Day Two

And there was evening, and there was morning, one day.

Well, I'm glad to report that by the late afternoon, I had begun to process information! I'm getting the hang of how the committees work and I managed to follow along as the legislative session began its substantive business. There is definitely a learning curve, and I was behind it at the committee hearing on Resolution B012 (granting bishops in states where same-sex marriage is legal "generous discretion" in their pastoral response -- essentially granting permission for clergy in those dioceses to do such weddings in the church). If one wants to speak at a committee hearing, one must be there 15 or 30 minutes ahead of time (depending on the committee) to sign up on a list. If one shows up "on time," it's too late to speak. Oh well. This resolution will certainly be passed by the committee (31 spoke in favor, with no one speaking "con"), but the "word on the street" is that the House of Bishops (which acts much like the US Senate) will not allow this end-run around the canons. We'll see ... but on to other, more exciting things.

At the legislative session, the House of Deputies passed a hallmark resolution directing that the funding priorities of the national church be in conformity with the "Five Marks of Mission" developed by the Anglican Consultative Council (the worldwide body of Anglicans -- bishops, clergy, and laity -- that meets to coordinate ministry around the Communion). What are the Five Marks of Mission:
1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
2. To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

What is exciting to me is how these priorities of the Anglican Communion, now adopted as priorities for the Episcopal Church, match up so well with our parish's mission of "Making high-commitment, sacramental Christians in community." Through our efforts in evangelism, formation, family ministry, pastoral care, and outreach, we are sharing in the common mission of our Communion. Everything we do is in there! Of course, the rubber will have to hit the road in 2012 when the first budget that will be set under these priorities is submitted, but I am greatly encouraged that the House of Deputies passed this by a wide margin.

Indeed, what I'm beginning to pick up is that there is now a realization that "business as usual" is no longer possible for the Episcopal Church: there is among the bishops a desire to define doctrinal limits around the Nicene Creed, and among many a desire to focus the church on mission. An example: a group of bishops noticed with dismay that the funding for international development projects was actually zeroed out, while the funding for meetings of the various bodies of the E.C. was increased. Their resolution directs that the funding for meetings be cut in half, and the savings directed to international mission and development. Awesome! As you know, I am High Church but Low Institution: Christ founded the first, not the second! I am greatly encouraged to see some leaders begin to press the point that this truth should be reflected in how resources are used by the national church.

As for my dance card, I fell in with the delegation from South Carolina after the legislative session, and they kindly invited me to dinner. What a wonderful group of folk: renewed my acquiantance with John Burwell+, who over 20 years has grown his parish from 75 members to 1800. I was blessed by his example of fruitfulness over the long haul! I also met the young (45) rector of the second-largest church in the country, St. Andrew's, Mt. Pleasant, and I was struck by the similarity in our thinking about staffing and growth. We're planning to attend church together on Sunday -- we're looking at visiting one of the big, young churches that are thriving in LA. More on that later.

I also ran into fellow Yalie, Dr. Christopher Wells, Ph.D, who is now Executive Director of the Living Church Foundation, and a member of the committee that is handling the only resolution dealing directly with adoption of the Anglican Covenant by this church. He invited me to give a testimonial to its adoption, and I'll be there at 1:30 p.m. to sign up!

That's all for now, and be well in Dunstanland!
Faithfully,
Rob+