Blessing Same Sex Unions

1
Blessing Same Sex Unions
2
Purpose of this Session

• An update on recent events
• An opportunity to understand
• how parishes are being affected
• how parishes are responding

3
Outline of this Session

• Brief presentation
• Table discussion
• Plenary hearing

4
Let Us Pray

• God our Creator,
• when you speak, there is light and life,
• when you act there is justice and love
• grant that your love
• may be present in our meeting,
• so that what we say and what we do
• may be filled with your Holy Spirit.
• Amen.
• (from A New Zealand Prayer Book)

5
Recent Events

• New Westminster
• New Hampshire
• Oxford (Reading)
• Civil Marriage in Canada

6
Recent Events

• New Westminster
• New Hampshire
• Oxford (Reading)
• Civil Marriage in Canada

7
New Westminster

• Synods in 1998, 2000, 2002
• Anglican Communion in New Westminster
• Alternative Episcopal Oversight
• First Blessing in May 2003
• Ecclesiastical Charges

8
Recent Events

• New Westminster
• New Hampshire
• Oxford (Reading)
• Civil Marriage in Canada

9
New Hampshire

• June 7, 2003 V. Gene Robinson elected bishop
• August 5, 2003 election confirmed by General
  Convention
• November 2, 2003 consecration

10
Recent Events

• New Westminster
• New Hampshire
• Oxford (Reading)
• Civil Marriage in Canada

11
Oxford (Reading)

• Jeffrey John nominated Bishop of Reading
• Removed himself under pressure from the
  Archbishop of Canterbury

12
Recent Events

• New Westminster
• New Hampshire
• Oxford (Reading)
• Civil Marriage in Canada

13
Civil Marriage in Canada

• Superior Courts in BC, Quebec, Ontario
• Proposed federal legislation
• Supreme Court referral

14
Where Are We Now?

• No decision or action in Niagara
• Waiting for General Synod 2004
• Talking / Listening / Learning
• Watching Praying

15
Risks of Polarization

• orthodox vs. revisionist
• solidarity vs. homophobia
• Bible-believing global south vs. imperialism
  of secular north
• urban / south vs. rural / north
• Anglican
• Christian

16
Diocese of Niagara

• Diocesan Synod 2002

17
Niagara Youth Synod

• Discussed the issues in May 2003
• Presented a Memorial (received yesterday morning)

18
Parish Education

• Various processes

19
For Discussion at Your Table

• How has your parish been affected by the
  controversy in the church over sexuality?
• What has your parish been doing to study,
  discuss, or pray over the issues?
• What does your parish need now?

20
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen

21
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• speak only for yourself
• use I statements
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen

22
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• avoid generalizations and stereotypes
• Be respectful
• Listen

23
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• honour each persons right to express his or her
  own experiences, understandings, feelings, and
  faith
• speak the truth in love
• Listen

24
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen
• No applause
• No cat-calls

25
For Discussion at Your Table

• How has your parish been affected by the
  controversy in the church over sexuality?
• What has your parish been doing to study,
  discuss, or pray over the issues?
• What does your parish need now?

26
Hearing Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen

27
Hearing Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen
• 2 minutes per speaker

28
Hearing

• What were you hearing at your table?
• How has your parish been affected?
• What has your parish been doing?
• What does your parish need now?

29
Ground Rules

• Be honest
• Be clear
• Be respectful
• Listen