My Reflections on General Convention 2009

Dear Ones,

 

I am back from General Convention and still decompressing. As is often the case when one is away for two weeks, I returned to a long list of things to do, not the least of which is the need to cut $350,000 from our 2010 diocesan budget, which includes changing and even eliminating some positions at Diocesan House—not a pleasant task at all. Please keep everyone on staff in your prayers.

I have told many of you that I feel like a five pound bird that has laid a six pound egg—a bit spent. At General Convention I often thought, “There has got to be a better way to do church.”  Yet it still has its moments of inspiration and wonder. It will never be perfect but parliamentary procedure also leaves a lot to be desired when one is working with rather complex issues. 

A lot of convention action didn’t get much press coverage. The denominational health plan was passed, which I believe will help us in the short and long run. Church Insurance Group had done extensive work over the last three years including here in . You may be aware that the clerical actuarial group is among the least healthy and therefore among the most expensive. By pooling our group we should realize less increase in the future as well as other efficiencies. I also believe it will ultimately help those in rural areas who are often not able to take part in plans centered in the urban areas. The part of our Episcopal constitution that deals with the discipline of all people in clerical orders, commonly referred to as Title IV, also passed, due in part to the hard work of our vice chancellor Duncan Bayne, who has worked on much-needed renovations for nearly 10 years. Most all the resolutions can be viewed in their final forms at www.gc2009.org.

 

I agree with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s take on several of the more talked-about resolutions of the convention, including D025 and B056, both of which deal with human sexuality and which seemed totally unfamiliar to me when I read about them in the press. When one speaks of us “lifting the moratorium on gay bishops,” I think it should be made clear that a “moratorium” was never in any of the language of the last convention. It was not part of any resolution. It became common use in the days, months and years that followed. The truth of D025, to me, is that it states clearly where we Episcopalians, by and large, find ourselves—here and now—as a Church. Of course, not everyone agrees with that vision or statement. The truth is the “moratorium” will be tested—not now, but when the first gay or lesbian person is elected bishop and consent is sought. Also, resolution D025 was not intended as a repeal of BO33 (which was passed at General Convention 2006) but to factually state where we are as the Episcopal Church in light of the issues facing us and in our relationships with the larger Anglican Communion.

 

Resolution B056 was touted in the press as “approving the blessing of same-sex couples.” If one reads the resolution, it does approve the development of such liturgies, which would then be brought back to the next convention. It also grants “pastoral generosity” to those bishops in jurisdictions where the state has already made a way for civil unions. While I felt it was helpful to name this generosity, in many ways it already exists.  I do feel this resolution moves the discussion on same-sex blessings ahead. I have printed the entire final text of this resolution below.

 

Beyond these two most talked-about resolutions, I would point to some that have not gained much notice but were quite important to me. The convention overwhelmingly approved resolutions pledging our commitment as a denomination to the Genesis Covenant (link provided below) and to the Earth Charter. The Genesis Covenant resolution came from our diocesan convention. Although the resolution to create a Standing Commission for the Environment did not come to fruition, the presiding bishop did note that some focused attention toward this issue needs to be made a part of the current structure of the church. A small group of bishops and many other individuals wish to begin the work of oversight, even if it is not within the official structure of the Episcopal Church. In some ways this might be preferred to a standing commission. 

 

I served as House of Bishops Secretary to the Stewardship and Development Legislative Committee, which heard all of the environmental resolutions and others regarding missionary work, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and money. I was so impressed by and learned so much about the missionaries we have throughout the world and how little they are paid (about $24,000 a year). One resolution was presented by one of our Episcopal missionaries.  I do not now remember her name, but I sure remember her pitch! She called the resolution the “80-cent solution” because it calls on every Episcopalian to give 80 cents a day to missionary work. We were so inspired a few of us gave her one dollar on the spot and told her to keep the change. If we did it we could support twice as many new missionaries as we have now. Seems like a good investment to me!

 

Another presented resolution suggested the convention, and all participating, fast for one day, giving the money saved to the MDGs or the poor of the world. As we talked about this and identified that one day of fasting would hurt local workers, etc., we came up with some rather interesting ideas for the next convention, some we are already working with Episcopal Relief and Development to make happen. The tithing resolution, which did pass both houses, came with a twist this convention. This resolution called on those present as deputies and bishops to not only pledge that the tithe is the standard of giving, but to sign on the dotted line as one who actually does tithe. Our committee was so excited we passed around the paper to sign it right then and there. We did the same in the House of Bishops and I am told the House of Deputies did as well. You will never hear about these things in the press, but they are quite crucial to our future and our witness.  

 

Against many odds, we passed a balanced budget—some $24 million less over the next triennium than when we walked in the door. Roughly 30 positions at the Episcopal Church Center offices will be eliminated. The budget includes shortening General Convention by two days, in my mind a much-needed change, and there will be other changes.  

 

I marched right to the gates of Disneyland with hotel workers who face losing their health insurance, and then the priests present anointed the workers with oil. The marching part did make the press; the anointing I never saw, but it was quite moving and very much appreciated by those workers. 

 

Many have said two things about our time together: that a tenderness existed in the way we cared for one another over tough issues (some called this a “tamer” convention), and that there seemed to be more honesty in discussion and in the outcomes of the process. I felt that myself. I know some came away wounded, as happens in most of these conventions. I pray we may be healers for them in the next days. I do not yet have a firm grasp of how this General Convention will impact our life here in Olympia. I know it will, but as in all things, it will take more discernment and discussion among ourselves as we move into the future. 

 

Before I end, I want to especially thank the fabulous deputation from Olympia. They are to be commended; they witnessed well, disagreed at times and loved each other in the end, and that to me is the greatest witness of all. Many from Olympia were on the periphery, making everything happen, and they, too, represented us so well. I know it is a sin, but I was quite proud on many, many occasions!

 

In my reflections before convention, I quoted our third bishop, Stephen Bayne. His description of convention was “a bet on friendship.” I carried those words with me as I went through those 10 days. I thought I might end with his words as well, from a lecture he gave while trying to describe us Episcopalians:

 

 “We like good Anglican books, which have the theological consistency of a good, nourishing, French peasant soup, starting with a sound stock, then added to day by day with whatever happens to be left over—a dash of Platonism, some Aristotelian greens, a Calvinist bone or two, a Lutheran turnip, a spoonful of Kierkegaard, a pinch of Temple, then brought to a quick boil with group dynamics, and pushed to the back of the stove to cool a bit! This is the kind of thinking we like to do, but it is infuriating to the orderly mind.” [1]

 

Indeed!  And still we go on. 

 

Blessings,

 

The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel

Bishop of Olympia

 

Presiding Bishop’s Post Convention Letter  (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/78695_112789_ENG_HTM.htm )

 

Archbishop Rowan Williams Reflection on General Convention

(http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2502 )

 

D025-Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion

(http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/view_leg_detail.aspx?id=986&type=Final )

 

B056-  I cannot find a reliable link so I have printed it below.

 

Genesis Covenant

http://www.genesiscovenant.org/

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[1] From a lecture to the fall convocation of Hobart and William Smith Colleges , November 8-9, 1957. [Quoted in Booty, John: An American Apostle: The Life of Stephen Fielding Bayne, Jr. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Trinity Press International, 1997, p. 77.]

 

B056-Liturgies for Blessings

 

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

 

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