Steve responds to a question during debate in the House of Deputies
Steve, during deliberations in the Legislative Committee on CanonsJuly 13, 2009
There is so much about this General Convention to share, but I beg your indulgence for a personal note.
Today is a day I will always remember. Some of you know that I have worked on two separate Church task forces over the last nine years to produce a complete rewrite of a section of the Church Canons known as Title IV (clergy discipline canon). Today, the House of Deputies overwhelmingly voted to adopt that work as a major change to the Canons. Since our General Convention is a bicameral (two house) legislature, the measure must also be approved by the House of Bishops, which may consider it as early as tomorrow morning. Whew!
This measure was worked over for four days in the legislative committee on Canons, as was approved with amendments there on Saturday by unanimous vote. The Rev Brad Wirth, former Rector of All Saints and now a deputy from Montana, has been serving on the committee. He spoke eloquently from the floor during the debate on Title IV, while I was up front to handle questions from the Floor of the House (See photo).
There are two very important lessons from this experience. First, that a relatively unknown person from a small diocese, working persistently and guided by faith, can help make significant change in our Church. Secondly, that by living our Baptismal Covenant to uphold the dignity of every person in the form of very patiently and deliberately including as many individuals and groups within the Church as possible (along with their extremely varied points of view), we were able to achieve virtual consensus.
There is so much about this General Convention to share, but I beg your indulgence for a personal note.
Today is a day I will always remember. Some of you know that I have worked on two separate Church task forces over the last nine years to produce a complete rewrite of a section of the Church Canons known as Title IV (clergy discipline canon). Today, the House of Deputies overwhelmingly voted to adopt that work as a major change to the Canons. Since our General Convention is a bicameral (two house) legislature, the measure must also be approved by the House of Bishops, which may consider it as early as tomorrow morning. Whew!
This measure was worked over for four days in the legislative committee on Canons, as was approved with amendments there on Saturday by unanimous vote. The Rev Brad Wirth, former Rector of All Saints and now a deputy from Montana, has been serving on the committee. He spoke eloquently from the floor during the debate on Title IV, while I was up front to handle questions from the Floor of the House (See photo).
There are two very important lessons from this experience. First, that a relatively unknown person from a small diocese, working persistently and guided by faith, can help make significant change in our Church. Secondly, that by living our Baptismal Covenant to uphold the dignity of every person in the form of very patiently and deliberately including as many individuals and groups within the Church as possible (along with their extremely varied points of view), we were able to achieve virtual consensus.
I am deeply grateful for all of the prayers and support I received during this nine-year experience, from Bishop Carolyn, Canon Bailey, the leadership of the Diocese and my family.
Posts
Congratulations! I know you've put in an enormous amount of work on this, and it's great to see it pass in such an overwhelming manner!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work, Steve. Congratulations and blessings,
ReplyDeleteKay Cook+
Steve,
ReplyDeleteFinally found a place to poat a note direct to you, my hearty CONGRATULATIONS!! I know how long and hard you have worked for this day. Be careful to take a bit of breather before you jump headlong into the business of being a member of the Executive Committee, another congratulations there.
George gibson