Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina Post-General Convention Special Edition, July–August 2006
Crosswalk
Bishop Henderson proposes 11th-hour “compromise” resolution
Convention adopts B033 in response to Windsor’s call for moratorium By Peggy Van Antwerp Hill, Editor
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s co-chair of General Convention’s Special Legislative Committee #26 (SLC 26), our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., found himself at the heart of an intense 11th-hour flurry of activity aimed at moving deadlocked bishops and deputies forward in the process of responding to the Windsor Report. As the clock ticked on the final day of convention, Resolution B033, proposed by Bishop Henderson, carried in both houses, responding to the Windsor Report’s call for “a moratorium on the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate who is living in a same-gender union until some new consensus in the Anglican Communion emerges.”
“Exercising restraint” B033 was what some termed a “compromise resolution,” introduced by the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, during an extraordinary joint session of the Houses of Bishops and Deputies. The resolution calls on bishops and Standing
Committees to “exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.” Drafted by Bishop Henderson and others from SLC 26 during an afterhours session on convention’s penultimate day, it was offered following the failure of Resolution A161, which had “urge[d] very considerable caution” in selecting bishops of the Church.
Bishop Henderson and colleagues line up to process before Holy Eucharist.
Moving forward despite “heartbreak” Acknowledging that the resolution was “a heartbreak for a lot of people,” including “gays and lesbians, who think the response was too much, and conserva-
tives, who thought it too little,” Bishop Henderson described the resolution as “an appropriate and blessed way forward, strengthening the Episcopal Church, strengthening the Anglican Communion, without closing any doors unnecessarily.” —continued on page D
Inspiration, consternation, determination, HOPE . . .
Upper SC deputies experience gamut of emotions at GC 2006 By Duncan C. Ely
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On the floor of the House of Deputies: (front row, left to right) The Very Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, chair of the deputation, and the Revs. David Thompson, Calvin Griffin, and Beth Ely; (back row) Belton Zeigler, Scooty Burch, Art Bjontegard, and Angela Daniel. Not pictured are our alternates, the Rev. Blaney Pridgen and Robert Clawson, waiting in the wings to give respite to a tired deputy.
oy, sorrow, hope, frustration, wonder, disappointment, humor, pain, faith, urgency, pride, humility, fear, serenity. Upper South Carolina deputies experienced a wide range of emotions throughout the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, June 13–21. They rose early and stayed up late, worked on committees, endured hours of legislative debate, ate together, and worshiped together. The Very Rev. Dr. Philip Linder, dean of Trinity Cathedral and head of the Upper South Carolina deputation, described the days as extremely long and full. But he noted that he “came away with excitement and great hope for the future of the Episcopal Church.”
Grueling but inspirational For Upper South Carolina deputies, a typical day at General Convention was physically and emotionally tiring. Convention’s span of nine days made the experience absolutely grueling. The rewards, though— inspiration at seeing the larger Church gathered and at work—were great enough for all of the deputies to consider a repeat performance. The next General Convention, the Episcopal Church’s 76th, will be in Anaheim, California, in 2009, which should give deputies enough time to get some rest! The General Convention of the Episcopal Church is a huge event. As of June 13, there were 839 registered deputies, 306 registered alternates, 230 registered bishops, 365 participants in the Episcopal Church Women Triennial meeting, and 27 youth deputies. That’s a total of 1,767 people, not including guests of the convention such as observers, the press, spouses, and friends. —conitnued on page C