Saturday Afternoon Live Blog – Western Louisiana Convention

LSU to kick off at 2:30 in Kentucky, so we need to finish. The only reason we are meeting today is because LSU in Kentucky.

Report of elections committee:

3 tallies made of the ballots.

Alternate to GC:

Reese Middleton
Penn Thompkins
Daniel is third

Must have been a split conservative vote.

Resolution:

Lay: 70-53 in favor.
Clergy 24nay to 19 yea.

Resolution fails.

(BLD Comment: Obviously, the clergy are not in step with the laity. This is a real shame. However, if trends continue and considering the number of vacancies we have in the Diocese, this result is not likely to be repeated.)
Kem Hartgrove for Constitution and Canons:

Proposed const. amendment from last year…has to pass two conventions and this is the second convention. Article X – Executive Committee becomes Diocesan Council. (This is in accord with how everyone else does things.)

Passed.

Canon 9 to be amended along the same lines. Passed.

Report on International Missions.

Installation of folks elected.

Courtesy resolutions. Note: According to the chair in a conversation earlier, there will be no resolution for KJS.

That’s all folks.

Morning Live Blog II – Western Louisiana Convention

Keep hitting refresh..back after a hymn and a break.

Resolution being handed out..elections are to happen now.

Put no more or no less than required..add Daniel Cutler to the ballot. If ballot has more or fewer than the appropriate number, it will not be counted.

No runoff in the clergy…only five running. Will have two ballots on lay deputies. Vote for four clergy and four lay only at this time.

While balloting is going on, word around the campground is that conservatives were less than thrilled with Bishop MacPherson’s address regarding issues in the Anglican Communion. Some folks are no longer willing to wait, not even until October 31. Yet, the liberals aren’t happy with the resolution coming. No one is happy. We’ll see what develops.

Next will be the budget, which I am not going to live blog…too boring. I suspect we will have the ballot count after the budget presentation, but I could be wrong. Depends on how long Gray Easterling takes.

$1.4 million in income each year though.

Folks were asking for more money for the Good Shepherd Mission in Vidalia and for youth..want a full time youth person…but budget does have a youth minister matching fund this year.

Resolutions committee rising…the resolution I blogged last night will be presented. Objections anticipated. Judge Marchman at the mic ready to go. Peter Cook coming to the microphone.

Guido Verbeck coming to the mic. Kem Hartgrove getting up to object. Cheryl White at the microphone. as well. Going to be interesting. Alternating for and against. Rule #8 – identify yourself and why needing recognition. Procedural motions preclude speaking to the substance of the motion. Four speakers for, two either against or for procedural motions…we’ll see.

Peter Cook – two motions have been joined; lateness of the motion due to recency of HOB meeting. +Bruce had resolution there for pastoral scheme. Pastoral scheme is safe place for the orthodox. Without the safe place, church will continue to hemorrhage. Offshore oversight. Dioceses asking for Primatial oversight. Pastoral scheme would prevent this…designed to accommodate with American bishops providing oversight. Work out reconciliation. Covenant will ultimate replace.

Kem Hartgrove – speaking against – obviously we committed to Windsor last year. If anything comes up, we’ll have a special convention. That’s all we need. Things in the resolution – we don’t know what is necessary. What does call upon commit us to? What actions are we to take? What are the deputies to do. Act toward creation of pastoral scheme? Can we do this? Too many questions. We are Windsor compliant; that is all we need.

Guido Verbeck – speaking for – painfully aware that TEC has caused Anglican crisis. It is the Primates that are trying to find ways to save us and bring us back together. GC2006 failed to do this. HOB meeting was on the same course. Fracturing the church. Global South coming to aid of orthodox. If we would pass this, incursions would stop. Brings us closer to what we are trying to seek. Anglican Communion keeps throwing us lifelines, including the pastoral scheme.

Ginger Paul – against – many breathed when Kenneth retired, but here’s Ginger. Feels resolution is premature. We are in a process. October 3 reports of ACC Committee said we had clarified the outstanding questions. Not a uniform response. Quoting the forum…need to be aware of the process.

Cheryl White – for – refer to packet last year and read Windsor Compliant resolutions. Two resolutions – look closely at what we committed to. It is a process, but we are in a different part of the process. Nothing inconsistent with last year.

Mitzi George – against – in light of Bishop’s address and Gospel to be of one body…resolution has sense of division instead of reconciliation..unknown variables…when do we trust the process to which we were called to be faithful…Bishop called us to be faithful to Windsor…shouldn’t circumvent the process. So vote against so process can work.

Sharon Marchman – for – co-author of the motion. Offered to track language of our own bishop’s resolution offered to the HOB. Bruce’s resolution didn’t make it out of committee. Show support for the bishop. Culmination of process – Camp Allen Principles discussed and incorporated and set for the pastoral scheme. It is the only way we can show continued commitment to the Windsor process.

Mark MacDonald – against – past summer – healing and reconciliation – this is forcing us to make a choice, will be divisive – trusts we will work in the processes of TEC and Anglican Communion. Don’t see the need for the resolution.

Paul Martin – for – believes this to be a vehicle in which we can maintain the dialogue and supports our bishop. Allows us to be pro-active rather than reactive, which is better.

Morgan Allen – Point of Order – rules of procedure – Rule #12 – third sentence – 300 copies of materials. Specific reference to bishop’s resolution to HOB – requesting 300 copies – or discharge the motion. Bishop ruling that the pastoral scheme accompanied that. Morgan arguing with the Bishop. Objection overruled.

Keith Milligan – read a copy of the Bishop’s resolution?

Morgan Allen – against the resolution – I am reminded of Jarius – please to Jesus to come heal his child. We are stewards of God’s church. We need Jesus to heal who is ailing. Jesus didn’t raise the daughter, but said the child is only sleeping and was left unattended because family and friends to pre-occupied with there own struggle. Asks convention to reject resolution and take a look at those in need…one body – TEC.

Pt. of Order – Sharon Marchman – move for vote by order and by written ballot. Second. Motion carries.

Elections committee still counting the votes. So, we are working on the ballots at this time.

Penn Thompkins at the microphone.

Reporting on GC elections:

Clergy:

Carter
Cook
Riley
Verbeck
Thompson – alternate

Lay:
Drell
Polombo
Robert
White
alternates will be next round of elections – vote for one next round.

mark on the same ballot – yes or no to the resolution is before us. Mark lay or clergy as vote is by orders.

Middleton, Thompkins, and Cutler. Vote for one and only one.

Noonday prayer and lunch.

Morning Live Blog – Western Louisiana Convention

Keep hitting refresh.

Resolutions committee was interesting this morning. The liberal members of our Diocese will attempt the usual procedural and other ploys to prevent the convention from taking action on the resolution I posted last night. Prayers needed.

Okay. We are getting started.

Standing Committee organizational meeting after convention session this afternoon.

Address beginning.

Prayer: O Risen Christ, Lord of the Harvest, as farmers patiently waited over the barren soil, so we wait for your harvest…new hope in your resurrects us each day. Unite us in Christ to yield a rich harvest. May each person be cherished as indispensable to the life and happiness of each one of us…reconciliation…peace…disciples making disciples. Quiet moment…

In keeping with the theme of this years conventions – disciples making disciples – Paul to Ephesians – Paul offering thankgiving…blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…who has blessed…he chose us before the foundation of the world that we would be holy and blameless before him…through Jesus Christ…grace freely bestowed on us in Jesus…forgiveness of our trespasses…riches of his grace…made known to us all wisdom and the mystery of his will..according to his purpose in Jesus Christ…

Four years ago, this month, Grace Monroe, for Bruce’s first convention as bishop. Today it seems like so long ago. Yet, in other ways, it was just yesterday. Much has taken place in our lives..personally and corporately…three hurricanes since Bruce’s arrival…some have suggested a correlation in this < – grin ->…We can’t believe what has happened since he arrived either…together, we have experienced much, and accomplished good things. Bruce’s message has been to call us to be about the mission of God’s Church…committed to discipleship and preaching the message of the Gospel. Can’t let issues derail the mission and ministry of our Diocese. If we are going to take our call seriously, we much be about proclaiming the Gospel and not beating each other up over the issues of the church…if we do not stand firm in our mission we will have succumbed to the Devil. Will not permit our ministry to derailed and ran off the track. Mindful of examination and oath when he was consecrated bishop in the church catholic. Reads ordination vows from the BCP. Good stuff.

These words offered are indelible on Bruce’s heart. Bear same depth of commitment today as in the September pastoral letter…me and my household, serve the Lord. Continued commitment to path of faithful fulfillment of the Gospel. Actions of past Diocesan Conventions and the reconciliation gatherings. Over and over, we have voiced the desire to remain in the Anglican Communion…on both sides of the issues. Remain in Communion. Some would like to affiliate with this group or that, but looking at these groups…their direction no more definitive than that which is before us..other than to be disciples making disciples. Benedictine Scotman, our bishop, I cannot precipitously. I won’t. Process has rested with the Primates in their response to the American Church. We must see fulfillment of the process.

HOB meeting…ABC asking Primates to response by October 31. Conversations…he is confident the answer will be clear and will be soon. Next 18 days…we will know the decision of the wider communion with respect to our place in it. Since HOB…Bruce has personally communicated with ABC about our continued recognition (as stated by Bruce in Dar)…in keeping with this, concern with waiting for Diocesan Convention next year…if action is needed, we will have a special convention per our Diocesan canons…Bruce will do so. Changes in the articles/constitution…2/3rd vote at 2 annual conventions.

Recent HOB meeting… reports of reception have been mixed. Bruce thinks response inadequate. Reference pastoral letter of September. Much of what happened…never known or seen by outside…failed. Confessed silence by Bruce…the critical explanation was in Dar by Bruce…that is where he stands…statement reverberated across the church. Things done in the last eight years as bishop in the church catholic not enough..I’m sorry, but I must be about my Father’s business…accused Bruce of denying Jesus as Peter did…but look at Peter’s later works…Peter..rock build church, powers of death shall not prevail against it.

Ministry of this Diocese is built on this rock. Jesus words…no power shall prevail against it.

Sunday visits…church’s one foundation is Jesus (hymn)…if we are going to build on this foundation…we must be people of vision…Proverbs.. no vision, people perish. Continuing call to faithful ministry.. we must Trust God. Habbakuk last sunday…right my vision..make it plain upon the tablets…vision awaits its time…hastens to the end…wait for it..it will surely come..it will not delay..righteous shall live by his faith.

Visions began to unfold as we were called to a year of reconciliation and healing…knew this was necessary to build the Kingdom of God…needed each other…three day training event…convocational gatherings…650 people participated in these events. Positive energy for ministry. Thanks Judge Drell for chairing this…those that spent time and treasure on this. Much insight…greater sense of Diocese wanting to share in ministry. Challenge – truly sharing in ministry rather than talking about it in small groups. People want more small groups..but past attempts has had negligible response.

For the moment, pause…give thanks to all of you for prayers, notes, etc…surgery since July. Past two years have provided for periods of great frustration as I wrestled with my leg following my accident. Dr. Bill Webb of Cathedral…leg is wonderful…no pain, no crutches. I’ll jump right off here and show you (No…no.)

Healing of Diocese since hurricanes..still work to do. Each day better…Open Door ministry in Lake Charles at Church of our Savior which has been repaired. Recipients of offering at opening Eucharist… Hold LA and Miss. in prayer. Bishops brought $$$ (10,000) to HOB. In gathering $931,000 to LA and Miss. Bruce did not take an offering…as we had contributed $26,500 to each Diocese just a few months earlier. Closer to home..Mt. Olivet work is moving slowly. Windows removed and being restored in Crowley..foundation work not yet started. Architect apologized for delay. signs of progress minimal. Should be completed within the year…rededication at next years convention.

ECW growing their ministry…time for joy weekend for young Moms…Com on spiritual formation has completed first year with offering retreats on formation and on addictions and recovery (Bruce speaks of this…thanks Reese for his commitment.) Dr. White – Education – confirmation preparation curriculum to be prepared. Evangelism..thanks Judge Drell and Paul Martin for their work with congregations. School of theology – increase in number..two postulants..thanks Dr. McBride and faculty. Institute of lay ministry..convocational training for LEMS..thanks Dr. Boyd. Hardtner…tremendous leadership this last year. Summer camp. Thanks Pat Higgins and Boo Kay. Youth and young adults…thanks Monet Brashear.

Six Canterbury ministries…re-establish Canterbury at Grambling (big priority for bishop based on a conversation we had)…work at Canterbury at Centenary – handicapped access. Stewardship. Daughter of the King. Cursillo. Louisiana Interchurch Conference. Disaster relief with ERD and others…thanks Liz Ratcliff. Thanks Com. on Ministry. Commission on schools.. anti-rascism commission. International mission. Kairos Prison Ministry. Thanks to those whose generosity, care and love…brought about care for Lusilla..docs and others.

Travel around the Diocese…people’s lives being changed and touched. We may fret about much…but these things are the mission of the church and the will of God. All these things are part of the fabric of Diocese..move beyond differences to focus on the Gospel. When we share a vision of being disciples making disciples…personally reconciled to God and through Him to one another..the things he has done, we will do greater things.

One other ministry – many other signs of health are being experienced but unnoticed. Acknowledgment of the Alive, our paper. New format, color, etc. Advisory board for paper. Dean Clark and anti-racism to get our participation wider. Talking about Jena..can happen anywhere. Work of reconciliation by +Bruce and Susan in Jena. +Bruce one of four church leaders to help bring reconciliation there; been asked to return and follow up. Violence in communities…work lost in disaster relief work..but we must take this up.

The Future. Vision that will embrace every congregation…disregard to size. Early in the year…Evangelism event…noted international evangelism leader. Not unto itself, but folks will go home with materials to share with their congregation. Each congregation will use this to explore how each can proclaim the Gospel and the faith. We have to provide what is needed…Let Jesus be seen in our lives. Each parish to be a beacon for Christ…light shine before others…member of Evangelism will be there to assist. You folks asked for this; please participate. If we are truly serious about building up the body of Christ..Paul to Corinth..body has many members. Draw on reconciliation work and build upon..bridge to greater ministry of disciples making disciples. Mission of discipleship to which we are called to be done, we must go forward in Faith. 11 Hebrews – faith is assurance of things hoped for…therefore, we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…run with perserverance the race.

Convention dinner last night. Uganda children’s orphanage choir…orphans due to AIDS…witness of the children.. let the little children come to me…such as these to whom the Kingdom of God belongs. Awards again…Mt. Olivet award…honorary lay canons.

Closing – honor to be your bishop…not our ministry, but the Lord’s…thanks Diane, Kathy, Canon Larry.  Diane has worked for us for 25 years..on her third bishop.  Last person to be recognized…Susan MacPherson…49 years of marriage.

Closing prayer…

In Other Diocesan News

My father, Judge Dee Drell, and Dr. Jim Boyd, were both made honorary lay canons of the Diocese.

Latest Draft of the Resolution (merging the other two) that is expected to be substituted tomorrow by the Resolutions Committee

In accordance with the Lord’s High Priestly prayer that we be one, and in obedience to his Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples, and in gratitude for the wider Anglican Communion which is a sign of the fulfillment of the High Priestly Prayer, and in working toward reconciliation of all people with God and each other, we propose the following resolution:

 

Whereas the Diocese of Western Louisiana is committed to following the recommendations of the Windsor Report; and

 

Whereas we support Bishop MacPherson’s resolution to the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans expressly calling for the establishment of a Pastoral Scheme as outlined in the Dar es Salaam Communique;

 

Be it resolved that the Diocese of Western Louisiana calls upon our Bishop, Standing Committee, and General Convention Deputation to initiate plans and to take all possible action toward the creation and implementation of the Pastoral Scheme proposed in the Dar es Salaam Communique; and to take all possible action to ensure that the Diocese of Western Louisiana remains fully in communion with the wider Anglican Communion.

 

 

Grace Church, Monroe

St. Michael & All Angels, Lake Charles

St. Paul’s, Shreveport

The Rev. Errol Montgomery, Christ Church, Bastrop

St. Thomas Monroe Delegation Members, Vicki LaMarca, Tony LaMarca, and David Furr

Judge Dee Drell, Individually, St. James, Alexandria