The Rector Reports Back from the Big Apple!


NOTES FROM NEW YORK - PART 2 (June 17, 2007)

SYNOD AND SAME-SEX BLESSINGS - A NOTE FROM THE RECTOR

Three weeks before I left for my Sabbath leave, an irate parishioner approached me and demanded that St. Clement’s take a stand on the blessing of same-sex unions. I wasn’t sure if the ‘stand’ to be taken by the whole parish meant taking her oppositional stand on the issue. I did not ask, since there seems no one ‘stand’ on this volatile subject. That was confirmed for me when the day before my departure another committed parishioner spoke with me in earnest about whether or not she could retain membership in a church that was prepared to disenfranchise a part of its community.

The same-sex blessing controversy has wracked our church to the point of disunity – not only in the communion, but also within individual dioceses. In two days (June 19) the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada will be meeting to deliberate the business of our national church. At that six-day meeting, along with the election of a new Primate, there will be no less than five resolutions concerning the same-sex issue. This one will be included:

Be it resolved that this General Synod affirm the authority and jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of its bishop, to authorize the blessing of committed same sex unions.

I am not sure what will become of that resolution since our House of Bishops pre-empted the vote by declaring (April 2007) that clergy are not allowed to bless same-sex unions.

However, I do believe that whatever the outcome of General Synod 2007 there will continue to be pain, anguish and disunity over this issue. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. Anglicanism was born out of conflict – with intense disagreement and violence. And the Holy Spirit was at work then as now. We are at an exciting juncture in the life of the church. We are faced with an opportunity for creative imagining of the 21 st century church – an opportunity to live as Jesus lived – embracing all and respecting the dignity of every human being. "Enlarge the site of your tent," Isaiah declares, "and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes." Isaiah 54:2

Here at St. Bart’s the parish has done exactly what the prophet suggested, practicing a radical welcome. It is in full support of same-sex couples, whereas the U.S. national church is at odds with itself. Homo- sexuals and their families are welcomed in this community and can there- fore be open about their sexual orientation. Four years ago the rector and his wife formed a national Episcopalian (Anglican) group for clergy with gay and lesbian relatives. CFLAG -Clergy Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – supports families and homosexuals, they share experiences and, most importantly, they witness to the wider church.

St. Bart’s practice of a radical welcome invites everyonein: "we welcome people by struggling to live beyond the categories of race, ethnicity, citizenship, religious identity, sexual orientation, age, class… we find it both a joy and a challenge to learn to live together."

Right now, leading up to gay pride week, there is a small gallery of photos and stories of CFLAG members located in the community house of the church. The stories are so loving and hopeful, one would never know that there is a war waging in the Episcopal Church over homosexual unions. For me the most profound piece in the gallery – and the one that best expresses St. Bart’s -is the hanging that states: “Your Family Here”.

This tiny display of photos and stories made me realize that though the larger communion is rending itself asunder, individual congregations must make a commitment to stay together – regardless of our differ- ences. It is unlikely that there will ever be unity of thought on homo- sexuality… or anything else in the church, but there is no reason for discontinuing conversation and walking away from each other. We must embrace – even if it is an uneasy embrace –a way to constantly engage in new and never-ending understandings of sexuality and religion. There will be no closure to this issue or a landing on the truth – and the church cannot be forced into unity so the opposites must be embraced. And that is why we must stay together because in leaving we leave everything –even what is good. No Christian community is perfect –all are flawed –all sin – all fall short – but still we must stand together – with those we love and those we dislike – because that is the only way we will be able to build the kingdom.

So pray for the Church. Pray for General Synod. Pray for your relatives and friends who are lesbians and gays. Pray for ourselves – that we may all have courage and wisdom to work toward a day when no one is excluded from any of the rights and privileges of membership in the Christian Church.

The Rev'd. Canon Cheryl C. Palmer
(on Sabbath Leave in New York City)

[Administrator's Note: The Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada defeated the motion to same-sex blessings. Though it was supported by clergy and laiety, it was defeated by the House of Bishops by two votes.]

NOTES FROM NEW YORK - PART 1

It is hard to believe that almost four weeks have passed since my arrival in New York. The time seems to be flying by very quickly. Yet in some ways I feel as if I have been here for months because so much has transpired in these last weeks.

Where to begin? The church or the city – both are filled with numerous tales to tell, so I will recall a story that combines both.

"St. Bart's! You going down to St. Bart's? Great!" With much excitement Keith the taxi driver greeted me, introduced himself to me, seemingly because my destination was St. Bart's. Having taken quite a few taxis since arriving, I was pleasantly surprised by his genuine openness and interest in me and my destination. Usually the drivers simply grunt then continue with their cell phone conversations until the ride ends.

"It is the friendliest church in the city," Keith says with much knowledge. "There are others that try, but none come close."

"How do you know St. Bart's?" I asked with perplexity. "From the people I pick up in my cab. People aren't just fares, they are people, so when they talk, I talk with them. And the people from St. Bart's are always kind and friendly –they invite me to come to church. I've never been, because I am not a church going man, but if I ever went to church it would be St. Bart's."

By this time I was so curious that I started taking notes in the back seat. The articulate young driver seemed to know a great deal about certain aspects of what a healthy Christian community should look like.

"St. Bart's is not elitist", he continued, "even though it's in a tony neighbourhood. It's not austere - it's welcoming - which is unique in New York." With over 8 million people in the City of New York (over 1.5 million in Manhattan) and over 13,000 taxicabs with their distinctive yellow paint, still Keith was able to observe that "the people from St. Bart's seem to be involved in the church. They are proud of it - they are a part of it and they want others to be a part of it too."

"I can hardly believe how much you know about St. Bart's", I said to him incredulously, "It is wonderful to know that their work is so evident in the city."

"Well, if little ole me can notice", he said, "then they must be doing a good thing."

"So why are you there?" he eventually asked me, and only one response came to mind: "To learn how to have Toronto taxicab drivers talk about my church."

- Canon Cheryl Palmer