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Episcopal General Convention approves and
supports "life-long committed relationships" other than
marriage, refuses to support liturgical rites to "express that
support"
WebWeaver's note:
Much attention has been given to the actions of the
Episcopal General Convention in mid-July, which included a rejection
of what Presbyterians have been calling holy union ceremonies.
However, the Episcopal Church took significant steps toward affirming
the variety of committed relationships that are a part of life in our
society today, and this story offers some perspective on the positive
side of their actions.
(Episcopal News Service - Denver, July 13, 2000) By an overwhelming
margin, the House of Bishops concurred with the House of Deputies July
13 in approving the first seven resolves of a resolution expressing
support for couples living in "life-long committed
relationships" other than marriage. An eighth resolve that would
have called for the preparation of liturgical rites to permit the church
to "express that support" was dropped from the resolution.
In a roll call vote, the bishops voted 119 yes to 19
no with four abstentions to concur with the deputies in approving the
first seven resolves.
The bishops also unanimously approved a "mind of
the house" resolution that commits them to "continue study and
be in conversation regarding issues of human sexuality by making use of
the theology committee under process of appointment by the presiding
bishop in consultation with the Committee on Pastoral Development."
The mind of the house resolution continues: "This
committee consists of lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons, and
will make a report in the hopes that a mind of house resolution will
result from their study."
The text of resolution D039 as approved by the General
Convention follows:
 | Resolved, that the members of the 73rd General
Convention intend for this Church to provide a safe and just
structure in which all can utilize their gifts and creative energies
for mission, and be it further
|
| Resolved, we acknowledge that while the issues of
human sexuality are not yet resolved, there are currently couples in
the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in marriage and
couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in
other life-long committed relationships, and be it further
|
| Resolved, we expect such relationships will be
characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect,
careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those
in such relationships to see in each other the image of God, and be
it further
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| Resolved, we denounce promiscuity, exploitation and
abusiveness in the relationships of any of our members, and be it
further
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| Resolved, this Church intends to hold all its
members accountable to these values, and will provide for them the
prayerful support, encouragement and pastoral care necessary to live
faithfully by them, and be it further
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| Resolved, we acknowledge that some, acting in good
conscience, who disagree with the traditional teaching of the Church
on human sexuality, will act in contradiction to that position, and
be it further
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| Resolved, that in continuity with previous actions
of the General Convention of this Church, and in response to the
call for dialogue by the Lambeth Conference, we affirm that those on
various sides of controversial issues have a place in the Church,
and we reaffirm the imperative to promote conversation between
persons of differing experiences and perspectives, while
acknowledging the Church's teaching on the sanctity of marriage.
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The following 8th resolve originally included in the
resolution was defeated in both houses:
| Resolved, that desiring to support relationships of
mutuality and fidelity other than marriage which mediate the grace
of God, the 73rd General Convention directs the Standing Commission
on Liturgy and Music to prepare for consideration by the 74th
General Convention rites for inclusion in the Book of Occasional
Services by means of which the Church may express that support.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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