Letters: Episcopal Life Monthly August 2009
Episcopal News Service. August 11, 2009 [081109-01]
Letters that appeared in the June 2009 edition of Episcopal Life Monthly are available here.
Episcopal Life welcomes letters, especially those with pictures, and will give preference to those in response to stories. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must include the writer's name, address and phone number for verification. Send to Letters, Episcopal Life, 815 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017; or email to letters@episcopal-life.org. All letters will be edited for brevity and clarity.
Ultimate authority
Re: "Convention calls for collection of 'resources' for same-gender blessing" (Episcopal Life Online): The Rev. Brooks Keith (Colorado) said that ... 'The true authority, in my opinion, lies in the pews of the church.'" Actually, the ultimate authority is God.
The Rev. Maeve Johnson, Phoenix, Arizona
Should we leave?
Re: "Bishops affirm openness of ordination process" (ELO), this will certainly cause a movement in the Anglican Communion to shun us. So be it. Would it not make sense to beat them to it and resign from the Anglican Communion? Why do we need them?
John Redmond, Lincoln, California
Retired still 'worthy'
"Once a bishop, always a bishop." I wonder what it is really that moves the House of Bishops to have to "study" the concept of allowing their retired kin to vote. Because consecration cannot be taken away by human hands, the house knows that the retirees are every bit [as] "real" bishops as they [are] and, by definition, worthy of votes. Could it be that they are afraid of what those votes would be? Pushing it off to 2012 and 2015 is really very convenient because some older people may not be around in six years, speaking bluntly. And, of course, we don't want a chance of a stronger orthodox voice in the house, now do we? As most intelligent laity know by now, the "roomiest church in Christendom" has been drastically narrowed to a liberal living room.
Cate McGarrrett, Providence, Rhode Island
Recognize animals' role
I am so pleased and gratefully prayerful that the [Episcopal Church] is, at last, officially recognizing the critical role of animals in God's creation and Episcopalians' responsibility in their stewardship. While resolutions proposed to increase awareness of and care for God's creatures have been defeated at past conventions, I am greatly encouraged by the bishops' willingness to consider such resolutions in 2009. If bishops, deputies and all present at the convention will carry the creation-care message back to their churches and promote animal ministries, then truly, our church will change for the better.
Thanks to the Episcopal Network for Animal Welfare's persistence in promoting resolutions that bring animals and their human companions to the attention of the church leadership and overall membership. Let [Episcopal Church] serve as an international model for embracing all of God's creatures, regardless of sexual orientation or species.
Heather Hembrey, Manassas, Virginia
Speed the process
It's nice to see some of the clay falling from the feet of the leadership of our church! Still, the church's gay and lesbian children will have to wait yet another three years to see if same-sex blessing liturgies will be approved. The work has been done, the theology scrutinized, the liturgies written. Shake the rest of the clay from your feet (as opposed to the sand!) and allow for the use of these trial liturgies now!
Priscilla Harrison Bates, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Cannot alter beliefs re: D025
I have tried to accept this idea, and I can't. I can't alter my beliefs, based on biblical teaching, to have them coincide with the acts of the Episcopal Church. I have no choice but to look for another church. I am saddened that it has come to this.
You can't accept portions of the Bible as the foundation for your religion and ignore others when it is expedient. Following the teaching of Christ in a secular world is hard. The Episcopal religion is today an easier religion than yesterday.
Ed Scott, Green Valley, Arizona
Walking away re: D025
I am a cradle Episcopalian. This is not the church I grew up in! Why is current leadership on a mission to destroy the church? Finances are in shambles, yet we continue on this road. What does leadership not understand [about the fact] that people are leaving and not interested in what your model is or what you are selling? I feel my church has been taken from me and now I must go somewhere else. My parish is already struggling, and I am one of the top 25 pledgers. They will have to figure out what they are going to do without my pledge. That unfortunately is the only vote I have!
David Launder, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Congratulations re: D025
I congratulate the progressive bishops who approved D025. I lament that it was not unanimously passed. Who we are as a freedom-loving, God-loving and God-loved people is best expressed in the fullness of our personhood. Attributes of that personhood extend in every direction – spiritual, physical, emotional and sexual. God bless us, every one!
Timothy J. Mannion, Montclair, New Jersey
All-access refreshing re: D025
In last Sunday's Gospel reading in Mark, we see that John the Baptist was beheaded for being prophetic and speaking God's truth. To hear lay and ordained say that all persons are allowed access to all the sacraments is refreshing.
I love the Anglican Communion but not to the place that I must exclude whom God welcomes at baptism and for all of the other sacraments of the church. It is time for all of us to be prophetic and not exclude, bar or place moratoriums on anyone that God calls to ministry and service in God's church. This is not my, your or our church. It is God's church, and we are only members of it.
The Rev. Donald Frye, Naperville, Florida
Extremist control re: D025
Obviously the Episcopal Church no longer cares about the Anglican Church being catholic (i.e., one church). Until now I was with the Episcopal Church despite my own church in Fairfax, Virginia, leaving, but now I realize that our church has come under the control of extremists that have no concern for the Anglican Communion.
Nathaniel Talcott, Alexandria, Virginia
Joy re: D025
I can only think of one appropriate Episcopal response to this joyous event: Thanks be to God!
Greg Phipps, Louisville, Kentucky
God's kingdom re: D025
I am wondering if God has any sayso in the midst of all of this. I thought that our sole purpose in the kingdom of God was to please God. After all, it is his kingdom, isn't it?
Ann Caldwell, Charleston, South Carolina
Big mistake re: D025
D025 is a big, big mistake. It is going to separate us from most of the rest of the Anglican Communion, likely resulting in the Episcopal Church being kicked out and its gradual demise such as the demise that has left the United Church of Christ a shadow of what it once was. What it provides is already the case in much of the Episcopal Church and really didn't need to be said.
B033 needs to stay in place. It may be the only thing keeping us in the Anglican Communion for the time being.
Frank Miles, Little Rock, Arkansas
Contemporary society re: D025
Couldn't we please have the courage to say that we have come to understand human sexuality differently than we once had and that we believe that "alternative lifestyles" are completely legitimate? Furthermore, that had the Scriptures been written in this contemporary context, they would have affirmed these lifestyles. If we cannot say that, are the actions our church is taking truly appropriate?
Brian Gloe, Mission Hills, Kansas
Convention Daily appreciated
I have attended two General Conventions in the past. I was a volunteer in the House of Deputies one of the years. It was so wonderful to have the Daily from Episcopal Life available this year when I was not able to attend. I love the Episcopal Church: the broad welcoming of all; the heartfelt, prayerful deliberations and sharings that go on at [General Convention]. I am a regular subscriber of Episcopal Life and thank you for the opportunity to keep in touch and feel as though I am able to participate and hear the news as it happens. Thank you all.
Sarah Shaw, Charlotte, North Carolina
Voice of Discontent
My husband of 43 years and I are cradle Episcopalians. We have stayed in the church, not because we believe in the decisions being made at the national level for the past several years, but because we love the worship service and our local church in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The decisions made at the General Convention are causing many Episcopalians to leave the church and seek solace in fundamental churches who uphold the teachings of the Bible. On recent occasions, we actually have been embarrassed to tell people we are Episcopalians. Allowing Episcopal clergy to bless same-sex unions is an abomination to the Bible and the sacrament of marriage.
What is happening to our church leaders? If they continue on the current path, I feel the Episcopal Church in the USA is doomed. Both of our married children, who were raised Episcopal, have left the church and are raising their children in more fundamental denominations.
Please tell me where we can voice our discontent and work to bring the Episcopal Church back in line with our Anglican teachings.
Marjorie Brush, Carolina Beach, North Carolinas
Rejection 'unconscionable'
The failure of the [House of] Bishops to approve B027 urging peace between Israel and Palestine is worse than unfortunate. It is unconscionable; it demonstrates that American bishops are ignorant of what is happening day by day in the land we Christians call Holy.
Are they unaware of the fact that the Episcopal Church, in their name, is a participant in the World Council of Churches, which speaks out strongly against oppression and land confiscation in Israel/Palestine? Israeli Arab Christians, like Arab Muslims, suffer from legalized discrimination, land confiscation and many deprivations of second-class citizenship.
In the occupied territories, it is more inhumane in many forms of deprivation and oppression, the loss of livelihood, ability to travel within their own land and even the ability to tend to their own fields, while 450,000 illegal settlers take 80 percent of the water and have highways to Israel and other settlements that the Palestinians cannot use.
There is no moral balance under 41 years of military occupation. I was there in 1988 and in 2004 an am saddened by lack of compassion or apparent desire to know the truth.
The bishops of the Episcopal Church have missed an important opportunity to stand up for their brothers and sisters of Palestine – the "living stones" – as the leaders of other Protestant denominations have. [It was] a narrow-minded and tragic omission for support of peace and justice as called for in our Baptismal Covenant.
The Rev. Ed Hartwell, Austin, Texas
Mood reflects ubuntu
The Episcopal Church is to be warmly congratulated for all the good things that have come from its 76th General Convention.
I refer in particular to Resolution CO56, concerning collection of theological and liturgical resources on same-gender blessings, and Resolution DO25 on affirming the openness of ordination/ consecration processes to baptized members of the Episcopal Church regardless of sexual orientation. Both of these resolutions seem to me to reflect the all-inclusive love of Christ and none of the exclusivism that too often exists in parts of our Anglican Communion.
I write this with heavy heart, because I well know that it will be a very long time indeed before the Anglican Church of Australia enters into the specific mode of generous openness towards GLBT Christians shown so effectively by our brothers and sisters in the Episcopal Church of the United States.
The Rev. Colin Goodwin, Mornington, Victoria, Australia
Inclusion and commitment
Concerning D025: I happened to read Jeremiah 23:1-4 today, and it seemed to apply somewhat to the subject resolution as already seen in the loss of some of the more conservative dioceses. Also 1 Corinthians 6:9. I have no objections to gays or lesbians being committed members of the Episcopal Church and have known several who were members of the church here. The concern I have is for ones who are in a leadership position such as deacon, priest or bishop. I cannot help but believe that their relationship could color their counseling of individuals when required. I pray that it will not result in the dissolution of the Episcopal Church.
James W. Speck, Findlay, Ohio
Our turn to listen
What a unique idea and practice. Instead of opening our mouths and voting our independence, why not exercise patience and measured respect for others in our communion? Cannot we watch and pray just a little while longer – a little longer than what may be normal in our fast-paced Western culture and lifestyle. Do we suffer from a Western "got-to-have-it-now" lifestyle that spills over and impacts our spirituality?
Why not put off until tomorrow what may further alienate us today? But then we must hold that in tension with godly folks who await affirmation of their calling, right?
This is surely complex stuff to live and die by, [to] stay or leave by, to love or dismiss by. Do our prayers and actions lead to life or to taking it away? More light in the world or less? More grace for God's children or less? More people joining God's way or less people? Do we lack because we are not one as Jesus calls us to be?
Some battles may do more damage to the innocent and curious bystanders than to the convinced and faithful. If I knew little of the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion or our loving Lord God, would I be drawn to join this seemingly rancorous crew? Does our pride, on any side, honor our Maker, Lord and Redeemer? Did God die for our rights and/or for our soul?
Todd Rutenbar, Dallas
Meditation laudable
The predicament of Bishop-elect Kevin Thew Forrester (July) gave me pause. I can't believe that he is under scrutiny because of his "practice" of Zen Buddhist meditation. I applaud Bishop-elect Thew Forrester. It takes a more deeply rooted faith to be able to bring in elements of other faiths and to understand how they all interact and enhance one's own faith.
If we as Christians believe that all things come from God, then [various types of] meditation, whether Zen Buddhist, Hindu, Baha'i or Christian, are all forms of God's gift of meditation. Just as individuals choose what form of exercise works best for them, so it is with meditation. Would he be under scrutiny if he practiced taekwondo, a part of the Buddhist teachings?
And then I have to ask, what would nonconsent of Thew Forrester mean for the rest of us? Do we dare get a massage because it has beginnings in the Hindu culture of India and some in the ancient atheistic worlds of Greece and Rome?
This kind of fear is devil's work. Besides, don't we know of a leader whose faith was rooted in the practiced religion of the time yet embraced and taught ideas that made that religion tremble?
Marilyn Walther, Olympia, Washington
Lack of tolerance
It appears that July at Episcopal Life was open season on fundamentalists, which simply means those who believe the "basics" of the Christian faith, pretty much what every Episcopal Church attender recites in the Apostle's and Nicene creeds at most worship services.
The Rev. David Somerville fired a volley about "fundamentalism taking hold" in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corp. Wrong! The Chaplain Corp. always has been loaded with chaplains who have believed the basics of the Christian faith.
Also we find Brother Aelred Dean's letter of FundyPhobia. And the review of the book, Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, and the American Girl, all of whom drew stereotypes of fundies being ignorant, Neanderthal, backward and just plain stupid.
Interesting that Jesus, his apostles and disciples were all fundamentalists because they believed what they were talking about and wrote about in the New Testament – and they believed the Old Testament, too – even the "Genesis myth." Jesus and the writers of the New Testament quote the Old Testament often – and literally. They really believed that stuff. In fact, virtually all Christians believed "that stuff" until the rather pagan Renaissance influences crept into the mainstream churches in the past 100 years. Doesn't that make one feel somewhat alone in face of the fact that the overwhelming majority of all the Christians throughout the past 2,000 years were fundamentalists?
Why am I not surprised at the lack of tolerance for different points of view in the wonderfully "inclusive" Episcopal Church, or is this an oxymoron?
Charles Griffith, Ozark, Arkansas
Change is okay
Re: "Dance of prayer and praise: Kneel or stand? (July), this is a very well-written explanation [of] the moves in our worship dance. It is very hard to break tradition. But, once we understand tradition and why it was created, we often can move on to new traditions without guilt or tribulation. In our daily lives, we have less hesitation in changing our habits. Yet in the church we have a fear that we may be doing wrong to change habits. We should all remember that Christianity is a journey and our lives continually change and should reflect in our relationship with others and God.
Brett Jellerson, Morehead City, North Carolina
Good news about Cuba
Re: "Minneapolis cathedral ready to partner with new Cuban diocese" (ELO), this is good news for La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba and especially for the new Cuban diocese in the eastern part of the island. Guantanamo would be in that new Cuban Diocese. Perhaps the church can help the U.S. government to get from under that embarrassment to the United States.
Harry Brant, Bordentown, New Jersey