GC77 – Day 5 – July 9, 2012: The rhythm of daily Eucharist, to which I
became accustomed in my 3 years of seminary, is a comforting and evocative
tradition to slip back into. Today we
celebrated the feast of Samson Occum of the Mohegan nation, the first Native
American to be ordained – as a Presbyterian in 1723. Sadly, his story is one of mistreatment and
abuse by Europeans, though he is remembered for his eloquence and spiritual
wisdom, and his work among the Mohegans of Connecticut. Our preacher was Mary Crist / Eagle Woman of
the Southern Robe Blackfeet. Ordained a
priest 6 months ago, Mary spoke simply but eloquently of being sent to a church
that, in its old form, had died. What
has grown in its place is a community garden, a publicly-funded charter school,
and a feeding ministry. “From what
people tell me, the Episcopal Church is dying, but from what I see, the church
is being reborn.” http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/09/mary-crist-preaches-at-july-9-general-convention-eucharist/
I sat in for Deputy Jim Pritchett today. We enjoyed more than 6 hours in legislative
session. The #1 most hated phrase on the
floor of the House of Deputies is now, “I rise to offer an amendment.” Our work today included: adopting a call for
a Congressional Commission on Criminal Justice; concurring (with the House of
Bishops) on a call for all church insurance providers to cover infertility
treatments; concurring on continuing Anti-Racism work; concurring on support
for camps for children of incarcerated parents; concurring on the continued
trial usage of the resource Holy Women, Holy Men with continued
refinement; concurring on the need to form a Task Force to study marriage;
concurring on adding “gender identity expression” to the language about equality
of access by all people to the ordination process, and approved measured action
on seeking justice in the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Special rules, points of order, calling the
question, substitute amendments and requesting division of orders filled all
the nooks and crannies of debate. “Division
of orders”: since the House of Deputies consists of equal parts lay and clergy
deputies, it is permitted (upon agreement by 3 or more dioceses) to ask for the
vote – which is usually done by voice, or, if close, by raising green (for yes) or red (for no) cards. Calling for
division has the effect of slowing down action and increasing the difficulty of something passing the House. In the division by orders, a matter must prevail
by a majority in both orders at the same
time to pass. AND if a deputation is
divided (2 for and 2 against in either lay or clerical order), the tie counts
as a “no” vote. Dividing by orders also
records the votes, so that one can go to the records and find that the
deputation from Western North Carolina voted for or against a particular
issue. Too Much Information? I thought so…
Though it does all blur together for us on the floor, our
concurring with the bishops on the equality of access to the ordination process
was quite significant. This is a major
change in our polity, which was warmly welcomed by the
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered community and supporters. At the same time, the House of Bishops was
voting to accept the provisional use of a liturgy for blessing same-sex
relationships. Day 5 is significant for
the actions taken on these two items alone.
Dinner – Italian, with the Dean of All Souls Cathedral,
fittingly. Our nightly deputation
gathering cancelled, due to late dinners and, more importantly, weariness. I’m sitting in for Joel Hafer tomorrow. That puts me between deputies Kistler and
Mance. Pray for me.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev Robert Lundquist
Clergy Deputy (through Tuesday)
