Some early reflections from Bishop Daniel on Resolution D025

Yesterday afternoon (July 13) the House of Bishops took up Resolution D025, a multilayered resolution which I hope you will read in its entirety before you continue reading these reflections. [View the final version of the resolution here] The resolution reaffirms our Church’s continuing and deep commitment – spiritual, financial and missional – to life and relationships in the Anglican Communion. It goes on to reaffirm that we continue to be governed by the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church as our Anglican polity requires. The resolution also points to and gives thanks for the ministry of lay and ordained gay and lesbian people in this Church as well as this Church’s understanding that the call to ordained ministry comes from God and in the mystery of that reality, notes that the call to ordained ministry may come to any baptized person.

The Infinity of Welcome

From Deacon David Crabtree of the Diocese of North Carolina and longtime friend of East Carolina Episcopalians (not to mention his work in broadcasting):

Across the front of the gigantic Anaheim Convention Center is a gigantic banner.
I’ve seen the message hundreds of times before yet this time the words lept toward me.
The leaping came because of the size of the words. The size of the words. Not the size of the lettering.
“The Episcopal Church welcomes You.” Only five words. Five words with profound meaning.

We, as Episcopalians have struggled, are struggling and will continue to struggle with exactly who and what we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going and more importantly what are we called to do and how are we answering. These questions and their ultimate diverse answers are welcomed into our magnificent, if sometimes quirky spiritual sanctuary known as the Episcopal Church.