OUR GENERAL CONVENTION 2000 COVERAGE includes this report from Anglicans Online correspondent Pepper Marts. Other reports are listed here. You may contact the writer at pmarts@efortress.com.



11 July 2000

Beloved:

Late this afternoon, in a vote by orders, the House of Deputies narrowly rejected a resolution that would have directed the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and music to "prepare for consideration by the 74th General Convention rites ... by means of which the Church may express" support for "couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in marriage and couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in other life-long committed relationships."

While adopting by an overwhelming majority seven clauses addressing the essence of faithful Christian relationships, the House excluded the clause calling for preparation of sanctioned rites for the pastoral care and support of many in the Church. The vote to exclude was:

Lay
Clerical
Dioceses
107
108
# to pass
54
55
Yes
51
54
No
39
34
Divided
17
20

The diocese of the Rio Grande voted "no" in both orders.

Organizations and individuals on both sides of the issue are preparing statements which I'll forward to you.

Shalom,
Pepper


Pepper Marts, 2911 Maximillian Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104-1817
(505) 843-9625
In the Diocese of the Rio Grande
What does God require of you but to do justice, love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)