July 10: Major Decisions from General Convention

A Big Day at General Convention

Okay, so after a long day yesterday I slept in today, skipping the daily Eucharist at 9:30. I was on hand for the legislative session that started at 11:15 am in the House of Deputies. After that, I switched places with Mark Rutenbar and became an Alternate rather than a Deputy. This meant I could pop in and watch some of the proceedings in the House of Bishops (see picture below).

Major Resolutions Passed Today

Participation in the Anglican Communion and the Proposed Anglican Covenant

One resolution considered today affirms the participation of The Episcopal Church in the Anglican Communion but doesn't address the proposed Anglican Covenant (see next resolution). The resolution commends the Continuing Indaba process (www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/continuingindaba or www.continuingindaba.com). Supporters noted that relationships run deeper than anything that can be defined by -- or reduced to --  a piece of paper. The resolution passed.

A second resolution addressed the Anglican Covenant Process and refrained from deciding at this time whether or not The Episcopal Church should assent to the proposed Covenant (see www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/covenant/final/text.cfm). The matter is referred instead to a task force for ongoing monitoring and a report to be presented to the 78th General Convention in 2015. A motion was made to delete the portions of the resolution calling for another three-year wait before yet another report on the Covenant would be offered and considered, but the motion failed. As more and more Anglican churches and dioceses are declining to approve the Covenant meaning, our church's decision will likely have minimal impact, especially if we wait another three years to decide.

Debate continued but set aside because it was time to elect a new President of the House of Deputies.

Election of a New President of House of Deputies

The Rev. Gay Jennings was elected on the first ballot. I watched her chair a meeting of the legislative committee on structure with great skill, grace, and humor. Let's keep Gay in our prayers as she takes on the responsibilities of President of the House of Deputies.

The Structure of the Church

The resolution I saw finalized in committee yesterday was brought to the floor of the House of Deputies for consideration. After a special time of prayer led by one of the chaplains, a voice vote was taken. Those in favor of the resolution responded loudly. President Bonnie Anderson (she'll remain President of the House of Deputies until the conclusion of this Convention) then called for those opposed to the motion to respond. No one did; not a single "no" vote was heard on the floor. Extraordinary! Now it's off to the House of Bishops for their consideration. I hope they also agree to pass this resolution.

If passed by the Bishops, a task force of no more than 24 people will be expected "to present the 78th General Convention with a plan for reforming the Church’s structures, governance, and administration." To read a draft of the resolution, click here. I believe this resolution presents an amazing opportunity for us to reconsider who we are as church and what it means for us to be and operate as Episcopalians today and in the future. In the long run, I believe the passage of this resolution may be the most significant decision of this Convention. Others, however, may find my next topic of greater significance.

Liturgical Resources for the Blessing of Same-Gender Relationships

The other big news of the day came towards the end of the afternoon legislative as the House of Deputies considered a resolution already adopted (in amended form) by the House of Bishops: the blessing of same-gender couples.

After impassioned debate on both sides of the issue and a great deal of parliamentary procedural wrangling (which took up the better part of an hour!), a vote was finally taken by orders. This requires polling within each diocese's deputation, filling out a paper voting form, and voting electronically, once to record the vote of the lay deputies and again to record the clergy votes. This is every bit as slow and cumbersome as it sounds. Actually, no, it's even more slow and cumbersome than I can describe. What could have been accomplished in 30-45 minutes ended up taking over an hour and a half. We then waited for the results to be reported.

Finally the results were reported: the motion passed. It was approved in the lay order by 78% and by 76% in the clergy order. That's a pretty strong endorsement of what will be for some a controversial change to church practice and doctrine.

Much has already been reported on this legislation in major media, especially since the Deputies approved the exact same resolution passed yesterday by the Bishops. The media, however, may not always get all the details right. What has been approved are study materials and liturgy that may be available for provisional use if the bishop of a diocese allows. The liturgy is not a marriage rite for same-gender couples. It is, rather, a way for the Church to bless committed relationships between two persons willing to enter into a holy covenant.

This is a huge step for The Episcopal Church. And even though I watched from the sidelines as Mark voted in my stead, I was glad of the result. Not everyone is happy with this vote, but I believe our Church is acting with grace and care not only towards same-gender couples who wish to have their relationships blessed but also towards those bishops and dioceses who do not approve this expansion of our liturgical and pastoral resources as no one will be forced to use this new, provisional liturgy.

To read the Episcopal News Service article on this vote, click here.