Interesting Times

Over the course of the last two days, both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies authorized the Rite of Blessing of same-gender couples, with a few adjustments to the texts as they appeared in the pre-convention Blue Book.  This legislation passed with a significant majority in both houses--better than 2-1 among the bishops, and better than 3-1 among the deputies.  This was no "squeaker" decision, it is clearly the desire of the Episcopal Church to see this rite approved.  Both houses of Convention had previously approved legislation which acknowledged and welcomed the presence and ministry of transgendered people in the life and ministry of the Episcopal Church, although I suspect this had passed largely unnoticed by many who were not tracking the Convention closely. 

On Monday evening, when the bishops had approved the Rite of Blessing legislation but the deputies had not yet done so (but were fully expected to the next day,) I attended the Integrity Eucharist at the convention center.  Integrity is a group within the Episcopal Church that has worked for many years for the full incorporation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered folk in the life and ministry of the church.  The room was full, of persons and of joy.  Many gathered that night had wondered for years if they would live to see such a day, and now it had arrived.  In my sisters and brothers gathered there that night, I saw anew the wondrous diversity of gifts and ministries with which the Holy Spirit has endowed the Church, and gave thanks for their presence among us.  The liturgy was creative, interactive, full of light and color and movement.  We renewed the vows of Holy Baptism, heard and responded to the Word, blessed and shared bread and wine, and were sent forth to love and serve the Lord.

In the sermon, Bp. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire recognized the enormous joy present that night and gave voice to the feelings of many in the assembly.  He called upon the entire congregation, and the Church, to continue to live in and share the good news of God's amazing, unlimited love and grace.  "There are people out there in the world who are DESPERATE to know what we know, here in this room," he said.  "We all have yet more work to do."

This work is ours, as followers of Christ.  We are called, as Robinson said elsewhere in the same sermon, to "live in tents."  Like Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, our life in this world is one of change and transition.  It is tempting to become comfortable in one place, one group of people, one way of seeing the world--but God calls us onward, to continue the journey with God and one another, toward the fullness of God's presence, "a city not made with hands."

For many, Tuesday was a day of celebration and rejoicing.  But not all celebrated and rejoiced together.  Fear and anxiety do strange things to folk, and to organizations.  It is fear--not doubt, not honest questioning--but fear, over and over in the Gospels, which is the opposite of faith. So pray for us, all of us. Pray in thanksgiving for those who rejoice, and rejoice with them.  Pray for those who are fearful and anxious, that the Holy Spirit may fill them with "the peace which passes all understanding."  Pray for the Church, as we move into the future, ever and always seeking to love God with all our being, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to carry the Good News of Christ to every one we meet.