<p dir="ltr">We want to know how the Bishop plans to reach out to LGBTQ and their families to make them feel welcome and fully included. He obviously doesn't realize that he has alienated us. Julie and Johnny Erwin </p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 12, 2015 9:00 AM, "Indie Pereira via ASAP" <<a href="mailto:asap@episcopallists.com">asap@episcopallists.com</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><p dir="ltr">Gender and sex are not technically the same thing though we sometimes use them interchangeably</p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 12, 2015 8:12 AM, "ThomDCInut via ASAP" <<a href="mailto:asap@episcopallists.com" target="_blank">asap@episcopallists.com</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto"><div>Greetings!</div><div><br></div><div>I am quite disheartened with the bishop's current decision as I feel that I'm discriminated against because of the way that God has made me. One issue with one word that I see continually being used. We keep on saying "Same sex marriage". This tends to emphasize "sex". Could we change the wording to read: "Same gender marriage"? Perhaps this would be more palatable? </div><div><br></div><div>Just a thought. </div><div><br></div><div>Thom <br><br><div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div><div><br>On Dec 10, 2015, at 3:29 PM, David Phillippi via ASAP <<a href="mailto:asap@episcopallists.com" target="_blank">asap@episcopallists.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">Thank you Ben and Ann for your reply. I'm slowly getting a picture of the challenge ahead of us. <div><br></div><div>Given that we are only asking for the option for priests to perform weddings, I wonder if we could make a strong case that inclusion would actually help protect established institutions. Now that marriage equality is a reality, the Episcopal Church is one of the few places that people can go who want to make such a commitment within a Christian community, or who want to be in community with those who do. Refusing to allow <i>any</i> priest to perform the ceremony is a drag on growth within the diocese. And those who are worried about losing members over this, could continue to practice exclusion...we would welcome those members at our churches :-). </div><div><br></div><div>David</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote type="cite">On Wed, Dec 9, 2015 at 10:05 AM, Ben Whitehouse <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:whitehba@yahoo.com" target="_blank">whitehba@yahoo.com</a>></span> wrote:<br></blockquote><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14.6667px;white-space:pre-wrap">Hadn't seen an answer to David's questions and I was hoping someone with more knowledge than what I've been able to gather on this process would respond first- so please reorient me if I'm misstating anything</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14.6667px;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14.6667px;white-space:pre-wrap">1. Short of the Bishop changing his mind, what else could effect change? <i>A strong showing of displeasure at the diocesan convention can't hurt. Getting the convention to vote for Henry Walker's resolution that was circulated here a few days ago is a good way of showing that. Also, getting like minded clergy and lay members elected to leadership positions (like bishop and council) within the diocese also would be helpful. I would hope diocesan convention delegates would inquire of candidate for these diocesan leadership positions their position on this issue. </i></span></div><div><div dir="ltr"><span><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent">Could the National Church change its mind and require all dioceses to allow priests the option of administering this sacrament? <i> It can but only at the next general convention in 2018. I believe that the 2017 diocesan convention will elect the deputies for the 2018 general convention. Working to elect deputies who support all sacraments for all people is important step too. </i></span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:14.6667px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:transparent">2. Who else needs convincing? </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14.6667px;white-space:pre-wrap">How much support is there for the Bishop’s decision in the larger Diocese?<i> I think the consensus is that this is very conservative diocese. I've already heard of leaders from one local parish declaring that under no circumstances would same sex weddings be conducted there. The best we can realistically expect is similar to what neighboring dioceses have done which is to call on each parish to go through a discernment process to decide if they were going to allow these liturgies to be used. I don't think it's realistic to expect even a majority of parishes in the diocese would be open to conduct same sex weddings. For now we at least need to work to open a path for parishes and chapels that want to celebrate all marriages can do so, and equally as important, for clergy that are resident or working in this diocese to be free to administer the sacrament of marriage to a same sex couple without fear of retribution from the bishop. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:14.6667px;white-space:pre-wrap"><i><br></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><i>The diocese has already lost several parishes (including the one that used to occupy the building where the bishop's administrative office now sits) who have left as the episcopal church has gotten more progressive. We've also had several whole dioceses break off and leave the national church. (South Carolina, Fort Worth). I'm sure one of the main arguments in opposition is fear that we could lose more parishes and members who no longer would want to be a part of this diocese. Perhaps some may be worried that if the bishop did allow for these sacraments, the diocesan convention could likewise vote to leave the national church. </i></span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><i><br></i></span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:15px;white-space:pre-wrap"><i>That being said - I am also very frustrated because with these kinds of controversies- the conversation will quickly turn toward protecting established institutions and away from recognizing the people that are harmed. At the same time, institutions don't just spring up overnight and it's the nature of this church to work together in spite of profound disagreement. </i></span></font></p></span></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div><br></div>
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