An Emphasis on the Local Glorious Messiness a Parish Priest's

A Parish Priest’s Perspective: Having a Tevye Moment July 17, 2009 Issue 9 By the Rev. John Ohmer Today a friend asked, “So, John, what do you This cuts two ways: First, tempting as it is, this and the past couple of General Conven- Center Aisle is an opinion journal offered by the Diocese of think about all this – the blessing of same-sex conservatives, we can’t close our eyes to what tions fly in the face of a centuries-old, Judeo- Virginia as a gift to General Convention. We offer analysis unions and gay bishops?” In answering him, I is happening in the outside world. In all likeli- Christian teaching based on Scripture, tradition and opinions from a variety of sources that felt like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. hood, there have always been gay bishops; and reason – namely that sexual expression is reflect the transformational center of our Church. Recall the argument between the young, Gene Robinson is open about it. Shall we really to be reserved to a lifelong monogamous rela- www.centeraisle.net radical Perchik and the elderly villager, with the return to an insistence that only closeted gays tionship between a man and a woman within villager saying, “Why should I break my head or those with the rare gift of celibacy be the bounds of marriage. “The middle is not the midpoint on a line between two extremes. In the life of faith, the great bulk of people are at the center, and that center is faith in the Risen Christ.” about the outside world? Let the outside world elected bishop? And it is the height of arrogant colonialism, —The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Bishop of Virginia break its own head.” Nor can we close our eyes to the reality our own modern version of the “Doctrine of Tevye says, “You’re right.” that a number of states have legalized gay Discovery,” to assume our Christian brothers Perspective Editorial Perchik counters, “Nonsense. You can't marriage. In those states, how are clergy to and sisters around the nation who “still” cling close your eyes to what’s happening in the respond, pastorally, to parishioners – dedi- to this teaching need to just get over it. So Convention: An Emphasis on the Local Glorious Messiness world.” cated, legally married, confirmed communi- conservatives are right on this issue! By the Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Bishop of Virginia Tidiness is overrated. We head home a messy Tevye says, “He is right.” cants in good standing – who come to them The most lasting im- churches and dioceses (as well as churches Church. Thanks be to God. Another villager challenges Tevye, saying, seeking the church’s blessing on their mar- But, you say, they can’t both be right. pact of the 76th Gen- elsewhere in the communion) to collect litur- We are, by our own proclamation, “not of “He's right and he's right? They can't both be riage? So liberals are right on this issue! eral Convention is likely gical and theological resources regarding one mind” on matters that have caused divi- right.” On the other hand, tempting as it is, liber- You know, you’re also right. to be an increase of same-gender blessings. Recognizing the sion in the Communion And Tevye says, “You know, you are also als, we can’t close our eyes to what is happen- initiative and energy in unique pastoral needs of those dioceses in We are in search of a communications right.” ing in the outside world. Actions we’ve taken at Oy, vey. local congregations jurisdictions where same-gender marriage or strategy appropriate for the changing media and dioceses. The civil partnerships are legal, the Convention landscape. Budget Passes; First Job Lost sharp budget cuts in affirmed that a generous pastoral response We are developing resources for same- By the Rev. Lauren R. Stanley the three-year budget is needed. sex blessings, without committing ourselves to “action.” After long and heartfelt debate, Deputies The passage means that up to 37 Episco- tant one we take home. of the General Church will have a painful The emphasis on the local did not deter We will soon debate an Anglican covenant passed the coming triennium’s extremely tight pal Church employees – out of 180 – will lose Hours later, the Rev. Michael Barlowe, impact on some faithful staff members, but the Convention from adopting both a de- that could help clarify the bonds of Commun- budget, the result of a $23 million shortfall. their jobs. Programs and offices will be consoli- deputy, California, invited every deputation to will shift the focus for mission to the local nominational health plan for the whole ion. Even before debate ended, reports surfaced dated as well, and much of the work of evan- pledge $1,000 to raise $51,000 to restore the church, rather than the local church waiting church and a mandatory lay employee pen- We are searching for creative ways to do that the first employee of the Episcopal Church gelism and mission is being returned to dioce- administration support for the Office of the for initiatives from the General Church. sion plan, both of which, in the long run, will great things with reduced resources, while was laid off yesterday. san levels. President. By mid-afternoon, 11 deputations The emphasis on local ministry is a proper strengthen the local church. living up to our mission responsibilities. Multiple attempts to restore funding, par- Something not discussed during debate: had pledged. expression of the principle of subsidiarity, This is my last Perspective article as Put it all together and you have a Church ticularly for communications and expenses for The shortfall equals $10.45 per Episcopalian whereby mission should occur at the level publisher of Center Aisle, since I am resign- that doesn’t have all the answers—and never the Office of the President of the House, failed. per year, a fact that might be the most impor- closest to the people who are called to en- ing as bishop of Virginia effective Oct. 1, gage in that mission. 2009. I am grateful to Ed Jones, Emily will. It is a Church on a spiritual journey that Local mission is also enhanced by reso- Cherry, John Ohmer and Lauren Stanley, the never ends. Church is in “a Really Healthy Place” OffCenter lutions which the secular press has incor- key staff members of Center Aisle, for their But be prepared: There are neat-freaks By the Rev. Lauren R. Stanley rectly interpreted as necessarily damaging engaging and faithful work; to my colleagues who don’t appreciate messiness. There will be cries of Armageddon in the wake of Conven- At the beginning of General Convention, the from five different countries our worldwide relationship and as following in the House, Bishop Shannon Johnston tion’s vote for an ordination process open to Rev. Dr. Ruth Meyers, deputy from Chicago, saying that ‘we are with you the agenda of a gay and lesbian lobby. In- and Bishop David Jones; and to the staff all. heard a lot of concern about deputies and and we love you and we need stead, what the convention did is to reaffirm and deputation of the Diocese of Virginia for Those doomsday predictions have been bishops “being in different places.” you to do the work that you that the ordination process is under the con- their wise counsel and support of this work. heard before. And it’s true that the passage of Now, as Convention ends, Ms. Myers, the are doing’ is huge. To have trol of local bishops and dioceses, while I hope Center Aisle has made your conven- Resolution D025, whose nuances have been new Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics at visitors come and say we care stressing that access to that process is open tion experience richer and reinforced your lost in much of the media coverage, could Church Divinity School of the Pacific and a about you and value our rela- to all baptized persons. commitment and sense of hope in this won- create problems in the Communion. founder of the Chicago Consultation, thinks the tionships has been so impor- The Convention also invited local derful church to which God has called us. But this is no time to despair. The bonds Church is in “a really healthy place.” tant.” between our Church and Canterbury are still Especially in the debates over Resolution Our job now, she said, is Breaking Down Center Aisle Central Voices from Convention strong. It’s hard to imagine a Communion that D025, “people were able to express their views to “deepen relationships, and Hope there aren’t earthquakes doesn’t include the National Cathedral in … with an incredible level of candor and re- that deepening of relation- Center Aisle’s red wagon, which also served while we’re all in Anaheim— spect and generosity,” she said. “It was one ships needs to happen in as our distribution center, will go to St. though we might bring some. (7/3/09) EDITORIAL continued on Page 2 small piece of a much larger work.” many, many ways.” Timothy’s Day School in Compton, Calif. Real bread makes Jesus Ms. Meyers saw how the bishops worked “I hope that the work Center Aisle’s all-in-one printer will go to the food we can really chew on— The Last Issue “to build consensus … and then communi- we’ve done here inspires even front office at the Cathedral Center of the I think that’s the plan. (7/16/09) Today, Center Aisle ends its fourth circulation cated to the deputies a real sense of collegial- more congregations and dio- Diocese of Los Angeles.

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