Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Sheila and I are gladdened, and humbled, by the trust you have placed in me, in us. Publicly, I want to say that my heart is with the other nominees and their partners. They are uniformly splendid people, and I was honored to be in their number.
Also, to all of you who have been so prayerfully working to bring this moment for your diocese, the election of a new bishop, you must know that you have exhibited every trait of a Christian community. You are a witness to the vitality of the Church in your very way of being.
We must all understand, and here I address the diocese of California and those listening from elsewhere, that your vote today remains a vote for inclusion and communion – of gay and lesbian people in their full lives as single or partnered people, of women, of all ethnic minorities, and all people. My commitment to Jesus Christ’s own mission of inclusion is resolute.
And I share with you your strongly expressed commitment to youth, to those who do not yet know Christ, our calling as evangelists, and to God’s waiting, expectant creation.
I take this election to be an expression of our common desire to be part of the whole, the Communion and the world, in what may be a new way. We will work together in the listening process, lending the unique voice of the Bay Area Episcopalians to this great conversation and working to end global human suffering.
Finally, let me say that being nourished as a bishop by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, fed by the historic and living witness of so many heroes of the struggle for human rights, whose words and deeds of compassion and justice have inspired and sustained me, I say to you the words of a west coast hero – “In the cause of peace, we cannot be sprinters, we must be long distance runners.”
Please join me in prayer. God Be With You.“Oh God of unchangeable power and eternal light: look favorably on your whole church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things are made, you Son Jesus Christ and Lord” Amen.
+MARK ANDRUS
3 comments:
"We must all understand, and here I address the diocese of California and those listening from elsewhere, that your vote today remains a vote for inclusion and communion – of gay and lesbian people in their full lives as single or partnered people, of women, of all ethnic minorities, and all people. My commitment to Jesus Christ’s own mission of inclusion is resolute."
This is what gives me the hope to see beyond short-term disappointment and must have the Kendall Harmons and David Andersons of this world chewing nails. There's no going back, so they can either accept that or just leave quietly now.
They're not going to leave quietly -- as my friend, Elizabeth Kaeton says, their theology is a "Burger King" theology: They want to have it THEIR way ... or else! The only thing that works to advance their agenda is schism ... nothing less will do. And "Straight Bishop Elected in Diocese of California" (whoever thought they'd live long enough to see THAT as news!!!) won't do it for them. The hope is that the moderate, middle ground of the mainstream church which may still have some questions about G&L inclusion are going to see through the blackmail, threats and bullying for what they are ... (blackmail, threats and bullying!) and we can move on with the mission and ministry of this church without trying to hold onto people who don't really want to be here.
"They're not going to leave quietly"
Then let them leave loudly, like a bunch of drama queens. That works too.
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