v     Remain in the chapel for silence, prayer, meditation as the Gregorian Singers offered music both ancient and contemporary.

v     Join the Rev. Malcolm Boyd for “Coffee House” chats on prayer, music and dialogue.

v     “Water and Stones” was lead by team of lay and ordained women united by their passion for justice.

v     Dr. Horace Boyer presented “A Balm in Gilead – Song of Healing.”

 I chose Dr. Boyer and was not disappointed. For almost two hours we encountered Jesus through music, Dr. Boyer’s sharings on the richness of faith that has inspired and formed our music, and sang and sang and sang with hundred of others who were there to refresh their relationship with Jesus, themselves, and one another. The singing was powerful and I was frequently moved to tears.  This was the highlight for me!

The third event that enriched my day and added so much to my joy at being part of the Episcopal Church was the open hearing on the Liturgies for the Blessing of Same-sex Unions.  I was there for three hours and wish that it was longer. As the Eucharist was filled with the Spirit of God and a very large gathering of fellow Christians who were deeply devoted to Jesus Christ, those faithful who had paid the sacrificial price of faith to follow Him, so too was the hearing filled to overflowing with the faithful.

Hearings on controversial subjects are what the Episcopal Church offers the contemporary Church.  This was so well done that it deserves to be copied in every church, diocese, community event in which issues filled with emotion threaten to divide those who otherwise share a common bond.

Prayer, dignity, compassion, silence, listening, courtesy, respect, understanding, intimacy…are only a few of the words which capture the context in which the deepest of convictions, emotions, and life experiences were shared. I think that everyone in the packed room, indeed every Deputy and Bishop to General Convention, have heard the arguments on either side over and over and over...perhaps even too much. 

But, it is one thing to hear the pleadings in print and quite another to encounter the person behind the convictions!  I was never so reminded that we are an Incarnate Church, a gathering of faithful people who embody the presence of the Holy Spirit.  We, the Church, are like no other gatherings of people and the structure of the hearing provided an opportunity to encounter others of faith, regardless of our divisions. The arguments are weighty and the divisions amongst us are real, but they pail in comparison to the richness of faith in Jesus who unites us. I feel so blessed, I am honored, to be a part of a Church that values every soul regardless of………..and is determined to remember and live out the witness of the Church universal that “…nothing can separate us from his love…” (Rom. 8:38).  Wow…what an encounter with the Incarnate Lord!

There were opening comments by two learned members of the committee and then there were witnesses from each side – Pro & Con – to reflect their positions on the pending legislation. Each person was given two minutes, which was more than enough.  I think that we heard from over 30 Bishops and Deputies.  All was done in a context of SILENCE AND PRAYER on the part of the audience.  There was NO response to any of the presenters. This is an excellent process that honors the presenter regardless of his or her thoughtful opinions.  This is the cornerstone of establishing an atmosphere of respect. 

Yes, I had heard the arguments, but I was compelled to hear the person, look into the soul, see the face behind the conviction, observe the body convey deeper realities, watch the anguish, rejoice in the faith stories, tear-up in mutual anguish over the pain experienced, laugh with those who were able to see joy and humor, value the person struggling to devote their entire being to Jesus above their political or theological persuasion. I know that there are those who see this as a political decision that has huge implications for the Episcopal Church and millions who seek Jesus but for a moment in time…a long moment…I was compelled to bond with everyone who spoke…unconditionally.

Ah, yes, the arguments went back and forth…

v     One person would speak of the full body of Scripture as condemning any sexual act between individuals of the same sex while another would counter that his/her faithful understanding of the Scripture and life experiences lead to the conviction that only promiscuity was condemned and that there existed the possibility of God permitting monogamous relationships.

v     One person would state that their 25 years of faithful, monogamous relationship with their “partner” was a blessing from God and needed to be blessed by the church while another would counter that this is a distortion of what God had clearly spoken for 3500 years and is something that needed repentance rather than blessing.

v     One person would remind us that legislative approval to bless same-sex unions was not accepted or acceptable by the vast majority of the Christian Church – Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, or the Anglican Communion – while another would counter that as the Episcopal Church has been prophetic in launching into new territory in the past – ministry to all people regardless of race or ethnic background, the ordination of women, and blessing of marriage after divorce – so too was this the season to fully incorporate homosexuals into the life of the church.

v     One person would share how much his/her church had grown as there was a deeper acceptance of same-sex unions while another warned that this would strike a death blow to the power of the Gospel in their faith community either in the U.S. or within the world-wide Church.

v     One person would share his/her deep concern that deep divisions, even schism similar to what has occurred in Canada, would result if action were taken to bless same-sex unions while another believed that such action would open the flood gates to the multitudes in our society who were waiting for the church to extend Christ’s invitation to all people.

v     On shared that it would be an easier thing to do in joining the Metropolitan Church while another would reply that they loved the Episcopal Church and wanted to church to bless them.

v     One person shared that it was really such a small step to bless those who were willing to commit to a life-long, monogamous relationship before Jesus while another counted that this was a giant leap for the church.

v     BUT…all shared a deep, sacrificial devotion to Jesus Christ, His Church, His People, and the Anglican Communion.

 And then, it was over.

 Legislation will be formulated and eventually, the Deputies and Bishops will vote.

 I feel so honored and privileged to be called to such a responsibility.  I know that everyone in our Deputation [Laity, Clergy & Bishops] have prayed, researched, listened, and agonized over God’s call upon each of us to respond to the responsibilities placed before us. I think most of us have spent years trying to hear God’s voice on this issue.  Some of us have been awake during the night seeking, asking, praying, tearing over a vote that must be taken.  And, in the end, there will be a vote, a decision will be made, and the Church will work its life out through grace!

  “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those who are called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28

 Gallery--August 1

Outside the Convention Center every morning, deputies are given information--from many points of view on the issues to be debated.	Executive Board member Joan Engskow, a representative from Southeast Florida to the Daughters of the King Triennial Retreat, held in Minneapolis Jul. 23-29, visits the Our Little Roses Ministries exhibit. Joan is liaison for Our Little Roses in her parish, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Pompano Beach.

Janet Aguhob of St. Paul's, Delray Beach, (seated, left) joins in hymn-singing in the Moravian tradition, one of the offerings for spiritual reflection at the Morning of Prayer.

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