Openly Episcopal in Albany

"Division and Destruction"

On the eve of General Convention, Bishop William Love has sent a pastoral letter to the diocese in which, among other matters, he touches upon the gathering in Anaheim:

This coming Monday, July 6th, the eight members of the Diocese of Albany Deputation and I will be traveling to Anaheim, California, for the 176th [sic] General Convention of The Episcopal Church.  Our diocesan deputation includes: The Rev. Scott Garno, The Rev. Ellen Neufeld, The Rev. Canon Robert Haskell, The Very Rev. John Scott III, David Beaulac, Deborah Fish, Beth Strickland, and Sue Ellen Ruetsch.  I ask you and every member of the Diocese to please keep each of us and all those attending General Convention in your prayers.  As we all know, The Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion are deeply divided.  There are several proposed resolutions coming before General Convention that have the potential, if passed, of bringing even greater division and destruction, both within The Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion.

Somewhat apocolyptic language, don't you think?  Bishop Love might be reminded that the division within the Anglican Communion has been occasioned largely by those churches of the Global South that declared a state of impaired communion, and proceded to encroach upon the territorial jurisdictions of other Communion members.  Once again, the Bishop might be asked, to which Anglican Communion does he refer?  Canterbury or the alternative communion being torn from it by the Global South provinces and secessionist ACNA dioceses?  And on this 4th of July, we might all remember that what appeared to some as destruction of long-held orthodoxies resulted in the birth of a more just order for all.  So, let us pray that the 76th General Convention may reach agreements that promote justice, expand the ministries of all God's people, and uphold the unique witness of The Episcopal Church to the Anglican world.

On Saving Anglicanism

Lionel Deimel is a member of the continuing Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, and a blogger of all things Anglican as well as Episcopal.  He recently revisited a paper he wrote before the 75th General Convention and found the remarks to be as applicablejust before the 76th General Convention.  In his essay he responded to the challenge to The Episcopal Church of the Windsor Report, and the reaction to it of much of the Anglican world.  Mr. Deimel calls upon The Episcopal Church now, as he did then, to be faithful to its unique witness to Anglicanism.  Here are his concluding remarks, written in 2006, which he commends to Convention deputies in 2009:

Our object, then, despite what the militant traditionalists tell us, must first be to save Anglicanism, not to save the Anglican Communion, which we cannot allow to become the object of idolatrous veneration.  Recent history suggests that our response in typical Anglican rhetoric -- the subtle, nuanced, ambiguous language that has allowed us to, as the traditionalists say, "fudge" so often in the past -- will, in the current climate, be misinterpreted, ridiculed, and used to stage new attacks on our Church.  Perhaps the decision of General Convention will be that this is a chance we must take, but it is not our only option.

We should consider making a more principled, straightforward, and courageous response.  We should consider the novel idea of proclaiming the Gospel as we understand it and defending the approach to theology that most theologians in our Church actually use.  In simple, clear sentences we could express our sorrow for the hurt that others have experienced and express our sincere desire to remain in communion with all our sister provinces.  We could remind others of Bishop Desmond Tutu's explanation for how we have always maintained communion -- "we meet" -- and insist that removing The Episcopal Church or its representatives from Communion discussion is hardly characteristic of the Anglican way.  Before the Communion creates more rules, we could insist that existing ones be observed.  Before we cede authority to others, we could insist that those to whom we have ceded no authority refrain from intimidation.  And we could declare that name-calling, misrepresentation and subversion are unbecoming a Christian and unacceptable in a bishop.

We could, in other words, insist that we have as much right to make claims on the Communion as it does on The Episcopal Church.  Most importantly, however, we could declare our commitment to save Anglicanism at all costs, and to save the Anglican Communion if at all possible.

-Lionel Deimel

Life Beyond B033

The largest task facing delegates to the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church (now less than 10 days away) will be how to deal with the mountain of legislative resolutions that have been presented.  All of these proposed resolutions have been published, and can be viewed at the General Convention website under "Legislation."

One of the most controversial issues that the delegates will grapple with is what to do about Resolution B033 from the last General Convention.  As you will recall, this is the resolution, hastily passed at the last possible moment of the last General Convention, that called for restraint in ordaining to the episcopate persons "whose lifestyle poses a challenge to the wider Church."  In plain language, there were to be no more Gene Robinsons.

Several legislative resolutions have been proposed for consideration at this General Convention that would repeal or negate the provisions of B033.  A list of these proposed resolutions follows.  By clicking on any resolution number you will be able to see the full text of that resolution:

• C007 Consent to Episcopal Elections
• C010 Consecration of Bishops
• C015 Consecration of Bishops
• C033 Ordination Process
• C046 Amend Canon III.1.3
• C054 Consecration of Bishops
• D013 Ministry and Witness
• D021 Baptized Entitled to All Sacraments

Our Presiding Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, has expressed her hope that General Convention will not reconsider B033.  The Presiding Bishop explained, "I've said I don't think it's helpful to revisit B033.  It is far more helpful for us to say something significant about where we are in 2009."  What exactly that significant statement will be is a problem that General Convention will have to wrestle with.  Will a legislative committee combine the resolutions already on the table into one that will be acceptable to a majority at Convention?  Or will the resolutions be scrapped in favor of a non-binding statement expressing the collective mind of Convention?

It is the opinion of this writer, but one that I trust will receive support from others, that an explicit rejection of B033 is not inconsistent with, but in fact is necessary for, a new statement of direction.  B033 was adopted in the last minutes of the 75th General Convention in order to give the rest of the Communion time to consider, and hopefully accept, the prophetic stance taken by The Episcopal Church in its understanding of the episcopate.  The resolution was a temporary measure in order to hold the Communion together while a consensus was sought.  The intervening time between Conventions has only seen a hardening of positions by member churches of the Communion.  B033 has not contributed to understanding or consensus.  It is time to reject what has failed as we embrace a new way forward.

May the deliberations of General Convention provide a way forward for The Episcopal Church to choose, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, any person qualified by Baptism and calling to lead their chosen flock as a BIshop of the Church.

A Place to Kneel (or Stand)

Albany Via Media just held its quarterly membership board meeting.  AVM is the local chapter of the national Via Media organization, which seeks to keep parishes and dioceses within The Episcopal Church USA by offering encouragement, community, and access to resources from the national church, TEC.

The board of AVM thought that this would be a good opportunity to remind everyone in the Diocese of Albany and beyond why we are here, and why we care about the future direction of our Church.  The following introduction to AVM is from the organization's website, and titled "A Place to Kneel":

Who are we?  Albany Via Media is an organization of clergy and lay Episcopalian in the Diocese of Albany.  We are loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ in The Episcopal Church USA and loyal to our primate, The Presiding Bishop.  We recognize the General Convention of The Episcopal Church USA as the highest authority in the Church.  We founded our organization when (former) Bishop Herzog, a board member of the American Anglican Council, and (former) Bishop Bena, a member and leader in the AAC, disagreed with decisions of General Convention and spoke of realignment and impaired communion with The Episcopal Church USA.  Since any realignment or impaired communion with other dioceses of The Episcopal Church affects our lives and our ministries, binds our consciences and violates the ordination vows of our clergy, Albany Via Media, a not-for-profit corporation in the State of New York, was created to keep the Diocese of Albany in communion with The Episcopal Church USA.

What do we offer?  Albany Via Media offers a place for Episcopalians to be faithful to Christ as prayerful members of The Episcopal Church USA.  We give thanks for the Episcopal Church as the American embodiment of Anglicanism -- a comprehensive and diverse family.  We understand that all of us bring unique gifts to the ministry of the Church and all have a place at Christ's table.  No one can claim greater honor or truth over another.  Albany Via Media offers a place for faithful and prayerful Episcopalians within the Diocese to live out our Lord's Great Commandment in love, diversity and compassion.

What do we seek?  Albany Via Media seeks to revive our Anglican diversity in the Diocese of Albany.  Knowing that prayer shapes believing, we understand that we are strongest when we kneel (or stand) together in prayer.  Albany Via Media seeks to model and teach a charitable faith.  We welcome differences, ambiguities, and paradox, knowing that prayerful consideration of various points of view, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can yield new insights, deeper understanding, and a lively Christian faith.

What do we believe?  We believe that "The Holy Scriptures containeth all things necessary to salvation." (Article 6, Articles of Religion).  We believe that the so-called "literal" interpretation of Holy Scripture is theologically and intellectually dishonest.  We find Biblical fundamentalism to be dangerously idolatrous.  Nurtured by Scripture, tradition and reason, we open ourselves to God's truth as a diverse community, through prayer, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  As Episcopalians, we are sustained and empowered by Holy Scripture, the sacraments, the creeds, common prayer and servant ministry.  We understand the New Testament model of the Body of Christ to be a very local, universal, diverse and inclusive Church, with a variety of gifts for ministry.

Terry Martin's Convention Chat

Yesterday we told you about Center Aisle, the Diocese of Virginia's initiative to bring us daily news of General Convention in Anaheim, California.  Today we hear of another startup effort to provide real time coverage of convention news.  The Rev. Terry Martin, formerly of Fr. Jake Stops the World, now of Fr. T. Listens to the World, has launched a chat room for delegates and friends of the convention to meet and share ideas.  As Rev. Terry says,

One of my ideas for General Convention is to have a chat room available at various times during the day.  So, I'm testing out a particular product:

http://www.stickam.com

Stickam has the advantage of allowing both audio and cams.  The other rooms there are mainly made up of young people, some of them with extremely foul mouths, so I cannot recommend them.

I've created a room with a password, so we won't have to deal with such folks.

So, if you want to help me out, come visit the room.  Here's what you have to do:

1. Go to Stickam
2. Register.  It's fairly non intrusive and just takes a minute
3. You'll be asked to go to the email account that you used and respond to the Stickam email
4. Once you are logged in, go to group chat
5. Scroll down to "Episcopal Chat"
6. Enter this password:  TEC815

Come try it out.  If this works, we'll be using it as part of the reception hosted by the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center at General Convention, as well as throughout Convention.

Dates and times of regular chat sessions TBA...  For now, if you don't find "Episcopal Chat" on the menu, check back later.  Once again, I do not encourage you to visit any of the public rooms.  They can be quite toxic.

Again, it looks like a work in progress at this moment.  But if Terry Martin can get enough Episcopalians to sign on to the chat room, it could be a valuable way to communicate.  And it could be another way for those of us who are watching expectantly to be a part of the proceedings.

 

General Convention's Center Aisle

For Episcopalians in the Diocese of Albany who wish to follow the 76th General Convention, a good resource promises to be the Diocese of Virginia's opinion journal, Center Aisle.  The Center Aisle website has already posted interviews and articles in preparation for convention.  The editors of this convention journal tell us that:

Since the 73rd General Convention in 2000, Center Aisle, the Diocese of Virginia's daily General Convention opinion journal, has offered convention attendees perspectives from the transformational center of the Church.  The Center Aisle website will help those who are not able to attend General Convention keep in touch with the news, opinions and analysis coming out of Anaheim.  CenterAisle.net will also be your source for exclusive Web-only content.  We'll offer you the chance to provide feedback through Letters to the Editor.

Posted content on the website already shows the well-balanced, centrist perspective of contributors.  This site deserves to be bookmarked and visited daily during General Convention, which will take place from July 8-17.

Via Media Announces New Website, General Convention Presence

Via Media USA has just now unveiled its new website.  The new design is intended to provide better access to resources, a clearer organization, and increased visibility.  I particularly like its navigation tools.  Click on "Getting Around", on the left-hand sidebar, for an explanation of how to find major sections on the website.  Much of the content is still older, but I trust that there will be much new material added to the site, especially as traffic improves with its new look and feel.

The website also announces that Via Media will have a presence at General Convention:

For the second time, Via Media USA will have a booth at General Convention.  The 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be held this year in Anaheim, California, from July 8 to July 17, 2009.  VMUSA's presence at the triennial event will provide an opportunity for members from allied groups to meet one another.  It will also give representatives the opportunity to meet with Episcopalians across the Church in order to explain what we do and how things are going in our various dioceses.  The VMUSA booth will be in the exhibits area and will be staffed by people representing various groups within the Via Media USA alliance.  Examples of documents produced by VMUSA and its allied groups will be available, and we expect to have these handouts, including Via Media USA pins, to distribute to visitors.  Please plan to stop by the VMUSA booth if you are attending the General Convention.  We are especially interested in talking to people who might consider forming a Via Media group in their own diocese to advance our mission of support for and education about The Episcopal Church.

That is a worthwhile agenda, providing "support for and education about" the Church.  It is a goal that we should all be able to support.  I urge our diocesan representatives to General Convention to stop by the Via Media table and learn more about this constructive organization within our Church.

Retraction Accepted

Only hours after my last post to this blog, the following correction was received through the Priest's and Deacon's Update (PDU), which is a message list that all members of the Diocese of Albany can access.  As we had requested, the Diocese has officially removed the names of Dr. Sippel and The Rev. Mary White from diocesan convention Resolution #4.

We acknowledge the graciousness of the Diocese in acceding to our request.  At the same time, we regret the actions of diocesan convention that made this retraction necessary.  The way the resolution was handled has been criticized by many delegates to convention, and has been commented upon negatively by observers elsewhere.  Nor do we approve of an amendment process that allows the content of a resolution to be so altered that the original intent is negated and reversed.  We would not support such tactics if they were used in the same way by General Convention.

Here is the statement as published on the PDU:

PLEASE NOTE:  Dr. Paula A. Sippel and The Rev. Mary A. White have requested that their names be officially removed from Resolution #4 recently passed by the 141st Convention of the Diocese of Albany.  While having moved and seconded the original version of Resolution #4, Dr. Sippel in a letter addressed to Bishop Love stated that "the resolution as adopted at convention differed significantly in both content and intent from that which I [Dr. Sippel] presented."

We regret that Dr. Sippel's initial request that her and Rev. White's name not be included in the published Resolution #4 as amended was not received at the Diocesan Office prior to the publication of the June 10th Diocesan Update which reported on the actions of the 141st Diocesan Convention.

During the course of the debate on Resolution #4, a few of the diocesan deputies/clergy expressed concern that the original intent of the resolution was being changed through the proposed amendments (some of which ultimately passed).  It is important to remember that once a resolution is presented to the Convention, the Convention is free to pass the resolution as presented, amend it as the Convention sees fit, table it, or defeat it.  In certain cases, it may also be ruled out of order.  Resolutions may also be referred to an appropriate Diocesan Committee to be further studied or possibly altered before coming to the Convention floor to be acted upon.  All of the above scenarios are clearly spelled out and authorized under Robert's Rules of Order.  The General Convention of The Episcopal Church follows the same guidelines.

Virtue is Not Amused

Two weeks have gone by since Diocesan Convention and passage of the now-infamous Resolution #4.  This is the resolution that began life strongly supporting The Episcopal Church and rejecting limitations on the authority of General Convention.  The resolution as passed was only a lukewarm endorsement of TEC and a strong affirmation of The Bishops' Statement on Polity.  The original supporters of the proposal that eventually became Resolution #4 were so outraged by its transformation that they requested their names not be attached to it, yet the Diocese authorship to them, anyway.  I personally requested the Bishop to show respect and publicly retract their names.  No such public retraction has been forthcoming.  This comes as a disappointment to us, but surely as no surprise.

What is perhaps more surprising is the disillusionment of Bishop Love's previous supporters out in the conservative blogosphere.  A case in point is the blog called Virtue Online, which our Bishop himself touts as a reliably "orthodox" source of Anglican news and commentary.  David Virtue did not know what to make of our convention re-affirming membership in Province II and The Episcopal Church.  Virtue correctly interpreted the Bishops' Statement of Polity as denying central authority to TEC, but was clearly disappointed that the resolution's main clauses reaffirmed Albany's "loyal membership."  Resolution #4, it seems, contains enough to offend everyone.

Comments to Virtue's blog were even more blunt.  "I once had some hope for +Bill Love.  I guess I was wrong," said one commenter.  Another reader ruefully noted that "the Albany Diocese, by the way, was one of the members of the Anglican Communion Network," inferring that the resolution was a disloyalty to the memory of the now-defunct Network.  "It is sad that so many of TEC live in a fog," lamented another conservative reader.  "It's simpletons like this who make TEC what it is," summed up another.  But at least one of Virtue's readers attempted to cheer the others up by observing, "don't forget Albany's "parish choice" option; if you are an orthodox parish you do not need to give one penny of your assessment to TEC!"

This disillusioned response of the conservative pundits to Albany's latest convention embarrassment is telling.  By hijacking a proposal and twisting its intent, convention failed to even win the respect of  those conservatives it seems most eager to impress.

Capital Pride 2009

 

Some St. Andrew's Friends

Last Sunday, June 14th, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church again participated in Capital Pride Festival in Washington Park, Albany.  Our small table was squeezed between Capital Pride Singers and the General Electric recruiting booth under the huge white lawn tent.  Our prominent blue and white banner hung from the tent ceiling poles behind us, with literature and refreshments covering the table.  As was the case last year, our table was the only Episcopal presence at Capital Pride 2009. 

At least it didn't rain this year!  It was sunny and warm, and we received many thanks for the cups of lemonade and ice tea that we gave away to all who stopped by.

It was also an opportunity for some low-key outreach to the hurt and vulnerable.  Like the woman and her partner who had been turned away from their church when they asked to have their children baptized.  Or the two women, partnered for 40 years, who had been shunned by their Episcopal parish - even told by the Rector that they were going to Hell.

We might not have won any converts that day, and we may never see the visitors in church on Sunday.  But hopefully some went away thinking about the Gospel message of inclusiveness that they read in the handouts, saw in our smiles, and found in our listening.  And who knows?  Maybe some will seek us out.

Pray for General Convention

As The Episcopal Church gets ready for its 76th General Convention in Anaheim from July 8th through the 17th, we are reminded of the need to pray for all of its members.   Convention itself joins continually in prayer.  The Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Straub, Secretary of General Convention reminds us that "General Convention meets prayerfully.  Each day bishops, deputies, registered alternates and delegates gather for Bible study and Holy Eucharist.  Both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops have chaplains, who lead their houses in regular prayer.  Chaplains are also asked to pray before the enactment of important legislation."

More will be said about convention in future postings.  For now, I ask that we continue to pray the prayers written for the last General Convention.  One is for us all of us to use in our daily intercessions, and the other is specifically for prospective delegates and alternates to prepare for their role at Convention:

Prayer for the 75th General Convention

God our wisdom, who eternally makes all things new: encourage by your Holy Spirit those who prepare for General Convention to labor together for the building up of your world and your Church; counsel them when to act and when to wait; turn their hearts always toward those in greatest need, and away from their own preoccupations and fears; help them never forget that love and mercy are your greatest gifts given us all to offer one another as we see in them Jesus Christ who alone is our joy, our way, our truth, and our life.

Prayer for Participants

God of light and life: as General Convention draws near, help me to continue to grow up in all ways into Christ.  Fill me with energy for the work before me; show me your surprising face in the people around me; delight me afresh with the variety of your creation; inspire me with a vision of your justice concrete in the world; and above all teach me to love you and my neighbor more fully, less grudgingly, and with more forbearance day by day, and give me the grace of good humor, the leaven of laughter, and the tonic of hope through it all, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Regarding Diocean Deaneries

Here is another letter from Mr. Joseph Liotta which he requested be published, regarding the regulations governing Diocesan deaneries:

Canon V - Deaneries and Deanery Councils

5.1 - Geographic Areas

The deaneries shall consist of those congregations in a geographic area designated by the Bishop, which designation shall be ratified by the Convention.

5.3 - Deanery Council

Each deanery shall have a Deanery Council constituted of all members of the Clergy who are resident or have a cure in the Deanery and who are canonically resident in the Diocese, and at least one lay representative from each Congregation.

The St. Lawrence deanery is not in compliance with Canon V.  There is no Deanery Council.  There are no lay representatives.

Bishop Love, the Canon Ordinary, the Reverend Canon Robert Haskell and the dean, The Very Reverend Dr. Christopher Brown have been made aware of this.

Does your deanery have a Deanery Council?  Is you deanery in compliance with Canon V?

Joseph Liotta

Contitution and Canons on Diocean Convention

We offer this further reflection on the time and place of Diocesan Convention at the request of Mr. Joe Liotta, who has attended may conventions of the Diocese of Albany.

Joe Liotta is a member of Zion Church, Colton, NY, where he has been a parishioner for the past seven years and treasurer for the past three.  He has been a member of this Diocese since 1967.  Mr. Liotta is a retired school music teacher and has served as church organist.  Joe is a board member of Albany Via Media and occasionally convenes the Concerned Episcopalians of St. Lawrence Deanery.

Here are Joe's thoughts regarding Diocesan Convention:

I offer the following regarding the Diocese of Albany's Constitution and Canons:

Article  of the Constitution of the Diocese of Albany states the following:

"There shall be a Convention of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Albany each year.  The annual meeting shall be held at the Cathedral on the fourth Tuesday in October, unless the Bishop, with the consent of the Standing Committee, or, in case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, unless the Standing Committee, shall appoint another place or time.

This authorizes a "one day convention."

Bishops past must have used the second part of this Canon which states that a Bishop, with the approval of the Standing Committee can move the time and place of the convention.  This was done when the convention was moved to Columbus Day (the second Monday in October).  This relieved parking around the Cathedral and gave lay persons the ability to participate more widely since it was a day off from work for most.  It also assured that the Holy Eucharist would be celebrated in every church in the Diocese on the Sunday before the Convention.

Starting with Bishop Herzog the convention was moved to June and became a three-day affair.

Although the Canon give the Bishop the right to move the convention's time and place, it does not give the bishop the right to expand the convention to three days.  The Diocese, since moving to three days, is not in compliance with Article 1 of the Constitution.

Since the convention has become a three-day affair and is not in compliance with a part of Article 1, the vast majority of the 15,000 people in the Diocese of Albany have no Eucharist on the Sunday of convention, while the 900 or so convention attendees have the gift of this Holy Sacrament.

Shame on the Diocesan leadership for denying the Eucharist to more than 14,000 members one Sunday a year.

Joseph Liotta

Convention Distorts Resolution of Support

As reported previously on this website, a proposed resolution was offered at diocesan convention that was intended to reiterate the Diocese of Albany's support for General Convention, Province II, and The Episcopal Church.  The resolution was moved by Dr. Paula Sippel and seconded by The Rev. Mary White.  As a reminder, the proposed resolution stated:

Resolved, that the Diocese of Albany shall hereby re-affirm its allegiance to, and loyal membership in Province II and the Episcopal Church, and

Resolved, that the Diocese of Albany recognizes the legislative authority of the 76th General Convention, and supports the governance of The Episcopal Church, and

Resolved, that the Diocese shall take no actions that may jeopardize remaining fully in support of The Episcopal Church, including, but not limited to declining to support the so-called Bishops' Statement on the Polity of the Episcopal Church promulgated by the Anglican Communion Institute.

In retrospect, it was perhaps a tactical error that the resolution, as offered, singled out the Bishops' Statement on Polity for criticism.  The Rev. Christopher Brown, in a comment on this website, noted that this clause would prevent many from supporting the resolution.  With that warning, attempts were made to remove this language from the resolution, including an effort on the floor of convention by Mr. Clair Touby, the President of Albany Via Media.  But backers of our Bishop's position on the Statement seized this "found opportunity" to introduce amendments that completely reversed the intent.  Note in particular the twisting of clause three in the resolution as ultimately passed by convention:

RESOLVED that the Diocese of Albany shall hereby affirm its loyal membership in Province II and in the Episcopal Church, and be it further

RESOLVED that the Diocese of Albany recognizes the legislative authority of The General Convention of The Episcopal Church as outlined in the Bishop's Statement on the Polity of the Episcopal Church, and be it further

RESOLVED that the 141st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany endorses the Bishops' Statement on the Polity of the Episcopal Church which was signed by Bishop William H. Love, Bishop of Albany.

Realizing that she could no longer in conscience be seen as defending this resolution, Paula Sippel sought and obtained assurance from diocesan loyalists that her name, and that of The Rev. Mary White, would not be associated with the final product of convention.  Despite this assurance, the Diocese published in electronic form, viathe PDU Update, the text of the finished resolution, in which the names of Dr. Sippel and Rev. Mary appear as the authors.  Whether this egregious error was an unfortunate oversight, or a political attempt to misrepresent the intentions of the originators, remains to be seen.  Such a judgment depends largely on any forthcoming response from the Diocese to the following letter:

Dear Bishop Love,

At Diocesan Convention this past weekend, a proposed resolution was moved by Paula Sippel and seconded by The Rev. Mary White affirming  our diocese's continued support of General Convention, Province II, and The Episcopal Church.  The convention took this resolution and so twisted and perverted its intended meaning that the final result was the very opposite of what was originally written and presented to convention.

The author and mover of this resolution were assured that their names would not be appended to the final version.  But in the most recent Diocesan Update distributed electronically to all members of the Diocese, Paula Sippel and The Rev. Mary White are listed as the authors of the resolution as passed.  This is insulting and unacceptable to those of us who understand the intention of the resolution as originally offered.

We expect an immediate addendum to the Diocesan Update in which you retract the names of Paula Sippel and The Rev. Mary White from the resolution as passed by convention.  It should be made clear to everyone who received this erroneous communication that these individuals had nothing to do with the final wording of the resolution.  The resolution that passed convention is not and never was their proposal.

Bishop Love, I personally expect this retraction and request an apology to these two convention delegates.

John White, Layperson, St. Andrew's Albany

Is anyone listening?

Diocesan Convention: A Preliminary Report

 Camp of the Woods

Mr. Dennis Wisnom, a lay person from St. Stephen's Church, Schenectady, and a member of Albany Via Media, has provided this preliminary report of the business portion of diocesan convention this weekend.  His report is printed here in its entirety.

Parenthetically, a note about forms of address, to relieve any confusion that might have been occasioned by remarks made at convention.  Main postings to this blog will continue to follow the usage allowed in an authoritative guide to the matter:  bishops will be referred to as Bishop (name), priests will be referred to as The Rev. (name), or as Dr., Mr., Mrs. or Ms., and Deacons will be referred to as The Rev. Deacon (name) or by the alternative titles appropriate for priests.  See the penultimate paragraph of the following report for clarification

Here is Mr. Wisnom's report:

Dear Friends:  Convention 2009 has come and gone.  It was a time met with a lot of business, some high points and some low points.

First, one of the high points was Friday night Solemn Evensong led by Dean Marshall J. Vang, Cathedral of All Saints, and the singing of two splendid hymns that have become part of the Episcopal tradition:  Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, and The Church's One Foundation.

Next, one of the low points, the Bishop's address.  While it was shorter than last year, as he didn't thank everyone and their brother for the various ministries they carry out, the address was filled with a lot of anger and resentment toward The Episcopal Church.  Case in point, Bishop Love stated that "The Episcopal Church has a lot to repent for."  This drew thunderous applause.  Two points I commend the Bishop for is the importance of youth in the life of the Church, and having a more active lay ministry in the Diocese.  These two things outweighed some of the bad and angry things which were said.

Saturday morning saw most of the business of the Diocese take place.

The following people were elected to serve on the Cathedral Chapter:

• The Very Rev. John L. Scott, III, Rector of Calvary Church, Burnt Hills
• The Rev. James Shevlin, Vicar of St. Paul's, Sidney and Franklin
• The Rev. Sandra Tatum, Deacon of Trinity Church, Watervliet
• Ms. Doris Bedell, Cathedral of All Saints

The following people were elected to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court:

• The Rev. Brad Jones, Rector of Christ Church, Schenectady
• The Rev. John Kelly, Rector of Trinity, Troy
• The Rev. Scott Garno, Rector of of St. Matthew's, Unadilla
• Ms. Alice MacNab, St. Eustace, Lake Placid

The following people were elected to the Standing Committee:

• The Rev. Paul Hartt, Rector of St. Peter's, Albany
• The Rev. John L. Hopkins, Vicar of St. Luke's, Cambridge
• Mr. David A. Beaulac, St. Mary's, Lake Luzerne
• Mrs. Sue Ellen Reutsch, Calvary Church, Burnt Hills

Next we move into resolutions:

Resolution #1 passed concerning adoptees and personal histories:

• 190 in favor
• 155 against

Resolution #2, my resolution concerning the cost of convention and bringing it down, was defeated by voice vote.

Resolution #3, my resolution concerning bringing the convention back to All Saint's Cathedral, was ruled out of order by the Bishop because in the Diocesan Canons it states that "the Bishop shall determine the time and place of Convention."

Resolution #4 was complicated.  It's too much to explain here.  [See here for the text of Resolution #4].

There were resolutions 5, 6 and 7 still to be considered when we left, as well as the presentation of the Diocesan Budget and the Assessment Schedule for 2010.

When we addressed the bishop, we had to say "Right Reverend Sir, Father in God."

I am just thankful that my resolutions were included in this year's materials.  I will go about my work in this portion of God's field.  I am excited about going to Anaheim for the General Convention this summer.

-Dennis

Diocese Supports Adoption Rights

One bright spot at Diocesan Convention was the adoption of The Rev. Mark Diebel's resolution, A Right to Human Identity.  Here is Mark's explanation of how it came to be passed.  Now it will be presented at the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church for consideration there.  The Rev. Diebel writes:

Let me tell you what happened today at The Episcopal Diocese of Albany at Camp of the Woods in Speculator, NY.  The resolution, A Right to Human Identity, was passed as presented.  This resolution intends to address the loss of history for both adoptees and persons born through artificial reproductive technology (including surrogacy parenting).  Before it was passed a proposed amendment failed.  The Very Rev. John Scott offered this to me the night before: "Resolved that the Standing Commission on National Concerns of the Episcopal Church be directed by the 76th General Convention to undertake a study of the implications of artificial reproductive technologies for human identity and report their findings to the 77th General Convention."  This was to be inserted immediately after the first resolution.  I liked it.  It seemed the right committee in General Convention, but the amendment failed without much if any discussion.  I frankly assumed it would pass without controversy.  Instead it failed without controversy.

The resolution passed, 190 for, 155 against.

Peter Minucci of the Episcopal Counseling Service in Albany was asked by the Bishop of Albany to respond to the substance of the resolution.  His report was read to the convention.  When I get a copy I will post it.  His comments were entirely supportive and compelling for some present.  He addressed adoptees and his comments were based on his personal experience and professional opinion working with adoptees.  He admitted that he had no experience with person born from various artificial reproductive technologies but believed he would see similar concerns.  Several adoptees spoke and concurred that it should be a right to know one's complete parentage.  There might have been one first mom who spoke (I couldn't hear what she said) who also affirmed the right.  More than one adoptive parent spoke affirmatively.

Those who argued against it offered abortion as one concern.  "Mom's are up against a shotgun," when pregnant and if faced with the possibility of having to face their children later, may instead chose to abort them.  Another argued that "maybe" the Church shouldn't be involved in this and that the Diocese should pass it by, even though on many levels the resolution is "compelling."  Another pointed to the legislative aspect of the resolution and that the Diocese shouldn't be leaving a sort of blank check for the state legislators.  A teacher said that her class of middle school students has many adoptees and if they got wind of such a right, they might become harder to control and create problems at school and for their adoptive parents.

The next step for the resolution will be the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which is in Anaheim, California, July 8 through 17.  There it will be presented to the Convention for discussion and confirmation by vote in the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies.

Congratulations everyone who wanted to see this happen.  In the meantime, think national.

The complete text of the resolution itself can be found here.

Pictures From Diocesan Convention, 6/5/09

Here are the first pictures from Diocesan Convention at Camp of the Woods in Speculator, taken on opening evening, Friday, June 5th.  Not bad shots, since they were taken with a cell phone.  Does the crowd seem a little thin this year?

 

 

Bringing Down the Cost of Convention

It has just come to our attention that there is a companion resolution to the proposed resolution to move the site of convention back to the Cathedral in Albany.  Proposed Resolution #4 calls upon the Diocese to establish a registration option for convention that would allow participation in the essential business meetings without paying the cost of a full weekend.  This is important for delegates who are required to be at convention to vote on resolutions, and others who take a keen interest in the business of the diocese. 

Dennis Wisnom, mover of these resolutions regarding convention, confirms that the two are intended bo be seen as complimentary when he writes:

"Fortunately, both resolutions are in order and have been received by the Secretary of the Diocese, Archdeacon Harvey Huth.  Proposed Resolution 4 is about bringing down the cost of convention and Proposed Resolution 5 is about bringing convention back to the cathedral."

Proposed Resolution #4

Moved by: Dennis Wisnom, Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. James R. McDonald

Resolved, that the Diocese of Albany adopt the following modifications to the registration practices for future conventions:

Resolved, that for future conventions there be a registration option whereby convention attendees who wish to attend only the business meeting be allowed to do so.

Resolved, that those who attend only the business portion of convention be charged a nominal fee as determined by the Bishop with the consent of the Standing Committee.

Explanation of Resolution:  Currently there are no options to attend just the business meeting.  In these difficult economic times, many cannot afford the cost of convention as it is currently structured.  Others simply prefer to attend the business portion only.  The present system effectively disenfranchises these groups of people.  Adding the option of attending just the business portion would assure that all members of the Diocese would have equal access to and equal participation in the business of the Diocese.  Every year, the Diocese could charge a nominal registration fee for this group of people.

Where's the Love in the Covenant?

 

Covenant Design Group

 Despite our Bishop's attempt to assure his diocese that Diocesan Convention will not take up the question of the proposed Anglican Covenant, thoughtful communicants still think that such action is a possibility.

William Hammond of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Albany, is one such thoughtful Episcopalian.  Referring to the most recent version of the draft covenant, the Ridley Draft, Dr. Hammond writes that the one thing missing from the document is love of God and love of neighbor:

Rumors keep flying that our Diocese will be asked to accept the proposed "Anglican Covenant, Ridley draft" in principle at its forthcoming convention (next weekend, I believe).

The document is here.

Of course, one could try to argue that it's not proper for a diocese of The Episcopal Church to act in any way on this before (1) it's finished, which is not the case, and (2) before General Convention has seen it.

Neither of these arguments is likely to succeed in this neck of the woods.

One might, however, make the case for tabling it by pointing out that affirmation of most important of all of Christ's teachings has been omitted from the three lists of affirmations and responses in the first three sections.  (The 4th section, on who is in and who is out, is being rewritten).

-- Bill

Bring the Convention Back to Albany!

Another resolution for consideration by Diocesan Convention has just been brought to our attention.  It is moved by a member of St. Stephen's Church in Schenectady, and seconded by the rector of that parish.  Many of us have thought for some time that the current site for the convention, Camp of the Woods in Speculator, is both an inconvenient location an an unnecessary expense for the diocese.  This proposed resolution seeks to remedy the situation by moving the site of the convention back to the cathedral in Albany, where it has historically been held:

Proposed Resolution #5

Moved by: Dennis Wisnom.  Seconded by: The Rev. Dr. James R. McDonald

Resolved, that future conventions be held at the Cathedral of All Saints.

Explanation of Resolution:  Convention has not been held at the Cathedral of All Saints since 1998.  Let us be mindful of the importance of the stewardship of our resources and use the cathedral for the business meeting and Convention Eucharist.

As the explanation for this simple resolution states, it would be good stewardship for the diocese to return the convention to Albany.  In a time of rising gasoline prices, travel to and back from the rented camp in Speculator is becoming prohibitive for delegates and others who wish to experience Diocesan Convention.  Lodging at the camp, or even day use fees are an added burden for delegates who are there primarily for the business meetings.

The argument has been made that the convention is enhanced by workshops and classes which make the weekend a diocesan retreat as well as a business gathering.  But let is consider separating the retreat activities from the business of convention, and hold another meeting for connecting socially and spiritually at our own camp and convention facility, the Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich.  There is no need any longer for utilizing the Camp of the Woods since the SLC has opened expressly for the purpose of providing a place of refreshment and growth for all in the Diocese of Albany.

For these reasons it is time to move Diocesan Convention back to Albany.