Ok, there are only two resolutions left, but I've been on the road and just haven't been able to get to them. But the convention's coming up!
So, here's one: the Confronting Diminishing Resources resolution. You can read this one if you'd like, but I'm not going to spend any time on it. The sponsoring group on this resolution and I have teamed up and we're planning on introducing a substitute resolution, closely modeled on the resolution I proposed, from the convention floor. So, don't vote for this resolution, don't vote for my resolution, vote for the substitute. Unless the substitute fails - then you can vote for mine.
The last one is to Recommit to the Work of Anti-Racism. I commend the church for taking this so seriously. One of the saddest things over the situation in the Diocese of South Carolina right now is that they were one of the last dioceses in this church to embrace desegregation, but when they did, they really did, by most reports. We could have, and still could, learn something from them. And however odious Stand Firm in Faith's #thingswhiterthantheepiscopalchurch hashtag was during the General Convention was, it at least had some sting of truth to it for many congregations. I'm not convinced that forming committees to bring about a conversion of what I am sure are already well-intentioned hearts in our parishes is the best way to achieve the goal, but we work with the tools we have.
Plus I like any resolution that starts out with an acknowledgment that the church has sinned. Indeed it has.
So, to the score:
1) Is the resolution likely to pass unanimously? Yes, -1
2) Does the resolution call for someone in the church to do something concrete? Yes, +1. But the resolution should be amended to say who, exactly, is called to do these things (right now it calls upon "the diocese" to appoint a committee and identify individuals as anti-racism trainers).
3) Might the resolution call upon the person who sponsored it to do something concrete? Yes, +1. The resolution was sponsored by members of the General Convention deputation, some of whom I know to be very interested in this topic.
4) Does the resolution contain an escape hatch? No, +1. But, I believe the work (or was it the appointment?) of the anti-racism committee has appeared on the unfinished business report before. It's all in the execution, y'all.
5) Budget miscellany: +1 - the resolution requests a budgetary allocation from the Executive Council. Given the quite small costs associated with this, I think it's appropriate that the resolution not demand a specific dollar amount or line item.
So, add it all up, and you get a +3 resolution. Pretty good. Go ahead and vote for it. And think about how we as a diocese are going to keep this from landing on the unfinished business report this time.
There are also some amendments to the constitution and canons of the diocese. These bring the constitution and canons with regard to the participation of transgendered individuals in the church in line with the resolutions adopted mandating full inclusion, including in the ordination process. You should vote for these wholeheartedly.
And that's it! See you all on Thursday! I'll be blogging under the #indydio175 hashtag.
So, here's one: the Confronting Diminishing Resources resolution. You can read this one if you'd like, but I'm not going to spend any time on it. The sponsoring group on this resolution and I have teamed up and we're planning on introducing a substitute resolution, closely modeled on the resolution I proposed, from the convention floor. So, don't vote for this resolution, don't vote for my resolution, vote for the substitute. Unless the substitute fails - then you can vote for mine.
The last one is to Recommit to the Work of Anti-Racism. I commend the church for taking this so seriously. One of the saddest things over the situation in the Diocese of South Carolina right now is that they were one of the last dioceses in this church to embrace desegregation, but when they did, they really did, by most reports. We could have, and still could, learn something from them. And however odious Stand Firm in Faith's #thingswhiterthantheepiscopalchurch hashtag was during the General Convention was, it at least had some sting of truth to it for many congregations. I'm not convinced that forming committees to bring about a conversion of what I am sure are already well-intentioned hearts in our parishes is the best way to achieve the goal, but we work with the tools we have.
Plus I like any resolution that starts out with an acknowledgment that the church has sinned. Indeed it has.
So, to the score:
1) Is the resolution likely to pass unanimously? Yes, -1
2) Does the resolution call for someone in the church to do something concrete? Yes, +1. But the resolution should be amended to say who, exactly, is called to do these things (right now it calls upon "the diocese" to appoint a committee and identify individuals as anti-racism trainers).
3) Might the resolution call upon the person who sponsored it to do something concrete? Yes, +1. The resolution was sponsored by members of the General Convention deputation, some of whom I know to be very interested in this topic.
4) Does the resolution contain an escape hatch? No, +1. But, I believe the work (or was it the appointment?) of the anti-racism committee has appeared on the unfinished business report before. It's all in the execution, y'all.
5) Budget miscellany: +1 - the resolution requests a budgetary allocation from the Executive Council. Given the quite small costs associated with this, I think it's appropriate that the resolution not demand a specific dollar amount or line item.
So, add it all up, and you get a +3 resolution. Pretty good. Go ahead and vote for it. And think about how we as a diocese are going to keep this from landing on the unfinished business report this time.
There are also some amendments to the constitution and canons of the diocese. These bring the constitution and canons with regard to the participation of transgendered individuals in the church in line with the resolutions adopted mandating full inclusion, including in the ordination process. You should vote for these wholeheartedly.
And that's it! See you all on Thursday! I'll be blogging under the #indydio175 hashtag.
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