Minneapolis convention takes bold steps
Vermonters play active roles

Mountain Echo, September 2003

By Anne Clarke Brown
Like its predecessor gathering in Minneapolis in 1976, which approved both a new Book of Common Prayer and the ordination of women, the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Minneapolis, July 29-August 8, took some bold steps. Emotions and media attention focused on two of those steps—consent to the election of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson, a gay man, as Bishop Coadjutor of New Hampshire, and the recognition that blessings of same-gender unions are “within the bounds of our common life” [see article below]. But the bishops and deputies also directed their energies to over 300 resolutions that included significant revisions to the church’s canons on ordained ministry [see article below] and a mission-centered vision for growing the church over the next two decades—the 20/20 movement.

Vermonters were active in all aspects of the convention. Bishop Ely and six deputies served on legislative committees: Bishop Ely on the Church in Small Communities; Anne Brown as chair of a sub-committee of Social and Urban Affairs; Thomas Brown on the Church Pension Fund; Lee Crawford on World Mission; Jim Larkin on Education; Tom Little on Canons; and Diane Root on Constitution [deputies and alternates are pictured on Pages H and I].

The Rev. Jane Garrett, assisted by Gina Logan, headed up the General Convention Secretariat, where all legislation was processed and tracked; Lynn Bates, aided by Hilary Cooke, directed the House of Bishops Secretariat, and Ann Ely and Tammy Bardos served as aides to key legislative committees (National and International Affairs and World Mission).

Donna Abramov represented Vermont at the Episcopal Church Women’s Triennial [see page H]. Laura Chase worked with the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and Dick Bower, with help from Diana Bingham, was in the huge exhibit hall with a booth promoting the work of Fundación Cristosal with the church in El Salvador. Connie Saeger-Proctor shepherded four young people [pictured on page I], who attended their own “Count Me Faithful” program and had a chance to observe convention and to attend the Sunday Eucharist.

As always, worship provided grounding and leant a prayerful atmosphere to the legislative work. Daily Eucharist and small group Bible study preceded the morning legislative sessions, and chaplains offered prayers at mid-day and at the conclusion of every session.

Robinson consent
The Minneapolis convention gave consent to ten episcopal elections, including that of Gene Robinson. The process began with an early-morning, standing-room-only public hearing before a committee, who then voted to recommend a resolution of consent to the House of Deputies. The debate in the House on Sunday afternoon gave equal time to those in favor and those opposed. Though most of them knew they would not have a chance to speak, well over a hundred deputies stood in line at the “pro” microphone. After the debate, Polly Larkin, who sat in the crowded gallery, commented, “What a civilized church we are!” Deputy Jim Larkin said, “I couldn’t agree more. The arguments on both sides were articulate, thoughtful, and very civil.”

The House of Deputies voted “by orders,” a process that gives each diocese one clergy and one lay vote. A “yes” vote in either order requires a positive vote by at least three of the four deputies, and a “no” vote at least three. A tie in either order is a “divided” vote and essentially counts as a negative. Vermont deputies all voted “yes.” Votes in the lay order were 65 yes, 31 no, and 12 divided, and in the clergy order, 63 yes, 32 no and 13 divided.

Debate and voting in the House of Bishops was delayed a day by two last-minute allegations of misconduct. Canon Robinson and New Hampshire Bishop Douglas Theuner requested a full investigation. Led by Bishop Gordon Scruton of Western Massachusetts, it concluded that there was nothing in the allegations to hinder consent. The vote in the House of Bishops was 62 yes, 43 no, and 2 not voting.

Announcement of the vote by the Presiding Bishop came at about 7:00 P.M., with hundreds of deputies and visitors watching the proceedings on a large screen in the convention worship space. Deputy John Morris said, “Supporters of Gene were very careful not to demonstrate or ‘crow’ about the results.” Lee Crawford said that when the bishops stood to pray and sing “Ubi caritas,” the people in the worship space joined them. Morris added, “In many cases, supporters are reaching out in very pastoral ways to those who are grieving about this action.”

Youth presence
Vermont’s 18 year-old lay alternate deputy, Elizabeth Hall, had several opportunities to substitute for deputies, and she had a letter published in the daily newspaper of the convention [see Page I]. The four Vermont youth took an intense interest in the work of convention and attended several committee hearings as well as sessions of the House of Deputies. Stephanie Phillips and Collin Crowther wrote statements that Anne Brown passed on to members of her legislative committee. According to Connie Saeger-Proctor, “They learned some great leadership skills.” She added that they were impressed by how people could talk about tough issues without accusing someone else of being wrong.

Other actions
The House of Deputies elected Thomas Brown, deputy and rector of St. Michael’s, Brattleboro, to serve on the committee to choose nominees for election at the 2006 General Convention as the next presiding bishop.

The 20/20 movement, initiated at the 2000 Convention, generated a number of resolutions aimed at focusing the church on mission and evangelism and at doubling average Sunday attendance by the year 2020. Many that will affect the Diocese of Vermont are listed on Page J under “Stewardship and Evangelism.” The list also includes many other resolutions that request action by dioceses, congregations and individuals.

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