If you'd like to keep tabs on all the news from General Convention, be sure to check episcopalchurch.org/ens/gc2006news. You can find full reports every morning ('Convention Daily') in PDF format (print it and read on the train) and evening streamining webcasts ('Convention Nightly'), all in addition to online news releases.
Want even more up-to-date info? Well, all we can find is a live webcam in the Food Court in the Columbus Convention Center. Perhaps you can catch a glimpse of a lay or clerical deputy or a bishop...
In the photo on the right, you can see the table where the New Jersey deputation sits in the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies. Do notice that Jersey tomatoes are flourishing in Columbus, Ohio. If you'd like to see the tomatoes at a larger size, just click the small image.
• The Bishop's Blog: Wednesday, 21 June, Days 9
As I was preparing to come to this Convention, one of our New Jersey clergy gave me a page from the current Forward Day By Day. In the meditation the author wondered about the quality of community life in this Convention: "I wonder if Christ will be so present among the lay and clergy gathered that the media will be struck by the respect and care they see exchanged there. I wonder if anyone will remark, 'See how these Christians love one another.'"
I don't know about the media, but I do know that respect and care have been observed here, especially in our conversations about our place in the Anglican Communion and the lives and ministries of gay and lesbians members of our Church.
The last day of this Convention was challenging and difficult for all, as we faced the prospect of failing to make a full response to the Windsor report and its recommendations. We were gathered in a special joint session by our Presiding Bishop. In the course of his address to us he read resolution B-033, "On the Election of Bishops." It calls upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to "exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."
As you will have read, the General Convention adopted B-033. In the House of Bishops we had only one half hour to discuss and take our vote. Amendments failed and a substitute motion was withdrawn. Both our Presiding Bishop and our Presiding Bishop-elect made it clear that it was important for us to adopt this resolution in the proposed language in order for our Church to continue in conversation and ongoing relationship with the Anglican Communion.
It seemed to me as though, given the lateness of the hour, it would have to be this resolution or else nothing would be said by this Convention. I voted in favor of B-033.
I realize that many view this action as harmful to gay and lesbian Christians. I intend to continue my support of the lives and ministries of our gay and lesbian clergy and members in New Jersey.
I understand that some view this and other actions of Convention with regard for the Windsor Report as inadequate. As strongly as I disagree with that assessment, I will continue in respectful conversation with those who take that view, calling us all to reconciliation through common mission.
The several resolutions on the Windsor Process that this Convention adopted have built upon previous responses from the House of Bishops to demonstrate that we have taken seriously the concerns and convictions of our Anglican partners throughout the world. We heard very encouraging comments on our Convention from the Archbishop of York and the Archbishop of New Zealand and other overseas bishops who shared in this meeting. The Archbishop of Canterbury's initial comments on our actions are also most encouraging. I believe that we have demonstrated that we want to walk together as an interdependent partner in the Communion. I hope and pray that our partners -- who have seen how The Episcopal Church is committed to the Windsor Process -- will themselves now join us in the Listening Process that has been called for at Lambeth Conferences in 1978, 1988, and 1998.
I am so grateful to be a member of The Episcopal Church and to exercise ministry in this marvelously untidy and frustrating, but graced and blessed, community of faith. Like you, I love this Church. I wouldn't want to discern our mission and ministry except in partnership with other clergy and laity, as our Constitution and Canons provide. In the midst of struggling with these very challenging questions, we struggled together. Everyone was at the table. Everyone's voice could be heard. No one got everything they wanted. But we honored and respected one another while we did the best we could do, together. And, along the way, we loved one another.
Thank you for your prayerful support throughout this General Convention. I am glad to be an Episcopalian and to be your bishop. I look forward to seeing you in New Jersey.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
+George
• The
Bishop's Blog: Monday and Tuesday, 19-20 June, Days
7 and 8
On Monday we talked about Sunday. There were countless
conversations and accounts of how people heard and
received the news of Bishop Jefferts Schori's election
as the 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
One person went so far as to say that the whole landscape
of our Church has changed as a result of this election.
At the media briefing this morning I expressed my
gratitude for being part of a province of the Anglican Communion
whose representatives on the three instruments of unity include
women: the Primates, the Anglican Consultative Council and
the Lambeth Conference. We have taken a giant step forward,
for women and for the whole Church. It is true that the landscape
has changed, and change is always hard. But I believe,
with so many, that the Holy Spirit has been at work in this
election process and will continue to work through the gifts
and leadership of Bishop Jefferts Schori.
Our Committee on Program, Budget and Finance brought forward
the fruits of our labors and presented the proposed budget
to a joint session of the Convention (Houses of
Bishops and Deputies, meeting together). Members of both
Houses had lots of questions, all of which were answered
by Committee members. The total budget for the next triennium
(2007-2009) is $152 million. I am very grateful and most
proud that our Diocese of New Jersey is recognized as
giving more than 21% of our income in support of the mission
of the wider Church. Thank you!
I ask for your prayers for this Convention. Yesterday (Tuesday)
was an especially hard day as the members of both Houses
tried to find acceptable language for our Church's response
to the Windsor Report of the Lambeth Commission on Communion.
The House of Bishops spent much of the day awaiting a resolution
from the House of Deputies. The proposed resolution failed.
We talked among ourselves for hours. Everyone, I think, wants
to get on with this.
We have said, for nearly two years, that only the
General Convention speaks for the Episcopal Church as a whole. We
must agree on what that response will be by 6:00 p.m. on
Wednesday. The Presiding Bishop, in his wisdom, has
called for a special joint session on Wednesday morning to
consider a new resolution that would form our response to
Windsor I am hoping that the strong center in each
House will adopt a resolution that will show the depth of
our commitment to walking together with our Anglican partners
while at the same time respecting the dignity, gifts and
ministries of gay and lesbian Christians.
Let us pray.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
+George
• The
Bishop's Blog: Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 June,
Days 5 and 6
By
now you will have heard that the Rt. Rev. Katherine
Jefferts Schori, Bishop of Nevada, was
elected by the House of Bishops to be the 26th Presiding
Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The House of
Deputies concurred with this action of the Bishops.
Bishop Jefferts Schori is a remarkably gifted
and able bishop. She is a good soul and a strong
leader possessed of an extraordinary intellect.
I have known her as a faculty member in the College
of Bishops and been blessed by her wisdom and
insight. Her election, guided by the Holy
Spirit, is the fruit of our Church taking
women seriously and valuing their gifts and leadership
in ordained ministry for the past 30 years. It
will be an honor and a pleasure to work with
our Presiding Bishop-elect in the coming years.
I ask you to remember Bishop Jefferts Schori
and her family in your prayers as she begins
the transition to this new ministry as chief
pastor and primate of our Church. May the Lord
who has given her the will to do these things
give her the grace and power to perform them.
This has been a very full weekend in Columbus.
We celebrated a glorious festival Eucharist and
United Thank Offering ingathering yesterday morning.
Great artwork was on display in the visual prelude.
We enjoyed fabulous music and a challenging and
wonderful sermon by Dr. Jenny Te Paa, from New
Zealand, who served on the Lambeth Commission
on Communion. I encourage everyone to read her
sermon.
There was a splendid program last night, in thanksgiving
for the ministry of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.
The series of tributes were tender, affectionate,
funny and full deep respect and appreciation
for Bishop Griswold's pastoral leadership of
our Church.
The Committee on Program, Budget and Finance
finally completed the preparation of the budget
last night at 11:30 p.m. Staff and members of
the Committee continued to work through the night
to ready the budget for presentation at a special
joint session of Convention tomorrow afternoon.
Prayers are welcome!
Thanks for your prayerful support throughout
this Convention. I am so grateful for your companionship
in this ministry, here and in New Jersey.
• The
Bishop's Blog: Friday, 16 June, Day 4
Thank
you for your continuing prayers for the General Convention.
One of greatest of blessings at this meeting is the presence
of our overseas guests from other provinces of the Anglican Communion.
Several bishops of other jurisdictions of this wider fellowship
have been welcomed and given seat and voice in our House. We
have heard from the Archbishop of York and from a retired bishop
of Northern Uganda, whose wife was killed in the violence. These
bishops and their wisdom and experience help us to be mindful
of and grateful for our worldwide Communion.
On Friday we heard remarks from the Secretary General
of the Anglican Communion. He spoke of the "Windsor process," referring
to the several strands of understanding and listening that are
underway in order to strengthen our bonds of affection and the
fabric of our Communion. We have now adopted three resolutions
brought forward through the special legislative committee. There
is strong support for our continuing to "walk together" as
an independent partner with our brothers and sisters
in the Communion. As someone said yesterday, one cannot
be interdependent except as independent partners.
I anticipate that our Program, Budget and Finance Committee
will prepare a budget that will include funds to meet the full
asking for support of the Anglican Communion Office, including the
Anglican Consultative Council.
Today "PB & F" will prepare and approve
the final draft of the budget, which will be submitted
to a joint session of the General Convention on Monday
afternoon. Perhaps then the members of our Committee
can come up for air and see a little bit more of the
Convention. I hope!
It a special treat to drop by the Triennial Meeting of the
Women of the Episcopal Church yesterday and to greet New
Jersey's own Cora Gaines, one the Women of Honor who was
recognized by the Triennial. We are all so proud of her
and glad that the rest of the Church knows Cora and has
honored her in this special way.
It has been a pleasure to see some New Jersey visitors here:
the Rev. Raewynne Whitely, Vicar of Trinity, Swedesboro; and
the Rev. Terry Martin, Vicar of The Church of the
Holy Spirit, Tuckerton. I look forward to greeting others
as we head into this weekend.
Pray for the nominees for 26th Presiding Bishop and for their
families as we approach the election tomorrow.
Give thanks for the ministry of the Very Rev. George Werner,
President of the House of Deputies, who will be recognized at
a special gathering this evening.
And join in thanksgiving for the ministry of the Most Rev. Frank
Griswold, our 25th Presiding Bishop, and of Phoebe Griswold,
both of whom will be honored at a special celebration tonight.
I thank God for all of you, for our Diocese, and for your prayerful
partnership in the life and mission of The Episcopal Church.
• NOT
the Bishop's Blog: Friday, 16 June, late-breaking
news
Bishop Councell was elected to the Board of Trustees of General
Theological Seminary Thursday, 15 June. Four bishops had
been nominated for two positions on the Board; he and and
Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, were chosen. Congratulations!
• The
Bishop's Blog: Thursday, 15 June, Day 3
Thank
you for your continuing prayers for our Church as we meet
in this 75th General Convention in Columbus.
The pace of the legislative process is picking up. The House
of Bishops dealt with a variety of resolutions Thursday,
including ones on Interim Eucharistic Sharing with the United
Methodist Church, with guidelines for interfaith dialogue
and relationships, with immigration reform and many, many
other matters. It all goes by quickly. I look forward to
learning what we all did here, once I return to New Jersey.
Along the way we approved, on a first reading, a Constitutional
change to remove the vote of retired bishops. It was moving
to me to hear so many retired bishops speak in favor of this
proposal. Their presence and participation, their wisdom
and experience are such a valuable part of our community.
I agreed, however, that voting should be left to those active
bishops with the responsibility and accountability to lead
the Church into action and raise the resources to pursue
our common mission.
Mission is the great theme of this Convention. Our Church
wants to turn outward, as witnessed by the constant references
to the Millennium Development Goals. I was pleased that our
work on Program, Budget & Finance of revising the five
budget priorities was adopted by both Houses yesterday.
"PB & F" will complete the budget today or tomorrow and present
it to a joint session on Monday. Serving on that committee has been
illuminating — if exhausting! While I'm learning a lot about our Church,
I don't see much of the Convention. I read about it in the papers and on
line.
Yesterday afternoon the bishops viewed an as yet incomplete
documentary entitled "Traces of the Trade," which
tells the story of the DeWolfe family of Bristol, Connecticut
and how members of the family are dealing with the discovery
of their ancestors' involvement with the slave trade. It
is a powerful and provocative film which we discussed in
our small groups later in the day
A highlight yesterday was welcoming my daughter, Sarah
Councell Turner, to the Convention, representing Bread for
the World. She was here to attend last night's Presiding
Bishop's Forum on Reconciliation. I'm a proud papa.
It is such a privilege and responsibility to serve in
this Convention and such a joy to see the vitality and energy
for Christ and for the mission of this Church. Thank you
for your prayerful support. Keep those prayers comin'.
• The
Bishop's Blog: Wednesday, 14 June, Day 2
Yesterday
was a long legislative day. Maybe they all are. Very
long for members of Program, Budget, and Finance — the
group of 30 some lay and clergy deputies and bishops charged
with preparing and presenting a budget for the next triennium
in the Episcopal Church. The proposed budget runs to 57 pages
and totals nearly $152 million for 2007-2009. Our committee
worked for nine hours yesterday in addition to attending
the regular legislative sessions. Last night we held a two-and-a-half-hour
hearing and listened to 50 appeals for funding. 122 people
had registered to speak.
The Millennium Development Goals are a great theme and a
great rallying cry at this Convention. We saw a great surge
of support for the MDGs in the House of Bishops yesterday.
I am thrilled to see our Church taking the challenge of giving
0.7% of our income toward the reduction of extreme poverty
and giving hope to our world. I'm glad that our Diocese is
among the 70 some dioceses that are all already committed
to this discipline.
The House of Bishops continues to review and consider various
pieces of legislation, including a Constitutional amendment,
eliminating the vote of retired bishops, the replacement
of the BCP Lectionary with the Revised Common Lectionary,
the funding of the Anglican Consultative Council, and many,
many, many (!) other matters.
I had the privilege of serving as a "media briefer" yesterday,
under the direction of New Jersey's own Neva Rae Fox, who
is coordinating the newsroom here. It was a bit daunting,
but I was grateful to participate.
Our New Jersey Deputies and Triennial Delegates are working
hard and serving well. It was a treat to join them for hospitality
and fellowship for a few moments late in the day. They are
such a group of dedicated and fun-loving people. Linda Gaither,
their chaplain, led us in prayer for peace before we went
on to evening meetings and hearings.
Thank you for your continuing prayers, as I hold you in mine.
• The
Bishop's Blog: Tuesday, 13 June, Day 1
Hello,
from Columbus. I am privileged to be here, together with
the Deputies, volunteers and visitors from New Jersey, all
parts of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion,
to attend and take part in the 75th General Convention.
With an 'orientation day' on Monday (a day that began at
7:30 am. and ended at 9:30 pm, with a few short breaks),
the Convention formally opened on Tuesday, June 13th. The
Program, Budget and Finance Committee, on which I serve,
met from 7:30 to 9 am; from 2 to 4 pm; and from 7 to 8:45
pm. We reviewed and revised the funding priorities for the
budget, adding specific reference to the Millennium Development
Goals.
Convention begins each day with worship. The Eucharist yesterday
included small group Bible Study and table discussion prompted
by the question, "What gifts has God given us that strengthen
us for service and help us become more effective in our daily
ministries?" The Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts
organization offered a stunningly beautiful "Visual
Prelude" of images of works by Episcopal artists from
across our Church, including several by New Jersey artists.
A solo fiddle played during Communion. It was quite lovely.
A reverent Eucharist for thousands.
One of the most moving events of the day was the introduction
of overseas bishops from around the Anglican Communion, including
the Archbishop of York, John Setamu, who read a letter of
greeting from the Archbishop of Canterbury
We heard a presentation by Robert Radtke, President of Episcopal
Relief and Development, who told us of the amazing growth
of ERD, which had a 300% increase in numbers of donors and
a 400% increase in the total amount of donations from 2004
to 2005. I am so pleased that the people and parishes of
Diocese of New Jersey has been especially generous to ERD.
I have enjoyed seeing old friends and former colleagues here
at Convention as well as becoming better acquainted with
our New Jersey deputation and delegates to the Triennial
meeting of the women of our Church. This is a blessed company.
When the House of Bishops was formally called to Order yesterday,
retired bishops were called by name, whereas active bishops
were called by jurisdiction. It was awesome and humbling
to hear,
"New Jersey"
and answer,
"Here."
I ask for your continuing prayers as we continue this ministry
together.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
+George