Call To Convention - Los Angeles Diocese

113th Annual Meeting of the Los Angeles Diocese

The ECUSA Los Angeles Diocese will convene it's 112th annual convention on Dec 5th & 6th. I'm so excited! I love convention; after my first one in 2005 I was hooked. I love seeing church polity in action.

I'm usually clueless as to a lot of procedures, but each time I go I learn a little more. I missed this year's deanery meeting so I'll have a cramming session as to what's on the agenda this year, especially since I may become a last minute delegate (long story and I'll spare you the details of lack of commitment blah, blah, blah.)

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is speaking and it will be live via webcast beginning 11am (PST) on Dec 6th. Bishop Jefferts Schori will inaugurate the Margaret Parker Memorial Lecture Series by addressing the topic: What are the keys to peace and justice through the empowerment of women, especially amid the challenges of the current global financial context?

I'm leaving home very early so that I can find parking. I'm staying at the Mission Inn, a hotel that I've wanted to frequent, but hadn't. It's decorated for the holidays and it's a beautiful, historic building. It's a national historic landmark in fact. (I know it's more information than you really care to know, but I'm excited okay.)

I've been invited to fellowship with the deacons this year and I'm excited about that as well. Do you think I love convention?

I guess I really am a "church girl" as my husband likes to call me. Well, I'm off to convention!

Photo is St. John's Cathedral which is both a parish church and cathedral church (or procathedral liturgy) for the Los Angeles Diocese, while the Cathedral Center of St Paul serves as the administrative center of the diocese.

Schism In The Anglican Communion

On December 3, 2008 a North American province was formed within the Anglican fellowship. Its status within the worldwide Anglican Communion is unclear. Theological conservatives formed this new province because they are angry and in disagreement with the liberal views of the US and Canadian Anglicans regarding homosexuality. (link)

I am a supporter of extending civil rights to the LGBTQ community including the right to marry. I am not one who banishes a person based on his or her sexual orientation.

I must say that I questioned the ECUSA's decision to ordain Bishop Gene Robinson, not because he is gay or openly gay, on the basis that he lived with his longtime partner without marriage. I realize that they were unable to marry, but it's no excuse. IMHO it should have been a sacrifice on the bishop's part for the sake of the Gospel. A heterosexual who is in a loving, long term relationship, co-habitating without marriage would not have been ordained. I just don't believe it would happen and I don't think it should.

I'm not going to leave the ECUSA because of it nor do I think any less of Bishop Robinson. Anyway, there are more important issues to think about and to act on.