WYS ain’t WYG

Posted By: The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard

Newspaper coverage is interesting to those of us who are actually in the rooms while legislation is being debated. This week, Episcopalians in both Houses of this body took up some pretty interesting stuff. There is an amazing evangelism project which will provide support to developing and supporting Latino churches. We’ve updated disciplinary procedures and rules. Yesterday, we dealt with a serious budget crisis which will bring about drastic and dramatic changes in the ways in which ministry is undertaken in this church. We also watched and sought to care for shocked people in our midst as some church center staffers realized their jobs are coming to an end. In the midst of such pain, our church recommitted itself to mission in numerous ways, and yesterday the House of Deputies carried a provincial acceptance of the recent Anglican Covenant.

Jumping the Communication Hurdles

Posted By: Keri Dixon

Oh, my communication ears are ringing today!  I have seen communication at its best today.  And even though the conversation is a bit difficult at times, the way in which the communication happens has truly shown the beauty of The Episcopal Church and of communication done right.

An Honest Orthodoxy

Posted By: The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard

Members of the House of Deputies took a good bit of time this week for intentional discussion about the B033 resolution which was carried at General Convention 2006. That now historic resolution indicated that the 75th General Convention would receive and embrace The Windsor Report’s invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and called upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.

A Bench of Bishops

Posted By: The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard

Sitting with Nancy Broadwell as we both visited the House of Bishops on Friday morning, I was struck by a strange sight on the platform. The Presiding Bishop sat in the middle of a table of folks, presiding over this House of The General Convention. This PB is a she and that was different, but she’s someone we choose as a church in 2006 and she’s a friend as well – I knew where she’d be…so that wasn’t my surprise. My surprise was a couple of faces seated just behind the PB…two former PB’s….Bishops Griswold and Browning. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for these two gentle men, who each provided decisive and faithful leadership for this church during some difficult times. The norm at General Conventions is to sort of let such leaders fade into the distance. But these folks weren’t fading. Both looked great, healthy and happy.