On the Outside Looking In

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

The Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia! (Yet some remain outside looking in.)

Last weekend I attended a gathering of The Consultation, a group of organizations in The Episcopal Church whose ministries are focused on social justice issues and aspects related to that topic. We were gathered to discuss the upcoming General Convention of our church in July, in Austin, Texas. The website for The Consultation is: http://www.theconsultation.org/home.html

Like Integrity, most of the work of these organizations at the church-wide level has been accomplished. The canonical changes are in place, the policies exist, and the General Convention has been clear that ALL are to be included in the life and work and ministries of our church, both lay folks and ordained folks. Yet all of us also recognize that at the local level, the grassroots of our church, reality and the position of The Episcopal Church are still at odds with each other in a number of dioceses and for many of our kindred. Far too many of our kindred still stand on the outside looking in.

Eight of our diocesan bishops still refuse to allow same-sex marriages to take place in their dioceses. The reality in those dioceses is that same-sex couples are not getting the level of pastoral care they should be getting. And, no, sending them to a neighboring diocese to be married is NOT pastoral care. It’s nothing more than seating them in the back of the bus, only the bus is not even in the same physical location as where they worship and serve in our church!

I’ve been told that (at least) one bishop of our church is rather proud of the fact that he has not changed his thinking on a particular subject for eighteen (18) years. I could not be proud of myself if I had said that. What it means to me is that for 18 years I would not have left room in my heart for the voice of God, for the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. That would say about me that I am not open to anything new and different in either my relationship with God or my relationship with any of God’s children. It would say that my faith is static, my faith is lifeless, my faith is dead, or at least frozen in time.

The redemptive work of helping others be fully a part of our church is not done. The restorative work of making “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You” true for everyone and not just a catch slogan on a sign is not done. Even though we may have convinced ourselves that most of that work has been accomplished at the church-wide level, until EVERYONE benefits from God’s grace at every level, NO ONE does. I see nothing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that lets us leave anyone on the outside looking in.

If you still are not convinced of the need of our ministry, I invite you to go to two places. One is the website of All the Sacraments for All People (ASAP-TN). It tells the story of those disenfranchised in the Diocese of Tennessee. ( www.asaptn.org ). The other is the website of the Diocese of Dallas (http://edod.org/bishop-george-sumner-eastertide-2018/ ). The bishop states his case for continuing to refuse to allow same sex marriages. I’m still reading it and to be frank about it, I have read nothing new, including the claim that we have not devoted enough study to the subject. I personally think some 30 years of my life is more than enough study, but hey, that’s just me!.

So, as I have urged before: write, call, email, text those who will be making decisions. Let your Deputies and your Bishop(s) know your opinion. If you have a personal story of the impact of this or other proposed legislation, share that with them. Put a face on what some might be able to more easily dismiss as an issue. A face is more difficult to dismiss.

As Integrity moves into a new dynamic of working to insure that all God’s children receive the respect for their dignity required by our Baptismal Covenant, we need leaders who will continue to move us forward. If you feel called to leadership on the board of directors or as a Provincial Coordinator, please put your name forward to the nominating committee at this email address: nominations@integrityusa.org

Yes, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen, indeed, alleluia! Risen for all...regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, gender expression/identity, or any other characteristic of the children of God. And let us be faithful to the work before us to insure that all may know the love of Jesus! Let us work to insure that no one stands on the outside looking in.

Bruce Garner, President Integrity USA ... The Episcopal Rainbow

Moving On: Convention is almost ready to start (finally)

In what we think was a bold move showing just how serious the Episcopal Church is about moving on, the first Web cast in the ‘revolutionary’ Media Hub featured the four continuing Episcopal dioceses: Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Quincy, and San Joaquin. Filmed this afternoon, they talked about the sense of excitement and new life that is coming to the dioceses as they discover a new sense of possibility in inclusive mission. For example, in Pittsburgh 20 parishes have remained Episcopal, and in San Joaquin not only was the first ever woman, Suzanne Ward ordained to the priesthood but one of the larger churches, St. Paul’s Modesto has returned to The Episcopal Church (TEC). The quality of the video just cannot possibly communicate the sense of excitement in the movement of God’s Spirit which was in the speakers’ voices. Katie Sherrod, a long-time ally and member of Integrity from Fort Worth said, “I think the thing that strikes me most about our diocese… is the joy!” The speakers all reflected briefly on the pain and conflict but emphasized the new sense of freedom, inclusion and joy they are experiencing.

Stand Firm in Faith are reporting that Matt Kennedy has been denied media credentials at General Convention. It’s puzzling that the TEC media department has made that determination – it doesn’t seem to make sense other conservative writers are here. Our commiserations are with Matt who did a sterling job of reporting the Special Committee in 2006. Fortunately being kept out of the press room doesn’t stop his being able to attend hearings and legislative sessions. All are welcome really DOES mean, ALL are welcome, right?

The Presiding Bishop gave her address to the full convention today even though it doesn’t really start until the opening Eucharist tomorrow. Her central theme was crisis which she described as helping us focus on the most important and essential things first; in disease the crisis is a turning point when the fever will break, or not. She described this Convention as one of critical decision making and referred to two historic General Conventions: 1967 when the General Convention Special Program was set up, which allocated three million dollars to empower inner-city groups as a response to urban rioting; and 1976 when womens’ ordination was approved. We might, she suggested, hear echoes of those debates in our conversations, as well as revisiting some of the 75th General Convention’s discussions.

She stressed that we are all connected and described as the "great western heresy" the idea that we can be saved as individuals. Interestingly related, the Presiding Bishop's message connects with a great radio commentary about Integrity and the General Convention which was aired on KPFK’s program IMRU (get it: I am are YOU?). Terry Garay said that the work Integrity is doing is good for all LGBT folk, regardless of whether they are Episcopalians or even religiously inclined. A huge thanks to Terry for that!

As the evening sets in (and night is turning to morning) we are aware of our connections with each other, with our allies in Claiming the Blessing, The Consultation, the Chicago Consultation, and with YOU. Thank you for your support and prayers.

Tomorrow Convention starts (finally) and IntegriTV will be launching Day 1 from Anaheim, and we have got some really great shows and interviews in store. So glad to have you along with us.

By Caro Hall, Communications Team, IntegrityUSA