Notes on the Presiding Bishop's Talk at the Spiritual Life Center

 

 

 

 

Christ the King Spiritual Life Center

 The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church addressed a gathering of clergy and their spouses at the diocesan Spiritual Life Center on Friday, March 11.  Bishop Love summarized the visit by observing “I’m sure some of you are thrilled that Bishop Katharine is here with us, and some of you are less than thrilled.”   Dr. Christopher Brown, the preacher, turned to the Presiding Bishop and, looking over his glasses,  reminded our visitor that “Many of us have sometimes disagreed with you.  Even in print.”

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori rose above such a lukewarm welcome by inviting the congregation, our diocese, and the wider Church into a deeper conversation.  The word comes from Latin, she reminded us, a combination of con and verso, meaning a turning or a reconsideration.  In AD 1300 the word meant “to spend time with,” or to be a member of the same community with another person.  “That is what we are about as leaders of the Church, to build community where others come to know the image of God in us.  Conversation is what we are meant to be.”  Our job as Christians is “to foster a holier conversation” and then to take that conversation out into the world.  

There are two creation stories in the Bible, she continued.  In the first, God created everything and found that it was good.  The second story is about where that creation went wrong: temptation, sin and separation.  With these two creation stories in mind, we can see a parallel in the story of our Lord’s baptism.  God speaks and tells Jesus, “In You I am well pleased.”  Then, immediately Jesus goes out into the desert to be tempted.  The Presiding Bishop observed that this is a midrash of the two creation stories.  Jesus is the new Adam.

Now, we can start our conversation from the perspective of either creation narrative.  If we look at one another with the second creation story in mind, it is “you miserable sinner, you.”  Therefore, if we skip the first version of creation “the conversation usually doesn’t go well.  We must look at each other and believe that we, the other person, and all creation are good.  By extension, Jesus is telling each of us “you are my beloved, in you I am well pleased.”  Bishop Schori even suggested a Lenten discipline: look at yourself in the mirror each day and say “you are my beloved, in you I am well pleased.”  By Easter, she suggested, the way we look at ourselves and each other, and the tone of our conversation, might be changed.

Having introduced such a radical perspective, the Presiding Bishop then opened up the discussion.  With just a hint of a wry smile, she asked “now, what would you like to talk about?”

A member of the clergy wondered if the Presiding Bishop believed in the account of Jesus’ baptism, or saw it in terms of myth, since she used the story as an analogy.  She patiently replied that yes, she believed the Bible account, but the question itself raises an interesting point.  “There is a willingness to reduce words to their smallest meaning.  Take the words myth or theory, for example.”   A theory is narrowly seen as being “someone’s guess,” whereas in science a theory is the best explanation of the facts available at the present time.  Likewise, the word myth is often used in its smallest context, signifying something that is made up, or not factually true.  In its wider context, myth is the way we speak about the origin of  what is most real to us.  Bishop Schori called midrash “the creative spirit of God in the community... hearing a story and understanding its deep truth, and myth, in our current situation.” 

A member of the audience rose to lament the state of the the Anglican Communion, “which is dying”.  The Presiding Bishop reminded us that “the Body of Christ dies continually, that it may be resurrected.”  In fact, the Church is more alive now, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Church grows in places where it faces outward to meet the needs of the people.  Where it turns inward, it dies.  “And I think that is OK, because where the Church is inward-looking it is not doing its job.”  As for The Episcopal Church, “we’re looking for mutuality in conversation.  We are looking for partners in conversation.”

Another priest in the diocese reminded Bishop Schori that Albany is mainly conservative, in contrast to many other dioceses that she had visited.  What do you mean when you use the word conservative?, she countered.  Look at particular issues -- for example the question of same-sex blessings.  We have forgotten that for centuries the Church blessed friendships, more often than not friendships between persons of the same sex.  In English cathedrals you can find knights buried together.  They had entered a “holy friendship” to defend one another to the death, and in death they are together.  The church has since changed its position on who and what relationships it can bless.  What, then, is the “conservative” position?

Someone else mentioned the Anglican Covenant and the fact that the Diocese of Albany has passed a resolution of support.  The Presiding Bishop acknowledged that dioceses have been invited to comment on the Covenant, and that General Convention will most likely continue the discussion in 2012.  The real issue to be considered is Section Four of the proposed draft.  How would it affect provincial autonomy and local church practice?

For example, the Church operates in parts of the world that have traditionally accepted polygamy.  Must we insist that converts to Christianity give up their wives?  The effect on the women would be consignment to prostitution or poverty.  This shows the importance of context in church practice.  We must understand each other’s context more deeply.  “God has given us gifts in our context.  We must understand how to apply them.”  In turn, we are challenged to support the churches in other contexts “in any way we authentically can.”

The worldwide Church is diverse in belief and practice, as it must be.  Bishop Schori used an agricultural image.  It is difficult to maintain a field of only one crop.  God keeps putting things into the field that we don’t believe belong there, weeds and other plants.  Even large amounts of manure, insecticides and herbicides won’t stop biological diversity in the long run.  In the Church as well as in biology “the most productive environments are not monocultures.”  We can only plant the seed, let others water the ground, and God will give growth.  “We can’t control it all, as much as we might want to.”

A rector from a North Country parish referenced issues that divide our congregations.  That priest called for “serious, deepening and safe conversations” about these issues.  The Presiding Bishop encouraged further discussions, but cautioned that “conversation is never safe if it is real.”  Acknowledging that real grievances exist in the diocese, Bishop Katharine told her audience that “irritation is an invitation to get closer.  I’m serious about this.”  Conversation is difficult but necessary in order “to begin to find a blessing in the person who appears to be an affront to us”

The Presiding Bishop was only given a short time to address the assembly at the Spiritual Life Center.  The program scheduled her presentation, including questions from the floor, for 2:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon.  Her portion of the program was ended precisely on time.  While there were other questions asked of her, these are the answers that I found memorable and most significant.  All of her remarks, as I recollect them, were intended to broaden our perspective on the life of the diocese and the Church, and to encourage continued conversation on the issues that engage us.

Comments

[Robert T. Dodd]

I was delighted to find Fr. Brown's excellent sermon on this blog and thank John White for posting it.

I must, however, take strong exception to Fr. Brown's comment on this thread that Bp. Love "has always treated the progressive wing of the diocese with decency." That has simply not been AVM's experience.

When Bp. Bill met with the AVM Board shortly after he took office, I said to him, "You are the Bishop of the whole Diocese of Albany. If you win, we all win. If you lose, we all lose." I said then that AVM would like to be helpful. That remains true today.

Robert T. Dodd

[Fr. Christopher Brown]

I am constantly struck by how different people's perceptions can be. Fr. Blanch speaks of the Diocese of Albany as being "ungracious, controlling and defensive" in the manner in which it received the Presiding Bishop. I just didn't see it.

I was impressed at the degree to which people I knew, who had long been critical of the Presiding Bishop, were willing to set their negativity aside and welcome her in a friendly and open manner.

Did everyone agree with all the things that she had to said? Some did and some did not (probably most did not), but I was amazed at how normal and good-natured the whole event seemed.

[Fr Paul F Blanch]

I can quite understand what Fr Brown is trying to say in his remarks about the upset caused regarding Bishop Love's ill chosen remarks about the PB' visit to Albany. However, we all know that as Christian pastors there are certain pastoral situations that require some things be left unsaid in the name of a more gracious and Christian welcome. Let bygones be bygones. How can we achieve that level of sincere and profound conversation that Bishop Katherine spoke of, if all the time we simply want to score points off each other.
I was in attendance on Friday and felt very proud to have Bishop Katherine as my PB, and a little sad that our Diocese which claims always to be so ultra Christian and orthodox could only be so ungracious, controlling and defensive. Do we not need to look again in Albany Diocese at the concept of Jesus as the boundary breaker!

[Fr. Christopher Brown]

All this indignation about Bishop Love’s recognition that not all were thrilled by Bishop Schori’s visit is getting way out of hand! Bishop Love was merely telling the truth -- it was not an attack on the Presiding Bishop! There were a number of people in the diocese who very unhappy about her visit, and Bishop Love was more aware of this than others, since he has undoubtedly been the brunt of their displeasure.

Bishop Love is a deeply humble and earnest human being. He is honest and a person of great moral courage. And he has always treated the progressive wing of the diocese with decency.

Bishop Love and the Presiding Bishop have developed an amicable working relationship over some years. During the visit, the two bishops – as well as Bishop Herzog – were friendly, relaxed and cordial.

Bishop Love deserves a lot of credit extending this invitation and trying to make the Presiding Bishop’s visit into a positive event -- especially given the depth of disagreement between the national church and many of us in the diocese. The fact that she was there, and that so many cheerfully took part, despite their differences, shows their willingness to enter into “conversation.”

[Grandmère Mimi]

How unfortunate that Bishop Love did not choose to offer a gracious welcome to Bishop Katharine. It seems to me that simple courtesy is never out of order.

Fr Christopher Brown, I'd like to read the complete text of your sermon.

I'm pleased that you thought the Presiding Bishop presented herself well. Her "poise, intelligence and thoughtfulness – and by her overall friendliness and good will" impress me each time I am in her presence.

[Lisa Fox]

Thank you for this report. I hope some of the people were able to open their ears and truly listen to what the Presiding Bishop and the Episcopal Church believe.

I'm going to link to your account from my blog. I hope this gets widely read.

[Dennis Wisnom]

I would welcome the opportunity to read Fr. Brown's sermon. I highly commend him for the following words: "We you for the office that you hold, and the vigor and integrity that you bring to that office..."
At the same time, I am absolutely appalled that Bishop Love would say "I'm sure that some of you are thrilled that Bishop Katharine's here with us and some of you are less than thrilled." What happened to common courtesy and pure manners. Bishop Love ought to be ashamed for his comments. If it was his attempt at humor, he has failed miserably. While there are differences of theological opinion between Katharine Jefferts Schori and the vast majority of clergy in Albany, one must still respect the office of the Presiding Bishop, as Fr. Brown stated. Perhaps Bishop Love will think twice before he opens his mouth next time. How would he like it if a priest in one of the Via Media parishes said that about him?

[John White]

As I wrote in the Letters section of Albany Via Media,

"I did not mean to disparage Dr. Christopher Brown's sermon at the Spiritual Life Center on March 11. In fact, I thought that the sermon itself was very good. If Dr. Brown wishes to send me a text of the sermon, I would even be happy to post it on the blog for others to read."

I will even go so far as to admit that Dr. Brown's remarks were more appropriate to the occasion that Bishop Love's, which I also quoted.

[Fr. Christopher Brown]

Prior to the Presiding Bishop’s visit, I felt it would be a good thing for the diocese, and that it would help to build bridges. My experience of her visit on Friday – including the event at the Spiritual Life Center, dinner, and then the healing service at Glenns Falls – confirmed my expectations.

I thought Bishop Kathryn did a fine job. I was impressed by her poise, intelligence and thoughtfulness – and by her overall friendliness and good will.

Her presentation on Wednesday afternoon (reported in considerable detail by John White) demonstrated that she is a very impressive person indeed.

There were points at which I disagreed with her, but I didn’t think it was the occasion to be argumentative. I felt it was about strengthening a relationship, and disputing the finer points could wait for another day.

I doubt her visit changed anyone’s mind – especially on theological matters. But I think it changed some underlying attitudes. It certainly left me with a more positive impression. Since the diocese wishes to stay in the Episcopal Church (without embracing prevailing trends in the national church), I think Bishop Kathryn’s visit proved to be a positive thing.

[Fr. Christopher Brown]

I doubt that I looked over the top of my glasses; I actually can’t see much above their rim. More to the point, John has taken my comment out of context, in which I sought to be honest, welcoming and even complementary. This is what I said:

“First, I would like to welcome Bishop Katharine — over the years I have come to appreciate your honesty and straight-forwardness, your incisive intelligence, and the way you never, ever, seem to lose your cool — and we all also appreciate the gracious way in which you facilitated Bishop Herzog's return to the diocese. “

“I have never liked that expression about ‘the elephant in the living room;’ but honesty is always a good place to begin: many of us have sometimes disagreed with you — some of us even in print — and have not been always happy with what has come out of the General Convention in recent years — but all the more reason to appreciate your willingness to pay us a visit. We honor you for the office that you hold, and the vigor and integrity that you bring to that office, and we want you to feel welcome in the Diocese of Albany.”