The Magdalene Mystique - The Path Inward

The New York Times today offers us another read of the resolutions, this time from those at Grace Church and St. Stephens’ Parish in Colorado Springs. See: Episcopalians in Colorado Plan to Leave Denomination.
According to the article, the parish was “shocked” that the House of Bishops “were so decisive in spurning the rest of the communion.” They will now affiliate with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria with offices in Virginia.

Certainly the parish in Colorado Springs has every right to read the resolutions from their own perspective. That’s what we have to do, isn’t it? Read from our own perspective. But it is helpful, in this age, to consider that there are other reads and that considering other reads can open us up to greater understanding: listening to other views and considering them as sincerly given, helps us to understand one another in profound ways.

A reading of the resolutions as “spurning” the rest of the communion is not my read, as I have said earlier. (See below: A Must Read) I read the resolutions as coming from a prayerful place that is more connective than separating. They are direct and to the point, but not “spurning” or “defying” or “rejecting,” as has been characterized in other news articles.

The announcement from Colorado Springs was made this past Monday and the Bishop of Colorado, Robert O’Neill, dissolved the parish’s vestry and appointed a temporary priest and officers who might offer an alternative woship site for those in the congregation who want to stay in the denomination. As Bishop O’Neill said, “The fact is people may leave the Episcopal Church, but parishes cannot.” But we can look to future litigation on this, about property.

In this article you will find a summary statement about the resolutions made by the Rev. Mark Harris: “I think the House of Bishops statement last week really sent a signal that the church is willing to talk to other people in the communion and with those in the Episcopal Church who don’t agree with it, but it is not willing to have decisions made for them by others.” This summary is closer to my page and more in line with Bishop Schori’s statement that the Episcopal Church has been given a “charism” to encourage conversation. As one of our commentors (see below for comments under A Must Read) encouraging conversation is a remarkable approach.

Encouraging conversation is what our Magdalene Community is all about, encouraging conversation within our own tradition, as well as with other spiritualities and religious traditions. Encouraging conversation stretches us into a new kind of thinking that is connective and not dividing. It is a gift that has been given to us and one that is desperately needed in our century. I am pleased to be in the vanguard of those who give a priority to relationships and think more about connections than oppostions and isolation.

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See the Times Online Blog which references this post.