Nebraska Deputation to General Convention 2006

ALL IS WELL#4

2006-06-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Convention ended after 6:00 pm last night with the House of Deputies giving the House of Bishops and particularly what the Presiding and the Presiding Bishop Elect wanted ie. a statement that there in effect would be no election and consereation of Bishops "whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church". The first test of this will be the election scheduled in the Diocese of Newark next month, but even should it chose and openly gay or lesbian individual, it is doubtful the election would pass a majority of the Bishops and Standing Committees of TEC. It was interesting to note that Bishop Robinson of New Hampshire voted for this Resolution B033. Also of interest is that the Resolution was oppossed by the extremes of the church, those supporting the gay and lesbian agenda and those threatening to leave the church because of the consecreation of Bishop Robinson. Their manuvering tied up this Convention's legislative sessions on almost every issue in an effort to keep any of the proposed responses to the Winsor Report from passage. They were almost successful as we did not get down to business until 5:30 pm on Monday with just two days left. Finally on the last day the moderates of both Houses had enough and took control of the issue and saw to it that the rest on the "must do business was done before adjornment. In the House of Deputies the President in an attempt to give everyone an opportunity to be heard fell victim to the plans of the extremes of the House who showed him and Committee 26 ( the committee in charge of the Winsor response), and as a result the process, little respect. My hope is that those beating the drum of the "me now generation" will come to understand what the word "Reconcilliation" means as we go forward.
On the much brighter side, my hat goes off to the ECW. They had a great convention and showed the unity we in the House sought. Our Nebraska delegation to the ECW sure made my experience a more meaningful one.
A word about Bishop Joe and our Deputation, I was proud to be apart of this serious group of Christians. We did not always agree but I assure you each of us acted in what we truly believed was in the best interest of our Church.
Finally, Katherine Jefferts Schori is going to carry the Gospel forward in a way that will cause all of us to look into ourselves to see if we are ready to "give it up" for Jesus. In other words she is going to put us on the spot to put our Chrisitianity first and to alter our priories accordingly. I am thankful for the opportnity to again carry the Nebraska banner at a General Convention and I assure you all is well. Woody

Last from Columbus

2006-06-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

General Convention is over. The spin continues. It was a difficult day. After concurring with the House of Bishops a day or two ago (everything is in a bit of a fog for me) to the election of a Bishop for Northern California who had been divorced twice and married three times we then concurred with the House of Bishops to Resolution B-033 that included the phrase, "to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion". The contradiction is huge. What we all know, but did not say, is that "manner of life" translated is "living in a committed relationship with a member of the same sex".

Let me walk you through what led up to the vote on this resolution. After the Eucharist, the House of Bishops came to the floor of the House of Deputies and we were spoken to by The Most Rev. Frank Griswold. In effect we were told to vote for this resolution for the good of the Anglican Communion. We still want a place at the table of the Communion that we might be heard. Following this invasion of the House, debate began. It seemed to me that the debate was going down the same path as it had the day before when the House defeated A161 which said in effect the same thing as B-033. A parliamentary decision (which was protested) allowed B-033 to proceed. I believe that that decision was in error. What do I know, just a simple priest from the woods of Michigan, the mountains of Montana and the Great Plains of South Dakota and Nebraska? I still think that it was wrong and manipulative. Whatever, it was allowed. More debate, and then the trump card was played. Who was invited to speak to the House of Deputies but the newly elected to be Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori! You must remember that this is the same Presiding Bishop elect who had just been cheered by most of General Convention in response to her election. She made it very clear that she supports the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the full life of the Church but that she needed this resolution for now that conversations might continue with much of the Anglican Communion. Well, that became a dilemma. More debate and then the vote, by orders. I voted no. I did so for many reasons not the least of which was what I see as a growing sense of power in the House of Bishops at the expense of the House of
Deputies. We were in fact lectured about our action the day before and that we must pass B-033. That is where we are. B-033 can be interpreted any way that you like. It must be made clear however, to much of the Anglican Communion, that it is not what we mean. The deputation that sat in front of Nebraska was in tears. Many in the Episcopal Church were told to make the sacrifice of the Cross for the good of the many. "How long, O Lord!" The far left and the far right voted the same way for many different reasons. We were told that the Church has two heads and that when conjoined twins are considered for separation, both must be assured of "quality of life" or something like that. I do not accept that analogy either for the twins or for the Episcopal Church. I believe that we are asked to walk the hard way of the Cross even if we have to walk it alone. Seems to me that someone else did that as well. So, the Bishops of the Episcopal Church will now probably be invited to the Lambeth Conference, have tea with the Queen and have their picture taken. Then, eventually, the decision will be made that everyone is a child of God, that there are no outcasts, that love has no restrictions and that the Church is called to be the voice in the wilderness that cries out for the fullness and courage of the Gospel.

By the way, General Convention voted today to support A129 to affirm Creation and Evolution: "That the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith. Welcome to the 19th Century, we must not move too quickly!

I do not mean to be harsh and I apologize to those who receive these comments as so. We apologized for a lot of stuff today as well. Ironic, since we are in Columbus!

Dean Hurley

Long Day

2006-06-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

We started our day as usual with Eucharist, and then began our day with an announcement that we would be going late into the evening, as we are behind schedule. Not a surprise. We have an ambitious schedule as to resolutions for this gathering.

Perhaps the most contentious legislation is the response to the Windsor Report. Three of those pieces of legislation were voted on today. The first one being a leftover from debate the day before. It was one that was brought before us that attempted to put several subjects into one resolution. The topics being discussed were:

Ordination of Bishops

Same Sex Unions

Apology for the pain the resolution causes to our Gay and Lesbian members for the pain that the resolution might cause.

For many those subjects were the focus of this convention. The resolution that was put before us combined too many subjects, and was ambiguous at best in many ways.

With regard to Ordination of Bishops, it did not clearly state anything that would be acceptible to either side. In fact, all of the resolutions with in the overall legislation had that ambiguity.

It was something that was debated for several hours, and when it came time to vote on it, it was soundly defeated by both of the sides on this issue. When the dioceses of Fort Worth and Newark agree on anything it shows that the legislation was not acceptible to those who felt strongly on both sides. The middle of the road people voted for it, however the combination of the people on both sides (and some of the middle ground) combined to defeat it.

Two other resolutions on windsor were accepted as written. We have one last full day ahead of us, and I am looking forward to returning home to Nebraska. Truly this week was an example of how the Ostrich is an animal built by committee.

The reality is that this is a very complex issue for our church, and an inadequate response can and will cause more damage to our church than taking the time to make it right.

We finally finished our business at 9:30 ET and are resting up for the whirlwind of the last day.

More tomorrow,

Grant

It's a Girl

2006-06-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

IT’S A GIRL!
There are pink buttons on lapels throughout the Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio that read, “It’s a girl!” It is indeed! … and in many ways still unbelievable. I wake up in the morning and still think that there will be a recount or resolution to amend the vote … or something that will shatter this glorious bubble. But thanks be to God … it looks like it will stand!
By pure accident, I was seated next to our new girl, Presiding Bishop-Elect, Katharine Jefferts Schori at the Women’s Caucus breakfast the morning of her election. I was impressed by her complimentary balance of intellect and pastoral nature and most impressed by her humility.
One of the award recipients at the Women’s Caucus breakfast, in accepting her award, reflected on the first time she heard a woman celebrant say the words of consecration, “this is my body which is given for you …” and she realized that it was for her … a girl. Bishop Katherine and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes because we knew exactly how she felt and we were reminded of the fact that there are still many women who have not yet heard the words spoken in their own voice.
The ECW celebrated with great jubilation the 30 years of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church here at GC. They made a paper chain with the names of the women ordained in their dioceses which stretched around the ECW meeting space at the convention center. Our ECW will be bringing home our piece of the chain to display at Annual Council.
The E3 Youth Event and the Young Adult Programs have come to an end, but not before they witnessed this historic moment. The young girls here at convention were all in tears following the announcement and they know now that they can be anything in the Church!
When I left the House of Deputies today, weighed down by the often tedious debate on resolutions that move so painfully slow at times, I got on the bus headed for my hotel. I sat next to a quiet man from the Diocese of Nevada whose name on his badge read, Richard Schori (the husband of our new PB-Elect). He too, was still in unbelief. Words from the mouth of the one who knows her best said, “Katherine is fearless and faithful … and we are in for the time of our lives.”
It is indeed a girl! It has already been the time of my life to simply be present and to witness this historic moment in the life of our church that only 30 years would have been unbelievable.
The Spirit is alive and well in the Episcopal Church and I have never been more humbled to be an Episcopalian. Pray that the Spirit may continue to lead and guide us into the reign of God.

Judi

ALL IS WELL #3

2006-06-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well she did it. Katherine Jefferts Schori the Bishop of Nevada got the 95 votes she needed on the fifth ballot to become the 26th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. It was a suprise but only because few expected the House of Bishops to pick a progressive female candidate to head our church, but that makes her election all the more special. I have never seen a room fill with so much joy as her name was announced. Most of that joy was evidenced by the women present who saw this as a sign that all things are possible for them in their ministries. With Bonnie Anderson's election as President of the House of Deputies two outstanding women will hold the highest offices in the Church for the next six years.
On Monday morning I walked into the hall housing the morning Eucharist. Each day about 2,200 participate. This year the music has been varied and outstanding. As I walked to my prayer table I noticed that instead of a choir or a band there was a young attractive blond women with a twelve string quitar standing off to the side with a man playing a cello seated next to her. The service began and she began to sing. The vast hall was suddenly filled with the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. She was so good that when she led the hymns it appeared as if we all lowered our voices so we would not miss one of her notes. When the service ended those assembled gave her a standing ovation and some us stayed around when she agreed to play a little while longer. I turned to one off my table mates, Ross Doeblin a youth pastor from Wisconsin and asked who she was. He looked quizically at me and said " where have you been, that's Elisabeth von Trapp". Well the Bishop heard her and managed to meet her and if we are lucky she may be appearing at this falls Annual Council. Keep your fingers crossed. All is well. Woody

Watch Out

2006-06-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

Be careful what you read. The spin is on and how it whirls! This was a difficult day and evening on the floor of the House of Deputies. While the budget of the Episcopal Church passed with little debate, the resolutions regarding the Windsor Report was another matter. How some Deputies like to speak at the microphone and how frequently do the same people speak!

When the "Windsor Resolutions" came to a vote, Committee 26 Special Legislative Committee Report #6 on A161 (Anglican Communion Election of Bishops)was defeated. One online headline declares "GC Resolution on Moratoria Defeated Decisively in Deputies". A161 included "to refrain from nomination, election, consent to, and consecration of bishops whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion". The intent was to prohibit the "consecration of any Bishop living openly in a same-gender union". But, what does manner of life really mean? We are so fixated on sexuality as the touch stone of orthodoxy. I am tired of it. Perhaps manner of life should refer to Christians who live in opulence while so many of God's people live in a daily struggle for food and clean water. Perhaps it could mean many things. Many of us believe that A161 is just a bad piece of legislation. It attempts to conform the American Church to the requirements of the Windsor Report and then concludes "Resolved that this General Convention apologize to those gay and lesbian Episcopalians and their supporters hurt by these decisions". It has also been reported that this resolution was defeated by an agreement between the two extremes to do so. Obviously for different reasons.

I am concerned about a joint session of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies tomorrow morning called by the Presiding Bishop. Rumor has it that we will be instructed in the "necessary language" to conform to the requirements of the Windsor Report. If something new comes following this "emergency session" it will be a document filled with hazy language that the Episcopal Church will interpret one way with the hope that some in the Anglican Communion will interpret another. I suggest that whatever happens tomorrow that everyone watches out for the reporting of our actions. It will be spun every which way from Sunday.

Dean Hurley

Here we go!

2006-06-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Debate has begun on the various resolutions in response to the Windsor Report. Before we get to that I must mention that The Diocese of Ft. Worth began the day by asking for alternative primatial oversight in response to the election of the new Presiding Bishop who as you know is a woman. I understand the reasoning of the conservative reaction to the ordination of women but I don't really understand this. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has greater access to the broad spectrum of the Anglican Communion and other leaders of religious and secular governments. To say that the Presiding Bishop is the leader of the Episcopal Church is a bit of a stretch. While there is no one other individual who could lay claim to that position, any Diocesan Bishop probably has more true authority (be that in their own diocese) than the Presiding Bishop has in the Episcopal Church. The Presiding Bishop is not an Archbishop. The new Presiding Bishop will be "installed" in November in the National Cathedral but is not ordained nor consecrated. While she might be the "voice" of the Episcopal Church any Episcopalian could say in response, "isn't that special". I do not doubt that the new Presiding Bishop will have prophetic and powerful words to say to the church both inside the Episcopal Church and to others, but her office has very little power. How a woman Presiding Bishop could possibly be a threat to conservative diocese, I do not understand.

The Windsor Report. One resolution (with amendment) passed in the House of Deputies. It is evident that words have power. We changed "breached" to "strained" and that word change allowed passage of the resolution. The Episcopal Church now takes responsibility for "straining the bonds of affection" (I think it said)rather than "breaching" them by the actions of General Convention in 2003. We began debate on another resolution that in effect would disallow the election of any bishop living in an open same sex relationship. One deputy mentioned that it must then be acceptable if the relationship is kept secret. Impassioned debate followed and at 7:00 PM we chose to be in recess until tomorrow morning. We await a ruling to begin the day asking if the resolution as it stands is in violation of canon law. If this resolution comes to a vote I cannot predict the results. I do believe that "justice delayed, is justice denied".

Continue to pray for the Church.

Dean Hurley

Nebraska Deputation to General Convention 2006

2006-06-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Nebraska Deputation to General Convention 2006
Th have a woman nominated for Presiding Bishop on the 30th anniversary of the approval of the ordinationof women was impressive, but I didn't think it was possible to elect a woman pb! I have sat at worship for the past week and engaged the gospel with Katherine JeffertsSchori and have been very impressed with her. I have saud fir severak days that she would make an excellent pb, but I didn't think it was possible. WOW!

One of the thingsd that impressed me as I sat in the alternates seating was how dignified the procedure is. Applause is not permitted in the House of Deputies when the results of votes are announced out of respect for those who do not agree. Some aplause was heard from the glallery, but I believe the members of the House honored this prohibition. I have been involved in the national conventions of several other organizations wher this respect for the oppositin would be unheard of. I was surprised that there was not more opposition when confirmation was debated on the floor and even more surprised with how overwhelming the vote was. For a woman who was denied the opportuity to go to seminary after college because the ordination of women was not possible, this is overwhelming. While we must continue to respect the feelings of those who will not agree with this election, it is certainly a new dy in The Epsicopal Church.

Chris

Late to the Dance!

2006-06-18T19:43:00.001-07:00

I went to seminary in 1969. From time that I left my beloved Michigan to the time that I reached New Haven, Connecticut I realized that something important had changed. What I left was a low church (it just seemed normal) Morning Prayer 1928 Prayer Book parish built on the 1955 or so model of the Church. What I found in the seminary chapel was a different (green book) Book of Common Prayer, incense and protests against the war in Vietnam. Women could certainly not be ordained as priests. Women bishops would have been a psychedelic trip. Berkeley Divinity School was absorbed by Yale. I was ordained a priest in 1973, women were ordained to the priesthood in 1976, in 1979 there was a new Prayer Book. Women began to be elected as Bishops. Issues of sexuality began to be talked about and now in 2006 we have a new Presiding Bishop-elect, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, a woman! I struggled vehemently with the ordination of women. I worked for the preservation of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. I wondered about the issues of sexuality. Many was the time that I believed that this was not what I had signed up for.

Why am I still here? I believe that God has a plan. Maybe better said, we continue to discover the will of God set down from the beginning of time. I am also aware that there are those who believe that the present state of affairs in the Episcopal Church is certainly not of God. I wish that I was as sure of God's will as so many seem to be. I rejoice with those who rejoice and I grieve with those who grieve.
I wrestle with God and God prevails.

Now that I begin to contemplate retirement, I realize that my faith journey would have been easier had I just gone along for the ride. That was not to be. I couldn't just go along. This was all too important. I am still here and the Church is still here and my faith is still here. The joyful music of heaven plays on and I realize that I am late for the dance but I am here and the dance with God goes on and we learn the new steps for a new time "and the beat goes on". May God bless and challenge and protect our blessed Episcopal Church for this time and the time to come.

Dean Hurley

Holy Buckets

2006-06-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

I came to General Convention expecting it to be one where there were few surprises. We would gather to endorse much if not all of the Windsor recommendations, we would elect a Presiding Bishop and get back to being the Episcopal Church and that would be that.

Then today happened, and I could not be more excited about the future of the Episcopal Church. We elected a fantastically gifted woman to become Presiding Bishop, who accepted this great honor by speaking to the assemble masses in both English and Spanish. As someone who I was talking to said, it was an amazing way to celebrate the diversity of our church and still listen to what God was calling us to be. One of the Bishops who was not elected spoke of today as one of the best of his life. That is an incredible statement.

I looked across the aisle to my mother who is a priest deputy from Southern Ohio and we both mouthed "Wow!!" to each other because it was not the outcome we expected. Given the way the Deputies voted to consent to the PB election, all but 14 in the lay and 13 in the clergy voted with a majority in support of the election, this was what God was calling us to do as a church. I know some will not like the choice, and we need to be pastoral and understanding to them. Other celebrate this as the "end of the question on women's ordination."

Whatever it is I cannot wait to see our new PB take her seat among the leaders of Christianity as the first female leader of a major denomination. Both conservatives and liberals speak of her gifts as being the ones we need for our church right now. That says something about how gifted she must be to win over people who would normally not vote in that way.

Grant

ALL IS WELL #2

2006-06-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

Last evening we gathered to honor, thank and pay tribute to the retiring President of the House of Deputies, The Very Reverend George L. W. Werner of the Diocese of Pittsburg and The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold the XXV Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church, USA (note that this is now the only way the Episcopal Church is to be referenced). Bound together by the death and resurrection of our Lord these two brought different styles of ministry to their duties that has not only kept us together but provided a light for the future.
George Werner brought the no nonsense of a New York City up bringing to the priesthood and coupled it with a warm heart and a great gift of gab. He proved that there was no one he could not get along with, he loved people and was loved in return. One of his greatest gifts to our Church is his involvement of young people in the Church. He has been successful and his efforts will positively impact TEC in the years to come. Every church in our Diocese will need to pick up on the techniques that he has sponsored.
At first glance Frank Griswold is the perfect symbol of a Bishop of The Episcopal Church both in style and pedigree, but the events of the last few years have shown a presence of the Holy Spirit that truly shines forth to cast a light on the whole of the Anglican Communion. Of all that was said about him, the most obvious to all was that he is "a man of prayer". I hope that in the years to come we all come to understand what that has meant and will continue to mean to TEC. Woody

LET'S GO!

2006-06-17T18:43:00.000-07:00

Many important things happened today, the nomination of candidates for our new Presiding Bishop (see Woody's post) the election of a new vice-president of the House of Deputies, and the passage of many resolutions that were necessary for the continuation of the internal workings of the Church. Other resolutions spoke to liturgical issues including additions to the Lesser Feasts and Fasts.

There is a sense however that General Convention would like to get on with some of the charged issues of the Church such as the Windsor Report. Rumors have begun to circulate. We need to get on with business. Tomorrow the new Presiding Bishop will be elected. Please pray for the process and the Bishops of the Church who will elect and the Bishop elected. The Church will do that Bishop no favor by electing.

We must learn to wait upon the Lord in the days ahead for this convention. If we are faithful, if we let the Holy Spirit lead us into a new place and put our trust in God, all will be well.

Dean Hurley

LET'S GO

2006-06-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

All IS WELL

2006-06-17T09:08:00.001-07:00

All is well in Columbus. The sun has shined every day and we are all in good health. Our Deputation is up beat and working hard. We are of diverse opinions on some major issues but have true affection for one another which should serve as well in the days ahead.
We elect a Presiding Bishop tomorrow, or more accurately the House of Bishops elects with the House of Deputies confirming. That system has been placed under study as there is some pressure to allow the House of Deputies to have a vote. That might not be so easy as the Rules of the House provide for voting by orders, that is the Lay and Clergy votes would be counted separately and the candidate would have to be elected in both Orders. Imagine the political situation where a candidate would have to be by all three bodies.
The canidates are: The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander the Bishop of Atlanta, I see him as a compromise candidate; The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick, Jr. the Bishop of Kentucky who has a very good chance of being elected; The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori the Bishop of Nevada who has made a strong showing and will be closing at the finish; all of the former voted for the consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson. The last candidate put forward by the Nominating Committee is The Rt. Rev. Henry Nutt Parsley, Jr. the Bishop of Alabama who has picked up some late and strong support. He voted against the confirmation of Bishop Robinson. He is the only one of the candidates I have met as he sat at my prayer table for the eleven days of the last convention. I found him to be a soft spoken man of good nature and a caring spirit. As our own Don Betts, a member of the nominating committee has said "any one of the four will serve the Church well.
There are three other candidates that were passed over by the NC but will appear on the ballot by petition. The are The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls the Bishop of Lexington who served with me this year and last convention on the Constitution Committee. He is a person who is thoughtful, straight forward with a good sense of humor, he voted for Bishop Robinson; The Rt. Rev. Francisco J. Duque-Gomez the Bishop of Columbia, he voted against Bishop Robinson and The Rt. Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins III the Bishop of Louisiana who also voted against Bishop Robinson. With all due respect to these three, I do not believe the House of Bishops will look beyond those nominated by the NC.
The prayer services have been fabulous. Imagine singing with 2,200 people every morning the great and new hymns of the Church and thinking you sound like Mario Lanza(for you younger folks he was a truck driver who made a few Christmas records in years past). All is well and I hope the same for you. Woody

Love

2006-06-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

A typical day at General Convention begins with a 7:30 AM legislative committee meeting (I serve on the Church Pension Fund committee), Eucharist and discussion at 9:30 and legislation session at 10:45. We break for lunch at 1:00 or so followed by a legislation session again from 2:30 to 6:00. I missed the Eucharist today, replaced by a very appreciated visit with an old friend, The Rt. Rev. John Chane, Bishop of Washington, D.C. The legislation sessions are gearing up a little. One issue from the Windsor Report was debated and voted upon and sent to the House of Bishops but we understand that it will be sent back to us with revisions. The House of Deputies voted to implement the Revised Common Lectionary in a time specific. It was interesting to hear impassioned testimony on some issues that others find perfunctory.

Usually there is an event or two that are offered in the evening. This evening I attended the Integrity Eucharist at Trinity Episcopal Church. The preacher was The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. Integrity is an advocacy and support organization for gays and lesbians and their friends. Gene Robinson is the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire. Truly by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit, I had the best seat in the house. I couldn't see the altar because of a post but I was seated beside Louise Crew on one side and three young people who were visiting General Convention on the other. Mr. Crew is a long time advocate of gay inclusion in the fullness of the church. The three high school girls were there to listen to Bishop Robinson. Bishop Robinson gave a grace filled sermon in which a recurring theme was "love them anyway". The "them" was all of those who have fallen short of demonstrating the love of Christ. The three girls were filled with questions about the service. They were all from small churches and not familiar with the incense and other parts of the liturgy. I asked them what their opinion of the issue was and they all agreed that while they don't truly understand homosexuality they could not understand why it was such an issue in the church. Everyone should be included in the love of Christ and receive all of the ministries that the church has to offer.

Today was a day full of the love of Christ. For that and all of the people that I met and worshipped with today I truly give thanks.

Dean Hurley

Early Wakeup

2006-06-16T03:07:00.000-07:00

I have found myself learning about the church and myself as this convention continues. I testified at my first hearing about expressing regret for slavery, and it was an amazing experience. I would not have stood up to talk were it not for the time when the Archbishop of York came forward to speak.

As he came forward, he came with several people. In my mind's eye, I looked beyond him to see who was the Archbishop. I had expected him to be an old white man. I had always pictured that position to be held that way. I was a bit shocked at how wrong I was, and how inadvertantly I had succumbed to a level of predjudice. It was painful to realize I had predjudice at all. I saw myself as a "new age sensitive guy" someone who didn't fall to the sins of racism. Boy was I wrong.

As I got my breath back at the growing I needed to do, I began to listen closely to the words of the Archbishop. He was and is a very gifted man. He told of a story that goes something like this.

When I am happy, I am black
When I am sick, I am black
When I am sad, I am black
When I go out in the sun, I am Black
When I am jaundiced, I am Black

When you are happy, you are white
When you are sick, you are green
When you are sad, you are blue
When you are out in the sun, your are tan
When you are jaundiced, you are yellow

And you have the audacity to call me colored.

I have a bit of growning to do in how I respond to and view my brothers and sisters in Christ. What do I bring with me that forms my view of my fellow Christians? I am excited by the reality that I am not where I want to be, and challenged by the world I am looking at with new eyes.

Grant

WELL!!!

2006-06-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

I was summarily taken to the woodshed by a Ruth Gledhill of the "Times on Line" in England. She just could not believe that I would not know that the Archbishop of York is a black man. What I read into her comment was something like this: you ignorant silly man. How dare you not know such a thing?

I must admit that I don't spend much time thinking about the Archbishop of York, Canterbury or any other Archbishop in England or anyplace else. I wonder if Ms. Gledhill knows anything about the Bishop of Nebraska?

This has made me think about the fascination that so many Episcopalians have about all things English and the Church of England. I must admit that I had, for a long time, such a fascination with such things. It seems, however, that our fascination works against the immediacy of our responsibility with the Gospel in our time and in our place. The work of the Episcopal Church is not to continue to copy an illusion of worship and mission in 19th Century merry old England but to engage the Gospel of Jesus Christ with vigor and creativity that captures the interest of young Americans in the 21st Century. I value our tradition and our history. We must retain that which is helpful but we must not be trapped in history (real or imagined) that makes the church a hobby rather than a spiritual journey with the crucified and risen Christ.

Convention today debated and voted (by Orders) on a resolution that would change the method of consenting to the election of Bishops. As of this writing, 11:40 PM, we do not know the results of that vote. The issue is this. Under normal situations, Bishops are elected by a diocese and then consent is required by the Bishops of the Episcopal Church and the Standing Committees of the diocese of the Church. If such an election is held in a time specific near the meeting of General Convention the consent must come from the Bishops and the House of Deputies. The resolution considered today would require the consent of the various Standing Committees regardless of the time of election in relation to General Convention. The House of Deputies would not be involved.

Since Ms. Gledhill appears not to be familiar with the term "Dean" I sign off this evening with,

The Very Rev. Thomas J. Hurley
Dean and Rector
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Omaha, Nebraska

WHAT?

2006-06-14T19:54:00.001-07:00

An important part of each daily Eucharist is a round table discussion/Bible study group. The first day we agreed to forget the rules and merely engage one another with reflections on the Scripture and sermon just given. It is very interesting to listen to such a variety of insight but also hear the strong Anglican ethos that unites us all. Much of today's Eucharist used the Spanish language (including the sermon - we were given a printed translation). While the priest delivered the sermon in Spanish, her enthusiasm and passion for the Gospel made evident the presence of Christ in our midst even though I was unable to understand the spoken word. Our discussion group spent some time discussing the "why" of using a language other than English and (for the most part) agreed that it made us aware of the diversity of culture and language within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.

The legislative process was less than encouraging. While the headline issues have yet to be brought to the floor, we were to conduct an election of twelve new members of the Church Pension Fund Board. For certain votes we use an electronic voting device that looks somewhat similar to a t.v. remote. After lengthy training we were talked through the election. In 90 minutes we were unable to conduct a valid election and because of a previous amendment we will try again tomorrow with a paper ballot! This was a frustrating experience for all concerned. At the end of the second legislative day the House of Deputies has now finished the first day's calendar.

In the evening a few of us from the Nebraska deputation tried to attend a public hearing on the Windsor Report but by the time we arrived, 1500 people had already filled the hall and we were unable to enter. While we were in line waiting to be told that the room was full, we had a wonderful discussion with the Bishop of Botswana. In that discussion the Bishop mentioned that everyone in Africa is not of one mind on the issues that have captured the American Church. While the Archbishop of Nigeria captures the headlines in the condemnation of the Episcopal Church he does not speak for all Anglicans on the African continent. (This last sentence is mine, not the Bishop's - TJH). He also mentioned that the church in Botswana must deal so seriously with other pressing issues such as hunger and HIV/Aids that much of the American issues cannot even be considered.

While today was frustrating on the floor of the House of Deputies we stand with Scarlet O'Hara and pronounce that "Tomorrow, is another day".

Dean Hurley

WHAT

2006-06-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

how slow can it go?

2006-06-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

One of the first things we have learned at GC2006 is that it takes a while to do anything. We spend more time figuring out how we are going to vote (paper or electronically) and hearing ammendments to the various legislation upon which we are deciding. We have hearings on all of the legislation and then come together again to discuss it as a body. It then involves another round of ammendments and then we spend more time on the voting of those ammendments. It is amazing how long everything takes. It took an incredible amount of time to realize that very few people know how to vote electronically. I am having an incredible amount of fun watching this whole process. We are already a day behind on our schedule and no one seems to be fazed by that reality. In fact, I am finding out that this is a regular occurence in the House of Deputies. It makes me wonder how our government functions if they work in a similar way.

At times it is like some surreal experience in which we live in a constant state of ammendments and motions.

Perhaps the most important thing that we do is interact with each other in and out of session. We gather and realize how fantastic the Anglican Communion is in action. We get to know the whole of who we are by what we do out of session. One of the most amazing things is how the exhibit hall is laid out. We have a catholic exhibit right across from integrity. Where else can we find a group of disparate beliefs gathering in the same room.

While this is a rather strange post, it describes what is happening here. We are coming together as a church that has so much to offer, and so much to figure out together. We are going to make some statements about who we are, and who we want to be. Some of them are contentious and others are not. It sounds confusing and it is, but it is a great reflection of who we are, we are a people of faith who have conflicting beliefs in the application of that faith and come together to celebrate that conflict.

Grant

WOW!

2006-06-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

This first legislative day was, for me, a remarkable experience. The opening Eucharist was presided by The Very Rev. George Werner, President of the House of Deputies. The Most Rev. Frank Griswold, our Presiding Bishop, was the preacher. In his sermon, Bishop Griswold reminded us that we invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit with regularity. He then said, "What if we were to take it seriously"? While there was a certain amount of laughter, there was also a profound sense of Holy Awe as we considered the true meaning of that question.

Later in the day we were addressed by the Archbishop of York. I must confess my sin of stereotyping and assumptions and prejudice. As three individuals approached the podium, I wondered where the Archbishop was. He then began to speak. I expected to see a late middle aged, white, English Bishop with frumpy hair. Rather, I discovered that the Archbishop is black and was born in Uganda! He was engaging and dynamic. How subtle is the sin of racism and I was quite ashamed of myself for my surprise. We always have work to do!

The legislation for the day was primarily procedural. We are looking forward to some of the more engaging issues. I also attended my legislative committee, The Church Pension Fund. We finished our work.

In the early evening, Nancy Houston and I attended the premier of a new video for the use of the Church, created by "Claiming the Blessing". It was a moving testimonial of the experiences of gay and lesbian members of the Episcopal Church and their families. Their expression of the Christian faith and their commitment to the Episcopal Church almost brought me to tears.

It was a full and busy day. It was a day of discovery and energizing faith. It was a day of the mystery of the Presence of God.

Dean Hurley

Orientation Day

2006-06-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Columbus! Marty and I arrived in Columbus, Ohio, late last night, flying out of Omaha Sunday afternoon after a glorious celebration of Trinity Cathedral's 150th anniversary. Our flight was delayed in Chicago, causing us to arrive very late Sunday night.

After registering today, all deputies and bishops attended an opening session at which our Presiding Bishop and Primate, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, and the President of the House of Deputies, the Very Rev. George Werner, spoke to the joint session, calling us to be mindful of one another, to be open to the Spirit, to delve deeply into the nature and purpose of communion, and to remember that our life in mission and our lives as disciples are grounded ultimately in love.

Afterwards, deputies and bishops retired to their separate meeting halls and had orientation and informal conversations about the ten days of sessions ahead. Many of the deputies and bishops, and certainly the press, are focused on the election of a new Presiding Bishop and resolutions relating to our relationships with the wider Anglican Communion. However, there are a multitude of committees, resolutions, and concerns relating to our larger mission and ministry in the world. This will be the primary focus of our time here in Columbus.

Tonight, after a cordial and enjoyable light supper with bishops, deputies and visitors from our own Province VI, many of us attended committee meetings until late evening. I serve as vice-chair of the legislative committee on Evangelism, and I was impressed to hear the passion and energy coming from so many of our committee members for making growth and mission the top priorities of the whole church, just as we are seeking to do in Nebraska.

The official beginning of the Convention will be tomorrow morning when the entire body gathers for Eucharist and Bible study prior to the day of legislative sessions and committee meetings and hearings. I'll look forward to writing a bit more tomorrow evening, at the conclusion of our first official day.

Grace and peace,
+Joe Burnett
Bishop

2006-06-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well we have arrived in Columbus, registered, and begun to get to know the spirit of Convention. Immediately as one enters it becomes like a combination of old home week and a carnival. It is amazing how many faces and names are familiar, and how small our church becomes. One cannot walk through the room without knowing someone or running into someone who knows someone you know. There are about three degrees of separation between everyone. The other thing that has become apparent is how much is going on in one place. Between the hearings, getting to know our fellow deputies, and the myriad of other things happening it becomes clear that information overload will occur daily. There seems to be an aura of community at convention at the beginning, and I hope that continues to be the order of the day. God Bless

Grant+