A Word From Canon Stevenson

From the Canon to the Ordinary E. Mark Stevenson , of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana:

I must begin by thanking all of those from our diocese, both bishop's staff and volunteers, who put so much of themselves into the logistics of these many days. The people of the Diocese of Louisiana can and should be proud of a terrific Planning Committee.
....

As to the House of Bishop's meeting itself, I feel privileged to say that as canon to the host bishop I was able to witness and participate in a great deal of the day to day functioning of the House. This experience has affected me greatly, and it is to this that I wish to address much of my reflection.

First and foremost, I was (and am still) extremely proud of our bishop. Many might think that I only say this because I work for the man, but I say it because I believe it to be true. Bishop Jenkins is an important leader in the House, and he showed that leadership in key ways at this meeting. He stood before the bishops, the visitors and the press and spoke of mission, Christian sacrifice, the dignity of every human being, the importance of mutual accountability and the importance of our Anglican Communion. When the House seemed to be drifting too far one way or the other, he gathered and participated in coalitions of bishops to help find a way back on track. And when the tension got so high that you could feel it in the air, he broke it open with his quick wit and self-deprecating comments (my favorite: "I feel like I just got hit by a stolen beer truck on the way to the Superdome.")
....

What I experienced included these things: I heard bishops on both sides speak from places of entrenchment and fear of loss, and yet I witnessed many others speak from a place of sacrifice and acknowledgment that it would require the power of God's grace to move us forward. I saw bishops on both sides move further to the extreme, and yet I saw others move ever-so-cautiously from long-held places of comfort to a place of risk. I heard words of encouragement and I heard words of doom. I saw the Episcopal Church and/or the Anglican Communion proclaimed dead, and I saw both alive and vibrant.

I was honored to be able to sit in a room at one point with several bishops, our bishop among them, and listen to men and women with extreme differences of opinion tug and pull at words to deliver to the floor of the House, words that would honor the Gospel and Christ's mission for us as Episcopalians. Contrary to what is being reported on many of the internet blogs or in the media, the statement that was passed at the end of the meeting was not "prepared well in advance," or crafted so as to "buy time" - - it was the result of prayer and consultation and hope and agreement in the face of disagreement, because it was informed and directed by the work of such groups as the one in which I sat. It was informed by bishops - left and right - who said (and I heard them say it) that this will be tough for them back home, but it is important because Christ's Church is important.
....

Two years ago, hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. But from that devastation has come new life and a renewed commitment to the mission and ministry of Christ Jesus in our midst. My prayer is that a rebirth has come to that part of Christ's body known as the Episcopal Church in that very same place, a place where all have come together and joined hands and wills for the work of the Kingdom of God.

COMMENT: As a member of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, I join with Canon Stevenson to thank Bishop Jenkins and all those who helped plan and carry out the hosting of House of Bishops meeting and other activities associated with the gathering. The two services that I attended - the ecumenical service and the Sunday morning Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral - were resounding successes. I know that many inside and outside the diocese worked very hard to bring all of this to fruition. I am proud of the leadership and the people in my diocese for their hard work and gracious welcome to all who came to New Orleans.

That the bishops decided to meet in New Orleans and see for themselves the devastation there and in Mississippi is a credit to them. Perhaps it was helpful to them to keep in mind the work of mission in the church. To see pictures of the bishops themselves doing the work of rebuilding is most gratifying.

Canon Stevenson's prayer is my prayer.