Alphabet Soup Provides Sustenance

D025 and C056 may look like symbols from a very strange table of elements we were required to memorize in high school chemistry. They are, however, the work of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies at the recent General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Anaheim (an alphabet--and numerical--soup that offers a great deal of hope and encouragement for the ongoing work of the Church in the United States). Very simply stated, D025 allows for the election, ordination, and consecration of bishops in a committed same-sex relationship, deftly moving beyond the restrictions of B033 from the 2006 GC. C056 allows for the development of liturgies for blessing same-sex relationships and bishops are allowed to offer "generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church" in states that allow same domestic partnerships, sex unions or marriage. I cannot access the approved documents located on the ECUSA's website, so I will offer the link of Mark Harris who has done a wonderful job of tracking the two resolutions to completion. Mark is, in my estimation, a wonderfully wise, generous, and grace-filled member of this church and I commend his blog to you: Mark Harris' Blog Here is the Episcopal Online version on the passage of both resolutions: C056 and D025 What is so powerful and inspired about the work of the Convention is that the members of this Church--Bishops, Priests, and the Priesthood of All Lay Believers by virtue of Baptism--have thoughtfully, prayerfully, and in a grace-filled way addressed very complex and heated issues within the ECUSA and the larger Anglican Communion and within the larger culture. They have emerged with resolutions that affirm the desire to remain at the table and continue discussions and ministry together with those who do not support the resolutions. Meanwhile, they would not shrink from proclaiming the gospel message in this 21st century, American context: All are welcome to the various vocations of ministry and all are welcome in this church. Yes, there continues to be more work to do. However, the work of this convention will be remembered, and, I believe, in time the fruits of their labor will be seen, experienced, and will be a sign of God's love in our midst.