Inclusivity and thoughtful change that embraces tradition

At the end of last week I was at a training of EfM mentors in Waverly, Georgia. I enjoy being a part of these trainings as it is clearly evident how important this program is to the Church, as well as to those who take the course. For some time now I have been convinced that the Episcopal Church is on the verge of a breakthrough. We, Episcopalians, have realized that Christianity, as it has been expressed in the past, needs to be brought into a new reality in the 21st century. With our focus on inclusivity and thoughtful change that embraces tradition, we can lead the way. EfM has been for some time a vital part of this exciting process.

At the end of a long training day I was having a break with several friends, and conversation drifted towards the topic of our Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori. There was a noticeable increase of energy in the conversation. I mentioned how excited I was about her Pentecost pastoral letter and was surprised to hear that no one in the group had read it yet. It may be the most important thing she has said to date. I strongly encouraged them, and more importantly encourage you, to read it if you have not already done so. You can find it readily on the Episcopal News Service web site, Episcopal News online June 4th.

I am thrilled by this letter. We - I am not the only one who feels this way - have been waiting for it for a long time. Bishop Katherine was prompted to write this letter largely as a response to a public letter written by Rowan Williams the Archbishop of Canterbury http://www.anglicansonline.org, which reintroduces the concept that there be a two-tiered Anglican Communion, one that agrees with his position, the first tier and one the doesn't the second. This time the presenting issue for Archbishop Williams is the election as bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles of Mary Glasspool, a partnered lesbian, and the affirmation of that action by the majority of dioceses across the country. Although the dividing incident seems once again to be about the role of gay and lesbian persons, I am convinced that the tension is about something deeper.

Since the beginning of the Church of England, the birth mother of all Anglican Churches, there have been differences about the nature of hierarchy. Who controls the workings of the Church? Is it a top down organization like the Roman Catholic Church, or is it a bottom up, grass roots organization like the first century churches. Interestingly, it is now the Church of England which represents the top down model, and the Episcopal Church which represents the bottom up model. This is no surprise I guess given that this is exactly what we fought a revolutionary war about. I find it ironic, to say the least, that Archbishop Williams says he's fighting to hold a World Wide Anglican Communion together. In fact, it was the creation of the Episcopal Church that prompted the possibility of an Anglican community, as we were, the first of England's colonies to start our own church. We have long held, as Bishop Katherine says in her letter, that the strength of the communion is in it's diversity and flexibility. As it gets larger and much more multicultural the Archbishop of Canterbury struggles to enforce regulations and controls.

Bishop Katherine does others things in this brilliant letter, too. She acknowledges and accepts, on behalf of us all, our part in the exploitation that happened during colonization both abroad and here at home. She also firmly and without equivocation expresses the views of the majority of Episcopalians, that it is our desire to fully include all persons in all aspects of church life as has been demonstrated by the approval of Mary Glasspool. Our presiding bishop has, with forcefulness and grace taken a definite position. One, many of us feel, on which we can stand with her. Archbishop Williams. on the other hand, continues to chastise the North American Churches, while turning a blind eye to the actions of other Churches, particularly some in Africa.

In our agreement with and admiration for the words and actions of the Presiding Bishop, it is appropriate for us to ask how we can help. Bishop Katherine references the baptismal prayers found in our Prayer Book, that we “strive for justice... and respect the dignity of every human being.” We will continue to work very hard for the full inclusion of all people to receive all the blessings that the Church offers now only to some.