From Walking With Integrity:
There was no room at the inn this afternoon for press in the House of Bishops. The reporter from the LA Times was the last one in and had to run around pleading for a chair until an extra one was brought up. Only the question of blessing same gender relationships could bring such excitement after the passage of D025.
....
So what are we left with –
1) local option – in other words each bishop can decide what is appropriate especially given the different legal situations. This has been the situation informally and unofficially but now it’s out in the open.
2) The collection and development of theological and liturgical resources.
This seems to reflect a sentiment mentioned several times by bishops over the past week, that we need to develop our theological ideas BEFORE we develop liturgies, not the other way round. It also provides some breathing space for the more conservative.
We’ll see what the Deputies do.
Read the final text and more at Integrity's website.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Lord And The Biker
My friends, I really, really am going to write about the my time in Anaheim at General Convention 2009 of the Episcopal Church. Since I returned home, I've had a million things to do. My son had his children, and today I wanted to do something with them, since they were headed back to be with their mom for a week. I haven't had time to write anything lengthy or anything that required thinking or concentration. Tomorrow, I hope to write about the convention.
In the meantime, here is another joke.
A man was riding his Harley along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."
The biker pulled over and said, "Thank you, Lord. My entire life I have had but one dream and that is to see Hawaii. However, I am afraid to fly, especially with all the plane crashes these days. And any time I even see a ship, yet alone get in even a rowboat, I get sea sick. Lord, please build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."
The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous undertaking; the supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific, and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."
The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I wish that I, and all men, could understand our women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she really means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."
The Lord replied, "You want two lanes, or four on that bridge?"!!!!!!!
From Doug.
In the meantime, here is another joke.
A man was riding his Harley along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, "Because you have TRIED to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish."
The biker pulled over and said, "Thank you, Lord. My entire life I have had but one dream and that is to see Hawaii. However, I am afraid to fly, especially with all the plane crashes these days. And any time I even see a ship, yet alone get in even a rowboat, I get sea sick. Lord, please build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want."
The Lord said, "Your request is materialistic. Think of the enormous undertaking; the supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific, and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind."
The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, "Lord, I wish that I, and all men, could understand our women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she really means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make a woman truly happy."
The Lord replied, "You want two lanes, or four on that bridge?"!!!!!!!
From Doug.
"Remaining Hopeful"
Hi there,
Thought I'd share this one. Some of you receiving this message live in my native NH where you have long known that allowing LGBT people to participate at all levels in the church has not destroyed it. I hope that becomes true in all quarters, but I know it will take time, prayer and patience.
Here's my blog entry:
Peace,
SCG
SCG's post is well worth reading. Here's a snippet:
Still, I wish it were that people wouldn’t see the gains made by the LGBT community as losses to them. The assumption seems to be that if I get a pork chop, then I must have been given the whole pig. Believe me when I say, "It’s just a pork chop, and there’s plenty of loin and bacon for you, too!" To put it in terms of Scripture, one need only look at the feeding of the five thousand to see that all who come and sit down on the grass will be given exactly what they need, exactly the portion they need… and there still will be left-overs. Do not be afraid.
We must never forget that setting people free is not a zero-sum game - if you gain, I lose - NOT!
Thought I'd share this one. Some of you receiving this message live in my native NH where you have long known that allowing LGBT people to participate at all levels in the church has not destroyed it. I hope that becomes true in all quarters, but I know it will take time, prayer and patience.
Here's my blog entry:
Peace,
SCG
SCG's post is well worth reading. Here's a snippet:
Still, I wish it were that people wouldn’t see the gains made by the LGBT community as losses to them. The assumption seems to be that if I get a pork chop, then I must have been given the whole pig. Believe me when I say, "It’s just a pork chop, and there’s plenty of loin and bacon for you, too!" To put it in terms of Scripture, one need only look at the feeding of the five thousand to see that all who come and sit down on the grass will be given exactly what they need, exactly the portion they need… and there still will be left-overs. Do not be afraid.
We must never forget that setting people free is not a zero-sum game - if you gain, I lose - NOT!
Thought For The Day - Richard Rohr
Our worthiness is given to us, like our DNA, like our genes. We were created in “the image and likeness of God.” That was resolved in the first chapter of the Bible (Genesis 1:26)! But not many unpackaged that for us — in its immense and life changing implications.
Adapted from The Cosmic Christ (CD#1)
Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr.
Adapted from The Cosmic Christ (CD#1)
Daily Meditations by Richard Rohr.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Good News! Please Continue To Pray
From Doxy:
This came in this evening:
Thanks be to God and for all your prayers! Keep them coming, if you will. No matter what happens after this, Jim and Ruthie were given a gift today---and I firmly believe that each of you played a part in that. May the Holy Spirit bless and keep you all in the shelter of Her loving wings tonight, and always.
Much love,
Doxy
This came in this evening:
David's eldest sister called to report that Ruthie and Jim had really encouraging news today. I am sending this message while she is away. The MRI showed no visible tumor. There is a suspicion, but the neuro-oncologist and the radial oncologist think it may be due to surgery. To continue to keep the tumor at bay, Jim will start back on chemotherapy. Jim and Ruthie are, of course, delighted with these results.
Thanks be to God and for all your prayers! Keep them coming, if you will. No matter what happens after this, Jim and Ruthie were given a gift today---and I firmly believe that each of you played a part in that. May the Holy Spirit bless and keep you all in the shelter of Her loving wings tonight, and always.
Much love,
Doxy
Einstein's Theory
Einstein was born March 14, 1879. He would be 129 if he were alive today. Few people remember that the Nobel Prize winner married his cousin, Elsa Lowenthal, after his first marriage dissolved in 1919. At the time he stated that he was attracted to Elsa because she was so well-endowed.
He postulated that if you are attracted to women with large breasts, the attraction is even stronger if there is a DNA connection.
This came to be known as...
Einstein's Theory of "Relative Titty "
Oh, quit groaning! I don't write this shit....
I receive it from my warped friends and then send it on to you, another warped friend.
From my warped friend, Doug. I AM NOT WARPED!
I've been good for too long. The wicked me has been in check for several days due to spending so much time in the company of clergy and bishops, and I needed to give that part of me a little rope (to hang itself?). I've heard this one before, too, so you don't have to tell me if you did. It made me laugh out loud again, so into a post it goes.
The good me says not to include the picture that came with the joke.
He postulated that if you are attracted to women with large breasts, the attraction is even stronger if there is a DNA connection.
This came to be known as...
Einstein's Theory of "Relative Titty "
Oh, quit groaning! I don't write this shit....
I receive it from my warped friends and then send it on to you, another warped friend.
From my warped friend, Doug. I AM NOT WARPED!
I've been good for too long. The wicked me has been in check for several days due to spending so much time in the company of clergy and bishops, and I needed to give that part of me a little rope (to hang itself?). I've heard this one before, too, so you don't have to tell me if you did. It made me laugh out loud again, so into a post it goes.
The good me says not to include the picture that came with the joke.
Reminder: The Episcopal Church Is More Than The US
The picture shows the flags of the countries of the delegates present in the House of Deputies. I tried to find a list of the countries, but I could not.
Here's a list of dioceses from outside the US:
Churches in Europe
Colombia
Dominican Republic
Ecuador -- Central
Ecuador -- Litoral
Haiti
Honduras
Micronesia
Taiwan
Venezuela
Virgin Islands
Louie Crew has a list of all the deputations at the convention.
Thanks to Leigh for the information.
Join With "Disney Be Faithful"
From Elizabeth at Telling Secrets:
This afternoon at 4:30, I will join hundreds of other Episcopalians here at Convention as well as other religious leaders from the area in supporting the Prayer Vigil and March organized by the group "Disney Be Faithful," representing 2150 employees of the three Disneyland Hotels: Paradise Pier, Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel.
....
When I signed up to march last Monday, I was approached by one of the organizers with a request I agreed to but I'm still processing.
"Mother," he said (as I winced), "would you stay with us at the end of the march? We're asking some of the clergy to anoint the workers, and it would be wonderful to have you with us."
....
"You may not be aware, Mother," he said politely, "that for the workers, this Prayer Vigil and March is a big risk. We need to be anointed for the work of justice, after this event, so that we will find the strength to go back to our jobs. Just a little sign from God that He will continue to be with us after the support of this event."
"We know you have probably not brought your oils with you to this place, so we will have some for you. Will you help us? It would mean so much to some of us for a woman to anoint us for the work of justice."
"Anointed for justice."
Elizabeth mentioned the request to me and asked me what I thought, and I said, "Elizabeth, it's a lovely idea. Do it." And I'm so very pleased that she said, "Yes". Please join with the group in spirit and in prayer.
My God fill them with the Holy Spirit. My God give them strength and courage. May God protect them from all harm during and after their march and vigil.
That's 4:30 PST.
This afternoon at 4:30, I will join hundreds of other Episcopalians here at Convention as well as other religious leaders from the area in supporting the Prayer Vigil and March organized by the group "Disney Be Faithful," representing 2150 employees of the three Disneyland Hotels: Paradise Pier, Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel.
....
When I signed up to march last Monday, I was approached by one of the organizers with a request I agreed to but I'm still processing.
"Mother," he said (as I winced), "would you stay with us at the end of the march? We're asking some of the clergy to anoint the workers, and it would be wonderful to have you with us."
....
"You may not be aware, Mother," he said politely, "that for the workers, this Prayer Vigil and March is a big risk. We need to be anointed for the work of justice, after this event, so that we will find the strength to go back to our jobs. Just a little sign from God that He will continue to be with us after the support of this event."
"We know you have probably not brought your oils with you to this place, so we will have some for you. Will you help us? It would mean so much to some of us for a woman to anoint us for the work of justice."
"Anointed for justice."
Elizabeth mentioned the request to me and asked me what I thought, and I said, "Elizabeth, it's a lovely idea. Do it." And I'm so very pleased that she said, "Yes". Please join with the group in spirit and in prayer.
My God fill them with the Holy Spirit. My God give them strength and courage. May God protect them from all harm during and after their march and vigil.
That's 4:30 PST.
"Bonne fête de Bastille!"
Image stolen from Paul the BB.
Further celebratory posts at
Counterlight's Peculiars
Noble Wolf
Ellie Finlay
Helping Us Stay Together
Indeed, those of us who rejoice in D025 owe much to Dr. Williams for helping to move forward the passage of the resolution. Without his scoldings and other contributions to the discussions, the resolution may not have passed both houses at GC09. In any case, I'm quite sure that the votes would not have been so very lopsided.
Picture and caption courtesy of MadPriest. Bravo, Jonathan!
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