Posted on 06/21/2006 7:34:11 PM PDT by sionnsar
In a flurry of activity, GC 2006 accomplished nothing today. There will be no repenting, no rolling back, no apology for the heretical decisions of the past, only a toothless 'non-binding' resolution.
Here is what I undestand based on todays reports:
Despite GC 2006's lipservice to the value and worth of all persons, eliminating certain persons in the womb is still on ecusa's agenda, as evidenced by this.
One of my favorite quotes from GC 2006 is this one:
"Today we’re proud to be members of an Episcopal Church which can take the extraordinary risk of listening to God’s call and obeying."
Wondering who said that? Check here.
One of my favorite GC 2006 photos was this one of the enthusiasm of the youth delegates in the House of Deputies. I can only imagine what they are thinking:
Let me see if I’ve got it straight:
My wife and I went to GC 2006 last week in part to man the lifeboats for any who wanted to abandon the sinking ECUSA. No one came onboard. What we hoped to be a rescue mission has turned out to be a recovery operations.
Here is what a few commentators have to say:
Associated Press/Rachel Zoll
Anglican Mainstream
Matt Kennedy
BBC News
Baby Blue
Canon Martyn Minns
Kevin Kallsen/CT Six
My wife and I returned home to Fairfax, Virginia yesterday (Sunday) afternoon after spending three full days in Columbus as part of the American Anglican Council support team.
It was nice to meet new friends and renew old acquaintences with people on both sides of the political and theologic crisis in the Episcopal church. It was a pleasure to meet fellow bloggers Brad Drell and Kevin Kallsen for the first time, and David Virtue for the umpteenth time.
We arrived in Columbus just after 5:00 pm on Wednesday, June 14. After getting situated at Ohio Dominical College, about 4 miles northeast of downtown, we decided to scout out the convention center and surrounding area. We drove downtown and were surprised at how quiet it was. For a 'big city' there was no traffic and few pedestrians. We saw a member of the Virginia delegation walking with a colleague and soon found a great parking spot. The meterman was on his rounds and advised us that parking was free after 6:00 pm. What a switch from downtown DC!
We walked about 2 blocks to the convention center and met Bishop Mark Smith of North Dakota. We chatted a bit as we walked and it seemed that he was already growing weary of the 'Special Committee' (where he was heading), but was kind enough to allow me to get a picture of him with my wife.
After scouting out the convention center and getting our bearings, I took photos of the House of Deputies and the inside and outside of the center. You may find some of these at the AAC's GC 2006 web site (www.americananglican.org).
Our work began in earnest on Thursday. My original assignment to monitor the Canons Committee was cancelled. I was asked to photograph anything and everything, and keep my eyes and ears open to what may be happening. My wife worked in the admin support office and the luncheon meals and deputies briefings. There was plenty for us to do.
I did cover the Thursday evening Presiding Bishop's forum on reconcilliation. I find it ironic to have Mr. Griswold and the term 'reconcilliation' mentioned in the same sentence. Panel members included former Senator (and current Episcopal priest) John Danforth, Mr. Shaw, the Bishop of Massachusetts, Jenny te Paa, a lobbyist for the Episcopal Relief and Development group and another woman whose name and role I have forgotten.
The stage was in the House of Deputies, where over a dozen national flags formed the backdrop. It was clear from the speakers and the decorations that ECUSA was trying its hardest to show the world how much it would miss out if the Anglican Communnion were to give ECUSA the boot. The incessant mantras of 'dialogue', 'conversation' and 'there is so much more that holds us together than divides us' was evident. In truth, I thought I was in a socialist convention.
It was also clear that the homosexual agenda was being pushed strongly at GC 2006. Proponents such as Hopkins and Russell were clear that nothing less than full acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle would be acceptable. Despite the so-called gospel of 'inclusion', there would be no room for dissenting opinions.
This was reaffirmed during the Larry King interviews that evening, where Mr. Robinson of New Hampshire was extremely clear that he believes that God made him to be homosexual and that his homosexuality was to be honored and celebrated, Scripture notwithstanding. He was supported by others on the panel, including Mr. Griswold. The ECUSA slogan of 'come as you are, stay as you are' was proclaimed loudly and clearly by those for whom the gospel of 'incusion' has replaced the true gospel of transformation through Jesus Christ.
This was also reaffirmed during my time monitoring the Social and Urban Affairs committee on Friday morning. Rather than focusing on theological issues, the committee was more focused on pushing the homosexual agenda and figuring out how to apologize for 'the sins of our fathers', specifically for slavery. I found it curious that the committee discussed putting a group together to calculate the ecomonic benefits which ECUSA derived from slavery, and to report back to the Executive Committee on a yearly or tri-yearly basis. As I left, no one had figured out what to do with the report.
It was also sad, but predictable, that a resolution to affirm Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life was defeated in committee because of a fear that it might lead to a contentious debate. Another weak argument was that the issue had already been dealt with at a previous convention. Even if it had been, should not every convention affirm the Lorship of Jesus Christ? From what I have read from several bishops, there are many who do not believe in the Lordship of Jesus.
My wife and I were ready to leave on Sunday morning. When we arrived home we read that Mrs. Shori had been elected as the new Presiding Bishop. Hopefully this should be the death knell of the denomination, as Shori is a supporter of the revisionist agenda and will further alienate ECUSA from the rest of the Christian world.
I just pray that the divorce will happen quickly.
A look forward to GC 2006 and beyond.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week941/interview2.html
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Ping!
LOL! I looked just like those kids at diocesan conventions. There's only so much information (garbage resolutions) that a mind can take. Then you start doing a mental grocery list for when you get home.
Bishop Stanton has some interesting insight. This page comes from a link on his family website.
http://bishop.jmstanton.com/
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