by The Rev. Susan Russell st_peters@earthlink.net
[Click here for the text of D039, and here for the tallies on the vote -- LC]
Time to weigh in, I guess. As someone who was widely quoted from Denver as admitting that D039 was not the whole enchilada, I still find a enough guacamole there to give me reason to rejoice ... as a lesbian, as a priest, and as an Episcopalian. D039 was and is a huge step forward in the process of articulating a theology of relationship that transcends sexual orientation -- and gives us the room to engage with those in our congregations and dioceses who have said "we want to get past 'the gay issue' and talk about mission." So here's their chance: we're not taking about issues ... we're talking about what makes a holy relationship and where the church's responsibility is in supporting ones that are ... acknowledging that such relationships take more than one form and (named or not) that same gender couples can and do fit that criteria.
It's NOT the whole enchilada ... and while I'm someone who won't settle for less than the whole combination plate, I nevertheless believe that the progress is worth celebrating. I was in the visitor's gallery in Phoenix when the House of Bishops couldn't even be civil enough to each other in discussing our isses to allow an audience: and so we were cleared from the hall. In Denver they voted 119-19 for D039 ... 119-19! I couldn't get that kind of consensus in my parish on what color to paint the bathroom! And then they came a couple of dozen votes shy of re-inserting "the eighth resolve" calling for rites for blessing and sending it back to the Deputies. (And the "yea" votes included the SUFFRAGAN FROM DALLAS!!!) This from a House of Bishops that everyone thought would sit on their hands and "do nothing" because +Frank told them to. The Spirit She is a movin'. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Susan Russell
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