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Continuing dioceses: The church is alive and well
As the close of General Convention nears, attendees who have remained loyal to the Episcopal Church after leaders of their dioceses departed over theological differences shared their experiences and what they hoped to bring back to their dioceses and parishes.
Across the board, each person interviewed reported a warm welcome from bishops, deputies and visitors. Others often have sought out members of these dioceses to talk about the work they are doing and sometimes simply to ask how things are.
"Many deputies have come by our table to extend a personal welcome and express their support," said Deputy Jan Dunlap (San Joaquin). "Identifying my diocese as San Joaquin is usually met with a big smile and 'glad you're here.'"
Compared to past conventions, this one is not only welcoming but also "less contentious," said Stephen Stagnitta, Pittsburgh lay deputy. "The people I run into are happy to see us here. I had the opportunity to work on the Evangelism legislative committee here and was well-received. The reception is like you would have hoped."
The most recent diocese to experience a split was Quincy. For Deputy Tobyn Miracle, General Convention has been a catharsis of sorts. She described the conflict as a heavy weight that is physically and emotionally exhausting.
"There's almost a palpable, physical relief to feeling welcome, to feel that you are at a place you can call home," Miracle said. "The conflict goes deep, and you begin to feel that the issue is irreconcilable, but as a Christian you want to be in loving communion with everyone. Being here, it's almost as if the weights and chains that are confining you break. At last I can speak my mind and heart without worrying about what someone's reaction might be."
Several people reported the joy of celebrating the diversity of the Episcopal Church.
"Those welcoming us cross all boundaries, representing a full range of perspectives," said Nancy Key, chair of the deputation from San Joaquin. "This inclusive support is the visible sign of the broad spectrum of the Episcopal Church."
Said Miracle, "We still have a diverse diocese, and those who remain value the Episcopal Church and see a church where we can listen and hear each other's voices."
While the deputations and bishops from these four dioceses have been welcomed, blessed and praised for their perseverance, some people have expressed reservations about the amount of money being spent in litigation over church property.
"Some few have voiced concern that the cost of our litigation is depleting the resources for mission and ministry," said Deputy Margaret Mieuli (Fort Worth). "I would remind them that we are attempting to recover more than $100 million of Episcopal property in our diocese. We are contributing our fair share for the first time since 1991 and are strongly supporting Episcopal programs such as Episcopal Relief and Development and United Thank Offering."
Paul A. Colbert, one of the 50 volunteers from San Joaquin, said he was pleased that so many friends from around the country had offered to lend assistance to the diocese.
"A long list of people from all parts of this church have offered themselves as resources to us as we renew our diocese," added Mieuli. "With all this assistance, we are not just surviving, we are thriving."
Asked what the members of the deputations and bishops would bring back to their respective dioceses and parishes, the answers included "the goodwill and prayers of people throughout the church," from Jerry Lamb, provisional bishop of San Joaquin, and the news that the Episcopal Church is alive and well.
"I will bring back the good news that the Episcopal Church is vibrant and alive," said Deputy Michele Racusin (San Joaquin). "Our heart is in mission, and our mission is spreading the gospel by what we say and what we do. I will bring back hope."
An overwhelming theme from the San Joaquin group is transparency. The Rev. Glenn Kanestrom, deputy, said, "In the past, the former bishop [John-David Schofield] built huge walls around the Diocese of San Joaquin. Now, with God's help, those walls have been torn down and it is time to connect our parishes with all that the wider church has to offer. I'm bringing everything back that I can to celebrate what has long been withheld: the depth and breadth of this great church."
In Pittsburgh, communications is seen by Stagnitta as critical. "I think one of the things we'll need to do is bring back the story of what happened here," he said. "There are 28 parishes in our diocese, and we want to make sure we communicate what has occurred and give them things they can build on from this convention. We want to make sure that what was done here becomes something that can be used by the parishes."
The resources available to all members of the Episcopal Church that might be taken for granted in other dioceses are invaluable to a continuing diocese. "There is a wealth of programs offered in the church that I am only now discovering," Deputy Victoria Prescott (Fort Worth) said. "I am very excited to take so many new ideas back to the diocese."
"There are many resources available to us where before we were kept from other members of the church," Miracle said. "I want to take back tools for rebuilding the mission and ministry of the diocese."
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