In his own diocese, [Alabama Bishop Henry] Parsley said, between 500 and 600 people, including clergy groups, four convocational gatherings, the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council discussed the document and considered its reflection questions.
In the Diocese of Vermont, Bishop Thomas Ely hosted six “Communion Matters” conversations which he said were attended by close to 225 people from more than 30 congregations.
“Communion Matters conversations here in Vermont were marked by a spirit of respectful listening and sharing of information, ideas, concerns, hopes and fears,” Ely wrote in his column for the Mountain Echo, the monthly diocesan newspaper.
He reported that others talked with him privately, especially those whom he said felt uncomfortable expressing their opinion in a large group, and others emailed him.
“What I take away from them and what I take with me to New Orleans is the clear desire of the members of our diocese to remain as part of the Anglican Communion family, while at the same time continuing to welcome, celebrate and cherish the presence and ministry of all members of our diocese — our gay and lesbian members as well as our members who disagree with many of the recent actions of the General Convention,” Ely wrote. “I heard much in these conversations about justice, acceptance, tolerance, respect, living with tension, waiting in the moment, not rushing to judgment, betrayal, fear, ”˜scapegoating,’ unity, diversity, certainty, ambiguity, hope and confidence in God.”
He wrote that none of the problems were solved, “but maybe — just maybe — like those disciples on the road to Emmaus we now see the whole picture a little more clearly.”
I was at one of the Alabama convocational gatherings, at which many of us stood up and expressed concern with the document and the direction of the ECUSA. None of that concern is reflected by Parsley in this short article. I would very much like to see the report he has filed with the House of Bishops.
And in the Diocese of Albany, [b][i]nothing[/b][/i] has ever been discussed; nothing has been said about anything that has been going on around the church and
to this moment NOTHING has been said and we continue to say nothing……….
It sounds like the typical Episcopal democratic process at work. Or does it work?
Think Delphi Technique:
http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/nov_2002/lets_stop.htm
The Bishop of Vermont is offering a preview of coming attractions at the House of Bishops meeting.
Lumen Christie, you are so correct. Albany’s new bishop hasn’t even let his flock know he attended the Network meeting this summer or of his plans to attend the Common Cause meeting at the end of this month. It’s as if the problems we’re reading about just aren’t happening and they will go away if they’re just ignored. One wonders if the orthodox have lost their majority in the diocese, or if Albany Via Media’s organizational efforts have been so effective the bishop has been silenced, or he has had a change of heart about the issues dividing the church. Whatever’s happened, at least so far, he isn’t the man with the titanium spine, his predecessor described him as having. And on top of that, the orthodox, have been absolutely silent. We’ve heard not a peep, except perhaps from you, about anyone being disgruntled about the current state of affairs. There have been no reports of congregations or priests leaving, no start up CANA or AMiA missions. Apparently nearly everyone is content, so maybe the bishop is doing the politically correct if not courageous thing.