tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post7392691986258210584..comments2024-03-24T13:51:58.601-05:00Comments on Desert's Child: Balancing actKatie Sherrodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09159503802660122104noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-58348955883321839042012-07-07T10:41:19.586-05:002012-07-07T10:41:19.586-05:00I have come to this a bit late, but for what it...I have come to this a bit late, but for what it's worth...we do not need a "Holy Rock Star" at our PB. I have seen the PB in action twice in the Diocese of Quincy and once at the consecration of my bishop in Springfield. In Quincy, we heard about the MDGs (but where was Jesus in all this?) and, in a sermon at the cathedral in Peoria, the PB used rather global *and* specific shaming language to address various topics--but only very peripherally the Proper of the day. The tiny *Episcopal* Dio. of Q. had worked hard to raise money for relief in Haiti; the PB received the check for funds raised, and never publicly uttered a word of thanks or gratitude.<br /><br />I do believe it is possible that her RC background is in the foreground, and--unfortunately for us--it comes to us a la Pius XII, e.g., and not John XXIII.<br /><br />John Richmond+John Richmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13587302719107504726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-53735084772574761072012-07-05T23:59:13.997-05:002012-07-05T23:59:13.997-05:00As an Episcopal missioner (Diocese of West Texas) ...As an Episcopal missioner (Diocese of West Texas) living and serving in Nazareth (Diocese of Jerusalem), it is good to get some clear information about the sad state of things at 815. Previous comments raised the possibility of returning to a part-time PB model, and I support this. I also think that a vote of no confidence for the PB in HOD is appropriate.<br /><br />We are seeing a new form of government emerge, wherein TEC is one diocese under the control of the PB, who is merely assisted by a large number of de facto suffragans. This is not a healthy (or Anglican) approach to church governance I think.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-25082873744869249312012-06-30T16:00:17.337-05:002012-06-30T16:00:17.337-05:00Thank you for more fully explaining "the othe...Thank you for more fully explaining "the other side" of this issue.<br />I read with interest the information sent via our Diocese but was truly confused by some of the statements coming from "815".<br />As a Political Science student and a political "junkie", I see not God in control, but Maman. Let us pray that by this Thursday, cooler heads will have listened to God's Call and not a bunch of inflated egos. <br />As we sit in our churches, watching families flee for more "relevant experience", we may not have to worry about a "budget crisis" because there will be no more Church to support!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17532959585431123081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-55207860700702865192012-06-30T15:51:35.844-05:002012-06-30T15:51:35.844-05:00Thank you for so clearly explaining this situation...Thank you for so clearly explaining this situation. It makes me very sad to see this happening again and again at the National Church level.<br />As a student of Political Science, politicians in our Legislatures have nothing on "Church politics"! I remember very clearly my first Diocean Convention and how disheartening an experience it was. Our prayers from the pew are needed as you all go into Convention. Let us pray that God will b in the midst of Convention and not a series of inflated egos.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17532959585431123081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-19118043897115231842012-06-30T13:27:54.770-05:002012-06-30T13:27:54.770-05:00The only way out of this mess (in the biggest and ...The only way out of this mess (in the biggest and w,<br />Ident sense) is transparency, so thanks for breaking the cone of silence and the "father ( or mother) knows bes " syndrome at which TEC excels (perhaps even wrote the manual...)disasterareahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13412802748472563269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-42081680662500438562012-06-27T02:10:34.930-05:002012-06-27T02:10:34.930-05:00As a student of literature, I believe that gifted ...As a student of literature, I believe that gifted journalists, novelists, and poets share the ability to recount events in ways that help us to understand deeper or overarching themes. In this essay, you have distinguished yourself, Katie, and I thank you. <br />I have seen the stories about the various budgets, but I didn’t know many of the details you shared here. More importantly, I had not perceived the power dynamics that you reveal may have been at play. <br />A week from tonight, I will be sleeping in Indianapolis, preparing to serve my first term as a Deputy. I did not realize until now what was at stake in the “dueling budgets” that have been unveiled over the last few weeks. Now I understand better, and I am grateful to you. <br />The implications of your essay are great … and daunting. They suggest this is not merely about line items in the budget, but about the soul of our Church and her polity. I will be more attentive as a result of your reflections, and I thank you for that. <br />I also grieve a loss. I was elated at the election of Bishop Jefferts-Schori as Presiding Bishop, then quickly dashed at her actions in bullying the House of Deputies into voting for Resolution B033 in 2006. Since then, I have found much to admire in our Presiding Bishop. Your report calls me to remember that atonement is still needed and that the power of the Presiding Bishop is still suspect. This is heady stuff – and very sad stuff to contemplate as I move toward GC2012.Lisa Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00881671380217888810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-67362192276514007462012-06-26T21:38:41.560-05:002012-06-26T21:38:41.560-05:00Well said, Ms. Sherrod. I posted to the Diocese o...Well said, Ms. Sherrod. I posted to the Diocese of Rochester GC blog an outsiders feeling about the PB and Bp. Saul's 'competing' budget.<br /><br />http://dioceseofrochesteratgeneralconvention.wordpress.com/2012/06/25/reorganization-and-the-budget-eclipse-blessings/Neil Houghtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13576094575777076225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-73215114029200778722012-06-26T13:49:13.473-05:002012-06-26T13:49:13.473-05:00All parties to this conflict are good friends of m...All parties to this conflict are good friends of mine,and I hold all of you in the highest regard. <br /><br />I believe you are caught in a bad system. I urge you to combine your skills to fix the system. <br /><br />Special thank to you, Katie, for describing the conflict in clear detail.<br /><br />LouieLouieCrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397282343672792365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-53494345202749532482012-06-26T11:07:31.711-05:002012-06-26T11:07:31.711-05:00At GC 2003 I wrote and Elizabeth Downie proposed/i...At GC 2003 I wrote and Elizabeth Downie proposed/introduced the following resolution to address some of the structural concerns that you address, Katie. Our motion never got out of committee. Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold was PB at the time, and I was in the middle of my term on Executive Council.<br /><br />--------<br /><br /><br />RESOLUTION: Freeing Time for the Presiding Bishop’s Role as Chief Pastor<br /><br />Resolved, the House of __________ concurring, That Canon I.4.2-3 be amended as follows: [here I show the proposed new wording only, as this blog does now allow me to show the parts stricken out--LC]<br /><br />(d) Upon the joint nomination of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Executive Council shall appoint, an Executive Director, who shall be an adult confirmed communicant in good standing or a member of the clergy of this Church in good standing who shall be the chief operating officer and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Council and be accountable to the Executive Council. If a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Executive Director, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.<br /><br />(e) Upon the joint nomination of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the Executive Council shall appoint a Financial Officer of the Executive Council, who may, but need not, be the same person as the Treasurer of the General Convention and who shall report and be accountable to the Executive Council and shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Council.. If a vacancy shall occur in that office, a successor shall be appointed in like manner.<br />...<br /><br />(h) The Executive Director may appoint, to positions established by the Executive Council of General Convention, officers, responsible to the Executive Director, who may delegate such authority as shall seem appropriate. The additional officers, agents and employees of the Council shall be such and shall perform such duties as the Council, upon the recommendation and under the authority and direction of the Executive Director, may from time to time designate.<br /><br /><br />And be it further resolved that Canon I.2.4(c) be amended as follows:<br /><br />The Presiding Bishop shall perform such other functions as shall be prescribed in these Canons.<br /><br /><br />Explanation: These changes will relieve the Presiding Bishop of the burden of administration and will free time for the primary pastoral duties of that office. <br /><br />Proposer: Elizabeth Downie, c4 from Eastern Michigan<br />Endorser: Robert Davidson, c2 from Colorado<br />Endorser: Mark Harris, c2 from Delaware<br />Endorser: Patricia Abrams, l4 from Chicago<br />Endorser: R.P.M. Bowden, l2 from AtlantaLouieCrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14397282343672792365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-17218319515803288942012-06-25T18:51:26.931-05:002012-06-25T18:51:26.931-05:00In my opinion the denomination has functioned for ...In my opinion the denomination has functioned for some time in an "ends justify the means" mode. Our only model is "winning" and there really are no checks and balances.<br /><br />Trying to hang it all on individual personalities like the PB and the COO misses the point, although I would agree with some of the assessments of them in the comments.<br /><br />The larger point is that we have become accustomed to doing what we want. Yes, the remaining insiders can point at the "schismatics" and blame them. But that is to ignore behaviors like SSBs proliferating without Prayer Book or Canonical change, and well ahead of the last GCs actions. We are all caught up in the melodrama of saying that our personal or factional issue justifies suspension of the existing agreements under which all are assumed to be operating.<br /><br />You can call it "prophetic," as progressives tend to do, or you can call it "preserving a remant" as those of us of a more traditional bent might style it, but the simple fact is we've all become used to being histrionic and self-righteous jerks to one another.<br /><br />So it is no surprise that national leadership habits reflect that.TLF+https://www.blogger.com/profile/01650010433581488888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-75421198846260673552012-06-25T15:39:32.127-05:002012-06-25T15:39:32.127-05:00Thanks, Katie, for telling the truth. I am sadden...Thanks, Katie, for telling the truth. I am saddened beyond the telling. Ironically, the same story is playing out in our diocese. Our bishop worships the PB (and now the COO) and imitates them at every opportunity. Verna Dozier kept saying back in the day that sooner or later there would be a backlash against the ministry of the laity and dispersed authority in the church. I believe we are there--only they're trying to convince us it has come from the grassroots!The Rev Michael W Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10109964754305290671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-1807095059956850412012-06-25T12:56:05.659-05:002012-06-25T12:56:05.659-05:00Thanks for sharing this Katie.Thanks for sharing this Katie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-68970926167888599662012-06-25T10:56:36.004-05:002012-06-25T10:56:36.004-05:00Thank you, Katie, and amen!Thank you, Katie, and amen!Sarah Dylan Breuerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10967940748645707621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-28598758485830045792012-06-25T10:31:39.738-05:002012-06-25T10:31:39.738-05:00As I further consider your posting on the TEC budg...As I further consider your posting on the TEC budget it occurs to me that perhaps we have an opening to do a new thing in the Spirit at this GC. <br /><br />What if a motion were put forward in the HoD to sit and wait in the manner of Quakers rather than rush to get the legislation done according to some committee agenda? I am consistently impressed how right decisions coming out of Quaker meetings for worship for business tend to be.<br /><br />I believe we are sometimes in too much of a hurry to "git er done" and do not properly discern the Holy Spirit's intentions. Maybe we should consider the Friend's Monthly, Quarterly, and Yearly Meetings as models to emulate going forward?Small Farmer in The Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14271910054588466598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-53858955120039245552012-06-25T10:13:07.360-05:002012-06-25T10:13:07.360-05:00Thanks, Katie. I would remind you of a similar pow...Thanks, Katie. I would remind you of a similar power shift that happened under Ed Browning, regarding the financial operations at 815. Council was manipulated not to do its jov.<br /><br />One of the problems, it seems to me, is that Exec Council gets distracted by its various assortment of committees and steered away from work on nuts and bolts, as a board of directors of a large corporation. The duplication of work by EC and the CCABs seems to me to be a bit of a waste of energy. Add the 815 staff and you have a triplication of work in some cases.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-56842283187952176332012-06-25T10:01:55.603-05:002012-06-25T10:01:55.603-05:00Awesome article, Katie. Thank you for posting it....Awesome article, Katie. Thank you for posting it. It seems to be a sign of our times that democratic gov't as a whole is under attack by those who think that "father/mother knows best" Democracy is not expedient, but it does mean that we must assume responsibility for our actions.<br />If the Ex. Council is not getting the proper information from the various arms of the Church, how can they possibly produce a budget for the Church? I am very discouraged by this chain of events. But it is work of Bishops to do such things these days. It troubles me greatly.Muthah+https://www.blogger.com/profile/10589837671378205837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-23881120151440527522012-06-25T10:01:50.817-05:002012-06-25T10:01:50.817-05:00Katie,
Having been a faithful reader of your work...Katie,<br /><br />Having been a faithful reader of your work over the years, and knowing what has gone on in the Diocese of Fort Worth, I am heart sick given the chronology of events you've presented.<br /><br />Between the resignation of Bonnie Anderson, the game playing at 815 and these new revelations of how the 2013-15 budget sausage is being made perhaps it is time for the HoD and Executive Council to share their displeasure over being ignored and mistreated by bringing a no confidence motion in Bishop Sauls, the PB, and the 815 staff at GC?<br /><br />As much as I hate to say it, perhaps the PB's critics are right: maybe we need to go back to having a part-time Primus who also has to be a diocesan. And perhaps we need to ask if hierarchical governance is optimal at this time and in this place?<br /><br />This nonsense has to stop. It is not gospel order, it is not the Holy Spirit acting, and it is most certainly not for the benefit of any except those at 815. If we need subsidiarity then let us go to it and the national curia can be dissolved. But reasserting episcopal privilege and leadership above the other orders is the LAST thing this community of faithful needs.<br /><br />Thoughts?Small Farmer in The Cityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14271910054588466598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-79470228538827660082012-06-25T09:49:22.855-05:002012-06-25T09:49:22.855-05:00Thank you, Katie, for your courage. What you have ...Thank you, Katie, for your courage. What you have to say resonates with me.<br /><br />Tobyn Leigh<br />L1 QuincyTobyn Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03396093651049091273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-61940142907160370132012-06-25T09:35:53.456-05:002012-06-25T09:35:53.456-05:00I have mixed feelings on your post. On the one han...I have mixed feelings on your post. On the one hand, I am grateful for your thoughts and descripton. I resonate with the idea of processing-by-writing and I'm glad you decided to share that with others.<br /><br />I also share your concern on some of the ideas in the Presiding Bishop's budget, particularly around church-planting. That, to me, seems just as bad in a way as some of the things the Executive Council budget did in adding or slashing programs without a policy debate in the church first.<br /><br />On the other hand, I regret the way in which this post furthers the conversation over budget process and takes away (with some exceptions, as my previous paragraph makes clear) from the conversation about budget content. <br /><br />Still, given how apparently messed-up the process was, maybe we need to hear about it so we ensure it never happens again. So thanks for the post.<br /><br />-JesseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-29124117592068059852012-06-24T22:05:05.422-05:002012-06-24T22:05:05.422-05:00Oy! Katie! I'm so sorry about this.
I find i...Oy! Katie! I'm so sorry about this. <br /><br />I find it so strange, this language about "not assigning blame." Why is it blame? Why is it not responsibility? What's so wrong with knowing who did what exactly? <br /><br />So painful. I'm so sorry.<br /><br />LauraLKThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05791517233920008067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-42578939285694204442012-06-24T22:02:50.346-05:002012-06-24T22:02:50.346-05:00Katie--thanks so much for this clear and very thou...Katie--thanks so much for this clear and very thoughtful piece, which is the first account of this muddle that made sense to me. <br /><br />I very much appreciate your service to the church--and wonder what those of us in the pews can do to support you and the others on Executive Council?<br /><br />Pax,<br />DoxyWormwood's Doxyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10882756844690851674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25082628.post-14196375069693937412012-06-24T21:27:30.590-05:002012-06-24T21:27:30.590-05:00Thanks Katie -- as I suspected but good to have yo...Thanks Katie -- as I suspected but good to have your journalist eye on the process. Unfortunately, I am not shocked by the PB and COO behavior. I don't think she has ever made the leap to TEC from being raised RC. And there was a reason Sauls did not get elected PB last time around - too many bishops had experienced his behavior. Too bad we did not know about KJS and that the B033 move was only the first blow and not born out of desperation and bad advice (as we tried to rationalize it). The problem with Rock Stars is they believe their own press and too many just nod and go along to be near the light of their stardom.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.com