Finals

At the end of the convention we have passed many important things in the church. 1. We authorized a provisional use rite under the discernment of the local bishops for blessing ceremonies for same gender couples 2. we passed rites for our pet companions including burial offices and prayers for the bereaved in the loss of a pet. 3. We voted to include trans-gendered peoples in the anti discrimination clause. 4. We voted that baptism is a necessary part of christian life and is necessary for holy communion, but gives some room for pastoral discernment on this issue. 5. We passed the budget for the next three years. 6. We passed legislation to provide lay workers with health insurance 7. we voted (I think) unanimously to work on restructuring the church 8. We voted to create a task force to look at what is marriage. This is all I can remember at the time. See you in three years!

What to do know

What to do now. Yesterday the House of Deputies took a vote by orders and the resolution for blessing ceremonies for same gendered couples in loving committed relationships passed. Our church is the 1st to Authorize this type of liturgy. We have made this statement to the world, so where do we go from now? Many conservative

people will be horrified and possibly leave the church. Many liberal people will be excited and fired up. I hope we can act with humility and grace whatever side of the fence we are on. I have added a few photos of the trip to the blog for your enjoyment.

We had a great group from Arkansas, and I got to meet many exciting people. One of my favorites is Rev. Mota from Tanzania. I have long been in love with Kenya and have been in the planning stages of making a trip there. However, with my new connections in the Tanzanian church I think I should be going there.

I had great times visiting with Gene Robinson and also the Presiding Bishop. And am very interested in getting involved in the Chicago Consultation now. I can't wait for Laura Walsh to be here in Fayetteville. SHe has lots to offer with the Chicago Consultation and the Peace Corps. She is also going to have a baby in October. Exciting times for her. From here on I think it is important that we all (conservative and liberal) begin to work together, worship together, and love one another. We are working for the common good. I feel like we can do this together and have better results. I am also including links to Bishop Curry's sermon text and video. For now go in Peace and Love! j http://vimeo.com/episcopalchurch http://www.episcopalchurch.org/notice/general-convention-july-7-sermon-bishop-michael-curry

AO49

Lots went on in convention today including me being so sore from my race that I cannot hardly walk. Luckily on my way back to my room tonight I found this shoe shiner who also does feet messages so I got a foot rub. It helps, but my shins are still in pain!!!! Early this morning the Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy, and music passed resolution AO49 which is the resolution for a blessing liturgy for same gender couples. It then went to the house of Bishops. After a long period of debate the Presiding Bishop called it to a roll call vote. Of course there were several amendments added so there are a few word changes here and there. The House of Bishops approved this resolution 111-44. Now with the amendments (one of which is from our friend Bishop Parsley of Alabama) resolution AO49 will go before the house of deputies for a vote tomorrow afternoon along with the presentation of the budget. Also, both house approved the resolution to add trans-gendered persons in the anti-discrimination clause of the cannons. The other resolution that I am interested in is the one about closed or open communion. If its open communion anyone who is baptized is free to take communion. In free communion anyone can take communion regardless. In Fayetteville we practice free communion. I cannot swear by it, but I believe the resolution for close communion (or what we would call open to baptized persons) was rejected. Tomorrow there will be lots coming out of both houses that we will be following via the net while traveling. However, we will not be here to witness. One of the gentlemen that rode with us lost his step grandfather and we need to get him back to Arkansas. So, keep Brooks in your thoughts. and may his step grandfathers memory be a blessing. I met Gene Robinson tonight at a service for Integrity. I also spent more time with the custodian of the book of common prayer. and my friend from Lubbock. We all went to sushi as well, but Sara and I had terriaki chicken. There is probably lots more to tell and I will report more tomorrow as I here news and remember stuff. Now, I am exhausted and going to bed. I am ready to be back in Fayetteville and see Winston. June will be back in just over 2 weeks as well so I will be excited to see her! Peace and Goodnight.

Hujato hujaumbika

Two nights ago, after my blog, Bishop Benfield took all the Arkansans out for Tappas. I have no Idea what I ate (and probably do not want to know) but it was delicious. The next day I got up and went to the Eucharist which Bishop Curry from North Carolina preached. He gave us a fire sermon about being crazy Christians. Later I met lots of our Arkansas group out for lunch and then attended a seminar that a young man spoke about his story and his life dealing with being HIV positive. I learned lots. After a session in the house of deputies many of us went to a riveting hearing in committee 13 dealing with the blessing ceremony for same gender couples. We heard many testimonies from people on both sides of the issue. One thing I have noticed and appreciate (that Lowell pointed out) is that we as Episcopalians can be on opposite sides of an issue and still worship together and have a good time together in love. We left the hearing at about 8pm and headed to a Young Adult Festival in which I had time to visit with the presiding bishop of the united states. Once leaving there I met some ladies from Texas and began a conversation then two priest joined. One has the official title as the custodian of the book of common prayer. He had a plethora of knowledge and great stories. The other is a priest from the Chicago are and works (I think) as a deputy to his bishop. The three of us stayed out very late and enjoyed a few cocktails together. I had the best time and learned lots This morning I awoke at 5:30am. Myself, and three other Arkansans ran in a 5k sponsored by ECW and had a blast, though I cannot move a muscle at present. Then I served bread at one of the stations during the morning Eucharist. The best part of the day was at a luncheon for the Chicago Consultation. We had two Saint Paul's parishioners sharing their stories of love. Dave and his now deceased partner were married in a short window of opportunity in California. They shared an amazing journey together and were a perfect example of a loving relationship. It is hard for me as a heterosexual to comprehend, but they showed us what love and marriage are about. Then Cathy (a dear friend) and Noah who was her daughter but now trans-gendered son shared their story. Both accounts were heart wrenching. Then in small group discussions I met a priest from Tanzania. He shared with us a Swahili saying that goes (and Sabrina would die at my butchering this) "hujata hujumbika." It translates loosely to: your creation is not complete until you die. We are people in the making constantly transforming in time by God. This is true of us individually and true for our church in general. Lowell told me one time that the inclusion of the LGBTQ community in our church, ordained ministry, and sacraments feels to him like a move of the Holy Spirit. I am now convinced that he is right and that every child of God has a ministry, has a place in God's house, and has a place at God's table rather ordained or lay. I am proud to be apart of an institution that practices inclusion and acceptance. I am thankful that God has placed me here and I pray we continue to move forward with love and compassion for all human beings. The resolutions at questions are still not up to vote. The blessings resolutions were sent last night to sub-committee for editing and working on the liturgy. They should be re-presented to the committee in the morning at 7:30am and hopefully move to the houses from there. Also, church pension is having a hearing in the morning about a loan forgiveness resolution for seminarians who serve at under-privileged churches for three years after being ordained. And of course there are hearings on restructuring. There are many exciting things going on at convention and in the church and I will hopefully have better information in the next few days. Peace, Jason

Convention Day 2

Yesterday, Randall Curtis, myself and 7 other Episcopalians from Arkansas drove what was supposed to be a 10 hour trip to Indianapolis for General Convention. We finally got her last night for a short session on the workings of conventions and a bite to eat before bed. We had a great trip though it was long. The House of Deputies voted yesterday to allow blessing ceremonies for same sex couples and it will now go to the house of bishops for debate. I was told by Lowell that the Church voted nearly unanimously to not discriminate ordained ministry for persons who are homosexual or transgendered. These are big steps for the LBGTQ community and shows the church is wanting to move forward with love and acceptance for all. Today, I ran into Lowell 1st thing and found out where committee 13 (prayer book, liturgy, and music) would be meeting. I then ran into Bishop Parsley the retired bishop from Alabama and had a great visit with him. I found the seminary of the southwest table and visited and met the dean then saw Sara Milford. On my way to Committee 13 I ran into Bishop Benfield from Arkansas and had a great chat. I stayed in committee 13 for two hours and listened two the debate on liturgy for animals and creation. Those resolutions are now being edited by sub-committees and wordshipped. They will then meet at 7:30am to present and those resolutions will be going before the house of deputies at the 7pm legislative session. I am excited especially about the animal rites. I also got to visit with Bishop Kee Sloan from Alabama. He has agreed to sign my prayer book for me and it was good to catch up with him. Lowell and he have sort of grown up together and he says I am in TROUBLE being in Lowell's care. Then I found the Anglican Musicians booth and low and behold they were playing the DVD from Arkansas Interfaith Choir Camp. Charlie will be proud. I also got to see Laura (our new priest at St. Pauls) and got to see Rev. Susan Slaughter who is the Rector of St. Lukes in the Meadow in Fort Worth. She and I used to worship together at St. Matthias in Athens, Texas many moons ago when I was at Ski N Scats. Man it was good to catch up with her. Several of Arkansans got to meet the presiding bishop today but I was in committee 13 with Lowell. Hopefully I will get an opportunity to meet her. I get to serve communion bread on Sunday in the Eucharist and Tomorrow I will be back in Committee 13. I am interested in the new liturgies, if there is something you would like for me to report on let me know and I will check it out. Peace, Jason

ready for convention

Had a wonderful class today at St. Theodore's in Bella Vista, Arkansas with Ken Parks. We discussed the resolutions for this years convention. I am now ready for convention. I will be posting daily with the events from the convention as I see them. This will start next week on the 5th. Until then, go in Peace!