Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson and Executive Council member Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine are calling on all Episcopal congregations to engage in discussion of the proposed Anglican Covenant at some time during the next two years.
The Episcopal Church leaders suggested in a Sept. 3 letter that congregations consider organizing a discussion group on the covenant during Advent (2010 or 2011) or Lent (2011 or 2012) or at another time before General Convention in 2012.
"In order for General Convention to reflect the mind of the whole church, the bishops and deputies who participate in General Convention need to know the thoughtful and faithful reactions of the many and varied faith communities represented in this church," the church leaders said.
A covenant first was proposed in 2004 as a way for the Anglican Communion to maintain unity amid differing viewpoints, especially on issues of human sexuality and biblical interpretation.
Executive Council, at its June 2010 meeting, approved and commended the Anglican Covenant study guide, which can be downloaded from the Episcopl Church web site.
The study guide suggests questions for congregations to consider, such as: In what ways does the covenant strengthen the corporate life of the Episcopal Church and the common life of the Anglican Communion; and what are the positive and negative consequences of signing on to and living into the covenant?
The church leaders noted in their letter that, if congregations engaged in this discussion and submitted their comments in the coming church year, it would enable the Executive Council Task Force, which Ballentine chairs, "to reflect the church's initial response to the final draft of the Anglican Covenant, and to be included in Executive Council's Blue Book Report to the 77th General Convention." The Blue Book – which includes reports and proposed resolutions from the church's committees, commissions, agencies and boards – is published several months before each General Convention.
From a report by Matthew Davies, for Episcopal News Service, September 03, 2010.
www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_124323_ENG_HTM.htm
www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/covenant/docs/index.cfm
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