The Episcopal Church stands up!

[kwassa]

Today, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church resolved that:

http://gc2009.org/ViewLegislation/view_leg_detail.aspx?id=986&type=Current

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 which call is testednone through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

meaning that gay church members can hold any and all positions in the church up to and including Presiding Bishop of the entire church.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Take THAT conservative bishops!

And what great news for all the wonderful GLBT priests and deacons who are already doing God's work in the world.

[kwassa]

2. yes, my diocese is already full of such great contributors.

it was that way when I got here, and I was surprised by the later controversy.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. Sweet!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. I'm on my second discernment committee here, and it's not a rubber stamp

by any means.

The first committee I was on, all the pieces fit together amazingly well. The "explorer" had all the right skills and attitudes and just radiates love and concern. We gave a unanimous glowing recommendation.

This second one is different. One-third of the way through the process, we're starting to come to a consensus that the "explorer" is seeking to meet psychological needs and is already doing amazing work as a lay person. Last night's session was tough but informative as member after member asked probing questions.

Potential priests, deacons, or spiritual advisers have to go through a year of such grilling, so any person of any orientation who survives the process is almost certain to have the right stuff.

[wryter2000]

5. Many thanks for doing that

So much good came out of this convention. The church also came out in support of the employee free choice act and single payer health insurance. I'm so darned proud of my church.