July 8, 2018 - Issue #6
We love Jesus
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Revival worship & TEConversation on evangelism
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PB Preaches at Austin Revival: God is love and gives life
PB_Curry: "Go from this place and heal our lands. Go from this place and heal our world. Go from this place until justice rolls down. Go from this place until the nightmare is over, until God's dream is realized. Go and help us live!"
Check out more on the PB's Twitterfeed
here
,
Last night's
revival worship was held at the Palmer Center in Austin.
Click here or above to watch the livestreamed session (navigate to Saturday's Revival Worship.) The worship bulletin
is here. The PB has been leading a series of Episcopal Revivals around the country, with the next scheduled for the Diocese of Western Mass on Oct 20-21, 2018. More info on
this page.
Worship was followed by a special event hosted by the Diocese of Texas.
TEConversation on Evangelism
Earlier in the day, members of both Houses met together for the second of three conversations, this one focused on evangelism. There were three live speakers (see photos, and
bios here), and interludes included a video of the Rev. Eric McIntosh, priest in charge of St. James, Penn Hills PA, plus a musical offering by the Episcopal Youth Event House Band. Afterwards people were asked to talk to one another about what caught their attention from the speakers, and later to reflect on what they needed to take the next steps in their church or diocese.
Link here for resource material.
Read the ENS article about the evangelism TEConversation. As the speakers finished up and House members began conversation, I noted that there were 145 people online. Remember you can watch these live (Central Time!) or on-demand later, at the
Media Hub.
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[
The Rev. Dr. Lauren Winner
]
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[The Rev. Daniel Vélez-Rivera ]
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[The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe]
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ECCT's deputies and bishops (and Official Youth Presence rep) who were there for the TEConversation on Evangelism. (thx for sending the photo, Alli!)
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A068 Prayer Book Revision passes the first House
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In their excellent report, which you can
find here, the Standing Commission on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music (SCLM) offered GC79 two major resolutions for prayer book revision. One was a full, multi-year process of revision with all sorts of people and perspectives consulted (A068); the other was an intensive dive into how we use the BCP as a tool for evangelism (A069).
After intensive debate Friday afternoon that continued Saturday morning, the deputies voted to adopt an amended version of
A068. The revisions took into account much of what had been expressed in hearings and by deputies in debate. It clearly passed on a vote by orders: Clerical order, 63 yes, 30 no, 17 divided; Lay order, 69 yes, 26 no, 15 divided. (Divided means an even split)
Next, it will be scheduled for the HOB. If they reject it, it's over. If they amend it, it will need to go back to the HOD. Normally, resolutions related to prayer book, music, and liturgy go to the bishops first, but there was a separate legislative committee set up after the last General Convention to receive all of the various resolutions related to prayer book revision, and its House of Initial Action was the HOD. The regular legislative committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music received other resolutions including revisions to the BOS and LFF.
Here's a link to the ENS article about the HOD adopting A068 as amended.
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Legislative notes: Yesterday morning in the HOB
Photo: Phil Schentrup, with his family, addressed the HOB yesterday morning. Carmen Schentrup was a senior at
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida, and was among those killed on Ash Wednesday.
I spent Saturday morning in the House of Bishops, even watching the final vote on A068 in HOD from the Media Hub while in the HOB. When I arrived, the bishops were about to hold an election for the GBEC members, and the Bp of Oklahoma stood to ask if voting directions were in Spanish. They were not, so the person overseeing the election then verbally described the rules, in Spanish.
Next, the bishops rejected
D035, a resolution submitted by ECCT's Deputy the Rev. Molly James, which provided a path for remediation among clergy. They felt it wasn't necessary and that other pathways for it existed.
A136, a resolution to establish a Standing Commission on Formation and Ministry Development, was also rejected, primarily because it called for creating a permanent commission. Other "interest groups" have been advised they couldn't have a permanent commission, and three years ago General Convention voted to disband all but two of its standing commissions in favor of more nimble task forces that would sunset unless renewed.
The bishops then rejected the seemingly innocuous (to me) resolution
A164, which called for them to report back on the continuing education they take, similar to what's required of clergy (at least in ECCT). After a very brief pause following the vote to reject, the PB said to the media in the room (we have a press area), with a laugh, "For the sake of the media here, we are in favor of continuing education we don’t want anyone to know about it." They carried on, but soon the Bp of Long Island stood to suggest they revisit it. He thought the bishops perhaps hadn't fully realized what they were voting on. They voted not to reconsider.
Here's a link to the rejected resolution text.
I don't know what to make of that. Too onerous? In the original canon, it stated that "the HOB shall require and provide for the continuing education of Bishops, and shall keep a record of such education," and the change sought by the resolution was to strike the line stating the HOB would keep the record, and add a line stating that each bishop would report her or his continuing ed to the HOB secretary, who would keep a record of it. This isn't a resolution that will change the world or effect people in the pews, but it's curious.
While they rejected having to submit reports of their continuing ed, they did not want to give up licensing Eucharistic Ministers. Resolution
C040 recommended removing Eucharistic Ministers from the list of lay church-related ministries that bishops license, and that they Eucharistic Ministers be licensed by local priests instead of bishops. But the chair of the legislative committee that presented the resolution, with the recommendation to the bishops to reject it, said it wasn't too much work for them and they wanted to ensure the persons were trained properly. They agreed and rejected it.
The next order of business was a presentation from members of the Official Youth Presence and the Young Adult Festival, who were in the gallery for the pre-arranged visit. They joined the PB and officers on the dais (at the PB's invitation) and two persons gave great presentations to the bishops. When they were done, the PB led the House in singing a verse of Amazing Grace, then offered his blessing to the youth and young adults. See photo below. OYP on
Twitter here. If I come across a transcript of the presentations I'll include them, otherwise, visit the Media Hub and watch the HOB session from Saturday morning, fast-forwarding to this part.
Alexa, play "Remarks" by "Official Youth Presence" on July 7. (Just a thought for the future ....)
The bishops watched a video of greetings from ecumenical and interreligious guests, who were also in the visitor's gallery, and the guests were welcomed by applause.
The bishops took up
A041 which calls for Episcopalians to educate themselves about the United Methodist Church and possible full communion with them. Several complained that the dialogue has been going on for 50 years, intensely for the last 15. They adopted it as amended.
They then passed
C022, which support anti-discrimination laws against transgendered and gender non-conforming persons, and urged advocacy for those laws. The Bp of Albany spoke against it, and the final vote to adopt included at least two "no" votes.
The HOB then heard a moving presentation by Phil Schentrup, the father of Carmen Schentrup, who was killed at Parkland School in Florida. He was joined by his wife April and their other children, Robert and Evelyn, and spoke about the importance of a supportive community. (Link to related
Sun Sentinel interview with the parents.) The Schentrups will be at today's BUAGV Public Witness in the morning. (Link to
ENS article on the remarks here.)
After the Schentrup's presentation the PB asked the bishops to stand for a moment of silence. He led them in saying the Lord's Prayer, offered a blessing, and suggested they take a five minute recess before resuming their agenda.
When they returned, they took up
A013, which asks for a new senior staff position to oversee care for creation initiatives, and continuation of the related task force. After much debate, some of it similar to previous arguments about wanting to stay nimble and find creative new ways to work instead of relying on institutional approaches, the bishops voted to adopt it.
Resources
Virtual Binder (search for resolutions, hearings, calendar, etc. .) Note that resolutions come with recommendations from the legislative committees (separate for each House) on how to vote.
Remember that the HOB and HOD sessions, the TEConversations, and the worship at the Convention Center are livestreamed and will be available on demand later, on the
Media Hub.
You can also watch the nightly video show, General Convention Live, at 4:30 p.m. in English, or 6:30 p.m. in Spanish.
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Coming up today in legislation (sessions start at 3:15 p.m. CT)
HOB Consent (taken as a group) calendar includes (among many others):
D054, Expand YASC and EVIM support
D061, Develop Episcopal Gap Year Program
A010, Planting of Paris Groves (a less camp-focused and less directive version than the original)
HOD Consent (taken as a group) calendar includes (among many others)
A049, Create a task force on sexual harassment
A110, Create a single Court of Review
B010, Concerning the service of the Church (Sunday Eucharist principal, or preferred) - refer to SCLM
C034, Create a task force for ministry to people with mental illness and their families
HOD Legislative (one-at-a-time) calendar includes (among many others):
B012, Marriage rites for the whole church
B007, Ethical Investing in Gun Manufacturers
A147, Pilot board for Episcopal Transitions (hugely revised to appoint a task force, instead, to assist the OPD, rather than a board to replace its work)
A088, Proposed Guidelines for Amending Church Records (substitute)
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Why we love The Episcopal Church ...
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ECCT member James-Paul Cosman Forbes, blue shirt in back, left of center, with other members of the Official Youth Presence and young adults attending the concurrent Young Adult Festival, in the HOB where two young persons gave presentations to the bishops.
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A banner on a streetlight in downtown Austin gives a welcome to The Episcopal Church. You can also get a discount from some restaurants when you wear your General Convention name badge. Some will argue that just being part of this extensive, diverse, inclusive, not-always-agreeing, passionate-about-Jesus community might be the best perk.
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People: In the Convention Center
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Claudia Dixon, left, ECCT's ECW Treasurer and the Rev. Ellen Kennedy, ECCT's ECW chaplain, sit in the visitor's gallery during the TEConversation on Evangelism. ECW Triennial delegates join open GC worship and other events when their schedules allow.
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Deputy Alli Huggins hands out promotional buttons from CT-based immigration and refugee agency IRIS of New Haven to passers-by. To distribute buttons, or flyers or other material, you have to stand behind the barrier in designated areas, as in the photo.
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Upcoming events (Central Time)
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TODAY
July 8: 12:30 p.m. ECW Distinguished Woman Luncheon (ECCT will honor Shirley Greiman)
July 8: 6 p.m. Latino Fiesta
July 8: 8 p.m. Integrity Eucharist
July 8: 7:30 p.m. ECCT Dinner (ticketed)
July 9: 6:30 p.m. Province I Caucus
July 13: Final day
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Media Hub (link on the image at left)
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Livestream and on demand:
- Worship (including 7/4 Listening Session)
- HOB and HOD sessions
- TEConversations
- Daily newscasts (4:30 English, 6:30 Spanish)
Links to:
- Episcopal News Service (ENS) articles
- Calendars/Schedules
- Legislation (Virtual Binder)
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Resolution info
- "Virtual Binder" - all resolutions to date (gear image at top right allows you to switch between Houses and between Spanish and English.) See the infographic for help deciphering the terminology.
- "Blue Book" - reports from all the official committees, commissions, and task forces that have worked since the last General Convention in 2015, with all of their proposed resolutions ("A" resolutions)
- ECCT's graphic depiction of how a resolution moves through General Convention. Key steps, terminology, in the process.
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Link to glossary & terminology:
Here
or click on image. Let me know of others to add.
Contact Karin Hamilton by
email
or cell, 860-608-6969
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Karin Hamilton | Canon for Mission Communication & Media | khamlton@episcopalct.org | 860-608-6969
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