views about who we are as Episcopal Church Women, what we have to offer and that we are the network of the women in the Church. We need to extend to others what we have to offer… as women of faith.

The Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas from the Diocese of Long Island and his UTO Study Committee of 10, addressed the assembled about the importance of ECW in fulfilling the needs of UTO. A total of $6,896,721.59 has been granted in this Triennium 2006-2009. The new National UTO Board was inducted and introduced.

The Rt. Rev. Joe Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles, was welcomed and spoke to us regarding the importance of ECW in the church. He has used the blue UTO box on his dresser for the past 48 years.

Time for lunch and one more turkey salad. In addition to today’s lunchtime offerings was a small bowl of Chinese chicken and rice but at $9.00, I opted for the turkey.

Following lunch, we regrouped for our scheduled workshops. My selection today is “The Gospel According to Hollywood” presented by Dr. Greg Garrett. What better place than in Hollywood’s backyard?

We resumed an extended/unfinished business meeting combined with the daily “Gathering Time” in the Plenary Room  at 3:45 PM.

In addition to towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, etc., $1,102 was collected for Project Dignity benefitting the homeless/needy in the Anaheim area.

The evening concluded with the Diocese of Los Angeles Gala presented in the Convention Arena for all ECW Triennial Delegates, House of Bishops and House of Deputies.

Day 10, Thursday July 16, 2009- Today is the next to the last day that the Exhibit Hall is open so I made a mad dash to pick up ECW T-shirtsat $5.00 eachas well as 5 more copiesof the book “Lifting Women’s Voices: Prayers to Change the World.” My prayer that I sumitted was seleted for inclusion… page 127.

Royalties from the sale of the book are donated to the International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). It is published by Morehouse, 2009, ISBN 978-0-8192-2323-4 (hardcover). This book makes a wonderful additionto your personal or church library, gifts for family, friends and women clergy.