Endings and Beginnings

As we look to the beginning of the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church next week, we pause to mark the end of the good work Harry Knox has done in his role as Integrity's Interim Executive Director. Today is his last day in the position he assumed in September 2011 -- and as we send him off to new and important work we give thanks for the blessing of Harry's work and ministry among us. 

Moving on to serve as the President and CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in Washington DC, Harry leaves with Integrity's deep gratitude for his work and wisdom.

Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Countdown to General Convention: A Video Look at 36 Years of Mission & Ministry

Knowing our past in order to claim our future!

As we look toward General Convention 2012 we also look back at 36 years of Integrity's mission and ministy: working for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments.



YouTube link

Countdown to General Convention: Resolutions D018 & C105

Commentary by the Reverend Canon Susan Russell
Diocese of Los Angeles
We end this week of blog posts on upcoming General Convention legislation with resolutions connected to two of Integrity's legislative goals in Indianapolis:

• Work for the elimination of the US federal Defense of Marriage Act and support civil marriage equality.
• Adopt changes in canons to support marriage equality.

Both goals are included in the GC2012 Platform of The Consultation and a number of resolutions supporting them will be considered in Indianapolis. Those resolutions will include D018 -- urging Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and C105 -- calling for revising the canons to reflect the fact that civil marriage equality is the reality in a significant percentage of our dioceses.

The conversations around these issues of canonical and civil marriage equality are, I believe, separate but equally important issues of concern for the Episcopal Church.

Regarding civil marriage, as a church we have been on record supporting equal protections for gay and lesbian couples since 1994 and opposed to federal or state constitutional amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage since 2006. The equal protection guaranteed all American citizens by the 14th Amendment is not equal protection unless it equally protects ALL Americans – and denying some legally married couples the 1138 federally protected rights provided to other legally married couples in states with marriage equality is simply unconscionable. It is time to stop evolving on civil marriage equality and institute it – and the Episcopal Church has the opportunity at this General Convention to stand on the right side of history on this important issue.

My argument for changing the canons of the church regarding marriage equality is the variation of lex orandi, lex credendi – as we pray, so we believe – which adds lex vivendi … so we live. Or in this case, so we legislate.

As a church we have been in a process of prayerful discernment on the blessing of same-sex relationships for more than a decade. During that time we have gone from acknowledging that such relationships exist to affirming that the blessing of those relationships falls within the bounds of our common life to giving bishops latitude for a generous pastoral response to calling for the collection and development of liturgical resources for blessings. It now is time to make the canonical changes that allow bishops in jurisdictions with civil marriage equality to end the de facto sacramental apartheid inherent in outdated canons that discriminate against same-sex couples.

D018 End Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriages

Resolved, the House of ______ concurring, That the 77th General Convention urge members of the United States Congress to pass legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and allow the U.S. federal government to provide benefits to couples in a same-sex marriage.

EXPLANATION

According to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are 1,138 statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining benefits, rights, and privileges. These rights and responsibilities apply to only male-female couples because the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. Currently there are seven states and jurisdictions representing thirteen dioceses where civil marriage is equally available to both opposite and same-sex couples. And a number of federal courts have ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional for failing to provide equal protection and unfairly disadvantaging legally married same-sex couples.

The Episcopal Church has a long history of supporting equal civil protections for same-sex couples, including opposing federal or state constitutional amendments prohibiting same-sex marriage (GC2006-A095). Urging Congress to end discrimination against same-sex marriages is not only in alignment with prior actions of General Convention, it is in alignment with our baptismal promise to strive for justice and to protect the dignity of every human being.

C105 Marriage Equality

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 77th General Convention revise the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church with regard to marriage, to reflect the fact that some jurisdictions provide by law, or will provide by law, civil marriage or civil unions for same-gender couples.

EXPLANATION

The 75th General Convention of 2006 adopted Resolution A095 which includes in its explanation, “For at least thirty years, and even as debate about the role of gay and lesbian people within the Church has continued, successive General Conventions have recognized the equal claim of gay and lesbian persons to the civil rights enjoyed by all other persons. In 1994, General Convention (1994-D006) called on all levels of government to support legislation giving same gender couples the same legal protections as other married couples.”

Since the state of Maryland, other states, and the District of Columbia have made civil marriage available to same sex couples and the 75th General Convention Resolution C056 called for generous pastoral oversight and liturgies to bless these unions, it is time for the Episcopal Church to revise its Constitution and Canons.

Countdown to General Convention: Resolutions D002 & D019

Commentary by Deputy Sarah Lawton, Diocese of California

Resolutions D002 and D019 seek to add "gender identity and expression" to the list of categories protected from discrimination in the church, including access to the discernment process for ordination (D012) and also more generally to the life, worship and governance of the church (D019).

Gender identity is one's inner sense of being male, female, or something more complex; gender expression is the way in which one manifests that gender identity in the world. These resolutions are based on our growing understanding and practice in church to respect the dignity of transgender persons (transsexuals, and others who differ from majority societal gender norms).

In 2009, a group of eight transgender Episcopalians--four lay people, a deacon, and four priests, ranging in age from 19 to 70 and hailing from dioceses around the church--went to General Convention to urge passage of several resolutions. They were organized by TransEpiscopal , which coordinated its work with Integrity's legislative team. Also in 2009, Deputy Dante Tavalaro of the Diocese of Rhode Island was the first openly transgender member of the House of Deputies. It was a groundbreaking year.

Although 2009 was the first time that any resolution on transgender concerns ever made it out of committee and onto the floor of either House, several trans-friendly resolutions were passed by wide margins, including a resolution calling for national, state and local laws to protect transgender persons from employment discrimination and violence. However, the resolution on access to the ordination process ultimately failed.

It did pass the House of Deputies by a super-majority, but after much debate was amended in the House of Bishops to drop reference to all specific protected categories such as race, gender, national origin, etc., in favor of the word "all." Because "all" does not always yet mean all in the Episcopal Church, and because naming those protections has been a long struggle over years, TransEpiscopal, Integrity, and other groups recommended that the House of Deputies vote no on the amended resolution, effectively killing the resolution.

This year D002 brings back that same resolution, along with D019 to address access to the church's wider life. TransEpiscopal is sending another team of advocates, and Integrity has made passage of these resolutions a top priority for this convention. For a more in-depth look at the life and ministries of several transgender Episcopalians, check out the Integrity-produced video, Voices of Witness: Out of the Box on YouTube, or -- if you're going to be in Indianapolis -- attend the screening at the Convention Center on July 4th.

D002 Affirming Access to the Ordination Process


Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That Title III, Canon 1, Sec. 2 of  the Canons of the Episcopal Church be hereby amended to read as follows: No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established.

EXPLANATION

Title III, Canon 1, Sec. 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church states "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established." This resolution would revise this canon by adding "gender identity and expression" to this list of protected categories of access, but not of right.

As we continue to grow in our understanding and embrace of all human beings, it is important for us to be
specific in our naming of difference. This proposed revision is based upon our increased understanding and practice to respect the human dignity of transgender people - transsexuals, and others who differ from majority societal gender norms. Gender identity (one's inner sense of being male or female) and expression (the way in which one manifests that gender identity in the world) should not be bases for exclusion, in and of themselves, from consideration for participation in the ministries of the Church.

D019 Amend Canon I.17.5 - Extending the Rights of Laity


Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That Title I, Canon 17, Sec. 5 of the Canons of The Episcopal Church be hereby amended to read as follows: No one shall be denied rights, status or access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disabilities or age, except as otherwise specified by Canons.

EXPLANATION

This resolution would revise Title I, Canon 17, Section 5 by adding "gender identity and expression" to this list of protected categories. This resolution is submitted as a companion to D002 (“Affirming Access to
Discernment Process for Ministry”) because it makes sense to change the Canons in Titles 3 and 1 at the same time. As with D002, this proposed revision is based upon our increased understanding and practice to respect the human dignity of transgender people - transsexuals, and others who differ from majority societal gender orms.

Gender identity (one's inner sense of being a man, a woman, or something more complex) and  expression (the way in which one manifests that gender identity in the world) should not be bases for exclusion from the life of the Church at any level. As transgender people and their families increasingly come out within or find their way to congregations, their specific naming in our Canons, along with other groups who historically have experienced discrimination, will encourage congregations to deepen their understanding and widen their welcome, that we all might be empowered “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.”

Countdown to General Convention: Resolution D022

Commentary by the Reverend Cameron Partridge

Over the last two years since the rash of suicides that followed Tyler Clementi’s death in 2010, people across the United States and around the world have been wrestling with the problem of bullying. As an Episcopal Campus Minister, I was proud to stand with our chaplaincy that fall as it co-sponsored a vigil on Coming Out Day—we wanted to stand with LGBT youth and young adults, and with all who have experienced the profound “othering” that bullying reinforces. As Christians, we needed to stand together and say “enough,” to lift up the dignity of all human beings, to refuse to countenance the notion that bullying or hazing is something that all must pass through on their way to adulthood.

Bullying preys upon all manners of human difference, including but by no means limited to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. For too long, churches have contributed to the hostile climates in which bullying is condoned. Resolution D022 , inspired by a similar effort in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, seeks to counter that trend. Integrity and TransEpiscopal therefore strongly support it.

D022 Churchwide Response to Bullying

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 77th General Convention calls for a church wide response to the epidemic of bullying, particularly of those perceived as being “different” by virtue of economic, ethnic, racial or physical characteristics, religious status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention encourage new partnerships among our congregations, dioceses, campus ministries, National Association of Episcopal Schools, public schools, counseling centers, and governmental organizations in order to support and offer preventative programs addressing bullying, harassment, and other related violence, especially with higher risk populations; and be it further

Resolved, That these partnerships be encouraged to create or join with existing preventative programs which:
- utilize positive, inclusive, empowering and developmentally appropriate materials
- raise participant’s awareness about the issue
- focus on prevention
- seek to change bystander behavior into ally behavior
- create partnerships between youth and adults

EXPLANATION

In the fall of 2010 the suicide of Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, followed by numerous others, opened the eyes of people across the country to the widespread and longstanding problem of bullying. Untold numbers of young people – people whose sexual orientation or gender expression, whose skin color or body size, whose clothing or religious practices mark them as different from their peers -- often suffer in isolation, forever scarred by their experiences. For far too long bullying has been viewed as a kind of inevitable “rite of passage” that those who are different should learn simply to survive.

As Christians we can do more than to say “it gets better,” powerful as the video project of that name has been. We can help make it so in the here and now. Christ calls us to welcome the stranger, to bind up the brokenhearted, to be agents of reconciliation, healing, and empowerment in this world. Working together, we can help transform the perilous, expanding terrain of the transition from childhood to adulthood. Our churches can be—as indeed many already are—spaces where young people can come to know what a blessing it is to be the people God has created them to become, and where adults can be equipped to support and celebrate this growth.

Committing to a churchwide response to end bullying will equip congregations and institutions with resources and partnerships to live out the baptismal promise to respect the dignity of every human being as we minister to the at-risk youth in our communities.

Countdown to General Convention: Resolutions A049 & A050

Commentary by Integrity President Caro Hall

The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has done amazing work in this triennium They have collected and documented blessings for same-gender unions that have been used in different places around the country in the last forty years. From these, and from the wisdom of hundreds of Episcopalians they have constructed a moving rite of blessing for same-gender couples, in a process of consultation on an unprecedented scale. It is now offered to the Church for its acceptance and use.

The resolution calls for it to be a trial liturgy to be used only with the agreement of the diocesan bishop. If passed this means that it will be implemented in some places and not in others, creating an even greater geographical inequality than we currently experience. But sometimes change has to come incrementally.

Integrity is delighted that this resolution is on the table and is very hopeful that it will pass, providing us for the first time with a liturgy for gay and lesbian couples, agreed by the wider Episcopal Church. Since we express our faith in our worship (lex orandi, lex credendi) this is tantamount to saying that our relationships are now accepted and celebrated as leading to holiness of life. This is of significance to single LIGHT, not just couples, as it is a symbol that we truly are welcome in The Episcopal Church.

Alongside the resolution establishing this new rite comes a resolution calling for a study of marriage. This was first proposed by the Diocese of El Camino Real in 2009, in a resolution written and sponsored by the Integrity chapter. As society changes so do our major institutions, and marriage is no exception. This is a timely call to re-examine the foundation of Christian marriage and to restate it in a way which will give us a clear basis on which to offer twenty-first century couples a model for holy living in the committed relationship of marriage.

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Resolution A049 Authorize Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships


Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 77th General Convention commend “Liturgical Resources I: I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing” for study and use in congregations and dioceses of The Episcopal Church; and be it further


Resolved, That the 77th General Convention authorize for trial use “The Witnessing and Blessing of a Lifelong Covenant” from “Liturgical Resources I: I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing” beginning the First Sunday of Advent 2012, under the direction of a bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority; 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, including adaptation of the liturgy and declaration of intention contained in “I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music develop an open process to review “I Will Bless You and You Will Be a Blessing,” inviting responses from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals from throughout The Episcopal Church and from throughout the Anglican Communion, and report to the 78th General Convention.

Explanation

In response to Resolution 2009-C056, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music developed liturgical and theological resources for blessing same-gender relationships. Throughout the triennium, the commission heard stories of the urgent pastoral need for these resources in congregations of The Episcopal Church. Because these are new resources for a pastoral situation not previously recognized in official liturgical books of The Episcopal Church, the commission recommends that they be used under the direction of a bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority, and that there be a process of review in order to refine the materials, so that they are in keeping with Anglican theological and liturgical tradition.

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Resolution A050 Create Task Force on the Study of Marriage


Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies to appoint a task force of not more than twelve people, consisting of theologians, liturgists, pastors, and educators, to identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, and canonical dimensions of marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consider issues raised by changing societal and cultural norms and legal structures, including legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships between two people of the same sex, in the U.S. and other countries where The Episcopal Church is located; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force develop tools for theological reflection and norms for theological discussion at a local level; and be it further Resolved, That the task force report its progress to the 78th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Explanation

As the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music developed liturgical resources for blessing same-gender relationships, it faced repeated questions about marriage. What makes a marriage Christian? What is the relationship between the Church’s blessing of a relationship, whether different gender or same-gender, and a union, “marriage” or otherwise, created by civil law? Is the blessing of a same-gender relationship equivalent to the marriage of a different-gender couple, and if so, should this liturgy be called “marriage”?


Because the Church’s understanding of marriage affects so many of its members, the Commission believes it is important to engage in a Churchwide conversation about our theology of marriage. The Dioceses of El Camino Real and North Carolina have both recently undertaken studies of marriage, with reports available from the Digital Archives.

Countdown to General Convention: Knowing our past in order to claim our future

Integrity is on "final approach" to the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Our volunteers are busy preparing, planning and packing for the upcoming nine days of legislation-- beginning Thursday, July 5. And so this week Walking With Integrity will countdown to Indianapolis with a daily look at some of the resolutions Integrity will be sending or supporting --with commentary from members of our legislative team.

But first we start with a look back at what has already been accomplished -- at the legislative history of the journey toward the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments Integrity and our allies have been committed to since 1976.

We start this week with our history because -- as Dr. Fredrica Harris Thompsett famously explained in her classic book "We Are Theologians" -- the reason we study our past is to get a running start on our future. So here -- to give you a running start on the upcoming General Convention legislative process -- is a look back at thirty-six years of Integrity at-work-in-the-fields-of-the-Lord.

A Background Paper on LGBT Inclusion in the Episcopal Church by the Reverend Canon Susan Russell

The Episcopal Church has been officially debating the issue of human sexuality, particularly as it applies to gay and lesbian people, since the General Convention of 1976 when resolutions passed by the Bishops and Deputies began to frame the parameters of the debate.

In the intervening years resolutions have been passed and then amended as the church's position has evolved in response to the dialogue. In 1976, the General Convention asserted in a resolution (A069) that "homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the Church." But there continues to be a wide divergence of opinion on just how we live out that understanding in the Church.

In 1991, at the General Convention held in Phoenix acknowledged its inability to resolve the complex issues surrounding human sexuality by means of the normal legislative process. The Convention opted instead for a process of continued study and dialogue across the whole church, with a report to be issued from the House of Bishops.

In 1994, That report, “Continuing the Dialogue,” was published and is highly recommended as a resource for more detailed information.

While resolutions from General Convention are important aspects of our polity - the process through which we govern the church - they are generally perceived to be recommendatory and therefore lacking the force of a canon or law. The only canon to deal with the issue of homosexual orientation in any specific way was adopted in 1994:

"All Bishops of Dioceses and other Clergy shall make provisions to identify fit persons for Holy Orders and encourage them to present themselves for Postulancy. No one shall be denied access to the selection process for ordination in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age, except as otherwise specified by these Canons." -- Title III, Canon 4, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canons for the Government of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, p. 60

In 1996, the Court of Trial for a Bishop refused to hear charges filed against Bishop Walter Righter for ordaining a gay man living in a relationship. The court said there was no doctrine against such an ordination and that there is no canonical bar to gay and lesbian ordination in the Episcopal Church.

72nd General Convention | 1997 Philadelphia 1997
(C024) APPROVED HEALTH BENEFITS FOR DOMESTIC PARTNERS, to be extended to the partners of clergy and lay employees in dioceses that wish to do so.
(D011) It also voted to APOLOGIZE ON BEHALF OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH to its members who are gay and lesbian and to the lesbians and gay men outside the Church for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church and affirm that this Church seeks amendment of our life together as we ask God's help in sharing the Good News with all people.

In 1998, the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, meeting in July at their every ten-year gathering in Canterbury, passed Lambeth Resolution 1:10 -- which was entitled "Human Sexuality" and included the majority opinion of the bishops gathered at that conference that "homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture" and "cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions."

Much energy has been spent over the intervening years debating whether that language was descriptive of the bishops gathered at Lambeth '98 or proscriptive for the wider communion.

73rd General Convention | Denver 2000

(A009) The IDENTIFICATION OF “SAFE SPACES,” establishing a formal process for congregations to identify themselves as safe spaces for GLBT people;
(A046) CONVERSATION WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS ABOUT SEXUALITY;
(A080) DIALOGUE ON FIDELITY IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS;
(C031) recommending that congregations engage in dialogue with the BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA REGARDING THEIR POLICY ON HOMOSEXUALS
(D039) Arguably the most influential resolution adopted in Denver was:
HUMAN SEXUALITY: ISSUES RELATED TO SEXUALITY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Passed overwhelmingly by a voice vote in the House of Deputies and by a 119-19 margin in the House of Bishops. An “8th Resolve” which called for the preparation of rites for inclusion in the Book of Occasional Services failed to pass by a narrow margin in both houses. However, this important resolution broke new ground by moving the Episcopal Church into conversations about relationship that transcend sexual orientation ... and set the stage for the 2003 General Convention in Minneapolis.

74th General Convention | Minneapolis 2003
In addition to consenting to the election of V. Gene Robinson as the Bishop of New Hampshire, the 2003 General Convention in Minneapolis passed a landmark resolution moving the church forward on the blessing of same-sex unions:

(C051) Blessing of Committed Same-Gender Relationships

Key resolves included:

4. That we reaffirm Resolution D039 of the 73rd General Convention (2000), that "We expect such relationships will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God," and that such relationships exist throughout the church.

5. That we recognize that local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions..These two important steps -- consent to the election of an openly gay, partnered bishop and the recognition that the blessing of unions falls "within the bounds of our common life" -- became a flash point for those insisting that the differences that challenge us cannot be bridged, but must become divisions that separate us.

75th General Convention | Columbus 2006
Following the gains made in Minneapolis in 2003, pressure was put on the wider Anglican Communion to censure the American Episcopal Church. In 2004 "The Windsor Report" was published. In 2005 the Episcopal Church presented its response to the Windsor Report -- "To Set Our Hope on Christ" -- at the Nottingham meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council.

The 2006 General Convention was consumed by responding the Windsor Report and whether or not American bishops would be invited to the 2008 Lambeth Conference -- the every 10 year gathering of Anglican bishops.

After nine day of legislation, a series of "response to Windsor" resolutions were passed:

(A159) Affirm Commitment to the Anglican Communion
(A160) Express Regret for Straining the Bonds of the Church
(A165) Commend the Windsor Report and Commit to the "Windsor Process"
(A166) Support Development of an Anglican Covenant

In addition, General Convention voted to:

(A167) Reaffirm Church Membership of Gay and Lesbian Persons
(A095) Reaffirm Support of Gay and Lesbian Persons
(D005) Oppose Criminalization of Homosexuality

Resolutions submitted insisting on "compliance" with aspects of the Windsor Report that recommended moratorium on the blessing of unions or discrimination against partnered gay or lesbian candidates for bishop were rejected.

On the 10th and last legislative day, an unprecedented joint session of the Houses of Bishops & Deputies was presented with Resolution B033 by then Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold. The resolution that passed both houses was entitled "Exercise Restraint in Consecrating Candidates" and read:

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention receive and embrace The Windsor Report's invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion

In 2008 the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops was held in Canterbury. The Bishop of New Hampshire was not invited to attend.

76th General Convention | Anaheim 2009 Two primary goals were set out for this General Convention by LGBT activists: moving beyond B033 and forward on the blessing of same sex unions. Both were accomplished.

(C056) 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.

And

(D025) Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, and that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.

Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.

77th General Convention | Indianapolis 2012 (July 5 - 12)
Much has been accomplished but there is still much to do! As we head to Indianapolis Integrity is prepared to continue to be in the forefront on advocacy for issues including liturgies for the blessings of same-sex relationships, a churchwide response to bullying, transinclusion, ending federal discrimination against same-sex marriage and canonical marriage equality in the Episcopal Church.

Integrity Hosts Double Feature Movie Night at General Convention

Integrity invites all bishops, deputies and visitors to the 77th General Convention to "Movie Night" on Wednesday July 4 -- a double feature evening presenting two powerful films celebrating the transforming power of God's inclusive love.

"Voices of Witness: Out Of The Box" - the groundbreaking short documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender Episcopalians and "Love Free or Die" - the Sundance Award winning feature film about the life and witness of Bishop Gene Robinson

Room 144 of the Indiana Convention Center
More information here

Two Blogs to Note for a Friday Afternoon

An Elephant in the Living Room: Coming Soon to a General Convention Near You by Canon Susan Russell
I do not believe we have ever truly explored the impact of the events the ended the 75th General Convention in Columbus -- where having spent 10 days as the "council of the church" we ended up with precious little to show for it except a boatload of resolutions that fell through the cracks and a last minute betrayal of the gay-and-lesbian baptized to secure invitations for our bishops to Tea at Lambeth.

I want to suggest that until we deal with the rupture of trust of caused by that historic ramrodding of B033 through the House of Bishops -- and by then Presiding Bishop-elect Katharine Jefferts Schori's plea to the House of Deputies to concur with its misguided capitulation to homophobic based bigotry --- we're going to continue to replicate the cycle of misunderstanding, mistrust, suspicion and polarization to the continued detriment of the mission and ministry of the Church and the Gospel.

Read the rest here

Marriage Equality Through A Sacramental Lens by Bishop Mary Glasspool

Are there lesbian and gay couples who love and cherish each other, and stick together through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, who appear to manifest the grace of God, already given in their lives together? Do we have currently existing in our communities gifts from God that have not yet been recognized by the community as a whole? What would be the benefits (if any) of recognizing, blessing, or solemnizing those relationships?

The life of the very Church that I love will be so enriched once it finds a way to publically, respectfully, and intentionally recognize God's grace poured into the lives of gay and lesbian couples who have committed themselves to one another and are already living lives of great integrity.

Read the rest here
 

Out of the Box and Into the Mail!

"Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" -- Integrity's groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender Episcopalians -- went into the mail this week in DVD format to every bishop and deputy to the 77th General Convention with this message:

Dear Convention Deputy/Bishop,

When we met for General Convention 2012 in Anaheim, it was clearly the mind of the church to support our transgender brothers and sisters, as four resolutions put the Episcopal Church on record in support of transgender-inclusive hate crimes legislation and employment non-discrimination. Yet what we found in the committee hearings and floor discussions was that gender identity and gender expression are issues that can easily be misunderstood and cannot be wrapped up in a neat little box. That experience was the inspiration for “Out of the Box” — a teaching tool created to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the experience of transgender people and to give voice to their witness.

The result was a short documentary film produced by Integrity USA in partnership with TransEpiscopal as a gift to the Episcopal Church. The film offers the voices of witness of transgender people of faith telling the moving stories of their search for health and wholeness. Courageously inviting the viewer into their journeys, “Out of the Box” is ultimately a celebration of hope and the power of God's love to transcend even seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The film has been available on YouTube since June 1st and at the time of this mailing has had over 4000* views. DVDs of the film are being mailed to every bishop and deputy in preparation for our work together at the 77th General Convention in Indianapolis and also for education at the diocesan and congregational level. A study guide, written by the Reverend Canon Gary R. Hall, Ph.D, is also being made available online to assist in that work. One viewer summed up the comments of many when she wrote. “Fiercely, beautifully, compelling. Enlightening and comforting to ALL of us who need to courageously live into our true selves, whoever that is and wherever that takes us.” — Sharyn D, Los Angeles CA

We know that there are many demands on your time and energy as you prepare for General Convention 2012, and we write today to urge you to commit 27 minutes of your pre-convention preparation to view this important film and to commend it to your diocesan and congregational leaders. Integrity remains committed to the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments – and finishing the work of transgender inclusion begun in Anaheim is another important step toward achieving that goal. We hope we can count on your support!


Faithfully,
The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall
President, Integrity USA

PS - If you're an alternate deputy who didn't get a DVD, you can watch the film by clicking here!

====

As this blog posts, we are up to 4,889 views on YouTube ... soon to pass the 5000 mark. For more infomation about "Out of the Box" ... including details on the Study Guide being prepared ... visit the OOTB page on the Integrity website.

CofE vs. Equal Civil Marriage: A Rock or a Hard Place?

by the Reverend Dr. Caro Hall, President
Integrity USA

The CofE seems to have gone back into the Dark Ages (again). The UK Government Equalities Office is holding a Consultation on “Equal Civil Marriage” and the Church of England has sent its official response.

And they’re officially against same-gender marriage.

They’re against it, even though a new report shows that between 80-85% of people in the UK under the age of 50 support extending the legal form of marriage to gay people – and three in five - 60% of people of faith in modern Britain – say gay people should be able to get married.

It’s not surprising. They couldn’t ordain women without bending over backwards to give misogynistic clergy and their parishes “Get Out of Jail Free” cards – pensions if they went to Rome and flying bishops if they stayed behind. And they’ve been wringing their hands about women bishops for the longest time. For whatever reason, the Church of England is chained to the old patriarchy.

This new statement is just more of the same. The Cof E is between a rock and a hard place – on the one hand, they are the connecting point for the Anglican Communion – if they were to say same-gender marriage is OK then they can kiss good-bye to Nigeria, Uganda, Sydney and the Southern Cone – and that’s just for starters. Cynics may say they’re gone anyway, but the CofE will try to keep them in the game for sentimental reasons as well as the bonds of affection.

That’s the rock. The hard place is that if they get out of step with Parliament maybe they’ll have to stop being the state church, and that could bring on a whole new Constitutional crisis. The Queen would no longer be the Supreme Head of the Church.

So the official word is that same-gender marriage threatens to cut the CofE away from its moorings. The Bishop of Leicester says the changes could lead to the “gradual unraveling of the Church of England, which is a very high cost for the stability of society.” Who knew we were so powerful?

The reason for all of the excitement is that the CofE fears that it might be forced to allow same-gender marriages in church. Because there isn’t the same freedom of religion/separation of church and state protections that we have here, that is a more rational concern than it is when banded about here by the anti-gay lobby.

They could have just stopped there. But no, they decided to explain theologically why same-gender marriages are a big no-no. And that is difficult to stomach. If you want to read a critique, check out Tina Beardsley’s blog at our British cousin Changing Attitude’s site.

Of course, an official statement doesn’t come from all the people in the CofE as Giles Fraser points out here. There are thousands of people who will be disgusted by this statement of cowardice. Just as there are thousands of people who will be further alienated from the Church and therefore from God.

I give thanks for the courage of the Episcopal Church to stand up for LGBT people in the face of opposition from our Anglican brethren, and I give thanks for everyone who is working to turn that stand into radical welcome at the parish and diocesan level.

This General Convention is going to be a turning point for LGBT inclusion, and Integrity will be there to help move the SCLM resolutions forward and make same-gender blessings part of our Episcopal liturgy. Please make a donation here to help us prevent the Episcopal Church from slipping backwards into the arms of the CofE.

Truth to the Table

From Historic Trans ENDA Testimony to the "Stalling" of a 2006 Antibullying Guide in MA  

Today has been a historic day for transgender people in the U.S.  Kylar Broadus, founder of the Trans People of Color Coalition, became the first openly transgender person to testify before the U.S. Senate.  The subject of his testimony was the Federal Employment Nondiscrimination Act – ENDA—that has been stalled in Congress for several years now.  At our last General Convention in 2009, The Episcopal Church passed resolutions D012 and C048, putting us on record in support of an ENDA inclusive of gender identity and expression as well as of sexual orientation.

In his testimony, video of which can be viewed here, and a transcript of which can be found here, Broadus spoke of his transition (from female to male) as well as his work history.  Transition was for him “a matter of living the truth, and sharing the truth with the world, rather than living a lie and pretending to be somebody every day that I was not…. [I decided to] bring my full self to the table and to the world.”  

He explained that as he came into a fuller sense of himself in the late 1980s-early 1990s, his work attire gradually shifted from women’s to men’s business attire, and his haircut significantly shortened.  His colleagues treated him well, but within six months of telling management of his decision to transition, he “was ‘constructively discharged’…. While my supervisors could tolerate a somewhat masculine-appearing black woman, they were not prepared to deal with my transition to being a black man.”  He concluded stating, “it’s devastating, demoralizing, and dehumanizing to be put in th[e] position” of being denied work because of being trans.

As it also emerged today, the same thing can be said for an anti-bullying guide produced under the Romney administration here in Massachusetts in 2006.  The Boston Globe reported this morning:  “Former governor Mitt Romney’s administration in 2006 blocked publication of a state antibullying guide for Massachusetts public schools because officials objected to use of the terms ‘bisexual’ and ‘transgender’ in passages about protecting certain students from harassment, according to state records and interviews with current and former state officials.”  While at the time aids to the governor publicly attributed the delay to a standard review process, in fact an email from May, 2006 revealed otherwise:  “Because this is using the terms ‘bisexual’ and ‘transgendered,’ DPH’s name may not be used in this publication,’’ wrote an official in the Department of Public Health.

In other words, the governor did not want to be associated with a guide for protecting youth who might grow up to be like Kylar Broadus, or any of the participants in Integrity’s new video Voices of Witness: Out of the Box. Gay and lesbian youth might be one thing, but bisexual and transgender youth were something else entirely.  

A year and a half removed from the devastating landslide of LGBT suicides last fall, that covert distancing and delay looks even more unconscionable.  This afternoon Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley commented, “For the Romney administration to block a discussion on the impact of bullying on LGBT students was to fail to protect some of our most vulnerable children.’’

As General Convention draws near, one of the major priorities of both TransEpiscopal and IntegrityUSA is for The Episcopal Church to pass a resolution on the problem of LGBT bullying.  As Harry Knox recently reported, Integrity will be showing the film "Bullied" on July 8th.  Today's Senate testimony and Globe stories underscore the urgency of this work, particularly for bi and trans people, that, as Broadus put it,  all of us might be empowered to "liv[e] the truth and share [that] truth with the world."

Integrity Prepares to "Stop Bullying" @ General Convention 2012

As we prepare for Integrity’s advocacy for a robust response to bullying from the Episcopal Church at General Convention in Indianapolis, we draw your attention to some great resources available to local congregations and schools that will help end the epidemic of bullying in the United States. It would be a shame to make GC12 attendees aware of these resources, but fail to let the rest of you know about them, too!

The Diocese of Virginia has created a marvelous one-stop shop for multiple resources, and I urge you to check it out here

Among the resources highlighted at that site, are those developed by our siblings in Christ at Lutherans Concerned North America, which are terrific for use in local churches . You can find those here.
Teachers and school administrators will want to know about the curriculum and other teaching tools available through the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance site.

If bringing about an end to bullying is important to you and those you love, please consider making a donation to support Integrity’s advocacy on these issues at GC12. We will be pressing for passage of a resolution empowering Episcopalians for action.

In addition, Integrity and the National Association of Episcopal Schools will sponsor a screening at GC12 of the film "Bullied" on the evening of July 8. Together, we can make schools, and even our own churches, truly safe for the young people God has entrusted to our care. Donate here today ... together we CAN be the change we want to see!

Harry Knox
Interim Executive Director
Integrity USA

Multi-Platform Evangelism Moment

by Susan Russell

“Multi-platform convergence” was a term I learned from Dr. Elizabeth Drescher – author of “Tweet if You ‘Heart’ Jesus.” (A great read if you haven’t seen it yet.) In a nutshell, it’s about utilizing multiple platforms of communication – print, digital, social media, twitter, facebook, YouTube … and don’t forget incarnational … for evangelism. Here’s an example.

It’s Pride Month everywhere and L.A. Pride Week here in Los Angeles. We (the Diocese of L.A.) will have a booth at the festival. One of our bishops (+Mary Douglas Glasspool) will preach at the street Eucharist we hold every year with our Lutheran colleagues (their Bishop Nelson will celebrate) and I was asked to come up with answers to 10 FAQs for the folks staffing the booth.

"Is being gay a sin? What did Jesus say about gay people? Should you try to pray away the gay?" Just three of the "Qs" that ended up in my "Top Ten. Now here comes the multi-platform part. I turned the Q&A sheet into a blog piece for the Huffington Post. It went live about this morning. So far there are 512 likes, 188 shares, 57 retweets, and 65 comments.

Among the fiirst comments? “I think I just became an Episcopalian.”

Bingo.

We are surrounded by an enormous market share of folks starving for the Good News of God’s inclusive love – and the folks reading, recommending, sharing and commenting on this one little post is the tip of the iceberg. Huffington Post readers are arguably a mission field for the Episcopal Church but it is not the only one.

So here comes my evangelism pitch: As we move toward General Convention and the work and witness we will do together there let’s not for a MOMENT forget the missional moments we will have to stand up, speak out and reach out to those hungry for what this Church we love – in spite of all its warts and wobbles – has to offer. (Cue music. “Ora labora” swells in the background.)

Let’s make sure we don’t get so focused on the “trees” of structure, budget, canons and polity that we lose sight of the “forest” full of those yearning to be part of a spiritual community, to hear that God loves them and to use their gifts to meet the world’s deep needs.

So go check out my "Top Ten" list. Send it to your friends. Post it to your Facebook page. Brag a little on the Episcopal Church. Invite others to come and see what you've found that feeds you, supports you, empowers you, equips you. Let's make this Pride Month a Multiplatform Evangelism Month!

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell is a Senior Associate at All Saints Church in Pasadena, the chair of the Program Group for LGBT Ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles and an Integrity Past-President.

"Out of the Box" Tops 2000 Views Over Opening Weekend!

Premiering on the IntegriTV YouTube Channel on Friday, June 1st, "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" has already topped 2000 online views and DVDs are coming soon to a bishop and deputy near you!

Here's what viewers are saying about the groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender Episcopalians:

Fiercely, beautifully, compelling. Enlightening and comforting to ALL of us who need to courageously live into our true selves, whoever that is and wherever that takes us. - Sharyn D, Los Angeles CA

Powerful, heartfelt and beautifully done. Thanks for this blessed gift. – Donna M, Pasadena CA

Someone at my parish told me during coffee hour today how much they loved this film and how proud it made them feel to be part of the Episcopal Church! I hope to share it widely here in Oregon, I think it might be especially useful for clergy.—Andy M, Portland OR

Just watched it -- so terribly impressed -- thanks to all who made this film possible -- As a form LCMS Minister of Education I was especially impressed with the priest who left the LCMS and who spoke so clearly about God's love for us all. – William R, Washington DC

Gripping, heart- wrenching, challenging.... Outstanding! – Ann R, Alexandria VA

Moving, thoughtful, and the humanity of transgender people shines through every frame. This is a wonderful tool to educate all about a subject that is so misunderstood and feared. Great work!!! -- Bill B, Los Angeles CA

And as seen on twitter: "awesome, inspiring, powerful, needed, feeling called to replicate this in Jamaica."

See for yourself what everybody's talking about ... click here to view on YouTube ...  and then [a] comment [b] share [c] like [d] tweet [e] SPREAD THE WORD!

"Out of the Box" is OUT!

After years of planning, months of filming and weeks of editing, "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" is now "ready for prime time" ... playing on IntegriTV's YouTube Channel. Here are some "early reviews:"

"Fiercely, beautifully, compelling. Enlightening and comforting to ALL of us, even us heteros, who need to courageously live into our true selves, whoever that is and wherever that takes us."

"This is absolutely beautiful. I am so glad to see these people live the lives they were meant to, and I am overjoyed to see the Episcopal Church open up its doors and be so accepting. I pray one day the Roman Catholic Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and all other churches can follow this example."

"Demos gracias a Dios! I recognize the stories of so many beloved members of our own parish and my own family in this beautiful production. Please oh please, por favor, tell me that it will at least be overdubbed en español, so that the other half of our congregación can watch the video."

"This video is moving, thoughtful, and the humanity of transgender people shines through every frame. This is a wonderful tool to educate all about a subject that is so misunderstood and feared. Great work!!!

Watch it for yourself. Commend it to your bishops and deputies. Help us spread the word: "Out of the Box" is OUT!

Integrity Focuses on the “T” in LGBT With Release of Groundbreaking Documentary Film

Integrity marks the beginning of Pride Month with the June 1^st release of "Voices of Witness: Out of the Box" – the groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender people of faith. Courageously inviting the viewer into their journeys, the film is ultimately a celebration of hope and the power of God's love to transcend even seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Produced by Integrity’s Communication Director Louise Brooks, the film is being offered as a gift to the Episcopal Church as a resource for both teaching and transformation.

"Gender identity and gender expression are issues that can easily be misunderstood and cannot be wrapped up in a neat little box,” said Brooks. “So the goal of “Out of the Box” was to answer some of the most frequently asked questions. We have been blessed by a truly amazing cloud of witnesses who shared their stories and their lives with us. It has been a privilege to work with them to take this project from a dream to a reality as we offer their voices of witness to the church and to the world.”

"I believe God is calling us into this conversation now,” said New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson, one of the voices featured in the project. “It is an opportunity to get to understand another part of God's never-ending diversity and another way to live into our baptismal calling to love all God's children."

The third in the Voices of Witness series, “Out of the Box” was released on the IntegriTV YouTube Channel on Friday, June 1^st. It will also be distributed to every bishop and deputation prior to the 77^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Indianapolis in July, along with a study guide written by the Rev. Gary Hall.

“Making ‘all’ mean ‘all’ is the foundation of Integrity’s platform for General Convention 2012,” said Jon Richardson, Integrity’s VP for National Affairs. “And partnering with our TransEpiscopal allies to complete the work of adding gender identity and expression to our non-discriminations canons is part of the work “Out of the Box” will help us do.”

For more information contact:

Louise Brooks

Director of Communications

Integrity USA

communication@integrityusa.org

626-993-4605