IntegriTV GC2009-Day 9: Marriage Equality, Brian McLaren, and Looking back with Dottie and Gil

In this episode we take a look at what folks on the street think the term "marriage equality" means, hear from our bishops, priests and laity just after the bishops pass a resolution that supports the development of rites for the blessing of same sex relationships, take a look at the special insights of emergent church guru Brian McLaren, and hear from long time Integrity members Dottie Fuller and Gil Grady about their first General Convention experience in Anaheim in 1985.




Thanks for watching, and don't forget to join us again tomorrow for a very special IntegriTV.
Watch online here.

IntegriTV GC2009-Day 8: Young People, Social Networking, and "Cutting Edge" technology.

Today we hear from two of the younger members of the House of Deputies, Carolyn Chu and Sam Gould, as well as some young adult convention-goers. R u tweeting or texting while u r here? You're not alone! Social networking and new forms of communication abound @gc. But we save the best for last: a flashback to when fax machines were cutting edge.




Watch online here and see you tomorrow for another edition of IntegriTV!

IntegriTV GC2009-Day 7: Voices of Witness Africa, Integrity Uganda, Legislation and Marching With Disney Workers

It was a busy day in Anaheim. We take a look at some of the happenings around the impact of the new documentary, Voices of Witness Africa, the founding of the Integrity Uganda chapter, a legislative update, and the march and demonstration in support of Disney hotel workers.




Its going to be a big day here in Anaheim, stay tuned for more and thank you for watching IntegriTV.

IntegriTV GC2009 DAY 5: The Anglican Communion, Legislation, Looking Back and Around General Convention

IntegriTV is in Anaheim covering the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church! Take a look at news and legislation from GC that impacts the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender faithful, and our allies all around the Anglican Communion.



Watch online--click here.
And thank you, for your prayers and witness to God's inclusive love.

p.s. Did you want a t-shirt (Here I Am, Send Me: I am a witness to God's inclusive love)?
Get yours here.

IntegriTV GC2009 Day 4: The Integrity Eucharist in Depth

Once again the Integrity Eucharist was a moving experience. On IntegriTV you'll learn about some of the early history of this service, share a moment with Bishop Barbara Harris and get up close with some attendees for their reaction.





Watch online here.
Thanks for watching and see you for another episode soon!

IntegriTV GC2009 Day 3: A Colorful Witness, Fashion, Looking Back and Conversation with a Young Adult Deputy

Day 3 of General Convention brought a colorful display of T-Shirts that said, "Here am I, send me!" We take a look at other colorful fashions, hear from Michael Hopkins about the power of personal stories, and listen to Dee Tavolaro talk about what it means for him to be a transman in the Episcopal Church.





Watch online by clicking here, or don't forget--its all on the IntegrityUSA General Convention Portal.

Today will be a big day--so stay tuned for updates, and THANK YOU; for your prayers, your comments and witness to God's inclusive love for all.

And we are LIVE! IntegriTV Day One

IntegriTV is live and online, bringing you Day 1 from General Convention in Anaheim. Catch it here and stay tuned each day as we bring you some of the most interesting news coming out of the Episcopal Church as it gathers in Anaheim.

Day Zero in the Happiest Place on Earth

Although Convention doesn’t officially begin until tomorrow, today sets the tone and gets things moving. During the morning the legislative committees meet for the first time to meet, greet and get organized. The World Missions committee is so inundated that they plan to have two subgroups – one to deal with B033 and related issues and the other to do everything else. Tonight they meet again – in the early stages of Convention the committees are where the action happens as they grapple with the hundreds of resolutions that have come from church committees, dioceses, bishops and deputies.

The energy and feeling--quite frankly--is nothing short of electric and excitement.

This afternoon Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori, and the President of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson, will be addressing Convention in its first plenary session. They will be setting the tone for the work of Convention.

Last night the President of Integrity, Susan Russell, set the tone for our work in a passionate speech eloquently delivered from the top of a rickety patio chair. She said that people keep asking whether she’s optimistic and she replies, ‘optimistic but not complacent’.

That seems to be the mood here amongst our allies; we are optimistic that this Convention will move beyond the confines of B033. The time has come for the Episcopal Church to get on with the work that God has given us to do. The time has come to stop looking over our shoulder, and move on. We cannot allow fear of dissension to paralyze us and prevent us from working to spread the good news of freedom, grace and radical love. Integrity has witnessed at General Convention for thirty years. Full inclusion is not something that needs more time, more study or more sacrifice. LGBT Episcopalians are not offerings for sacrifice but Christians ready to be used in the Church’s mission to bring all beings into reconciliation with God. Amen?

Read Susan's synopsis over at her blog--pretty great stuff.

While we didn’t catch Susan’s impromptu presidential address on tape, IntegriTV was at All Saints Pasadena for her pre-Convention sermon. Watch for it a bit later today.

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Sunday night and we’re (almost) ready to roll!

The Integrity General Convention core team gathered in Anaheim today for Eucharist and orientation. Integrity’s been witnessing at General Convention for thirty years (since 1979) and each time we’ve learned from our past experience. The investment in infrastructure we have been able to make this year as a result of funding from the Arcus Foundation has certainly paid off. There are many new faces around the table here, and as we share snippets of our life stories the wealth of talent and experience is impressive. We certainly miss those old-timers who did not come this year in order to make space for new campaigners but are excited by new possibilities.

Integrity Core Team members are very aware that we are here as a result of the generosity of Integrity members and friends and that our role is to represent you as we witness to God’s inclusive love. In the homily this morning (available at www.benedictiononline.blogspot.com) Caro Hall reminded us that although our legislative agenda is to move the church to a point where it fully includes all the baptized in all the sacraments, that is only part of our bigger mission to further the Reign of God and to work for reconciliation.

The Anglican Communion Listening Process has come under a lot of fire from conservatives in recent weeks, but any relationship has to start with listening. Right now some of the Integrity team are attending a workshop on communicating in a way that builds peace--honing their skills in listening to and affirming those whose ideas are different. Since the Lambeth Conference there seems to have been a lot more openness to listen and we are looking forward to welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury in a few days to experience firsthand the Episcopal Church in conversation.

The video Voices of Witness-Africa gives voice to some in the Communion who would have no other way to be heard. There’s a clip from it on IntegriTV today and we will have a full screening later during Convention. That video, made by Cynthia Black and Katie Sherrod, would not have been possible without generous financial support from many friends.

We start this Convention with full hearts. Hearts full of gratitude for all those who have worked for full inclusion at General Convention over the last thirty years, gratitude for those who have made it possible for us to be here again this year, gratitude for the talent and professionalism of those gathered here this year, and gratitude to the God who calls us and who is faithful.


Watch it here.