“All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1.3,4, New Living Translation)
I have been asked, and often wonder myself, “Why do you bother going to General Convention?” When committee testimony in favor of the blessing of same sex relationships or repealing B033 is five to one, the task of opposition seems futile and discouraging. After a full day of testimony on these matters, I confess I was discouraged and not looking forward to the ‘beat down’ the conservative opposition would likely experience when resolutions from the legislative committees are finally considered in the House of Deputies or Bishops.
Then came Friday morning.
Friday morning brought other deputies to our table, thanking us for speaking on their behalf at the committee hearings because they had other commitments.
Friday morning brought emails from other conservative deputies serving on the legislative committees before whom we had testified, thanking us for giving them a voice.
Friday morning brought emails from the Cathedral, Central Florida and around the country encouraging us to continue to bear witness to a classic understanding of the Christian faith.
Friday morning brought a gift from God, helping me understand why I am here. I am here to encourage other deputies, Classic Christians around the country and myself by simply bearing witness to a classic understanding of the Christian. As you have encouraged me, I hope that I have encouraged you.
We still have several days of legislative committee hearings, tedious legislative sessions in the House of Deputies, and discussion on pointless resolutions. We will continue our witness to the classic Christian faith in order to encourage you and other deputies. Please continue to encourage us – the grind of making sausage takes it toll – so that we may continue our encouragement in the Lord.
Thank you for this post, for your witness to the Episcopal Church, and for your encouragement to the rest of us. Classic Christians in the Evangelical tradition who are interested in witness to the Episcopal Church beyond General Convention should check out the ‘No Plan B’ site at http://canterburytrail.wordpress.com/.
Please be praying for Tony Clark and the other deputies (as well as bishops). I sat through a grueling two hour hearing on same sex blessings/marriages on Thursday and was spiritually and mentally exhausted when it was over. As each orthodox deputy went to the mic they were in my prayers. We had very few allies in the room and those who testified were definitely living out the call to stand firm.