VIEWPOINT – I write out of a state of deep personal conflict. The passing of resolution D025 moves me to my core understanding. Full inclusion of others in spite of their sexual orientation brings forth much emotion and thought.

The social justice side of me wants full inclusion for all people. The minority in me wants to empower the disenfranchised. My “underdog” perspective wants Goliath slain by David, as Goliath is blinded by arrogance.

However, the priesthood tells me that something as significant as this isn’t about me but about the body of Christ, the Church.

So I stand deeply conflicted, knowing me, and knowing the historic doctrine, discipline and teachings of the Church.

God show me; God show us all the way.

James Murguia
Clergy Deputy
St. David’s, San Antonio

VIEWPOINT – The steady, full pace of General Convention resumed on Monday—Committee meetings from 7:30a.m. to 9a.m., legislative session from 9:30a.m. to 11:15a.m., Community Eucharist from 11:30a.m. until 12:45pm, West Texas Deputation lunch from 12:45pm until 1:45pm, legislative session from 2pm until 6pm, joint reception with Diocese of Texas until 7:30pm, and resumed Committee meetings from 7pm to whenever.

Our West Texas Deputation luncheon yesterday was powerful. A controversial resolution that all of us have strong opinions on, D025, was voted on in the House of Deputies on Sunday and we were not of one mind. D025 reaffirmed The Episcopal Church’s commitment to the Anglican Communion and affirmed the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons. At the luncheon, we honestly aired deep feelings. We walked the way Jesus would have us walk—together, arm in arm, even as we strongly disagreed with one another. “Surely the presence of the Lord was in this place!”

Bishop McAllister and Helen were at the luncheon as was Eleanor Stromberger, immediate past president of The Recovery Ministry of the Episcopal Church and a member of St. Luke`s. Their presence and the Bishop’s comments were wonderful contributions to our time together. Bishop McAllister pointed out that he had been to many General Conventions, all of which had plenty of controversy. I concluded from his remarks that controversy is part of the dues we pay for having an inclusive church.

The House of Deputies is now operating about as efficiently as a conclave of 850 people can. We have a strong President of the House of Deputies who wields a strong hand—I wouldn’t cross her. And we are attending to important legislation dealing with liturgy, music, Hispanic ministry, poverty, the environment and a host of other issues. When a legislative body meets only once every three years, it has a great deal of business to tend to.

We passed a new Title IV yesterday, the canons that regulate clergy discipline. They have been worked on for nine years and all 45 pages are a beautiful piece of work. While this legislation won’t receive the headlines other legislation receives, I believe Title IV will have a major impact on all who come under it. Our disciplinary focus will now be on reconciliation, healing and restoration, which has a much stronger theological basis that Title IV previously had.

The joint reception with the Diocese of Texas (West Texas was the host) was a lovely social time. I got to tell Jill Vasser’s mother (her mom is a bishop) and father how much we love and admire Jill and George and they, not undeservedly, beamed. An alarming piece of news, someone stole Rita, the flamingo member of our deputation, while the reception was underway. Rita was in the hall greeting everyone as they entered the reception. As we left the reception, we noticed that someone had left a ransom note. We have notified the FBI (Flamingo Bureau of Investigation) and I will keep you posted!

Finally and wonderfully, Richard and Betty Mosty arrived last night. As some of you may know, Richard, lead lay deputy of our Deputation, was delayed in coming because of a health issue.

All in all, it was a great day for West Texas. Our deputation is united even more deeply than before as we follow Jesus. What a blessing to be a part of this family!

Blessings,

Drew Cauthorn
Alternate Lay Deputy
St. Mark’s, San Antonio

           VIEWPOINT –  In the House of Bishops today, they passed Resolution D025 as amended and sent it back to the House of Deputies for further consideration.  Remember, a resolution must pass both houses in the same form for it to become a Resolution of GC2009.  I’m sure our Bishops will have much more to say on today’s activities in their audio this evening or tomorrow.  

Many have interpreted Resolution D025 to be a lifting of the moratorium on the consecration of Bishops living in an open gay lifestyle.  I do not pretend to know the full interpretation or ramification of this Resolution. 

            I do know that many people believe this to be a next step in a “full inclusion of the gay and lesbian lifestyle” in the Episcopal Church.  I also know that many others are concerned that this is a next step in a fracture and breaking of the Anglican Communion. I suspect there is some truth in each statement.  

            Those of us here are dealing with a fast paced and changing environment.  We are struggling to understand, prepare for and react to some of those changes.  It is not an easy or stress free task, for any of us.  I suspect that this is only the beginning of the issues, not the end.  Obviously, there is a lot I don’t know so let me talk for just a moment about a few things I do know. 

            First, I know that our Church has dealt with many, many difficult issues in the past.  We need to take the longer view.  We have dealt with the issues of slavery, civil rights and the ordination of women.  None seems quite as controversial as the issue of human sexuality but that’s probably because I was not there to experience it so I will defer to those who were.  One Bishop said today that this was his 17th General Convention.  He went on to say that he could not remember a Convention that was without significant conflict.  And further, he thought we were naïve if we thought we could get to a place without conflict in our Church.  

            And maybe most importantly, I know that I will leave here on Saturday morning.  And on Sunday morning, I will get up and go to the same Sunday school class that I’ve been attending for the past few years.  And I will go to the same worship service with the same people that I’ve been going to for many years now.  No matter what resolutions pass or fail here at General Convention, the Diocese of West Texas and, for me, St. Philip’s Uvalde, will still be home.  We will have the same priest and the same acolytes and the outlook and opinions of those present will not have changed.  My church family, both in Uvalde and in the wider Diocese of West Texas will remain intact.  So, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  I find that comforting.  

God’s Peace, 

Kelley Kimble
Lay Deputy, St. Philip’s Uvalde