EDWM Deputies to the General Convention Speak Out

Guest Blogger: Karmel Puzzuoli, Communications Assistant to the Bishop

Two years ago, the 136th convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan elected its clergy and lay deputies to represent us at the 77th General Convention (GC) in Indianapolis earlier this month. In conversation or written reflection, our EDWM deputation was able to report their impressions, reflections and experiences.

If you read Bishop Gepert’s Weekly Teaching last week, he remarked on the high level of civility at the GC compared with previous years. Our EDWM deputies had the same sentiment. Anne Davidson (St. Mark’s Coldwater), said, “Even though [in the House of Deputies] we didn’t agree on everything, it was certainly possible to work together and respect each other’s beliefs and opinions.”

Such was true even during one of the most contentious moments of the convention. After the vote to provide liturgical resources for same-sex blessings, as well as to disallow discrimination against transgendered people, the Bishop of South Carolina and most of his deputation who were against these changes left the GC, a controversy that continues to this day.

“We were sitting next to the South Carolinians,” said Musette El Mohammed, St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo. “It was amazing to watch those conversations while they were happening on the floor of the House of Deputies. I loved the way they engaged in the debate even though they knew they were not on the winning side. No one booed or hissed when the conservative dioceses spoke. They were respected even though their concerns were not addressed.”

Rev. Laurel Dahill, rector of St. Andrew’s Grand Rapids, echoes those sentiments: “People had some real concerns and everybody had a chance to be heard at a profoundly respectful level.” Rev. Dahill added that her own congregation has a same-sex blessing coming up in a few months and plans to make use of the liturgy approved.

One of the most significant resolutions passed was C095 which calls for creation of a task force to re-imagine the workings of the Episcopal Church in the 21st century. It sailed unanimously through the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops the following day. It creates a special task force of up to 24 people who will gather ideas in the next two years from all levels of the church about possible reforms to its structures, governance and administration. Their work will culminate in a special gathering of people from every diocese to hear what recommendations the task force plans to make to the 78th General Convention. Its final report is due by November 2014.

“There’s a lot to suggest that the Episcopal Church is doing things in an outdated model,” said Bill Fleener (St. David’s Lansing). “Some of the hierarchy is kind of leftover from a different era, financially and systems-wise, so I think we took a positive step to allow structures of the church to change.”

Musette echoed the sentiments of Bishop Gepert with respect to our direction as a people of faith: “I think that our whole focus on mission [in our diocese] has been on target with what the national church has been saying. We have really focused on outreach rather than in-reach. We’re also on target in our understanding of inclusion. I think our diocese has been a standout in that area.”

The attendees of the GC found the worship services to be inspiring, diverse and filled with the Holy Spirit. They experienced steel drums playing “How Great Thou Art,” spontaneous dancing, a great mix of celebrants, preachers and readings in a variety of languages.

One of the most moving experiences that deputies have at the GC is the democratic process that governs the Episcopal Church through its House of Deputies and House of Bishops. Both laity and clergy have a significant say in the direction of the church. “Unlike nearly every other religious institution in the world, we sit down and decide where we go in the future,” said Bill Fleener.

The work of a deputy at the GC is intense, with sessions beginning as early as 7:30 a.m. and going as late at 10:00 p.m.

“One of many highlights for me was working on the Certification of Minutes Committee,” said Pam Chapman (St. Philip’s, Grand Rapids). “It allowed me to re-live the legislation of the day before which enabled me to be more prepared for the upcoming day’s business. The committee met each morning at 7:30 a.m. to review and correct, if necessary, the minutes before reporting to the House of Deputies that the minutes have been reviewed and certified them to be correct, daily.”

The EDWM deputation recommended that anyone who is elected deputy needs to start educating themselves immediately after their election, which will be at the diocesan convention in 2013, so that they can hit the ground running at the 78th General Convention.

Overall, the deputies enjoyed spending time with people from around the country, but also getting to know people from our diocese better.

“I enjoyed time spent with people talking about what best ways forward in all categories of church life,” said Rev. Jennifer Adams, rector of Grace Church, Holland. “I was very aware of our courage as a church and also our limitations. We are hard-working and so very human. I watched us stretch ourselves forward and bump into our limitations! And so, we need to meet again in three years. Our work is not done!”

More comments from EDWM Deputies:
“As a history teacher, I would love to have had students see how a bicameral organization works. Seeing that certain resolutions in the House of Bishops or the House of Deputies was impressive. Both houses had an opportunity to discuss,  change , or clarify, very much like our governmental legislature does.” – Musette El Mohammed

“The worship services make being at convention an experience that all Episcopalians should have the opportunity to take part in. Each morning there was a different preacher of the sermon. I was able to take what was shared with us, by the preacher, to the legislative sessions of the convention. I was able to worship with my friend Alice Webley Harris (formerly of our diocese) each morning. It was a pleasure to know we would share the peace with her at the first of each day.” – Pam Chapman

“I feel as if the Open Communion conversation is one that needs to happen with as much intention as we have approached other topics, but there just wasn’t room for that breadth of conversation this time.  I think a people gathered can only do so much in the time that is Convention, especially when everything takes genuinely faithful attention, prayer and thought… I am always struck by the breadth of voices that are our church, the sincere faith behind the work that’s done, the quantity of work that is done, and the process by which decisions are made by the whole Body (or at least reps of it.) I find the process itself quite moving in terms of what it proclaims theologically and I’m always very grateful to be part of it.”
– Rev. Jen Adams

“I was frustrated that there was so MUCH legislation (nearly 400 resolutions), and with the shortened schedule (8 days instead of 10) it was hard to keep up with all of the resolutions and amendments, but given all of that, I felt very honored to be able to represent the Diocese, and listen to the Holy Spirit and the deliberations, and then vote my conscience.” – Anne Davidson

“The spirit was definitely there. I was moved
when we voted unanimously on a restructuring resolution. To have 850 people in agreement created a hush in the room, and showed us that the spirit is really working through us. God found a way to break in.”
– Rev. Laurel Dahill

Deputies in GC Attendance
Clergy
The Rev. Jennifer Adams,
    Grace Episcopal Church, Holland, MI
The Rev. Canon William Spaid,
    Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan
The Rev. Laurel Dahill,
    St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Big Rapids
The Rev. Gregory Brown,
    Emmanuel, Petoskey, MI
The Rev. Mary Perrin, St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo, MI
    attended as an alternate

Lay
William Fleener, Jr., St. David’s, Lansing, MI
Musette El Mohammed, St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo, MI
Anne Davidson, St. Mark’s, Coldwater, MI
Pam Chapman, St. Philip’s, Grand Rapids
Tom Perrin, St. Martin of Tours, Kalamazoo, MI
    attended as an alternate

On the 77th General Convention and Bishop's Sabbatical

On the 77^th General Convention of The Episcopal Church

I returned from General Convention last week with the wonderful feeling that it was without a doubt the best one I’ve ever attended.

I credit the positive atmosphere to the leadership of Katharine Jefferts-Schori, who has set a tone of respect in the Church.

Some of you may have heard that during the convention, the Bishop of South Carolina and most of his deputation left after the legislation on resources for same-sex blessings. In past years, that would have created a ruckus, but at this General Convention, his decision was honored. An invitation to stay in relationship was given, but when it was not successful, we moved on and remained healthy.

I was also impressed to see the growing diversity in the church. We were honored to experience our American Indian participants’ music, sign language, dress and readings in Shoshoni.  We also had liturgies in Spanish, showing us the wide variety of expression in the church. There were guests from Africa as well as Sudanese-Americans gathered together to praise God and worship. 

When we gather as a general convention, we get to see a worldwide Anglicanism that we don’t see in our own dioceses and parishes.

The only other thing I want to say about the General Convention is that with regard to the budget, it was created with a consciousness of the poor, and was developed based upon the Five Marks of Mission.

On Sabbatical

My sabbatical is from September-December 2012, and I’m grateful to reflect where I’ve been and where I’m going.

For me, it will be a time to work on a book, which combines my knowledge of Family Systems Theory, practical experience and the Rule of St. Benedict, and will be about how we need to incorporate the radical teachings of Jesus into our lives and institutions. I’ve chosen the ironic title “To Hell With Jesus, We’re Here For the Music,” because I am a strong believer that we need to move beyond having an experience of God in worship. As I’ve related before, experiences of God are not enough. It goes back to the members vs. disciples argument. If we are to change the world, it is by being disciples, not simply members of an institution.

I also hope the time away will be restorative. I will have more opportunity to spend time with our children and grandchildren. I will be spending time meditating on how to make a good transition from my episcopacy to the new bishop you will elect. I want that to happen in the most healthy and productive way that it can.

Further, I would like to add that I will retain ecclesiastical authority during my sabbatical. If there are important decisions to be made, please feel free to contact the staff, and they will relay those important messages to me while I’m away.

Deacons: A Separate and Complete Order

I spent the last day in June at the Day for the Deacons – our annual deacon retreat in Big Rapids. There were six deacons present. One of the things we talked about was how the deacon’s role in the Church is unique and separate from priestly ministry.

I feel strongly that deacons need to be treated as a separate and complete order. Currently, the Episcopal Church, as part of the priestly ordination process, ordains future priests following their graduation from seminary to the transitional diaconate, but I have always supported direct ordination to the priesthood. 

Deacons are not junior priests, and ordaining future priests to the transitional diaconate only serves to confuse people about the important ministry of true deacons, who are not on their way to priesthood.

The diaconate is also called “The Servanthood.” While we are all called to serve, deacons are called to get the church off its butt and do something to alleviate the plight of the marginalized.

Unlike priests, deacons are not called to represent Christ at the altar or gather community around them. They are clergy, yes, but they are called to be a stone in the shoe of the church, an irritant that won’t go away, that mobilizes the church on behalf of the poor, oppressed, disenfranchised, sick – all of those whose voices are not predominant in our society.

Deacons who focus on their calling are one of the greatest gifts to the Church.

Ellie was a deacon in one of my parishes at the height of the AIDS scare in the 1980s, the time after the disease was discovered but no one knew how it was transmitted. She started a ministry for people dying of AIDS. At the time, those dying people were truly disenfranchised; their families had rejected them, and people were afraid of them, wouldn’t even touch them. Ellie mobilized our church to respond to the great need of being with those who were dying. In the process, she opened up our parish to accept people who were HIV-positive and their kids, some of whom were also HIV-positive.

The impact of Ellie’s work didn’t hit me until one Sunday when a young HIV-positive woman with two HIV-positive children tearfully thanked our congregation for accepting her and her children. When she walked down from the pulpit, the congregation rose and embraced her. It’s one of the most powerful moments I’ve witnessed in the Christian community. The Kingdom of God was present in the moment of that congregational embrace.

This illustrates how deacons have the power to transform the church.

Maybe God is calling you to serve Christ and his church in this way.

Deacons work directly under the authority of the Bishop and are expected to go where needed. People called to stay in their own parishes are not called to be deacons, but instead to active lay ministry, which is also needed and important. Bishops, however, assign deacons to ministry, and deacons willingly go where needed.

If you would like more information about becoming a deacon, contact our Archdeacon, The Venerable Christine Tillman. Her email address is christine.tillman@sbcglobal.net.