July, 2015 • Volume 140, Issue No. 7 ‘Thankful, honored and blessed’ Presiding Bishop-elect Curry addresses the media By Pat McCaughan one of the women in our church community along with my grandmother and others who [Episcopal News Service – Salt Lake City] came in and raised me.” Several hours after being elected as the Episco - “I believe in the community of church be - pal Church’s 27th – and first African-American cause I’ve been raised by it,” he said. – presiding bishop-elect, Michael Curry fielded He shared some thoughts about a range of a range of media questions with characteristic issues: humility and humor June 27 and said he in - Among his priorities – the Jesus movement Inside this issue: tends to build on the good work of his prede - “I am looking forward to serving and cessor “because that’s the way the Spirit working for the cause of the Jesus movement in Notes & Quotes . .2 works.” world … to help this become a transformed Current Presiding Bishop Katharine Jef - world that looks more like God’s dream and Truckin' . .3 ferts Schori introduced Curry at a crowded Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry makes a point at his first news less like our nightmare. That’s what energizes Convention news . .4 press conference at the Hilton Hotel in Salt conference a few hours after his historic election as the 27th presiding me and what I believe in and we can really con - General Convention photos . .7 Lake City, saying the House of Bishops handed bishop of The Episcopal Church. tinue and build on the good work that’s been him “a major mandate” with the historic land - Photo: Janet Kawamoto/For Episcopal News Service done in Bishop Katharine’s years.” General Convention Summary . .8 slide victory. ops the same year and “it’s the first time presiding Evangelism vs. evangelical Diocesan Calendar . .11 Curry jokingly agreed that he thought both bish - bishops from the same class have been elected” suc - “Everybody knows I really do take evangelism se - ops and deputies “were happy houses today.” riously and discipleship and witness and service and Speaking in Faith . .12 cessively,” she said. It is also the first time that a pre - Jefferts Schori and Curry became diocesan bish - siding bishop has been elected on the social advocacy, the gospel principles that we hold. first ballot. Those three things are critical and needed in this Curry, whose term will begin Nov. time. I think The Episcopal Church has something to Editor’s Note: Bishop Seage will write a pastoral letter to the diocese in upcoming weeks. 1, was accompanied at the news con - offer in the public square. We have a way of looking ference by his wife Sharon, a daughter, at the Gospel that makes known the love of God in July 4, 2015 — Independence Day Elizabeth, and other family members Jesus.” and friends. Included among his guests But is he evangelical? “I think it’s fair to say that I Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won was “Josie Robbins who, when I was a am a follower of Jesus.” liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations young boy and my mother died, … was Bishop-elect Curry addresses media then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have Continued on page 10 grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. General Convention approves Dear Friends, It’s been an incredibly busy week. I apologize for being out of touch for the last couple of days! To say the last 12 days were overwhelming is an marriage equality understatement. I’m certain the news from General Convention has left you with many questions. Thank you for patiently waiting while I compiled answers related to the business of General Conven - By Sharon Sheridan tion. I’m sure most of your questions and those of your churches revolve around changes to the mar - riage canon and the adoption of trial liturgies for marriage. [Episcopal News Service – Salt Lake City] In the wake of the June 26 U.S. Supreme Court rul - The first thing to know is that, for now, we will continue with our current process for the ing legalizing same-sex marriage for all Americans, General Convention followed suit on July 1 blessing of same sex relationships. In short, the ban on same sex blessings remains in place with canonical and liturgical changes to provide marriage equality for Episcopalians. except in those churches that engaged in a process of discernment and requested that the ban The House of Deputies concurred with the House of Bishops’ approval the day before of a be lifted. canonical change eliminating language defining marriage as between a man and a woman (Reso - I will be spending an unspecified amount of time intentionally and carefully discerning the next lution A036) and authorizing two new marriage rites with language allowing them to be used by steps for our church. Allow me to reiterate something said within the legislation passed by General same-sex or opposite-sex couples (Resolution A054). Convention: “That this convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters The resolutions marked the culmination of a conversation launched when the 1976 General of human sexuality; and that no bishop, priest, deacon or lay person should be coerced or penalized Convention said that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim in any manner, nor suffer any canonical disabilities, as a result of his or her theological objection to with all other persons upon the love, acceptance and pastoral concern and care of the church,” or support for the 78th General Convention’s action contained in this resolution.” I intend to do no said the Very Rev. Brian Baker, deputy chair of the Special Legislative Committee on Marriage. less. “That resolution began a 39-year conversation about what that full and equal claim would look For many, events will seem to have moved very quickly. For others, these changes have been very like. The conversation has been difficult for many and painful for many.” slow in coming. I understand and appreciate both perspectives. My goal – and I hope yours as well – Resolutions A054 and A036 represented compromises reached after prayerful consideration is to not react to these developments, but to take appropriate time to respond. I expect to return and conversation within the legislative committee, and then the House of Bishops to make room home this weekend and will offer an appropriate pastoral letter after catching my breath and spending for everyone, Baker said. “I know that most of you will find something… to dislike and to disagree time with my family. Thanks for your prayers and support. with” in the resolutions, he said, asking deputies to “look through the lens of how this compro - mise makes room for other people.” Peace be with you, +Brian General Convention approves marriage equality Continued on page 2 OUR DIOCESE ages 8 through adult on Monday and Thursday body ‘Brother Ass.’ In the end he said, ‘I have evenings in the parish hall at All Saints/Jackson . sinned against my brother the ass.’ Too late for The cost, which includes a uniform, is $119 for a himself, he bids us to care for creation and for self. four-month session. All funds go to All Saints. ‘Come apart … and rest a while.’” St. John’s/Pascagoula is preparing for their The Very Rev. Robert Weatherington, annual drawdown and silent auction. This year’s R edeemer/Biloxi : “Little steps are what change event will take place on Saturday, August 1st, at the world from a place focused on self-will and the Pascagoula Country Club. With a theme of selfish perceptions into a community defined by Notes from around the diocese: children will present what they learned in VBS for Cajun Bahamas, attendees are invited to wear love for God and one another. Each little step Grace Church/Canton has been asked by their parents and friends. flip-flops, khaki shorts, and island shirts. Tickets might seem inconsequential, but every time we Bishop Seage to manage The Storybook Project in St. Columb’s/Ridgeland has designated are $100 for a chance to win $10,000 and include grow, the Kingdom draws a little nearer. Each partnership with the diocese. The program pro - Wednesday evenings in July to be occasions for an open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Event pro - step along the way, God is there patiently watch - vides new books for children up to age 18 with clean-up and reorganization. Better use of the ceeds will be used to help pay for improvements ing and celebrating each success and waiting to parents and/or grandparents incarcerated in Mis - parish hall space is anticipated. Members are en - to the triangle east of the church. turn each failure into a gateway to new life.” sissippi prisons. Volunteers help inmates select couraged to come for a little physical labor and The 2015 Rummage for Water sale at The Rev. Jeff Reich, St. John’s/Laurel : “En - books and then facilitate the dictating of those pizza. A rummage sale will follow the clean-up on St. Stephen’s/Indianola was a huge success. The couragement is foundational to a life of Christian books, excerpts from those books, and messages Saturday, August 1st. effort raised $7,300 to provide a well for clean faith and practice.