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The Huron Report - Motion 7 - Part I

Please note that this is the first part of a much longer story I am working on surrounding the events today at the London Convention Centre.

It was a sunny, warm, summery day here in London, this afternoon as the Huron Diocesan Synod sat and debated one of the most contentious issues in the western church. The motion was quite simple; that the bishop grant his consent to clergy in the diocese to bless same-sex unions, should they so desire.

The debate was typically Anglican. Polite, orderly and parliamentary. Some sixty delegates were given the opportunity to speak to the motion. Arguments ranged from excellent to ridiculous on both sides of the debate, with the most dismaying spectacle being the unanimity of the youth delegates - with all speaking in favour of the motion. God help their priests.

One young delegate argued that “if we do not pass this we will alienate ourselves from other dioceses that have voted in favour of similar motions.” He also reminded the floor that “we must remember that Scripture was written when Christianity was under attack” from various sides. Prohibition of homosexuality was in response to those attacks and was necessary in order to reproduce enough Christians to carry the faith forward into the future. The motion is merely a conscience clause, he said, “think about the rest of us.”

Don Alcock, founding member of the Zacchaeus Fellowship, a post-gay ministry, and a priest in Huron argued passionately against the motion. Alcock says he was saved from the sin of homosexuality. “You’ve shown me this is a sin, now take it away from me,” is what he said to God. That ultimately led to the repudiation of his previous lifestyle and eventual marriage to a woman he loves. His was, perhaps, the most poignant cry to the floor to vote against Motion 7. He said if the motion passed, he would no longer feel welcome in the Anglican Church of Canada and that he would “have no choice but to leave.”

I could feel the female priest’s eyes next to me roll.

When debate finally was called to a close, Bishop Bob Bennett (Suffragan) led the floor in prayer prior to the vote.

With almost identical ratios of yeas to noes in both houses, the motion passed with the yeas outnumbering the noes by about 3-to-1.

Something that struck me, though, about many of the ‘conservative’ arguments against the motion was the visceral response to the general state of homosexuality. In many cases, it amounted to nothing more than “ewwww, that’s gross.” It seems to me that we really need to get past that and begin approaching the question as one of salvation, of real people, of real souls. Though, of course, there were equally unlearned and ignorant arguments from the ‘liberals’, as well.

More tomorrow.

- Michael Daley

BREAKING: Diocese of Huron passes Motion 7

The Diocese of Huron has overwhelmingly voted to grant permission to clergy “whose conscience permits, to bless…civil marriages between same-sex couples.”

In the house of laity: 227 yeas, 87 noes

In the house of clergy: 97 yeas, 36 noes

With almost 100% of those registered for Huron synod voting.

One priest, whose parish is “Essentials friendly” called the vote “heartbreaking.”

More on this story, later today.

Diocese of Huron to vote on Blessings Motion, today

The Diocese of Huron is scheduled to vote on a motion (Motion 7), at 3pm today in the main hall of the London Convention Centre, which essentially would affirm the blessing of same-gender unions.

The precise wording of the motion is unknown to your present writer, but I hope to have that available, shortly.

LC.Net/Canada is there, live and on location.

The June edition of the Niagara Anglican is now online! YAY!

One headline, in particular, struck me…mainly because I had to do a double-take. Are they talking about themselves or someone else?

Here’s the headline: Sacrilegious thieves target houses of worship

Anyway, Stephen Fry managed to come across a copy of the June Niagara Anglican, and here’s what he had to say about it.

If you scroll down to page 20, though, you’ll find a great story about the Niagara PBSC, featuring a picture of two of the ugliest men in the diocese (who also happen to be very faithful men of God, their looks notwithstanding).  Here’s an excerpt from that article:

A new board of directors swept into office in the Greater Niagara Branch of the Prayer Book Society of Canada in April. Headed by the new President Alex Urquhart O.N. of Saint Paul’s Dunnville the slate consists entirely of young men from the ages of sixteen to twenty nine representing churches from all over the Diocese of Niagara.

Mr. Urquhart who is the youngest Order of Niagara recipient, the head server at St Paul’s and a St Michael’s Youth Conference of Ontario member will be also representing the Society at Lambeth 2008 in July.  When asked to comment on his new responsibilities young Alex was keen to let it be known that the new board has a full list of ambitious events planned. He was also in awe that he would be going to Lambeth 2008 where he is determined to meet as many bishops as possible and see Canterbury
Cathedral etc.

The Greater Niagara Branch puts out a quarterly newsletter (The Niagara Light), maintains a website and has many ad hoc meetings, barbecues and wine tours carried out with frequency and informality. It is expected in seeing the interests of the new executive that tripping the light fantastic Salsa style will be added to these events!

While your present writer will never understand Mr. Raybould’s preoccupation with Salsa dancing, this new executive announcement seems a jolly good wheeze to me.

- Michael Daley

Official Anglican Church of Canada Teaching: The Holy Spirit’s a Girl!

Thanks to Matty Mouse for this tidbit.

By: Jenny Salisbury This past weekend, I was at Toronto Youth Synod. I have miles and piles to reflect on that: but not this week. This week, I have tonnes to do. So I will share with you this stunning prayer we used as our creed. I want to etch it on my heart.
We believe in the God of Life, who creates and loves people, who acts in history and who promises never to leave us alone.

We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, who is our brother, who wants not to be idolized but to be followed.

We believe that we dwell in the presence of the Holy Spirit; without her we are nothing; filled with her we are able to become creative, lively, and free.

We believe in the Church of Jesus Christ, a community where we find companions and courage for the struggles of life, where we grow in our understanding of the faith, through worship, prayer, nurture, and service.

We believe that God has a use for us in this time and place, that though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we are called to be instruments of God’s presence.

We believe in living, hoping, laughing, and enjoying the good of the earth;

We believe that people can change, and God keeps pulling us to life and to a new world of joy and peace. Amen.

These guys a really starting to give me the willies.

- Michael Daley

11th hour save for LC.Net/Canada?

I’ll be able to confirm this in the next day or two, but we may have an editor for this blog, after all…though, not me, as I have already stated.  It’s just too much work running two blogs on top of working full-time in the Communion.

I will let you all know as soon as I have confirmation.

- Michael Daley