by the Rt. Rev. Herman Hollerith IV
In the Episcopal Church, community has always been envisioned as a kind of table fellowship. We gather together to offer our lives to one another and to God through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. Table fellowship involves participating in Eucharist with one another, being with one another in our God-given uniqueness and talking with one another about matters of faith and mission.
The Diocese of Southern Virginia is composed of over a hundred parishes and missions spread out across a wide geographic region. Table fellowship on a diocesan level is complex and poses many obvious challenges. Fortunately for us, the internet provides us with a new opportunity to have at least the conversation part of our table fellowship.
To that end, the Living a Holy Life Task Force has dedicated this blog site as a place for conversation and sharing around the issue of the blessing of same-gender relationships. When the idea of the site was offered to me I thought “what a great idea - what a wonderful way to invite people to share their concerns, thoughts and feelings about this most challenging matter”. A blog site isn’t a perfect way to have a conversation – it’s always best when we can look one another in the eye – but it can be helpful to our discernment process and to strengthening our community as we struggle with a difficult issue in our common life.
As we approach the July 2012 meeting of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the Living a Holy Life Task Force and I are to desirous to hear what you think about the matter of the blessing of same-gender relationships. More importantly, we invite and encourage you to enter in an electronic table-fellowship conversation with others about the subject. The site is dedicated only to Episcopalians in our diocese, screened for inappropriate or hurtful comments and prohibits anonymous conversation. It seeks to provide a safe space where people can speak with one another honestly and in accordance with the standard norms and values that we expect in all conversations.
As the Bishop of Southern Virginia, I will deeply value the conversations that follow. I am still struggling to understand the mechanisms of how we can remain together in all our diversity and in the face of this potentially controversial change in the pastoral - liturgical life of the church. Hearing you speak to one another will assist my understanding. So, I will throw out the first ball: How do we do that? Can it be done? Your thoughts?
Two words interest me as we begin: companion and conversation. The original meaning of both words is important. A campanion is one with whom you will share bread (hence, Panera). Conversation is the art or act of living with another. We Episcopalians are good at sharing bread together at the Lord's Table. With some exceptions, we are a very welcoming church.
ReplyDeleteConversation makes companionship more challenging, doesn't it. The more we know about another person - her views on life and politics, his innermost thoughts and worries, their sexual orientation - the more we either open ourselves to companionship or withdraw from it. This is the the way of the world and it is the way of the church... except our Lord and Savior contines to set a Table of Bread for all of us to gather around.
There is much about this vitual conversation that makes me uncomfortable - just as there is much about this conversation in the church that makes me uncomfortable - but I recognize beyond it all is our Lord who prepares a Table and invites all to it, including me. Imagine a table where a host and guests gather, but there is no conversation. That is not who we are as followers of Christ and Episcopalians, nor is it a table at which I would be comfortable sitting.
I am looking forward to the next 25 weeks of conversation - the art and act of living with people who God deeply loves but who also see the world in very different ways. The Host invited us all. I have accepted the invitation. Who am I to ignore another guest? I look forward to meeting new companions as we gather at God's amazing Table of grace.
I also am uncomfortable about this virtual conversation. Probably as much as I am uncomfortable about this conversation in our church family at the real table. But we need to have this conversation. I look forward to visiting this blog often and hope that many will feel the same.
DeleteCongratulations on the launch of this blog. This is such important work. Although I'm not a "blogger", I'm really looking forward to participating in your efforts through this medium, and sharing in the conversation. Many thanks for your hard work with this.
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ReplyDeleteSorry folks, I just removed it to re-post with my picture below.
DeleteI am Juli Edwards with St. Christopher's Portsmouth and a member of this task force. I want to thank the Bishop as well as the rest of the task force for bringing this conversation to the table. I am excited about this process and looking forward to reading the posts and comments regularly. At St. Christopher's we will be having regular meetings to review the posts and comments so that we can carry this conversation from this virtual table to our real table. I encourage all of you in the diocese to carry this conversation on as well in hopes of reaching and including as many members of this diocese as possible.
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to come to the table to discuss matters that are important to us as God's people in the Episcopal Church. Many thanks to the task force for the hard work you have done, especially the blog. I, too, am new to blogging but look forward to reading the postings and the table discussions Juli will be leading at St. Christopher's.
DeleteGrace and peace to you!
ReplyDeleteI also like the metaphor of a family at the dinner table. Sometimes those dinner table conversations are mundane and quotidian; sometimes they are hilarious; sometimes they are deep and meaningful; and sometimes they are nasty arguments. The most important part, though, is for the members of the family to show up, and to keep showing up, even after those nasty arguments. This is even more important when the table belongs to someone else and we are all guests.
I love you all!
Sister Heather Rollins, OPA
Anglican Order of Preachers
St. John's Portsmouth
Urban T. Holmes writes a description of the Anglican approach to Christianity which may help in regards to this discussion. He describes Anglicanism as a means of constructing a reality around the experience of Jesus Christ. To construct this reality one needs to understand two primary components of human consciousness. Urban writes:
ReplyDelete“Traditionally these modes (of thinking) have been called ‘thinking with the right hand’and‘thinking with the left hand.’ Right hand thinking is analytical, logical, requiring one-to-one unambiguous representations, and is characteristic of computers. Left hand thinking is intuitive, analogical, metaphorical, symbolic and characteristic of poetry, art and music. If our primary goal in thinking is to be as clear as possible with no loose ends, and the experience related to a system, we think with the right hand. This is the consciousness of science, but it only describes things as they appear to be. If our intention in thinking is to draw together as much of an experience as possible, with items unresolved and with large, nagging questions in the middle of what we have described, then we are thinking with the left hand.”
Urban believes the gift of the Anglican way embraces the “left hand” as well as the “right.” This is a complex discussion requiring the holistic approach advocated for by Urban. Factual data is not enough; there are spiritual realities that need discussed and considered that go beyond simple facts.
Obviously, theological reflections on homosexual acts are mixed. Again, trying to apply “right hand” thinking to scripture can fall short of good answers because Anglican thinking refuses to be fundamentalist in its biblical methodology.
God has indeed set boundaries in regard to sexual behavior because it can be a powerful force in human life. Yet human sexual behavior is a gift. Understanding that human beings, created in the image of God, are multifaceted creatures, helps one appreciate the impact behavior has on the whole human person. Sexuality, when properly ordered, is a physical expression of a spiritual reality. It reflects the union of love evident in the Trinity. When there is no love in sexual activity, other human beings become objects void of human dignity. St Augustine reminds us that sin is nothing more than disordered love. The question for discussion is how to understand sexual expression in the context of selfless love.
Finally, we need to ask ourselves does God intend marriage for same sex couples. Christians see marriage as a sacrament. In this union couples uniquely encounter God. Christian marriage concerns itself with the sanctification of the couple and any children they welcome. Key scriptural sources for consideration include Matthew 19:4-5 and Mark 10:6-8. Anglican methodology requires one to accept these passages as important in a discussion such as the one being undertaken by your communion.
Does this mean there is no place to bless an exclusive same sex relationship? That is the real heart of the topic under discussion. Bishop Hollerith’s address to the 120th Annual Council indicated the question must have a pastoral response:
“No clergy person will ever be required to preside at a blessing of same gender union. Whatever we do, I will do everything in my power to ensure the protection of those with dissenting opinions, to ensure that they are respected by the entire community and given safe space.”
This reflects a very pastoral approach recognizing the dignity of traditional marriage as well as other dignified covenantal relationships. The Anglican tradition has always found a place for multiple opinions. I believe that if you place a priority on that specific Anglican characteristic a healthy discussion will prevail.
(Keith Emerson, St. Paul's, Suffolk) Thank you for a very insightful and interesting response. For some, this is very much a right hand issue while for others it is a left hand matter entirely. Our blog hopes to help everyone integrate the two. I trust you will continue to follow the discussion and add more reflections like this one.
DeleteDear Rev. Emerson,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, but as an outsider I realize I must refrain ( I did not see that the Bishop asked only Episcopalians to participate when I first posted, I am sorry). I am the ecumenical officer for the Catholic Diocese of Richmond and a professor of psychology at Regent University. I have come to appreciate dialogue about this topic because it is not something that is done in my church's tradition very well. As a psychologist, this topic is important for me as well. I have counseled people who are both homosexual and heterosexual and in the end, we are all people who struggle with the same problems. If a church can respond to hurting people in a pastoral way regardless of sexual orientation, I think the work of Jesus can have a significant impact on the whole world. If I have seen anything, it is how homosexual Christians suffer spiritually because churches are not trying to understand and meet their spiritual needs.
I am a lover of all things Anglican and have a great affection for the Episcopal Church. I believe that the Anglican church can teach all of us something about how to dialogue about difficult social issues and I am grateful to see how well it is being handled by your diocese. I will be watching the discussion and praying for a healthy outcome for all of you. Given what I have seen of the leadership and the kind people within this Church I can only expect good things to come about.
Peace to you in your good work, and Christ's blessings be with you.
Dominick D. Hankle PhD
Dr. Hankle, thank you for your insightful post. I am very appreciative of the input. Although this conversation was started specifically for my fellow Anglicans in the Diocese of Southern VA, I think that an open dialog is important. I am reminded of Sr. Heather's analogy of discussions at the dinner table. Sometimes it is appropriate for guests at the table to add their views! I am prayerful that all aspects of this issue are openly debated.
ReplyDeleteAs with Mike Diaz and others, I believe the reflections of Dr. Hankle are wholly appropriate because they can provide a reflection of God present in our conversations. I also find his comment regarding his position as ecumenical officer in the Catholic Diocese of Richmond vitally important in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteAs to the Bishop's question regarding speaking to one another: while electronic and semi-anonymous communication may not be the optimal choice for a discussion like this but given the physical parameters and fiscal realities I believe it is the best means to achieve an end. Through this means I pray we can be less reactive and more thoughtful in exchanges; there is something about time that helps provide space to overcome ones reactive response.
However, this method of communication is not without difficulties, but I also believe this mirrors what would happen in a face-to-face exchange; if voices for opinions on any side of the discussion choose to not participate this will not be a true conversation. While it may be safe from personal attack to comment on a blog if the person's predisposition is to believe they will not receive a fair hearing then we run the risk of having a one-sided conversation. But, we can't force someone to participate - but we can encourage them.
I wonder how all sides, pro/con/confused, are invited to the conversation and encouraged to speak?
Rev. Les Ferguson
St. John's Suffolk
Rector
As I read the comments, the platitudes, the high hopes I am reminded of what Macbeth said, “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. That is how I feel. Why do I say that, the question is why are we having this discussion when the larger church has given that authority to the local bishops in 2009. When Gene Robinson became a bishop anyone who disagreed was labeled with one type of vitriolic label or another. There was no room in the Episcopal Church for honest dissension, their way or the highway, little did they care. So with that one statement you know which side I come down on. I too applaud the venue to voice my opinion but doubt it will do any good, not to change what has already been put in motion, but for the left hand thinking folks to consider that we have a right to our opinion and opposition. All the chairs at the dinner table may be occupied but it is going to be a boring conversation when all the participants are of one mind. It is not for me to say whether a homosexual marriage is holy in the sight of God, that is way above my pay grade and I suspect yours. The words and actions of member of the pro movement, if history repeats itself it will confirm for me that I am no longer wanted or needed in the Episcopal Church if I disagree.
ReplyDeleteDear Terry,
DeleteI wish I’d seen your comment sooner in order to reply quickly. I hope that if you check back & read this that you’ll know how grateful I am to have your voice as part of this conversation. It saddens me that you hear the thoughtful, engaged comments above as mere “platitudes”. But I hope you will believe me when I say that regardless of our potential disagreement on issues of human sexuality in the life of the Church, I certainly do want you—and indeed need you—at the table as part of the discussion. As a national Church we may wind up choosing to move forward with the pending liturgies, but I would hope that could be done in a way that would keep in mind some sensitivities toward those folks who might continue to prayerful & respectfully dissent. I became an Episcopalian years ago precisely because I saw this as a Church in which people who disagree can still gather together in Christ & pray in that fellowship. I hope that if you read this, you’ll feel the warm exchange of peace in Christ that I am sending you across the ‘net.
The greatest legacy my family gave me was to be born an Episcopalian!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a privilege for me to serve and worship in a church that is open to everyone, accepts people for who they are and manages to get along with each other in spite of any differences of opinion.
On the subject of homosexuality, it is my humble opinion, that the closer the situation comes to home the more tolerable people become.
A friend once told me about a sign on the campus of the College of William and Mary that said: "Be careful before you hate a gay because you may already be in love with one".
Grace and Peace+
Mary Lee Harris
Wonderful words. My life is a process of trying to learn to love as much as God loves. Thank you for following our blog and commenting. Please continue to add your voice to the conversation.
ReplyDeleteKeith Emerson, St. Paul's Church, Suffolk