Last take on GC by deputation chair, Peter Bickford

Dear Friends,

Yesterday in church someone asked what was the most important thing, for me, that I brought home form convention. After a little thought, I replied “Connections”. First I really connected with the people from Maine, not with our Bishop, deputies and canon for communication, but the ECW representatives as well. Bishop Steve had a room connecting to his that all of us used as a gathering place at the end of the legislative session. Those available would meet and talk about committee work, the goings on of the day and what was coming up. A wide variety of feedback. This led to an effective body of deputies on the floor of convention. Each of us brought their skills into play and messed well. Some are skilled people with resolutions, some are able to search out information, others see the whole picture, and all worked together effectively.

My assignment was to Program, Budget, and Finance (PB&F). In my deputy of the day report I mentioned some of the difficulties the commission faced in balancing the budget. We are a body of 25+ people who work in sub-groups first and then as a body of the whole. We balanced the budget and overcame many obstacles. We lowered the Dioscean asking and still found money for the MDG’S and an equal amount for domestic poverty. This put the mission of the Church as a high priority. We faced the difficult task of cutting back on the structure of the church and also empowered the Dioceses to administer some of their own functioning programs. Connections with members of PB&F were strong.

Connections were not the only thing I brought back. We passed legislation that will allow Bishops and Standing Committies to consider all qualified gay and lesbian persons called to any ministry in The Episcopal Church, tested through our discernment process and in accordance with our constitution and canons. We addressed several Peace and Justice issues, including the one put forth from the Diocese of Maine which was blended with one from, I believe N.Y.

I also achieved the skill of eating salad from a plastic container while I was hurrying from one meeting to another, grabbing a mini pizza and an orange juice for a make shift supper and having breakfast consist of a yogurt parfait and coffee. My first home cooked meal was greatly appreciated.

I can not emphasize how well the group of deputies and alternates worked. Everyone was prepared for what was before us and we helped each other keep track of which piece of legislation was currently on the floor. (That sounds easy, but at times we bounced around a lot)

Some of us are planing to talk to our own congregations and where possible, visit neighboring churches as well. There is a plan to have a workshop at convention this fall. I will work to make that a reality. As deputies and alternates, we are all elected until the next general convention deputy and alternate election. If you have questions please contact one of us.

Peter Bickford
Lay Deputy
Christ Church, Norway

Deputy of the Day – July 17

Mission. Fighting poverty. Living out our faith in relationship.

These were the themes of the U2charist sermon last night, delivered by Mike Kinman former head of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation in the context of a service led by a live rock band and organized by our own Paige Blair. Telling stories of Africa, Haiti, St. Louis, and other places around the globe, he presented a compelling charge to make our faith real, to make a difference in the world. This service, like many over the past two weeks was a visible reminder that the Episcopal Church is very much alive and moving into the future.

Then today, our final day. It began with a passionate debate of a resolution that commends pastoral generosity for bishops to all people, particularly those who live in states like Maine that have marriage equality, asks for study of liturgical and theological resources related to this issue, recognizing that there is theological diversity on this issue. I testified in support of this issue and of mission as embodied in members of our congregations, mission to newcomers who come because they see the church being welcoming to all people and living out the Kingdom of God, and mission embodied in our bishop’s ability to offer pastoral support to everyone. I suggested that our mission is not to the Episcopalians in Maine but the people of Maine, the majority of whom are in favor of marriage equality and the majority of whom are unchurched and long for the Good News but won’t enter our doors until they see us open them.

After much other legislation, we moved to the final Eucharist with the Presiding Bishop. The theme of this convention has been mission, mission found in Ubuntu (the African phrase meaning community and relationship.) The service was a jubilant, enthusiastic, celebration of both of these. I join in the celebration.

This convention did many things:

1) It set strategic goals: The five marks of mission, the Genesis Covenant (reducing our carbon footprint by 50%), reaffirmed .7% to the MDGs, modernized our prayers to include Holy Women and Holy Men, agreed to share in ministry with the Moravians, Presbyterians, other Anglicans, and Interfaith dialogue with other religions.
2) It took care of our own house: moving to efficiency in use of technology, passed a budget that emphasized mission, modernized disciplinary rules for misconduct, clarified roles of bishops, voted to pool health care for all Episcopal dioceses, and provided pension for lay employees
3) It stood up for inclusion and non-discrimination and made statements on a wide variety of issues for the Episcopal Public Policy network and to direct actions of the church during the next three years.

Reading this, you could think it was about legislation. The reality was that it was about ubuntu – about community. This was seen in

1) Personal narrative (sharing of stories of mission)
2) Worship (using inspiration music, preachers, styles from around the globe)
3) Inclusion of Spanish speakers, Native Americans, Africans, youth, people from Europe and everywhere.
4) Reunion of church family and friends from across the church and the world
5) Fabulous fellowship and a wonderful experience of community

Some are reporting that the church is in crisis. This convention showed that while it does struggle with money, numbers, and diversity of theological opinion, the church is alive and well, full of wonderful, caring and faithful people, overflowing with a sense of purpose, and with hope and energy that is overflowing. This convention makes me proud to be an Episcopalian and fills me with joy about the future and present of the church and our mission to live our God’s mission in the world.

Ben Shambaugh
Clerical Deputy
Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Portland

Deputy of the Day – July 16

And now, dear friends, we begin our farewells—to each other and to this 76^th General Convention.

The committees have met for the last time, the legislative houses (Bishops and Deputies) will have final sessions tomorrow, Friday. We have considered reams of resolutions, and if you have followed our blog (thanks, Heidi Shott!) or other news sources, you’ll be familiar with many of them. I am especially pleased and excited by what we have done in so many mission realms: evangelism, the environment, multicultural education and training, continued support of the Millennium Developments Goals, health care, making sure the Episcopal Church is a place of true welcome, and that ministry discernment processes for laity, deacons, priests and bishops, are available to all, including gay and lesbian Episcopalians.

As I ponder our two weeks, I remember so much: our Presiding Bishop, Katharine, asking us if we are willing and courageous enough to be sent out to “interrupt the world”; the Archbishop of Canterbury reminding us in his earnest way that we need to dare to take risks for the common good of all; the prayer vigil and march with and for the Disney hotel workers here whose union health plan in about to be taken away from them, and we stood with them and many of our bishops in the hot sun, and our bishops spoke to encourage them in their struggle; the pigeon who flew into the House of Deputies just before a crucial vote (“Oh, look!…..the Holy Spirit!” someone called out); the young people who testified so passionately and so often about a multitude of issues; Bishop Steve’s and Gretchen’s wonderful hospitality as they invited us to their rooms for end-of-afternoon conversations; the beautiful blessing sung one noon in the House of Deputies by three religious leaders, a Jew, a Muslim and a Christian; Bishop Charleston’s sermon calling us to our most sacred task of all, saving our endangered planet from ecological disaster so that our other good works won’t be in vain; firecrackers each night at 9:30 from—you guessed it!—Disneyland (two blocks away); meeting old friends from other dioceses, huddling with colleagues over pending legislation; daily Eucharists said in many languages with music from all over the world; our chaplain’s daily reflections; lines at coffee bars, salads in plastic boxes…………

UBUNTU (we are a part of each other) has been the theme of this General Convention. UBUNTU refers to the connections that link us to each other, the bonds that hold us together. As Jesus abides in us and we in him, so we also abide in each other. We have learned that those bonds join us to Anglicans everywhere, to human beings everywhere, to every animal and plant and thing in God’s creation, and to those who come after us. UBUNTU is from God. UBUNTU is God’s mission, Jesus’ mission, as it is also our mission and the mission of our beloved Episcopal Church.

So we leave tomorrow, not severing our ties with one another but mindful of our continuing, indispensible connections and of the great work that remains for us all. Let us go in peace and we’ll see you soon!!

The Rev. Anne Stanley
Clerical Deputy
Christ Church, Norway

The whole Anaheim gang gathers for a last supper

Today was a busy day for GC deputies and bishops and delegates to the ECW Triennial gathering. Both houses passed the 2010-2012 $140.8 million budget and loads of legislation. Tomorrow the House of Deputies will take up the last major resolution, C056, which deals with same-gender blessings and offers pastoral room for dioceses where civil marriage is legal.

Once business is over tomorrow, the Maine contingent will start to disperse in various directions that all eventually lead back home to Maine. To say thanks, Bishop Steve invited everyone to be his guest for dinner. And here they all are, except for me, Heidi Shott, who is taking the photo from a perch that wasn’t intended for photo-taking. Barbi Tinder got a photo of that but she doesn’t have the password for this blog so’s to post it. ; ) Sorry, Barbi.

Everyone’s tired but happy for good work accomplished, old and new friends made, and a renewed sense of the possibility of the Episcopal Church’s role in being a transformative force for the Gospel of Christ in Maine and the world.  Thanks be to God.

Clockwise starting with Jesse Ross in the stroller, Brenda Hamilton, Rita Redfield, Ben Shambaugh, Barbi Tinder, Jim Tinder, Peter Bickford, Gretchen Lane, Gordon Gayer, Anne Stanley, Lev Sherman, Susan Mayer, Bonnie Studdiford, Linton Studdiford, Michael Ambler, +Steve Lane.

New Photos from General Convention

Here are photos of the Triennial Gathering and the Deputation on the floor of the House of Deputies

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Bishop Steve gets behind the camera while visiting the House of Deputies

Deputy of the Day – July 15

What a beautiful place here – but not like Maine.

We have been busy from the start.  I happen to be on the Joint Standing Commission for Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F).  Our responsibility is to establish priorities and present the General Convention a balanced budget.

This afternoon the budget was presented to a joint session of both houses.  As reflected by the changes in our economy, the Commission faced a huge deficit between income and expenses.  To accomplish a balanced budget, the first thing we did was to give financial relief to the dioceses (I know this seems backwards)  in the form of an increase in the amount of the deductible and a staggered reduction of the percent of diocesan asking of the rest of the income, 21% in 2010, 20% in 2011, 19% in 2012 respectively.  This process widened the deficit to more than $20 million dollars.

There were several threads we followed to make spending reductions.

1. Can something be done well at the diocesan level
2. Reduce travel of all by having electronic meetings  (I think I need a laptop.)
3. What areas of the Episcopal Church Center could be reduced in staff and non-staff areas.

It was a huge task but we did it.  There is a transparency in this budget that is an improvement – no gimmicks – no hidden costs.  This was a prayerful process for all of us.  As difficult as this was I hope to serve on PB&F again in Indianapolis in 2012.  I want to say “Hi” to all back home and thank you for your prayers.  We’ll be home soon.

Peter Bickford
Chair of the Maine Deputation
Christ Church, Norway

The Triennial Gathering women are on the “Go!”

The 300 women attending the ECW Triennial meeting are an inspiring company of which I was pleased to be a part of these last eight days.  We’ve enjoyed several inspiring workshops, heard amazing speakers, and worshipped together, singing heartily.  We are known by the other two houses,  Bishops and Deputies, as the House of Joy!

As women, we are especially proud to have both houses led by extraordinary women, Presiding Bishop Katharine and President Bonnie Anderson, the latter being re-elected to a second term.  Their leadership style is calm, confident, unbiased and, at times, sweetly  human!

Speakers in our assembly were known to most but were new to me.  The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, retired President and Dean of Episcopal Divinity School, emotes such passion for justice for all, one trembles.  He punctuates his delivery most often with the word, “listen” – drawing us even more keenly to his message.

Another passionate speaker was Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina.  He came through loud and clear in a truly Southern evangelistic manner, Amens and all, exhorting us to “Go!” and recalling for us all whom God told to “Go!”  Adam, Moses, Noah, Abraham,  Ask me about the reason he gave us for Sarah’s laughter!

The Rev. Dr. Ellen Sloan, chaplain at General Seminary in New York City, served as our chaplain.  What a gift for prayer she has, using real words, real feelings.  She almost glows!

The Bishops of Mississippi and Louisiana updated us on the reconstruction efforts of the Gulf Coast.  Episcopal Relief and Development and Episcopal Church Women efforts have helped the most.  They had nothing positive to saw regarding federal relief but thanked us profoundly.

The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke to us regarding these “slightly dramatic times” and how similar we are to Britain’s Mother’s Union.  Dr. Helen Aquirvandusa, appointed by the Archbishop, serves as the Anglican Observer for the United Nations.  She referred to women as the “vein” of the Communion as it is her job to communicate the business of the U.N.  to the Anglican Communion.

Our meeting was also addressed by Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief and Development, which enjoys a four star rating on Charity Navigator, meaning very low administration cost allows a high percentage of money to go directly to the people in need.  ERD has reached 2.5 million people in 46 countries in the past year.  Other interesting points:

- The Diocese of Puerto Rico gave the most to ERD’s three-year campaign to fund the Millennium Development Goals.

- The Episcopal Church has a higher per person giving rate than the Lutheran, Methodist, or Baptist churches.

He noted that federal programs did not respond to flooding in Kansas City or tornados in Oklahoma this spring.

During a Share Fair session, several dioceses set up displays of pet projects and shared information and instructions.  There will come back to Maine with me along with soooo much more to share with the women of Maine.

This has been a personally transforming experience for me.  It has confirmed in my heart my passion for helping when and where we women of the church are able and called upon to do so.  There is much to do in the world that is hurting.  Maine is a great place to being – “Go!”

Susan Mayer
Delegate to the ECW Triennial Gathering
St. Margaret’s, Belfast

Some photos from July 14

Here are some photos from today’s late afternoon deputation gathering and the Province 1 dinner. There’s also a sweet pic of the Lanes with their daughter Emily Ross of Ohio who is serving as a Staff Supervisor for Public Safety. Gretchen is spending the daytime hours with Emily’s six month-old daughter, Jesse, who is charming everyone she meets.

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All orders of ministry open to all who are qualified

Today the House of Deputies concurred on an amended version of Resolution D025 (below), which was passed by both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies by a wide margin. The resolution effectively sweeps away the moratorium on consenting to the bishop elections of qualified gay or lesbians urged in the closing hours of the 2006 General Convention in Columbus. For a detailed news report that focuses on the resolution’s implications for the Episcopal Church’s place in the Anglican Communion, click here.

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.