Disavowing prophecy skills of the crystal ball kind, I still must disagree with any prognosis that the verdict will split ECUSA. Last month I asked a priest in a diocese of one of the 10 accusing bishops, "How many of your 1,900 parishioners care much one way or the other about the heresy trial?" "Six," he replied, without batting an eye.

Earlier this week, when I shared his assessment with a bishop of another diocese, also deep behind the Cotton Curtain, he mused a moment and replied, "That's what I would say for most of the parishes in my diocese."

This bishop had called me all upset because someone had shown him an article in which I reported his voting record as 50% anti-lbg. Instantly I checked his record in the database where I record bishops' votes on lbg belwether issues: "Tell your informant to request my more recent reports," I replied; "The informant was reporting material published prior to 1994!"

I am deeply moved that this bishop wanted to be sure that I had noted all his positive votes since then. The bishop said that he grieved that early on as a bishop he had made the "mistake" of supporting the Frey/Howe amendment in 1991. The amendment, which intended to codify the claims of those who later became the 10 accusers, was defeated. (My most recent report of all bishops' votes, through 1994, can be found on the www at http://newark.rutgers.edu/~lcrew/isbpri.html)

I pray that no one will leave ECUSA. I do not consider that my being welcome in any way diminishes when someone whom I dislike joins my parish or sits in the next pew. Quite to the contrary: Such persons remind me poignantly of the only terms under which I too am welcome: God issues the invitation; we do not; and God invites the whole world. God wants us to do the same! I believe in one holy, cATHOLIC, and apostolic church.

If we lesbigays don't learn a bigger inclusion than just our own from our painful sojourn in the wilderness, we won't recognize the land promised even when it stares us right in the face, as indeed it does right this very minute, thanks be to God, and thanks be to God's people in ECUSA.

I disagree with those who say there are no winners or losers. The circumcision party lost at the Council of Jerusalem. There is no such thing as 'half a circumcision.' Others lost at the Council of Nicea. Others lost at the Chicago Quadrilateral. Some lost at Wilmington. In my life having lost often, I empathize.

The good news is the same ancient Good News: God welcomes all of us!

Those who oppose me are often kinder, more generous, more intelligent, more patient, more forgiving, more compassionate than I--even those who sincerely believe that they must read Leviticus to me before we sit in the same pew. I'm in this pew not because I'm better than they are, not because I am more righteous than they are, nor because I am more "right."

God alone is the holy one. God alone is the most high. We are ALL in this same pew because we have the same absolute need, for the redemption accomplished by God at Calvary.

God, if you're going to save the world, begin with ME! Save this quean! Make ME more loving, more patient, more kind, more forgiving, more humble, more aware of all the millions who have not even heard that you might be able to perform those miracles, nor heard the marvelous news that you actually want to, for absolutely everybody. Amen

Quean Lutibelle of the Alabama Belles/Louie
The Morning After