(Community Matters) The national “gathering of the faithful,” the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, CA includes the lay nominee of The Texas Diocese, a member of St. James’ & our very dear friend, Ora Houston. Of course another very dear & supportive friend is there as a clerical leader, the Bishop of Seattle, The Rght Rev. Bishop Greg Rickles.
from Huffington Post:
Bishops at the Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., voted 99-45 with two abstentions for a statement declaring “God has called and may call” to ministry gays in committed lifelong relationships.
Lay and priest delegates to the meeting had comfortably approved a nearly identical statement, and were expected to adopt the latest version before the meeting ends Friday.
the Episcopal gay advocacy group Integrity, said in a statement Monday night that the declaration “effectively ends” the temporary prohibition on gays in ministry. Integrity called the vote “another step in the Episcopal Church’s `coming out’ process.” Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who leads the Episcopal Church, was among bishops who voted to approve the declaration.
offers a friend from the floor of the convention:
So to daily reflections and prayers… the chaplain of the House of Deputies is Rev. Wade from Washington. He offers a reflection and/or a prayer at opening, around noon day and before we leave for the day. When emotional issues arise on the floor (the vote regarding the Bishop of Ecuador Central), he is called upon to offer prayer. Rev. Wade has truly been given the gift of prayer from God. Plus he is able to spontaneous encapsulate all of the fear and hopes that Deputies feel on the floor and weave them into a prayer that touches the hearts of people from every persuasion. There have been times that the words God gives him move me to tears.
Today I thank God for using Rev. Wade to heal wounded souls and keeping hope alive in those who feel betrayed by the Church.
Community Matters 