Resolution D025 , a replacement for 2006 B033, was passed by the House of Deputies on and was sent on to the House of Bishops. On Monday, the House of Bishops amended and passed the resolution. Now it comes back to the House of Deputies (who passed the resolution, as amended by the House of Bishops, on Tuesday). There is already "news" that the Archbishop of Canterbury is not happy with our direction. But it is our direction. We do believe that it is where God is calling us; has called us.
The theme of this convention has been Ubuntu - the notion that I cannot be me without you. There are those who have used it to say that therefore we cannot move on the issue of non-discrimation in the ordination process (including bishops) because there are those in the communion for whom it is problematic, that by passing this resolution we are saying that we can be us without you. This is simply not true; it is a false choice. We are saying that we cannot be us without all of us and that includes our lgbt brothers and sisters. Ubuntu, if it is to have any real strength, must be for all of us. There are those who would say "yes" to Ubuntu but "no" to our lgbt brothers and sisters. This is not Ubuntu.
We have committed ourselves to mission, to MDGs, to seeking and serving Christ in all persons. But it must be all of us. We cannot sacrifice one for the other. We will continue the work of Christ wherever God call us.
I am thankful that we as the Episcopal Church are able to be truth tellers at this point. There may indeed be those who wish to walk away from us because we tell the truth and we live the gospel and God's message of reconciliation as we believe we have been called. But let it be done in truth and without anger. That this is where we find ourselves, who we are, who we believe we are called to be. My hope is that as we are clear and strong and faithful that if we cannot agree we can respect one another and perhaps in time find ways to walk together again.
We are marching in the light of God.
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