'Sweet Spirit' Pervaded the 73rd General Convention in Denver

The Episcopal Church's 73rd General Convention in Denver ended July 14 after passing approximately 200 resolutions. The delegates from East Tennessee returned from Denver with a sense of unity and strength in the Episcopal Church.

Alice Clayton, Canon to the Ordinary, said, "There was a sweet spirit to this General Convention that was evident in the debates on the most controversial issues. This is, I believe the direct result of Bishop Griswold's work over the last three years to get us to truly listen to one another and to respect each other in the process." The other attendees concurred.

Bishop Tharp said, "One of the outstanding times for me each day was to sit in the vast room at my table with people I had never met before at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. At each celebration the Presiding Bishop presented a meditation on the theme of Jubilee. His depth of knowledge and his insight from various sources . . .led us into thoughtful reflection both for ourselves as individuals and then together as a group."

The Convention took action on many important matters, including the much-publicized resolution on human sexuality. The Convention adopted "20/20: A Clear Vision" which calls on the Episcopal Church to double its baptized membership by the year 2020. It established all Episcopal property as "tobacco-free zones." It encouraged dioceses and churches to continue dialogue on human sexuality and to promote dialogue on fidelity in human relationships. A resolution requiring lay and ordained leaders to take anti-racism training was adopted. And of course, the Convention resolved to enter full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

Several members of the East Tennessee delegation were especially touched by the historic resolution. Linda Dietrich said, "Some of you know that my journey to General Convention started out of my commitment to this cause . . .a long five years ago. By the time the three vote-by-orders were counted and reported, all my fingernails were gone and I was a nervous wreck. As the Secretary announced the tallies, I lost it and started crying. Suzanne Smitherman, who sits behind me on the floor, came up and put her arms around me and said 'Are you happy?' All I could do was nod yes."

Georgia Knazovich said, "It was a pleasure and a personal honor as an official deputy to vote in favor of the Call to Common Mission. My religious life began in the Lutheran Church."

The Rev. John Talbird, Jr. said, "I went to Denver uneasy about our church. Were we going to split it? . . .Were we going to draw lines in the sand and say I am not moving from here? I am happy to say we did none of this. I attribute this to the Holy Spirit, our Presiding Bishop and the maturity and wisdom of those in attendance (in that order). The tone was set by the Presiding Bishop with his daily meditations on the theme of Jubilee.

"Here is some of the legislation that was passed that held particular significance for me: a very positive resolution on Human Sexuality that spoke of the commitment of marriage; 20/20 A Clear Vision on doubling the size of the Episcopal Church by the year 2020; the Call to a Common Mission, the full communion with the ELCA; the formation and financing of an Episcopal Youth Corps; two resolutions on supporting the mission and ministry of the Church in Haiti; a resolution against the death penalty; a reaffirmation of the tithe as the minimum standard for Christian stewardship teaching; an apology to those who were hurt in the prayer book revisions as we prepare for more revisions in 2012. These were just a few of the many resolutions that were considered. Even those resolutions voted by orders and those bearing great emotional weight were all debated in the spirit of conversation and respectful listening."

The Rev. Craig Morgan said, "Prayer and worship dominated the Convention.. . .The Presiding Bishop, Frank Griswold, is a scholar, a gentleman and very much a holy man. . .he asked us to listen 'with the ear of our heart' to those who were seated at table with us. Minds were not frequently changed, but hearts were continually challenged and often changed.

"This atmosphere even permeated the legislative sessions. There was mutual respect, not nearly so much parliamentary maneuvering (as in previous conventions I had attended), and most persons spoke from the heart, not the head. . . This is what a Christian policy setting assembly is supposed to be about. Not winning or losing, but truly acknowledging feelings of disappointment even when they represent a very small group of people.

"We are a Church that has moved closer to the heart of Jesus and are not being driven by the extremes of conservatism or liberalism. We are a compassionate bunch of Christians who really feel the call to be inclusive while at the same time, deeply desiring to be sensitive to the feelings and passions of all."

Jim Morris said, "The many resolutions approved by the Convention are listed in many publications, but two were of special interest to me but for different reasons. The discussions and resolutions concerning end-of-life issues placed the Church in a responsible role in these matters and define the Church's understanding of the morality of treatment options. These represented the work of the Church at its best. The second resolution was, perhaps, the central issue of the Convention; "the blessing of same sex unions." It was an extremely difficult vote for our deputation, and we were evenly divided in both the lay and clerical orders. After the vote, the expressions of understanding and compassion among the deputies was a moment of deep feeling for all of us. Even the alternate deputies who were not on the floor during the vote made extraordinary efforts to assure the voting deputies of their support, and the Bishop was most concerned with all the deputies' feelings.

The Ven. Michael Doty said, "With the close of the 73rd General Convention our church has turned an historical corner. We have agreed to pursue a common mission with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America through a relationship of full communion. With that our horizons for mission and ministry expand in ways we can only begin to imagine. With the passage of "20/20: A Clear Vision" we have set a goal for doubling the size of the Episcopal Church in twenty years. For the next two decades mission expansion will define who and what we are. And through the hard work of a truly representative special committee on issues of sexuality the convention recognized and honored our diversity while preserving our unity. And, last but not least, for the first time in history a special youth presence was admitted to the floor of the convention with seat and voice. We have finally recognized on a national level that young people are the church of today and not just tomorrow.

"In all these things, great and small, the Holy Spirit was manifest in our daily worship, in friendships made and renewed, in prayers and reflections during the legislative sessions, and in the good will expressed to one another by those holding opposing opinions. Not everyone got their way in all things, but isn't that the way the world works best? We have emerged from this convention as a stronger more united church, as a church truly focused on God's grace and love, and as a church with a stated vision and direction. I think God saw it and must have said that it was good."