John David Schofield, William Wantland, Jack Iker, Robert Duncan, John Guernsey, Stephen Noll, George Conger, David Virtue, Keith L. Ackerman, Geoff Chapman, and on and on. This is just the tip of the iceberg, think about the thousands (at least according to their numbers) of Americans involved in the greatest give away in American history. It is with and through these clergy and their laity that a huge struggle for our unique democratic Episcopal Church is now underway. Nikita Kruschev once said, "America will fall without a single shot being fired." The Episcopal Church is not, strictly speaking America per se, but a microcosm of this idea is currently being brought to fruition by these truly anti-democratic clergy and laity.
How is that you ask? Well, the destruction being waged by these folks is being waged primarily because they were not able to convince the majority of the House of Bishops and a majority of the House of Deputies that women were second class citizens, not worthy of the sacrament of ordination. They were unable to convince the majority of the house of Bishops and the House of Deputies that LGBT persons really weren't persons, more like second class citizens. They were unable to convince the majority of the House of Bishops and a majority of the House of Deputies that the 1979 prayer book was an abomination before God. They were unable to convince a majority of the House of Bishops and a majority of the House of Deputies that most seminaries were "heaven forbid" ordaining "heretics". They were unable to convince a majority of the House of Bishops and a a majority of the House of Deputies that electing a woman presiding bishop was a mistake.
When none of that succeeded they moved on to stealing the name and trying to abscond with the Church. When that didn't work they tried to convince a majority of the House of Bishops and a majority of the House of Deputies that the Episcopal Church had moved too far to the left -- you know , too "l-i-b-e-r-a-l". When that didn't work they tried to convince a majority of the Standing Committee and a majority of the Diocesan Council of their own diocese that they owned the property and that they could take it with them to a more "Anglican" place. When that didn't work they tried to convince a majority of the Anglican Communion that all they need is their own province and and they can eliminate "those" heretics.
The fact of the matter is that those who have left have done so because they cannot bear to deal with democracy. They do not like the Episcopal Church because they cannot control it, like any good bishop should. They perceive democracy to be weak, slow and muddled. they reject reason because they cannot convince a majority of people in TEC that their reasons are the correct ones. They reject TEC because their egos will not let them accept the process. Sure women, handicapped, LGBT are all not to their liking but what really galls them is the process -- the very foundation upon which TEC is built. They reject laity participation and they reject power-sharing with those of us that "know nothing". They accept that a magisterium, a Primate's Council, an Anglican Consultative Council, is the only way to get things done. They want to go back to the 1662 prayerbook because most people could not read at that time and just took for granted that the bishops would do what is best for everyone. (Okay maybe this is over the top but not too far-fetched).
Truth be told we did not warm up to the Archbishop of Canterbury for quite a number of years, maybe we have outstayed our welcome. Since when do we need an Anglican Consultative Council to tell us whether we are in the communion of out of the communion. We are who we are and we know what we know -- translation, the two greatest commandments are Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and love thy neighbor as thy self. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
You know, we could be angry -- but why? Why not simply finish what we began (actually simply continue our journey) and pass the Episcopal Bill of Rights? Why not simply, clearly and unequivocally completely live in those two commandments? Do we need a communion of Anglicans or do we need a communion Christ"ians"? I pick the later. Who do you pick?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday Music - The Church at Rest?
Something to think about: Hymn 525, The Church's One Foundation, particularly verse four.
Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Interesting typo on the video title! (This video did not include a credit for the musicians, do let me know if you recognize the recording.)
Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war
she waits the consummation of peace for evermore;
till with the vision glorious her longing eyes are blessed
and the great church victorious shall be the church at rest.
Interesting typo on the video title! (This video did not include a credit for the musicians, do let me know if you recognize the recording.)
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Why TEC Really Lost at the ACC
"I know not what course others may take, but for me, give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry
A lot has already been written about the Ridley Cambridge Draft of the Covenant and how Section 4 has either come to pass or not. A lot has been written about the entire thing everyone call a covenant. Not much has been written about the uniqueness of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. We here in "the States" have never had much use for bishops. Oh sure, they have grown into the wonderful and delightful personage such as Bobby Duncan, John David Mercer Schofield, Jack "I ain't listenin' to no wimmin" Iker and the bigger fish across the pond. You all know, Peter Jensen, Peter Akinola, Henry Luke Orambi and yes, even our own beloved Rowan Williams. What do they all have in common? Well, they are all bishops. Now, you are going to say, well Fred, "Duh". But herein is the problem, everyone throughout the world not only likes these guys but listens to them because that is all they know. We know and have lived with a different approach.
For an absolutely fascinating read try A History of the American Episcopal Church by Manross. William White, the father of the present day Episcopal Church belonged to the older school of Low Churchmanship. "The members of . . . were not disposed to rate the authority of the bishops too highly."(pg 188) They were also disposed to tolerate a wide variety of opinions. "The handiwork of the low churchmen can still be seen in such things as inclusion of laymen in ecclesiastical councils, the slight authority given bishops over independent parishes, the curtailment of their authority in other respects by standing committees and diocesan conventions..."
We then find White's ideas for the creation of PECUSA in The Case of the Episcopal Churches In the United States Considered To be fair, William White was always a bit suspect in many circles of the newly minted US. Then came the Pennsylvania Declaration of Principles. "This convention adopted a set of fundamental principles to the effect that the Episcopal Church in the United States should be independent of all foreign authority, that it had full power to regulate its own affairs, that it should maintain the 'Doctrine of Gospels' as proposed by the Church of England and conform to the worship of that church as far as possible, that it should have a threefold ministry, that canons should be made by representatives of the clergy and laity jointly, and that no powers should be delegated to a general ecclesiastical government except such as could not be conveniently exercised by state conventions." In a later meeting, actually the convention of 1789 (our first prayerbook) the archbishops (wouldn't you just know it) put up such a stink that the House of Bishops was created.
So, you say, "Get to the point Fred". My point is that we are living through a time now where no one outside of the United States and apparently several bishops inside the US feel like they just no longer wish to "share" the authority of the Church. Let me be clear, they understand what we are and how we came to pass and how we are governed and THEY REJECT IT FULLY and COMPLETELY. Hooker's three-legged stool is rejected because reason is the product of everyone, laity and clergy, but Scripture, well only the clergy can really understand scripture and so they, the Archbishops in particular, know what is meant by "interpretation of scriptures" and we poor peons must just do as we are told. Chafing yet folks? Collar fitting a little tighter than one likes? Begin to understand why ALL persons having the same rights might impact them a little? Power is the name of the game.
So what do we now get out of this document called the Covenant? We get instruments of communion including the Anglican Consultative Council, we get The Primates Council, we get some silly foreign thingy called the Joint (interesting turn of the word) Standing Committee and all the trappings of a clerical, specifically purple shirted thugs ring of old men who believe that the only way to God is through the scriptures as THEY interpret them. Oh, women, no, no rights for women, they can't think clearly most days anyway.
Ladies and gentlemen, the covenant is a rejection of all that we hold near and dear and have for over 200 years. What the Anglican Consultative Council did was tell the United States "sit down and shut up!" The ACC has rejected everything that the Episcopal Church has been built on and everything we stand for. This is not a subtle turn toward hierarchical governance it is a "spit in your eye, kick dirt on your shoes, put it where the moon don't shine" stand against not TEC but of the laity of TEC and how the laity has for years been a strong and vibrant part of the Episcopal Church.
The plain and simple truth is that TEC cannot accept any part of this stupid idea because we, having grown up in a free and open church where ideas are welcomed and freedoms are sacred, will give up a large part of that. TEC will never be the same if any part of this document called a Covenant is accepted. In addition, if ACNA and its henchmen get to represent the United States at any table all is lost, for the bishops (Iker, Schofield, Duncan, Wantland, etc) do not share our uniquely American ideas, in fact they reject them all. Why, well if they understood and appreciated the marketplace of ideas they would have never left TEC. They chose to leave because their ideas were rejected. What ideas were those, you ask? The idea the LGBT persons can and should fully participate in all things Episcopal. That we welcome everyone from ALL cultures and that their ideas are as valid and worthy as everyone else. That yes, handicapped persons really can do things and that we need to create space for them to access (physically as well as every other way) the church. That women really are persons and should fully participate in all things including bishoprics up to and including the Presiding Bishop's role. ACNA will kill the Episcopal Church if given the chance. They know it and we know it and we need to stop playing with these folks, indeed with all the grater Anglicans that would destroy our church.
Here is what needs to be done (at a minimum). First, tell ++Rowan Williams that he is not welcome at the General Convention of 2009. A Tory is a Tory is a Tory, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Nice man, tell him gently, but he is not welcome at GC 2009. Second, we move forward with the Episcopalian Bill of Rights. This bill of rights simply states what we all know and recognize. God created each and everyone of us in His image and that in that light we are ALL welcome and that we are ALL full participants of the Episcopal Church.
And remember, just because we are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get us. ;=}
A lot has already been written about the Ridley Cambridge Draft of the Covenant and how Section 4 has either come to pass or not. A lot has been written about the entire thing everyone call a covenant. Not much has been written about the uniqueness of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. We here in "the States" have never had much use for bishops. Oh sure, they have grown into the wonderful and delightful personage such as Bobby Duncan, John David Mercer Schofield, Jack "I ain't listenin' to no wimmin" Iker and the bigger fish across the pond. You all know, Peter Jensen, Peter Akinola, Henry Luke Orambi and yes, even our own beloved Rowan Williams. What do they all have in common? Well, they are all bishops. Now, you are going to say, well Fred, "Duh". But herein is the problem, everyone throughout the world not only likes these guys but listens to them because that is all they know. We know and have lived with a different approach.
For an absolutely fascinating read try A History of the American Episcopal Church by Manross. William White, the father of the present day Episcopal Church belonged to the older school of Low Churchmanship. "The members of . . . were not disposed to rate the authority of the bishops too highly."(pg 188) They were also disposed to tolerate a wide variety of opinions. "The handiwork of the low churchmen can still be seen in such things as inclusion of laymen in ecclesiastical councils, the slight authority given bishops over independent parishes, the curtailment of their authority in other respects by standing committees and diocesan conventions..."
We then find White's ideas for the creation of PECUSA in The Case of the Episcopal Churches In the United States Considered To be fair, William White was always a bit suspect in many circles of the newly minted US. Then came the Pennsylvania Declaration of Principles. "This convention adopted a set of fundamental principles to the effect that the Episcopal Church in the United States should be independent of all foreign authority, that it had full power to regulate its own affairs, that it should maintain the 'Doctrine of Gospels' as proposed by the Church of England and conform to the worship of that church as far as possible, that it should have a threefold ministry, that canons should be made by representatives of the clergy and laity jointly, and that no powers should be delegated to a general ecclesiastical government except such as could not be conveniently exercised by state conventions." In a later meeting, actually the convention of 1789 (our first prayerbook) the archbishops (wouldn't you just know it) put up such a stink that the House of Bishops was created.
So, you say, "Get to the point Fred". My point is that we are living through a time now where no one outside of the United States and apparently several bishops inside the US feel like they just no longer wish to "share" the authority of the Church. Let me be clear, they understand what we are and how we came to pass and how we are governed and THEY REJECT IT FULLY and COMPLETELY. Hooker's three-legged stool is rejected because reason is the product of everyone, laity and clergy, but Scripture, well only the clergy can really understand scripture and so they, the Archbishops in particular, know what is meant by "interpretation of scriptures" and we poor peons must just do as we are told. Chafing yet folks? Collar fitting a little tighter than one likes? Begin to understand why ALL persons having the same rights might impact them a little? Power is the name of the game.
So what do we now get out of this document called the Covenant? We get instruments of communion including the Anglican Consultative Council, we get The Primates Council, we get some silly foreign thingy called the Joint (interesting turn of the word) Standing Committee and all the trappings of a clerical, specifically purple shirted thugs ring of old men who believe that the only way to God is through the scriptures as THEY interpret them. Oh, women, no, no rights for women, they can't think clearly most days anyway.
Ladies and gentlemen, the covenant is a rejection of all that we hold near and dear and have for over 200 years. What the Anglican Consultative Council did was tell the United States "sit down and shut up!" The ACC has rejected everything that the Episcopal Church has been built on and everything we stand for. This is not a subtle turn toward hierarchical governance it is a "spit in your eye, kick dirt on your shoes, put it where the moon don't shine" stand against not TEC but of the laity of TEC and how the laity has for years been a strong and vibrant part of the Episcopal Church.
The plain and simple truth is that TEC cannot accept any part of this stupid idea because we, having grown up in a free and open church where ideas are welcomed and freedoms are sacred, will give up a large part of that. TEC will never be the same if any part of this document called a Covenant is accepted. In addition, if ACNA and its henchmen get to represent the United States at any table all is lost, for the bishops (Iker, Schofield, Duncan, Wantland, etc) do not share our uniquely American ideas, in fact they reject them all. Why, well if they understood and appreciated the marketplace of ideas they would have never left TEC. They chose to leave because their ideas were rejected. What ideas were those, you ask? The idea the LGBT persons can and should fully participate in all things Episcopal. That we welcome everyone from ALL cultures and that their ideas are as valid and worthy as everyone else. That yes, handicapped persons really can do things and that we need to create space for them to access (physically as well as every other way) the church. That women really are persons and should fully participate in all things including bishoprics up to and including the Presiding Bishop's role. ACNA will kill the Episcopal Church if given the chance. They know it and we know it and we need to stop playing with these folks, indeed with all the grater Anglicans that would destroy our church.
Here is what needs to be done (at a minimum). First, tell ++Rowan Williams that he is not welcome at the General Convention of 2009. A Tory is a Tory is a Tory, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Nice man, tell him gently, but he is not welcome at GC 2009. Second, we move forward with the Episcopalian Bill of Rights. This bill of rights simply states what we all know and recognize. God created each and everyone of us in His image and that in that light we are ALL welcome and that we are ALL full participants of the Episcopal Church.
And remember, just because we are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get us. ;=}
Time To Do The Christian Thing
Here is what has been posted at The Lead about the RCDC version of the Covenant:
An attempt led by The Episcopal Church to strip Section 4 from the covenant was defeated by a wide margin after Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and numerous others spoke against it.
Why we continue to play is beyond me. It is time to do what is right. What would Christ do? Might scribble something in the sand. Might ask for unconditional love. Might even ask us to "feed his lambs". Would He ask us to one more time and for one more day exclude any of our brothers and sisters? If we are not careful we will be spit out as being "lukewarm". So, lets get on with what we know is right and what we know we must do. It is time to include everyone in everything we do. What do I mean by that? I simply and plainly mean everyone. That means let's get to the floor of convention the Episcopalian Bill of Rights and let's get it passed. We need to get on with God's work in the world. We have spent too much time dallying with who is in and who is out of our Anglican Communion. Does everyone remember that over 24,000 children die each day from starvation? Does everyone remember that California has a 10+% unemployment rate and the US has an 8.9% unemployment rate? Anyone see Slumdog Millionaire? Are we ready to tackle the slums of Mumbai and Rio and Lagos? We cannot free everyone until everyone is free. We must get on with the work of the Lord.
I cannot and do not want to make cogent arguments in favor of the Episcopal Bill of Rights. There are none that can be made. It is plainly and simply a priori the Christian thing to do.
We are the Episcopal Church. We are the most generous, most inclusive most loving and caring group of Christians in the world, ALMOST. Let's make it a reality and let's do it now!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The Family We Call Episcopalians
So much is going on right now it makes one's head spin. In Jamaica the ACC has leveled its sights on the Episcopal Church of the United States of America and the Anglican Church of Canada. They talk of visitations and moratoria and prohibitions and whose in and whose out all based on whether one is gay or not, a woman or not, handicapped or not, brown or black or socio-economically disadvantaged or not. The big boys tell us that the days of the Episcopal Church are numbered and that the Anglican Church in North America will take over -- that "there are more of them than there are of us". There are those who worry more about what goes on in the bedroom rather than what goes on in the church.
But, in the midst of all of this there was a special moment (actually several). Our daughter was officially notified she was pregnant a little over 27 weeks ago. It was, for her, a difficult time as she struggled almost weekly with passing blood and tissue. Finally, the doc told her to stay in bed for a while until a specialist could see her -- frustrated type A that she is - she did do what she was told. Finally the ob/gyn says it is okay to go back to work. She did. Then, we travel to SO. Cal for a two week period to take care of Wilma's parents (82 in a SNF) and (86 that had an anterior cervical fusion) while we were there. The last day we are there we get a call from our daughter's husband, the baby was still-born. Turns out the cord got tied in a knot and the baby died. He was 1lb 12oz and a little over 13 inches long.
The next few days were nothing short of a miracle. Two Episcopal parishes have come to her rescue, quite literally. Food, taking care of their first child (the Presiding Bishop's friend :-0), prayers, cards, good wishes, support and help from everywhere and all the times of the day and night. St. Francis and Christ The King are two incredible loving, caring, helping, supporting, quite typical Episcopal parishes. As the dad, to watch this support for my daughter was stunning -- but typical of an Episcopal Church. Frankly, I do not know nor do I care even if I do know what goes on in peoples bedrooms, my daughter is strengthened by everyone. I know that men and women both came to care for her and it made no never mind what anyone's income level was or where they lived or what they do in their spare time. I do know this -- they responded like a typical Christian. We ALL can do no less. It is this that I want to see supported and lifted up by means of the Episcopal Bill of Rights. I want ALL these people to know that they are loved just as they love my daughter. I want them to be a part of my life and my Savior's life and I am not shy or bashful any longer about that. I believe that everyone has waited too long. Now is too late but tomorrow will be too much later. And the numbers are fine since everyone is included and everyone loves and everyone loved. If you have everyone -- no one is left out and we have all the numbers we need.
But, in the midst of all of this there was a special moment (actually several). Our daughter was officially notified she was pregnant a little over 27 weeks ago. It was, for her, a difficult time as she struggled almost weekly with passing blood and tissue. Finally, the doc told her to stay in bed for a while until a specialist could see her -- frustrated type A that she is - she did do what she was told. Finally the ob/gyn says it is okay to go back to work. She did. Then, we travel to SO. Cal for a two week period to take care of Wilma's parents (82 in a SNF) and (86 that had an anterior cervical fusion) while we were there. The last day we are there we get a call from our daughter's husband, the baby was still-born. Turns out the cord got tied in a knot and the baby died. He was 1lb 12oz and a little over 13 inches long.
The next few days were nothing short of a miracle. Two Episcopal parishes have come to her rescue, quite literally. Food, taking care of their first child (the Presiding Bishop's friend :-0), prayers, cards, good wishes, support and help from everywhere and all the times of the day and night. St. Francis and Christ The King are two incredible loving, caring, helping, supporting, quite typical Episcopal parishes. As the dad, to watch this support for my daughter was stunning -- but typical of an Episcopal Church. Frankly, I do not know nor do I care even if I do know what goes on in peoples bedrooms, my daughter is strengthened by everyone. I know that men and women both came to care for her and it made no never mind what anyone's income level was or where they lived or what they do in their spare time. I do know this -- they responded like a typical Christian. We ALL can do no less. It is this that I want to see supported and lifted up by means of the Episcopal Bill of Rights. I want ALL these people to know that they are loved just as they love my daughter. I want them to be a part of my life and my Savior's life and I am not shy or bashful any longer about that. I believe that everyone has waited too long. Now is too late but tomorrow will be too much later. And the numbers are fine since everyone is included and everyone loves and everyone loved. If you have everyone -- no one is left out and we have all the numbers we need.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Honestly Scrappy
Cany, your host at Just Another Black Sheep, did us the honor of nominating OTA for the Honest Scrap Award. I hear this is “bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.” I think most of the kudos go to Fred, but he was kind enough to blog on Cany's H.S. award for our Real Anglicans site. So, you get comments from little old me over here at Off-Topic.
Hmmm...I'm supposed to tell you ten honest things about myself, and I'm guessing they should be things I'm not mouthing about all the time. So, here goes:
1. I love chocolate as much (or more) than our Leonardo Ricardo. But it's the dark variety that stole my heart years ago - and my favorite is made by Lake Champlain Chocolates, Belgian-style but made in Vermont. Their milk chocolate is wonderful,too. And their truffles, and special candy bars and...
2. My favorite liturgical composer is John Rutter.
3. I only watch television about once a month, unless something special is happening. I'd rather read, or play here at the 'puter if I'm alone and need amusement. For background noise - music!
4. My first name really is Lynn.
5. I was raised Episcopalian and there are many Piskies going back in the family tree. However, neither of my parents were raised in TEC.
6. I own a scandalous number of cookbooks.
7. I prefer the mountains to the beach when I need a getaway. Take me to the Blue Ridge, now - please?
8. I love Costa Rican coffee almost as much as I love chocolate. I usually buy Café Britt; this company supports the Costa Rican economy throughout the supply chain as the coffee beans are grown, roasted and packaged in-country. Most Costa Rican coffee you buy in the U.S. has been exported before roasting.
9. I don't write poetry.
10. I have run out of things I'm willing to share.
I know I'm supposed to pass this award along to several favorite blogs, but I think we're running out of wild-haired Piskies to honor. I'll just suggest you check the blog roll and visit the places listed there. Of course, if you're a regular reader and want to get the award, email me! Now don't fuss about my attitude. Fred nominated people over at Real Anglicans. Honest.
Thanks, Cany.
Monday, May 4, 2009
DRAFT: Resolution Guaranteeing Episcopalian Bill of Rights
TITLE: Provisional Acceptance of the Episcopalian Bill of Rights
Preamble: The the Episcopal Church of the United States of America recognizes the revealing nature of our salvation given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ in the two great commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your mind and all your heart and all your soul. And the second, love your neighbor as yourself. Furthermore recognizing that each and every person is a sinner but that we have an Advocate with the Father. Be it therefore,
Resolved, the House of _____________ concurring, that this 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church make a commitment to revoke, rescind and reject Resolution B033 ; and be it further
Resolved, the House of _____________ concurring, that this 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church make a commitment to revoke, rescind and reject Resolution B033 ; and be it further
Resolved, that the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies fully, completely and sincerely apologize to all those who have been marginalized by the Episcopal Church including but not limited to LGBT persons, those who are handicapped, and those whose culture and person have been ignored and ridiculed; and be it further
Resolved, that in accordance with the two great commandments the Episcopal Church does hereby recognize, support and defend every person's right to fully and completely participate in every aspect of the Episcopal Church both liturgically and politically; and be it further
Resolved, that this proposed Episcopalian Bill of Rights be commended to the various dioceses of this church for study and comment during the coming triennium; and be it further
Resolved, that the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies appoint a Special Task Force to determine what constitutional and/or canonical measures may be necessary in order to make a permanent commitment to the Episcopalian Bill of Rights; and be it further
Resolved, that this Special Task Force prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation that could be considered for the convention to institutionalize this Episcopal Bill of Rights.
Resolved, that the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies appoint a Special Task Force to determine what constitutional and/or canonical measures may be necessary in order to make a permanent commitment to the Episcopalian Bill of Rights; and be it further
Resolved, that this Special Task Force prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation that could be considered for the convention to institutionalize this Episcopal Bill of Rights.
This is from the Three Legged Stool and it says it better than I could:
We are living at a time when it is critical to live according to the two greatest commandments: to love our Creator God and to love one another. The Episcopal Church is entering a time of transition, which always includes some fear and anxiety. This transition will affect us all in our corporate relationships within the church and in the world. Make no mistake: treating each person as a brother and sister in Christ now will create the sacred space where the Holy Spirit’s presence can be seen and felt. In this way, we have an opportunity to experience the risen Christ standing among us and live as children of God.
Let's create that sacred space where Our redeemer lives and we are ALL safe and secure and can fully participate in the experience of the risen Christ!
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