CNN on "ECGC" (Episcopal Church General Convention 2009)

Monday, July 20, 2009

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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Integrity Eucharist Slide Show

Photos of the July 10th Integrity Eucharist ... a DVD is "in the works!" Click here for slide show

Thanks to Cam Sanders (All Saints, Pasadena) & Don Anderson (Diocese of Los Angeles) whose photos are included here along with those of our own staff and volunteer photographers. A great witness to a great celebration! Learn more on - An Inch At A Time: Reflections on the Journey – Rev Susan Russell

The Gay Rights Movement – encompasses on a world scale a much larger number of people than originally believed.

By Fr. Marty Kurylowicz - Thalamus Center

I think that the reason why the Gay rights movement does not have one noted leader is indicative of the complexities and the magnitude of sexual orientation and gender identity. The gay rights movement is enormously larger than one specific race or one specific gender or nationality. It includes all races, all cultures, people of all ages and it encompasses the breath of time throughout the ages.

The Thalamus Center attempts to visually convey the magnitude of this global phenomena regarding LGBT people, which has always existed. This is why the gay rights movement is able to succeed without one national or global leader, because it is so all-inclusive. The fact that this is true is the reason why, today, it is not so easy to even stereotype LGBT people. Because as more people come out the old stereotypes of the past drop like dead flies. We now have football players, other major sport figures, and political leaders, who have come out as being gay. Today, there is no one single caricature that can be applied to LGBT people that fits all. With the wide range of diversified people coming out as “LGBT” more in the recent past, we are beginning see the individual differences that are emerging regarding LGBT people. Photo

Sadly, what is now being caricaturized are the people who oppose the gay rights movement. This can easily be identified in California Prop 8 ads of 2008. One side spoke of love and well-being and the other side spoke of fear and being hysterical. The world saw this difference and this brought out many to leave the opposing side and who then became educated about human sexuality. The caricatures emerging about the opposition to the Gay Rights Movement is one of being ignorant and being inhuman to other human beings, like it was for the people in the past who oppose civil rights for any one race, nationality or religion. This is because they severely lack the necessary components of separation and individualization that is integral for any growth or a sign of intelligence. Photo Hitler and Stalin. Caricature in British newspaper "Evening Standard", November 1939

The opponents to the Gay Rights Movement were not just publicized in the California Prop 8, but they were also in the two previous Bush’s presidential campaign. They used "gay marriage" as can be seen, now, as a form of “gay bashing” based on fear and hysteria in order to win elections. When we do not thoroughly study our civic lessons and Church history we allow out civil and church leaders to literally get away with murder, rob us blind and do great harm to those unable to protect themselves.

I suspect that the Gay Rights Movements is moving faster in this time of our history due to the technology of computers and the Internet that promotes instant global communications. This is what caught the Vatican and the hierarchy off guard regarding the global public outpouring of the covered up sexual abuse cases for decades. This public outpouring was constant and concentrated all within a relatively short period of time of a couple of years. The Vatican and the hierarchy could no longer intimidate in their attempts to silence victims of sexual abuse and or their parents, behind closed doors. The same will happen to the Vatican and the hierarchy regarding the Gay Rights Movement, the severe mental and physical harm they cause to children and for their silencing and intimation of clerics and others members of religious orders from speaking out the truth about homosexuality. The compensation for the harm caused to LGBT people, by the Vatican and the hierarchy will be astronomical in comparison to sexual abuse cases.

It has been said by many political analysts that the Bush's administration had severely damaged the Republican Party. The same might well be said about Benedict XVI's reign as pope, including his time as the former head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, about his behind closed doors vindictive tactics with his hierarchy to silence and harm people who do not agree with him, who spoke the truth. This Benedict XVI has been doing for nearly 30 years. Benedict XVI is destroying the very last bits of trust people may have left for the hierarchy for a long, long time, likely for good. Benedict XVI's extreme authoritarian style of leadership goes directly against Christ's model as the great teacher. More time is spent by Benedict XVI behind closed doors plotting with his hierarchy than in front of opened doors teaching. For this reason, the Catholic hierarchy might some day look more like the Episcopal leaders, more accessible, more willing to discuss openly issues on any topic as the need arises. The Catholic hierarchy will likely have much less authority and be made up of a more inclusive range of people. The appointments of bishops will change quite drastically, which alone will end much of the corruption that presently exists in the Catholic hierarchy. The degree of this corruption globally regarding the Catholic hierarchy has been so vividly made evident to people by the countless news media reports of the decades of cover-ups and silencing of the child sexual abuse victims and the continuous reassigning of sexual perpetrators. Clearly the present Catholic hierarchy is a system that cannot correct itself and therefore is dangerous and morally wrong to continue. The misconceptions that Benedict XVI has about the facts of human sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity and are blindly supported by all of the hierarchy is so severely harmful to a much larger population of people, than they realize. Again, this is another serious indication the Catholic hierarchical structure is not working effectively for the Church, and is especially harmful to children. It is a system that is not able to correct itself, while Kids are being hurt !!! Photo Madame President Bonnie Anderson preached at the General Convention's Community Eucharist on Friday, July 10.

The Episcopal Church is teaching us all what it means to be Church and how to courageously follow Christ, even in the face of great opposition. There is an awful lot to learn from how the Episcopal Church organized and ran their “General Convention Anaheim 2009.” For starters, one very key component is that women have equal voices to that of men, like it was with Christ. I can already hear some of my Episcopal friends quietly reminding me by humbly telling me “we have our problems, too.” I believe this may be qutie true. However, it seems to be a difference of a functional family working to resolve problems, an authoritative model, based on the discussions of facts, and a dysfunctional family, the authoritarian model, no discussion allowed. The authoritative model can appear quite messy, at times, but is far healthier for all involved. As oppose to the authoritarian model, which looks much neater, but is far more harmful for all involved, i.e. child sexual abuse cases, Kids are being hurt!!!

By Fr. Marty Kurylowicz - Thalamus Center

Important note: I mean no disrespect to Pope Benedict XVI or the hierarchy, the one and only concern is the safety and well-being of children. Kids are being hurt!!!

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Reasons Why the Gay Rights Movement Has No National Leader – it encompasses a large world scale of people than originally believed.

Episcopal leaders affirm new policy on same-sex blessings, By Duke Helfand - Los Angeles Times

Capping a 10-day convention in Anaheim, leaders of the Episcopal Church agreed Friday to consider marriage liturgies for same-sex unions and to give bishops greater latitude in meeting the spiritual needs of gay and lesbian couples.

V. Gene Robinson, center, and other bishops now have more latitude in meeting the spiritual needs of lesbian and gay couples in the Episcopal Church. Photo

The new policy marked a second victory for liberals after the church gave final approval Tuesday to a measure ending a de facto ban on the ordination of gay bishops…

"In adopting this resolution, it is not our desire to give offense," they wrote. "We remain keenly aware of the concerns and sensibilities of our brothers and sisters in other churches across the communion. We believe also that the honesty reflected in this resolution is essential if indeed we are to live into the deep communion that we all profess and earnestly desire."

… "I think we are learning more about each other's contexts," she said of the relationships in the communion. "We know more about what it means to be a Christian in Pakistan or North India or Kenya."

"What has happened at the convention are signs of the health and vigor of the Episcopal Church," said Bishop J. Neil Alexander of Atlanta. Read complete article on Los Angeles Times

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An Inch At A Time: Reflection on the Journey – Rev. Susan Russell

Bishops Vote for Generous Pastoral Response on Blessing Same-Sex Unions

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

There was no room at the inn this afternoon for press in the House of Bishops. The reporter from the LA Times was the last one in and had to run around pleading for a chair until an extra one was brought up. Only the question of blessing same gender relationships could bring such excitement after the passage of D025.

Bishop Ely opened the session by explaining that 26 bishops met together early and late for an extended indaba-style conversation in two two-hour sessions. As a result of that conversation five bishops wrote a substitute resolution. Bishop Jones presented the resolution and the bishops then took another twenty minutes for conversation.

The substitute resolution was wordsmithed for a while. The biggest change was taking out the idea of having liturgies developed in the next three years to be considered at the next General Convention.

So what are we left with –

1) local option – in other words each bishop can decide what is appropriate especially given the different legal situations. This has been the situation informally and unofficially but now it’s out in the open.

2) The collection and development of theological and liturgical resources.

This seems to reflect a sentiment mentioned several times by bishops over the past week, that we need to develop our theological ideas BEFORE we develop liturgies, not the other way round. It also provides some breathing space for the more conservative.

We’ll see what the Deputies do. Our rendering of the final text is here;

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further...

…Resolved that bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same gender marriage civil unions or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church, and be it further

Resolved that this convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality and be it further

Resolved that the members of this church be encouraged to engage in this effort. Read complete posting on Walking With Integrity

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An Inch At A Time: Reflection on the Journey – Rev. Susan Russell

Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, California Says "Amen" to Inclusion - Rev. Susan Russell

Photo Sunday, July 12, 2009 But what about the bishops?

ANAHEIM, CA (July 14, 2009)--The House of Deputies reiterated its overwhelming support for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all orders of ministry by concurring with resolution DO25 as amended by the House of Bishops. Photo

"Today's action put the 'Amen' at the end of one of the prayers we have prayed for an inclusive church--ending the BO33 'season' by stating unequivocally that the LGBT baptized can and will have equal access to ordination processes in the Episcopal Church," said the Reverend Susan Russell, president of Integrity USA.

"Our Lord told us that 'the truth will set us free'--and what this General Convention has done is to tell the truth that will set the Episcopal Church free for mission and ministry."

"We rejoice in this powerful witness to the Gospel and to God's inclusive love, and we urge the House of Bishops to continue in the spirit of truth and unity as they work on resolution C056 so that the General Convention will send us out from Anaheim with the same kind of clarity about the blessing of same-sex relationships."

Read more Good News - An Inch At A Time: Reflection on the Journey - Rev. Susan Russell

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TRANSGENDER EPISCOPALIANS AND FRIENDS UNITED

Two Trans-positive resolutions have passed in the House of Bishops this afternoon Walking With Integrity

Leading the Way of Christ - The Episcopal Church LGBT bishops - Rev. Susan Russell

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 IntegriTV GC2009-Day 6: Beyond B033, Youth, Looking Back and What Would You Say to the Church

Yesterday the House of Deputies passed a resolution that moves beyond the de facto moratorium on LGBT bishops in the Episcopal Church. Watch some of that discussion and hear Susan Russell's take on it. See how convention-goers answer the question, "What would you like to say to the church?" and find out what 2 youth ministers from Utah have to say about the 76th General Convention. Learn more & View video clip - Walking With Integrity

Learn more - An Inch At A Time: Reflection on the Journey - Rev. Susan Russell

National Religious Leadership Roundtable applauds Episcopal House of Bishops decision to end ban on gay bishops - Read more

Episcopal church to affirm gay clergy By RACHEL ZOLL - AP Associated Press - "And the Vatican, Benedict XVI ??? "

NEW YORK (AP) — The Episcopal Church moved Monday toward affirming their acceptance of gays and lesbians for all roles in ministry, despite pressure from fellow Anglicans worldwide for a decisive moratorium on consecrating another openly gay bishop.

Bishops at the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., voted 99-45 with two abstentions for a statement declaring "God has called and may call" to ministry gays in committed lifelong relationships.

Lay and priest delegates to the meeting had comfortably approved a nearly identical statement, and were expected to adopt the latest version before the meeting ends Friday.

Leaders of the Anglican Communion have been pushing Episcopalians to roll back their support for gays and lesbians since 2003, when the U.S. denomination consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. Anglican body.

Robinson's election brought the 77 million-member Anglican fellowship to the brink of schism. Last month, breakaway Episcopal conservatives and other like-minded traditionalists formed a rival national province called the Anglican Church in North America.

To calm tensions, the Episcopal General Convention three years ago passed a resolution that urged restraint by dioceses considering gay candidates for bishop. No other Episcopal bishops living openly with same-sex partners have been consecrated since then.

Drafters of the latest statement insisted that the resolution only acknowledges that the Episcopal Church ordains partnered gays and lesbians and is not a repeal of what was widely considered a moratorium on consecrating gay bishops.

"The constitution and canons of our church as currently written do not preclude gay and lesbian persons from participating," in any part of the church, said the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, on the committee that drafted the statement. "These people have responded to God's call."

However, the Episcopal gay advocacy group Integrity, said in a statement Monday night that the declaration "effectively ends" the temporary prohibition on gays in ministry. Integrity called the vote "another step in the Episcopal Church's `coming out' process."

Read more By RACHEL ZOLL - AP Associated Press

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Advocate.com Episcopalians Vote to End Gay Ban By Julie Bolcer

The bishops of the Episcopal Church voted on Monday at the church’s convention to open “any ordained ministry” to gay men and lesbians, following a similar vote by the House of Deputies, the legislative body of laypeople and clergy, on Sunday, reports The New York Times. If approved, the resolution could end the three-year old moratorium on ordaining gay bishops passed in the wake of conservative outrage over the consecration of Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is the American branch. Read more – Photo - Advocate.com

Learn more - An Inch At A Time: Reflection on the Journey - Rev. Susan Russell

Sarah Brown, British PM's wife joins 1000s at London’s Gay Pride Parade 2009

The Associated Press - Saturday, July 4, 2009; 11:49 AM

LONDON -- The wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has joined thousands of revelers in London's annual gay pride march.

Sarah Brown held a red, white and pink version of the Union Jack as the noisy parade wound through the city center before a rally and concert in Trafalgar Square.

Everyone from drag queens to firefighters and soldiers in uniform joined the parade, organized by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.

Earlier, organizers met the Browns outside 10 Downing St.

The prime minister said Britain had made "massive strides towards equality," including the introduction of civil partnerships for gay couples. These have the same legal status as marriage, but some campaigners want the word marriage to apply to both gay and straight couples. Read more The Washington Post - www.washingtonpost.com Photo - Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown meets gay rights campaigner a Peter Tatchell, right, as she joined more than half a million marchers and other supporters in the gay pride parade through London Saturday July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Johnny Green/PA) Click for more of the best photojournalism:

Read more & more photos – In pictures:

Pride parties politics – BBC News – news.bbc.co.uk

When kids come first everything else falls in right order and all will be well in the world.msk

AP PHOTO

Britain's Sarah Brown, right, Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, and wife of the British Prime Minister, speaks in front of Ban Ki-moon, left, Secretary-General of the United Nations, during the 62nd World Health Assembly, WHA, at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 19, 2009. The World Health Assembly is the annual meeting of the World Health Organization's (WHO) 193 Member States and it is the supreme decision-making body of WHO. Issues to be discussed at the WHA include pandemic influenza A (H1N1) preparedness. Read more & view photos – daylife.com

Former nurse welcomes Michelle Obama to London cancer centre

2 April, 2009 | By Richard Staines

Michelle Obama yesterday met with former nurse Laura Lee, chief executive of the charity Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

The US ‘first lady’ was visiting the centre for cancer patients in London with its patron, Sarah Brown, to help celebrate its first birthday.

The charity run centres offer pleasant environment for anyone suffering with cancer so they can get information, practical advice and emotional support. Read more NURSINGtimes.net

02 Apr 2009 - Telegraph.co.uk

G20 summit: Michelle Obama tells children they are future world leaders

Michelle Obama "All of you are precious and you touch my heart, and it's important for the world to know that there are wonderful girls like you all over the world." read more & video telegraph.co.uk

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2009

Obama holds gay pride reception, vows to overturn 'unjust laws'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama honored Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights.

With first lady Michelle Obama at his side, the president told the cheering crowd filling the East Room that his administration would work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and end the "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gays in the military. Read more

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2009 LGBT Family Values - IntegriTV - Walking With Integrity

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2009 I’m a thousand different people, every single one is real - I’ve a million different feelings, OK but at least I feel!

MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009 J.K. Rowling - The Power of Human Empathy, Leading to Collective Action, Saves Lives, and Frees Prisoners - Video 31659

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2009KIDS ARE BEING HURT!!! Good Friday - Tony Blair, Gays, Benedict XVI

When kids do not come first right order is lost and all will be unsafe and intolerable in the world.msk

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2009 Prayers for Bobby 2009

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2009 According to Catholic Church Teachings, Benedict XVI must supply all the documented evidence that supports his teachings on human sexuality

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009 AUTHORITATIVE ≠ AUTHORITARIAN

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 Benedict XVI Continuous History of Homosexual Activity, a partial list

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2008 AUSCHWITZ -- CHRISTMAS 2008 -- A flashback far more severe than in --- BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN