Two excerpts from Cherie Wetzel’s latest report for Anglicans United:
At 10:45, during their coffee break, the meeting was opened and we flocked like lemmings to the large chamber that houses the meeting.
The Writing Committee that has been charged with preparing the Statement ”“ and worked all weekend ”“ presented the Statement. It was distributed to members of the House and then read aloud by the committee. After this, there was 15 minutes of discussion at the tables (The House is organized into 20 table groups of 6-8 people that meet from one General Convention to the next.) Usually, the tables respond as a table. Today, individuals responded to the statement, making suggestions for its change. A second draft will be written this afternoon and evening and presented to the House for finalization tomorrow.
The initial draft is 4 pages single-spaced, and is a chatty narrative about the fun things done here in New Orleans, interspersed with the responses to the Dar es Salaam communiqué. Several bishops requested that the one document be split into two. The first must clearly and without equivocation, respond to the Dar questions. And the second can discuss other aspects of the meeting.
I do not know if press will be allowed back in the meeting this afternoon, and will not tell you about any other details of the statement at this point. It is not a finished document. I am constantly reminded that people read what I write in order to made decisions about whether they will stay or flee from the Episcopal Church (TEC). It is not “soup” yet, to quote Campbell’s. The direction is not clear.
[…]
So, lets be clear about how to direct your prayer time today. The Hose has several resolutions they are considering this afternoon and the Statement is a matter of high priority. Please pray that they insist on and succeed in making the clearest possible response to Dar es Salaam. All are aware of the Episcopal Fudge remarks about their previous work. And, I truly believe they want to avoid that kind of label on this document.
And please pray that they will have the patience to sit through the rest of the meeting and a spirit of generosity towards each other. They must prioritize their responses to the rest of the Communion and that will take patience and magnanimity.
To see all of Cherie’s reports, go to the Anglicans United News page
Cherie’s particular viewpoints help round out the already stellar coverage we’ve been receiving via T19, StandFirm, AnglicanTV, BabyBlue, etc. Too bad the bishops have fallen short of their potential and calling. (On the other hand, the end of the Episcopal Church in the US is being well-documented and recorded.)