Dear All,

I am in transit today.  The exhibit hall at General Convention is now closed for good.  We have packed up the VMUSA exhibit, I'm on my way home, and this message is being sent from a hotel near Erie, PA, where I am parking my weary bones for the night.

1) If any of you are following Episcopal News Service reports, you are surely more current than I am on latest developments.  When last I heard, the resolution calling for a moratorium on the consecration of any more gay or lesbian bishops failed in the House of Deputies.  I do not know if this is the last word on the subject from this General Convention, but assuming that it is, I have the following comment to make.  Note that I speak for myself alone, NOT for Via Media USA.

I spoke with some friends who are deputies this morning, and they were genuinely conflicted about what to do around this issue.  Should they endorse the committee's work, or vote their heart's desire?

An article just written for 'The Witness' online magazine (I do not remember who wrote it) offers the opinion that it is most appropriate that the House of Deputies, in general session, continue the process of amending legislation that comes out of the committees, or reject it outright; this is the House's prerogative.  Well, I disagree with the House's rejection of this resolution on the moratorium, based on the process I witnessed in the committee.

As I have noted in earlier reports, the committee process has been marked by extraordinary co- peration, by the give-and-take of a small group of human beings who faced each other across a table.  Theological differences among them were considerable.  Yet they came to appreciate and value and respect one another personally.  This is wonderful.  This is exactly what we should be doing in these confrontational times. 

Debate in the House did not involve human beings facing each other across a table, did not occur within the framework of relationships that had been forged.  It involved statements from in front of a microphone, in a huge hall.  Is it any surprise, then, that the outcome was different?  Is it any surprise, then, that while the committee came to agreement on a moratorium, working with the same full range of divergent opinions -- and the House could not come to a similar agreement?

I think we all lost, on this one.

2) Following up on the issue of the request made by Bishop Jack Iker of Fort Worth for "alternative primatial oversight," this report was written by VMUSA exhibition volunteer Joe Gilliland:

"The request by FW Bishop Jack Iker for 'alternative primatial oversight' was the subject of several questions at this morning's daily news conference conducted by Episcopal News Service.

One reporter wanted to know 'How will it happen?'  Bishop Ed Little of Northern Indiana, one of the briefing panel, noted that the Archbishop of Canterbury has a 'mediatorial' panel of reference and advice that he could use.  He said that, however the archbishop proceeds, the work will be slow and said he does not expect 'anything immediate coming out of the referral.'"

3) I made the rounds of the exhibit hall myself today;  visited a number of booths before they were taken down.  One booth was selling coffee.  It was 'fair-trade' coffee, which ensures that more of the proceeds go directly to farmers (or co-operatives) in the developing world, rather than to big corporations who pay so little to the farmers.  There is a movement afoot to ask that churches' coffee hours only use such coffee.

4) One booth was about the Sabeel Center in Jerusalem, which is run by the Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek.  Father Ateek was a guest of this convention; he spoke eloquently about the plight of Palestinian Christians (no, not all Palestinians are Muslims).  He was asked, "How do we as Christians respond to our fellow Christians in the Holy Land -- as well as our Muslim and Jewish friends?"  He replied, "The conflict in the Holy Land today should not be described as Palestinians versus Israelis.  It should be described as Jews, Christians and Muslims who are pro-justice and pro-peace, versus Jews, Christians and Muslims who are either against peace or are not doing anything about it.  For example, with us at Sabeel, we have many Jews who work with us who are very much for justice.  This is not a race issue, and it's not a religion issue either.  It's political."  (quoted in the 'Center Aisle')

5) A staffer at the booth of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation informed me that the ECUSA budget approved by General Convention includes internal tithes for all program line-items of 0.7%.  That much of each program's allocation will be diverted toward meeting the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals.  These are intended to reduce human suffering by the year 2015.   There are eight goals, such as "eradicate extreme hunger and poverty," and "combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases."  In their booklet entitled, "Preach the Gospel at all times -- Use words if necessary," they note that if every Episcopal diocese gave 0.7%, they would raise $11 million dollars.  The international community has estimated it would require 0.7% of the budgets of developed nations to dramatically reduce extreme poverty in developing countries.

6) Finally, I am very, very glad that Albany Via Media sent Father John Sorenson and myself to General Convention.  I discovered that we in the Via Media groups have many, many friends and supporters in the wider church.  I wish I could pass on to you all the warm handshakes and hugs and kind words we received. And, there are more folks in the wider church who now know about us.  I believe that we have an impact on the life of the church -- and on the course of events in the church.

Thanks be to God.

Signing off for good,

John Perry

Letter 5, Rev. John Perry.  June 20

Dear all,

I have just come from a reception for the new Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Shori.  I met her briefly; she is most gracious and engaging.  There are a lot of very happy people at this reception, and we are all sporting pink "It's a girl!" buttons. 

What kind of person is she?  Here is a quote from an article in the Convention Daily, written by Pat McCaughan:

"When a reporter asked how the 'average Anglican who is a black woman under 30, earns two dollars a day and is evangelical,' might react to news of her consecration and to her consent to Gene Robinson's consecration, she responded, 'If the average Anglican is as you describe, she is dealing with hunger, inadequate housing, unclean water and unavailability of education.  Those are the places I would start.'"

Bishop Peter James Lee of Virginia was on the Nominating Committee which identified Rt. Rev Jefferts Schori as a candidate for PB.  He had this to say in today's Center Aisle (journal of the Diocese of Virginia):

"That she is a woman is a gift to the worldwide communion, where the typical Anglican is a faithful woman.  Dr. Esther Mombo, an Anglican theologian . . ., was asked her opinion of the impact on the Primates should the Episcopal Church elect a woman as our Primate.  'It will be good for the brothers,' she quipped.  Bishop Jefferts Schori may be in a better position than a male primate to speak new dimensions of old truths to the wider Communion.  She thinks clearly.  Her faith is articulate and sound.  She will not have to prove her progressive credentials back home.  She can speak the truth in love and represent the Church with grace." 

The Via Media USA booth is staffed by folks from Via Media groups in various dioceses.  A member of the group from Fort Worth learned this morning that her bishop had applied for 'alternative primatial oversight,' in reponse to Bishop Jefferts Schori's election.  Obviously we are watchful about what the response will be among our most conservative bishops, because of any impact this may have on our dioceses.  Indeed, this member was concerned lest this 'alternative primatial oversight' request indicate that her diocese would now de facto be leaving the Episcopal Church. 

However, in conversations that we VMUSA booth-staffers had today with a number of well-informed persons in ECUSA, it was demonstrated to us that a response on the order of this request for alternate oversight is entirely in keeping with what should be expected from such a diocese, and that this should not be taken as an indication of events that will actually transpire.  One church official unequivocally assured us that "a diocese cannot leave the Episcopal Church; a diocese is a creation of General Convention."

In other news, there has still not been any definitive action taken by the two Houses on resolutions pertaining to The Windsor Report nor expressions of regret nor same sex blessings.  The Special Committee is still deliberating a number of these resolutions, but progress is being made.  At the Committee's meeting this morning, speaking in support of dropping a resolution pertaining to Lambeth 1.10 (on homosexuality), Bishop Lee reminded us that "We have gone a long way toward responding and complying with the Windsor Report."

Again in Center Aisle, Bishop Lee commented on how well the committees are working together:  "many members of many committees have agreed to resolutions and budget provisions that do not represent all that one or more individual committee members might prefer.  But in a spirit of surrendering some of what an individual wants in order to secure a resolution or budget provision that embraces as many committee members as possible, many committee members have voted for provisions that they may not consider perfect, but build up the whole."

Many veterans of General Conventions past have told me that this GC is truly remarkable in this regard; unlike previous years, demonstrative protests are entirely absent. 

To close this with a re-statement of something I noted in an earlier letter, we  representatives of Via Media USA continue to be very warmly received and encouraged by many attendees of this convention -- be they bishops, priests, or lay people. 

Blessings to all.  Signing off for now,

John Perry

Dear Eleanor, Betsy, Sandra, Chris, and all,

By now you all know that we have a new Presiding Bishop, Katherine Schori.  The mood on the floor of the House of Deputies when she came in was one of profound joy.  I spoke with a few bishops to ask what the election was like.  They were completely convinced that this was the work of the Holy Spirit.  No-one expected this; not this soon.  Many of the bishops are joyful; others, less so, but no-one walked out.  Everyone here thinks Katherine is simply fantastic -- this is NOT a case of just being glad she is a woman.  As for the reaction of the rest of the Anglican Communion, as one bishop said, "It will be what it will be."  The feeling here is one of liberation -- this frees ECUSA to be who we are.

John Perry

 

Letter 3, Rev. John Perry

Dear Betsy, Eleanor, Chris, Sandra, and all,

Here are some more impressions from General Convention (Part 3):

1)  At this morning's Eucharist I got to be one of the many Eucharistic Ministers.  With two others who distributed the wine, I went to our station and broke off pieces of the bread and gave it to those who came forward in our line.  I got to look in each expectant and joyful face.  What a wondrous and varied lot we Episcopalians are!  All ages, shapes and sizes, many nationalities, and one Body.

2)  One of the persons distributing wine next to me was a Deputy from Texas.  We had a Dixieland jazz band at the Eucharist, and this chalicer explained to me that jazz is a great metaphor for the Episcopal Church.  In jazz, she said, there is no one melody line played by any one instrument, that all follow.  Rather, the melody is made up of all the instruments coming together around it, in their own unique ways.  Just like the Church.

3)  Did you know that there are many young people who are priests and deacons in this church?  Over the past few days, I have seen dozens of folks, of both genders and many colors and nationalities, who are either under 30 or not much over, and who are wearing a collar.  That's great!

4)  There are also many kids, from Youth Groups, attending this Convention.  Easily over a hundred.  They participate in all aspects of Convention life.  One of them testified at hearings held by the Special Commission on the Anglican Communion (about same-sex blessings).  She favored welcoming all God's children.  The Commission listened to her with the same attention they listened to the bishop before her and the priest after her, and she got the same two minutes everybody got.  A friend took her picture. 

5)  Yesterday at the booth of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation, they showed a video about the unreported ongoing civil conflict in northern Uganda, that has victimized so many innocent people.  Horrific images; children dying every day.  Hundreds of people lining up to take refuge in a spare hospital, just to get a space on the floor, where they might be sheltered from the horror.  Little actual medical help is available.  After the video, Bishop Ochula from Northern Uganda addressed the small crowd of us who had gathered around.  He asked us to pray, and to tell of what is happening, so that these innocents not be forgotten.

6)  One of the Deputies from the Diocese of Albany was among those listening to the Bishop.  She and I spoke briefly about it afterward.  I also had a conversation with Bishop Bena while he and I were riding the bus back to our hotels.  I wondered if it might be possible for us to work together on mission projects that might address some of these injustices and calamities.  He thought that was a fine idea, and mentioned the Diocesan mission that went to the Dominican Republic.  I mentioned that Christ Church Hudson contributed to that mission.  He encouraged me to participate in the Diocese's mission group.  I wish to do this.  It seems to me that we Christians should work together on mission across any differences that separate us.  Mission gives us something we should be able to unite on.  It should not be about whether or not I think that a certain project is the 'right' one or not -- it should be about us putting differences aside and working together to manifest God's love. 

7)  "Why should we be all together under one tent, anyway?"  This question was asked sincerely and honestly by someone who stopped by our Via Media booth, after he and I had talked for a bit about the differences that affect our church.  I gave him the answer which is the truest and simplest one, for me:  because should those whose vision of God is more conservative or evangelical than mine, not be part of the same church I attend, then I will know and experience that much less of God. 

8)  Presiding Bishop Griswold was the Celebrant and Preacher at this morning's Eucharist.  He talked about the freedom that comes from self-giving, from giving one's self over to God's will.  He admitted that this is something he cannot always achieve, but called us all to honest self-examination, that we may better assure that we are trying to follow God's will and not our own.  Does it free us?  Pursuing our own agendas never does.

That's it for now.  I'm sure I have more stories, but that's all I can come up with now.  Blessings to you all.

John Perry
 

Letter 2, Rev. John Perry

Dear Eleanor, Chris, Sandra, Betsy, and all,

Here are some more impressions from General Convention (call this Part 2).

1) A friend was in the line waiting to get into the hearings I reported on in my last letter.  Also in line was the Bishop of Botswana.  The Bishop was chatting with my friend and others nearby.  The Bishop said that these issues (related to Windsor, Gene Robinson, etc.) that were receiving so much attention were not the important issues -- not for him, and not for many of his colleagues in Africa.  Rather, the important issues for him and "most of" (the Bishop's words) his colleagues were AIDS, having adequate water and food, combatting poverty, and the like.

2) Last night Rev. John Danforth (former Senator and Ambassador to the UN) addressed the Convention on the issue of reconciliation.  He said, "I want to raise the basic question of whether that issue [of sexual orientation which has commanded so much public attention] is the centerpiece of the Episcopal Church.  I believe that we have a higher calling, a more central message . . .  ours is a special calling to the ministry of reconciliation."

3) Each morning we gather at round tables for the Eucharist.  Each morning I find myself with different table-mates.  After the homily, we discuss the lessons and certain specific questions with each other for 10 minutes.  In the discussion this morning, in answer to the question about where we have perceived the actions of the Holy Spirit at this convention, one of my table-mates told of seeing the video, "Traces of the Trade."  This video was made by Katrina Browne, whom I believe is an EDS student.  It tells of how she traced her family's heritage back and discovered that her ancestors were active participants in the slave trade.  She followed where the connections led her, from Rhode Island (her family's home) to Ghana, and to Cuba.  Hers was a journey about atonement and reconciliation; about the acknowledgement that says, 'yes, this is my part.'  In this age of blaming and avoiding, may we all be so blessed as to be willing to look honestly at ourselves and say, 'yes, this is my part.'  This is a huge piece of what reconciliation is about.  I have not yet seen the video myself, but am trying.

4) From conversations with my table-mates and numerous others, I get a sense that Bishop Duncan and those who hold similar positions have lost a critical measure of their influence over events here, and over the church.  Responses being crafted to Windsor and to the other hot-button topics are apparently considered to be sufficiently thoughtful and good-intentioned by many conservatives, that Duncan's intransigence and his determination to "walk apart" is being seen as just power-grabbing bluster.  Veterans of these disputes from previous conventions tell me the tone of this one is different:  we're talking together better than ever.  The obstructionists are far fewer now, and much force has gone out of their pitch.

5) The proposed revisions to the disciplinary canon have come under much criticism.  I attended this committee's deliberations this morning, and spoke with a member.  He thinks it is likely that any substantive overhaul will be deferred for more study.

6) From various conversations I have had over the past two days, I get a strong sense that people from the wider church are glad that we of Via Media USA are present.  Speaking for myself, in my capacity as a representative of VMUSA, I feel that I am being very warmly welcomed.  This is without us having, nor needing to have, any particular agenda, other than to be present; to be part of the conversation.  Conversations also are what reconciliation is about.  I feel this convention is indeed furthering God's work of reconciliaton. 

That's it for now.  Blessings to all!

John Perry