The Spirit at Work

Bp Shannon:  I agree that it is certainly true that there are many arguments for and against whether or not we are putting canons in conflict with the prayer book and all of that, but I must suggest that we -  I speak in favor of this motion.  I must suggest that we cannot make the perfect the enemy of the good.  Before I came to General Convention I wrote a very strongly worded letter to my diocese asserting my utter and absolute commitment to marriage equality and wanted to bring the fullest, strongest, statement for that, that we can provide.  I think after many days of consultation this is the best we can do, and it’s something I can support.  I came here with the sense that we couldn’t do this by a simply canonical route. That we needed to do something fuller that required a little more time and a two-reading sort of way, and I’m pleased with that.  And I think we need to be careful that, however important they are, making idols out of our rules.  And I’m reminded that our Lord said that humankind was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for humankind.  We know that in Jesus’ day that would be akin to us saying that we repeal the Holy Communion.  If we have to wait some time to sort out a conflict between canon and liturgy, rules and that sort of thing, I’d much rather it be a canon than a loving couple that wants to bring honor and glory and witness to God through the bond and covenant of marriage. 

A Great Cloud of Witnesses

Where do we see God?

Where do we see Christ?

We just passed a resolution for a new commemoration of Saints, which allows for those who did not profess Christ as their Savior. We see Christ at work through them, but would they be opposed to be included? Is this somehow not respectful or is this very respectful? It could be interperted either way. 

God is Everywhere

Even in what looks very political

Images from GC78

UTO In-Gathering Service

So many people  

Celebrating the Supreme Court's Ruling here at the 78th GC

Bishops of Dio VA past and present

Bishop Lee!

Follow GC78 Live

The Media Hub

In addition to all the tweets and Facebook posts about what is happening, you can watch GC live as we worship, and as the House of Deputies and House of Bishops debate and pass, or reject, legislation.

Worship, Legislative Sessions Live

Camp Day!

Here is a picture of the members of the deputation on "Camp Day" when deputies wore T-shirts from their camp and conference centers...ours is Shrine Mont.

Marriage Equality and GC78

During an early morning meeting of the committee on which I serve, Bishop Gene Robinson, who is also a member of the committee, asked for a moment of personal privilege to announce to us the Supreme Court ruling making marriage legal for same-sex couples throughout the country. Bp. Robinson was asked to offer a prayer, which he did, expressing the joy of the moment for many and also sensitivity to those for whom this moment is difficult.

On the news reports I saw tonight on TV, there was a sign saying that the constitution shields us from those who use the Bible to discriminate against us. Yes it does. But we want the world to know that the Episcopal Church does not use the Bible that way, and that we in fact find in the Bible the story of God's love for all and God's justice for all.

Now the two couples married at my church in the last two months are able to go everywhere in the country and be protected under the law as married. We all have so much to celebrate and give thanks for today.

This legal ruling comes at a time when the Episcopal Church is seeking to equalize and normalize marriage for all couples in our church. There has been debate in the weeks leading up to Convention and since we arrived a few days ago, on how best to move forward liturgically and canonically. There is a sense that momentum is building to accomplish much at this meeting of General Convention with regard to full marriage equality for same-sex couples. We continue to pray for a good and faithful witness to all people that the Episcopal Church does in fact welcome all.

We want marriage equality in the Church for our members and so as to be a witness to the world that there are Christians who celebrate the ruling of the Supreme Court today. 

The Most Important Action at GC78?

What do you think the most important or ground-breaking action will be when all is said and done at the 78th General Convention? It is early...Convention doesn't even start until tomorrow, but I have a nomination for most important action. Going green--no paper being distributed...at all!

Looking for a paper bulletin for one of the worship services? Well, unless someone prints one for you or you print your own from the already-posted PDFs, you won't find one. Every deputy and bishop has been given an iPad for the duration of General Convention. These "binders" have been specially prepared so the only materials issued by GC, such as resolutions and worship bulletins, can live on them. Updates will be wirelessly transferred to our binders as needed. 

In a conversation that I had with a bishop today, I learned that the cost of the iPads, and that's hundreds of iPads, and the cost of the wifi and electrical outlets at all of our tables in the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, all of that cost is still less than what it would cost to print all of these documents on paper. And that's just a bonus of course; the reason we do this is to be good stewards of the earth's resources. But still, money matters, and what incentive to many to consider this for their next conference. And what about going green at church? At my church, we send out our Sunday bulletin as a PDF a few days before the service. We have invited people to download it and use it during the service, but we still make paper bulletins, and we have not provided iPads. But maybe we will one day.