Clergy Day
Yesterday the clergy of the diocese met at St. Mary's, Fredericton, to consider the motions on Same Sex Blessings that will come before General Synod this June.
The Hon Ron Stephenson, QC, General Synod Chancellor, provided background and a greater understanding of the process . The Rev'd Dr. Stephen Andrews, a member of the Primate's Theological Commission and President of Thornloe University, assisted with context and the deliberations that have occurred at the Primates Theological Commission. Both were very responsive to questions and the day was very respectful and honest.
I believe that at the end of the day everyone had a better understanding of the serious implications of the many motions that the delegates will face, and the changing effect that will occur this year. Whatever is decided there will be very serious implications and all we can do at this point is to pray for our Communion and the General Synod members.
Though this is just a private blog, as the Chair of the Episcopal Team (the organizing committee), I do wish to thank the ladies and gentlemen of St. Mary's Parish who provided a blessed hospitality to all; for that grace and for the Rev'd Ian Wetmore and his great assistance I thank our Lord.
The Hon Ron Stephenson, QC, General Synod Chancellor, provided background and a greater understanding of the process . The Rev'd Dr. Stephen Andrews, a member of the Primate's Theological Commission and President of Thornloe University, assisted with context and the deliberations that have occurred at the Primates Theological Commission. Both were very responsive to questions and the day was very respectful and honest.
I believe that at the end of the day everyone had a better understanding of the serious implications of the many motions that the delegates will face, and the changing effect that will occur this year. Whatever is decided there will be very serious implications and all we can do at this point is to pray for our Communion and the General Synod members.
Though this is just a private blog, as the Chair of the Episcopal Team (the organizing committee), I do wish to thank the ladies and gentlemen of St. Mary's Parish who provided a blessed hospitality to all; for that grace and for the Rev'd Ian Wetmore and his great assistance I thank our Lord.
2 Comments:
What is your opinion on same sex unity within the church?
The process has been extremely fast and there needs to be more thought on doctrinal implications: and they are huge. At this point I see that the Marriage Canon (21) will be affected by the motions before General Synod. My understanding of Scripture is that Marriage is between a Man and a Woman. Same sex blessings might be a leading by the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit continues to lead us in our dealings with culture and modern day life, but I would venture to say that many other denominations would be receiving the same Spirit and this great new way of seeing human sexuality and friendship, and in my humble experience this is not the case, for there is no great movement in the Anglican Communion, nor in the World Wide Christian Church, toward the blessing of same sex unions.
We do not live in a vacuum as Canadian, or American, Anglicans and we need to remember that we are just a part of the whole Anglican Communion as well as the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Before we throw 2000 of church doctrine out the door, adiaphora or core, we need to spend more time in prayer and dialogue. I don’t think enough time has been given and if we need 100 more years that’s fine, this is a major issue not something trivial.
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