Wednesday, May 13, 2009

On the Anaheim Webcast

Regarding B033, ++KJS said, "It is bad legislative practice to repeal ... we need to move forward positively." OK. Great thought. But did we not repeal jim Crow Laws? And more importantly to Episcopalians, did we not repeal prohibition? So why is this all of a sudden bad practice?

"We are reminded that we are all one body. When one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. When one part of the body rejoices, we all rejoice." Why does this remind me of the consent to Bishop Robinson when I was asked NOT to rejoice?

The Presiding Bishop refered to our "discarnate reality" to describe what the internet has wrought. "Face to face" we can communicate and are less likely to objectify the other. Absolutely. So our calling is, in this world of Internet, how do we accomplish that?

Louise Brooks, identifying herself as from Integrity (YES!) asked: "A recent Newsweek Poll showed that there young people see less and less relevance of the church in their lives..."

Bishop Bruno said he disagreed with the poll and went on to talk about what is happening in the Dioceses of LA. Bishop Bruno may disagree with Newsweek but it does not make it so. With all due respect, his response also belies a bigger problem: Our tend to be parochial, provincial, dare I coin "Diocesenal" in our reponse.

While others responded, I believe that all miss the point. As Kyle and I discussed this I asked him to put his very cogent reaction into writing. It follows. I could not have said it better.
1.) In every poll taken people under 40 fully support inclusion of gays and lesbians into American society, people under 25 do not even understand why the question is being asked.

2.) Since the election of President Obama, there has been a huge increase in the willingness of people (mostly young) to reach out to others, to work for charitable organizations, to anything they can to "give back."

The Episcopal Church is in a unique situation to capitalize on both of these. Offer young people an excepting , INCLUSIVE place where they can do just that: GIVE BACK. No need to re-invent the wheel here, the mechanics are in place to offer anyone who wants to do some good in the world, the opportunity to do so.

There are bull's horns waiting to be grabbed
Amen.

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