Diocese of Los Angeles declines to endorse Anglican Covenant

Thanking the Anglican Communion for “taking this time of discernment” to develop the proposed Anglican Covenant, elected representatives of the Diocese of Los Angeles have issued a response declining to endorse the document.

"We cannot endorse a covenant that, for the first time in the history of The Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion, will pave the way toward emphasizing perceived negative differences instead of our continuing positive and abundant commonality," states the response, signed jointly by the diocese’s bishops and General Convention deputation. A video report documenting the process by which Diocesan Convention initiated the response is here. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, and Executive Council member Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine jointly requested that each of the Episcopal Church’s 110 dioceses provide responses by April 24 in preparation for review by General Convention’s 2012 meeting in Indianapolis. Full text of the response follows here: The bishops, clergy and laity of the Diocese of Los Angeles, at the request of Katharine Jefferts Schori, our Presiding Bishop, Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies, and Rosalie Simmonds Ballentine, Esq., Executive Council member and Chair of the Executive Council D-020 Task Force, have actively engaged in discussion, discernment, study, prayer and dialogue concerning the proposed final draft of the Anglican Covenant. The study culminated at our Diocesan Convention, held December 3 and 4, 2010, with round-table discussions in which more than 800 delegates, representing our 147 congregations, participated. This discernment leads us to recommend that The Episcopal Church not endorse the final draft of the Anglican Covenant but that we patiently continue the conversation out of our bonds of affection and mutual loyalty to the entire Communion, for the following reasons: One of our chief strengths as Anglicans has been our ecumenical availability to Christians who find in us the essence of the faith once delivered to the saints, along with latitude in “things indifferent.” We have been a tradition of bridges, not walls. Ours is a tradition that has upheld seven Ecumenical Councils, three historic Creeds, the Thirty-Nine Articles, and a liturgical heritage blessed by the Book of Common Prayer expressed and celebrated through a wonderful variety of cultural influences. Our tradition holds Holy Scripture as containing all things necessary for salvation, the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds, the two sacraments instituted by Christ himself: baptism and communion and the Historic Episcopate essential to our faith. It is a tradition of reason that values the scholarly pursuit of truth which has allowed our Anglican ethos to be the middle way of a catholic and reformed faith “not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth” (Collect for the Feast of Richard Hooker). Our hope is that our prophetic witness of openness to the Spirit’s actions might not be foreclosed by a desire to stake out too narrow a spiritual turf on which to stake our flag, but rather a desire to continue to be obedient to the Spirit’s call on our church. The Episcopal Church was founded in democracy and has enjoyed a polity which is free and democratic since 1789. This long-standing course cannot be reversed. We do, however, acknowledge, honor and support the differences in polity and governance that distinguish the various churches of the Communion. We believe respect for those differences is a crucial component of our tradition that should undergird any Anglican Covenant. For that reason, we support Sections One and Two of the Covenant, which positively affirm the foundation of our faith, our common Anglican vocation, and do not challenge our unique polity. We are concerned about the omission of the laity from Section 3. As St. Paul teaches, we are all of us the Body of Christ and individually members thereof (I Corinthians 12). There are four orders of ministry in the Church – bishops, priests, deacons and lay people, who also minister as members of the baptized people of God. Such an ecclesiology should both undergird the theology expressed in the Covenant and the church structures developed as means of connecting and serving the churches of the Communion. A Covenant to which we could subscribe would need to re-imagine the Instruments of Communion to provide a stronger representation from all the orders of ministry. Section 4 is of greatest concern. It creates a punitive, bureaucratic, juridical process within the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion, elevating its authority over the member churches despite previous affirmations of member church autonomy (see, e.g., Section 4.1.3). It contains no clear process for dispute resolution, no checks and balances, no right of appeal. The concept of mediation, introduced in Section 3.2.6, is not mentioned in Section 4. The covenant’s focus on “maintenance, dispute and withdrawal” bodes of an immobilized church mission instead of one that is flexible and prophetic. For these reasons, we cannot agree to Section 4. We cannot endorse a covenant that, for the first time in the history of The Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion, will pave the way toward emphasizing perceived negative differences instead of our continuing positive and abundant commonality. We strongly urge more direct face-to-face dialogue, study, prayer and education before the adoption of a document that has such historic significance in the life of the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church. Our differences should not be seen as something that must be proved wrong or endured but rather a motivation to dig deeper into discerning God’s purposes for God’s church. In conclusion, the Diocese of Los Angeles thanks and commends the entire Anglican Communion for taking this time of holy discernment and suggests that the period of discernment continue so that no hasty decisions are made that would undermine the process of conversation and reception by all the churches of the Communion. We pray that the Holy Spirit illuminates our future steps so that we all may celebrate our common bonds of affection while respecting our varying cultures, ethos and polity within the one body of Christ. Respectfully submitted, The General Convention Deputation and the Bishops of the Diocese of Los Angeles

Retired Uganda bishop speaks at UN, calls for global decriminalization of homosexuality

Retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, an outspoken activist for human rights and equality in Uganda, delivered a presentation at the United Nations in New York on April 8 calling for the global decriminalization of homosexuality as a way to make progress in the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

"The criminalization of homosexuality remains the most significant barrier that needs to be dismantled to reduce the spread of AIDS," said Senyonjo, during a panel discussion that formed part of an informal interactive hearing at the U.N. "We need to make our laws and agreements more binding. We need to ask if our laws or beliefs help or prevent the spread of HIV and hinder or support families caring for loved ones."

Senyonjo noted that more than 80 countries still criminalize homosexuality "and see it as a crime against God and nature. Denying people their humanity puts us all at risk because AIDS spreads fast in the darkness of ignorance."

The panel was moderated by Mark Schoofs of the Wall Street Journal, and also featured presentations by Eric Goosby, Global AIDS Coordinator for United States; Chris Hughes, co-founder of Facebook and executive director of Jumo.com; and Pardamean Napitu, co-founder of Indonesia Social Changes Organization.

The day-long event brought together a diverse mix of non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations and the private sector, governmental leaders and other observers to weigh in on issues to be tackled at the U.N. General Assembly's High-Level Meeting on AIDS, which will be held June 8-10 in New York.

Senyonjo was ousted by the Anglican Church in Uganda in 2007 for his ministry serving the marginalized and oppressed, including the gay community, in a society where corruption and intimidation are commonplace. Through the Kampala-based St. Paul's Centre for Equality and Reconciliation, Senyonjo ministers to those in need regardless of their gender, social background or sexuality.

The center also runs programs in illiteracy and education, and provides support to single mothers and those living with HIV.

In Uganda, current laws on homosexuality carry sentences of up to 14 years in prison. In October 2009, a controversial bill was proposed to the Ugandan Parliament that called for broadening the criminalization of homosexuality in the East African country and introducing the death penalty in certain cases.

Following international public condemnation, the bill has been temporarily withdrawn, but is expected to be reintroduced. In March 2010, Senyonjo was among those who delivered to the Ugandan Parliament an online petition containing more than 450,000 signatures of people opposing the law.

"We need to decriminalize homosexuality globally. Further we need to remove laws that criminalize sex workers because these laws are often used to prevent education and services being given to these stigmatized populations," Senyonjo said, calling for the creation of a "gay/straight alliance ... [to] win the battle against this prejudice. We have to defeat the prejudice before we can defeat the virus."

"We leaders in the faith community must teach one another to listen and to live with differences," Senyonjo added. "We must work hard to not to impose our religious values on the whole society. It begins as simply as couple counseling before marriage and, on a larger scale, to respect human rights and avoid scapegoating a vulnerable minority."

CHICAGO CONSULTATION RELEASES PUBLICATION ON PROPOSED ANGLICAN COVENANT

The Genius of Anglicanism includes essays by theologians, church leaders

April 5, 2011—The Chicago Consultation, which advocates for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in the worldwide Anglican Communion, has released a collection of essays and study questions on the proposed Anglican Covenant.

The Genius of Anglicanism, a 64-page booklet, includes eight essays and study questions, and may be downloaded at no cost atwww.chicagoconsultation.org.

“We believe that congregations, bishops, General Convention deputations and individual Episcopalians will benefit from this careful exploration of the proposed covenant,” said the Rev. Lowell Grisham, co-convener of the Chicago Consultation and rector of St. Paul’s Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

“The proposed covenant is a complex document that could have a major impact on the Episcopal Church and its many vital and longstanding relationships within the wider Anglican Communion,” he added. “We are grateful that well-respected theologians, clergy and lay leaders were willing to analyze it for us.”

The Very Rev. Jane Shaw, Dean of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and former dean of divinity at New College, Oxford, wrote the introduction for the guide, which was edited by Jim Naughton and includes essays by:

• The Rev. Ruth Meyers, Hodges-Haynes Professor of Liturgics at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California, on the relationship of the proposed covenant to the Baptismal Covenant of the Episcopal Church

• The Rev. Ellen Wondra, editor in chief of the Anglican Theological Review and academic dean at Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois on how a theological innovation, such as the proposed covenant is received or rejected by a community of faith

• The Rev. Timothy Sedgwick, Clinton S. Quin Professor of Christian Ethics at Virginia Theological Seminary, on the concept of episcopal authority in the proposed covenant

• Fredrica Harris Thompsett, Mary Wolfe Professor Emerita of Historical Theology at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cam bridge, Massachusetts, on how the proposed covenant will affect the participation of the laity in Communion affairs

• The Rev. Canon Mark Harris, of the Diocese of Delaware, a member of the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council on the proposed covenant and the traditional concept of “the historic episcopate locally adapted”

• Sally Johnson, chancellor to Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies on the judicial and disciplinary provisions in the fourth section of the proposed covenant

• The Rev. Gay Jennings, the Episcopal Church’s clergy representative to the Anglican Consultative Council, on the Anglican Communion’s existing covenant, which is grounded in the Five Marks of Mission

• The Rev. Winnie Varghese, priest-in-charge at St. Mark’s-Church-in-the-Bowery in New York City and member of Executive Council on the kind of covenant necessary to make the Communion an ally of the poor and the oppressed.

Grisham, who prepared the study questions that accompany each essay, said he believes the booklet will be widely used in the run-up to the Episcopal Church’s next General Convention in July 2012.

The Chicago Consultation, a group of Episcopal and Anglican bishops, clergy and lay people, supports the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. To learn more about the Chicago Consultation, visitwww.chicagoconsultation.org.

Rev. Kimindu announces newly formed Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya (OSA-K) organization.

Nairobi, Kenya. Rev. Steve Parelli reporting March 17, 2011 Bronx, New York In an email addressed to Other Sheep, Metropolitan Community Churches, Reconciling Ministries Network and Changing Attitude, Rev. Kimindu announced the formation of Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya. The new organization came into existence largely due to qualifications stipulated in a recent email from a major African foundation to Other Sheep Kenya (OSK) in which it said Other Sheep Kenya would have to undergo major restructuring before additional grants could be awarded. In its email, the foundation cited, among other qualifying conditions, the need for OSK to clearly indicate its independence from all organizations outside of Africa. The foundation has been a major financial contributor to Other Sheep Kenya. In his email announcing the formation of OSA-K, Rev. Kimindu, president of the newly formed organization, writes that OSA-K "wishes to retain our relationship with you as it has been, i.e., at the level of spiritual, intellectual and information sharing." The new organization will work for all the marginalized - "orphans and vulnerable children, people living with HIV/AIDS, women [and] any person we feel is marginalized" - throughout all of Africa. The mission includes bringing "educational awareness on human rights, sexual identity and gender equality." A new board of seven distinguished members (not including the president and the CEO) was formed. The board hired Rev. John Makokha as the Chief Executive Officer and Anne Baraza Makokha as Counseling Consultant. Rev. John Makokha was appointed Regional Representative for Eastern and Northern Africa, Rev. Elie Gasana as Regional Representative for Central and Southern Africa, and Rev. Kimindu as Acting Regional Representative for West Africa. The OSA-K board "approved that Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya shall be independent, autonomous and distinct in terms of management and operations [with] Other Sheep(USA)" and that "this should be reflected in the . . . website and leadership." Rev. Steve Parelli, executive director of Other Sheep, in an email to Rev. Kimindu, president of Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya, recognized the newly formed organization and expressed his sincere desire to continue the friendship between the two organizations. Rev. Michael Kimindu can be reached at mnk240@yahoo.com

INTERFAITH COALITION FOR TRANSGENDER EQUALITY SETS TRANSGENDER FAITH ACTION WEEK FOR APRIL 3rd – 10th

Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality has set Transgender Faith Action Week to run from Sunday, April 3 to Sunday, April 10, 2011.

Founded in 2007, the Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality is a gathering of clergy and lay leaders that organizes the Massachusetts faith community in support of transgender social justice. As the interfaith partner of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), ICTE focuses on faith-based work in support of the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.

The Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality is organizing Transgender Faith Action Week to demonstrate that the Massachusetts faith community largely supports transgender equal rights, and that many transgender people and allies are people of faith and members of faith communities.

Transgender Faith Action Week comes as a continuation of the campaign “An Act of Faith: Massachusetts Communities of Faith Speak Out for Transgender Equality”, which has included participation in lobby days, public hearings and press conferences in the Statehouse, and faith voices in MTPC’s I AM: Trans People Speak multi-media public education campaign.

Events planned for Transgender Faith Action Week include postcard and letter writing parties, phone banking, educational presentations, and a press conference at the State House on Monday, April 4th, featuring key faith leaders. Over twenty congregations have already signed on to participate in Transgender Faith Action Week, including the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, the seat of the Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts, Temple Israel, the largest Reform congregation in New England; and Dignity Boston, the Roman Catholic community.

Mycroft Masada Holmes, Chair of the Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality, said, “The Interfaith Coalition for Transgender Equality and its partners are very proud to announce this historic week of action. We’re grateful to the many faith communities across the state who are voicing their support for the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. This sends a powerful message to the legislature—the faith community wants to see this vital legislation passed this session.”

Gunner Scott, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition, said, “Faith and spirituality are integral parts in the lives of many transgender individuals. I’m pleased to see faith communities standing up for transgender youth, adults, and families in Massachusetts and supporting our community and this legislation.”

For more information on Transgender Faith Action Week and how to get involved please visithttp://interfaithcoalition.blogspot.com/.

Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seek candidates for Legislative Representative for International Issues

Based in Washington, DC

Working jointly for common interests and concerns, the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) together are seeking a staff person for the position of Legislative Representative for International Issues to be located in Washington, DC.

“This unique partnership of ministries and resources between the Episcopal Church and the ELCA provides an opportunity for our denominations to focus jointly on issues of mutual importance,” commented Toni Daniels, Co-Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church. “This exciting endeavor will address shared international-policy positions of both churches to Congress and the Administration.”

The Legislative Representative for International Issues will serve jointly on the staffs of both the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and the ELCA Washington Office, and will be responsible for the federal legislative and policy advocacy of both churches on U.S. foreign policy and international issues, representing the shared positions of the churches to Congress and the Administration; conducting legislative research and analysis; producing legislative correspondence and communications; and building and leading advocacy coalitions.

The complete job posting, along with details for applying, is located here: Legislative Representative. No telephone inquiries will be accepted for this position.

The deadline for submitting applications is April 5, 2011.

The Episcopal Church values diversity of culture and thought and seeks talented, qualified employees regardless of race, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other protected classification under Federal, State or Municipal law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): www.elca.org

The Episcopal Church: www.episcopalchurch.org

First Bill in Nation to Include Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Relationship Status in State Government Surveys Passes Legislative Co

Authored by Senator Christine Kehoe and sponsored by Equality California, the bill would enable the state to gather vital data about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community

Sacramento – Today the Survey Data Inclusion Act (SB 416), which would require the state to add questions about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, domestic partnership status and the gender of a spouse as voluntary demographic information collected in California's government surveys, passed the Senate Governmental Organization committee in a 7-5 vote. Such data is already collected for other groups. The bill is authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) and sponsored by Equality California.

“The vast majority of government sponsored surveys that ask for demographic information do not collect data for the LGBT community, which has significant consequences for the community,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California. “With limited resources to spend on health and social services, it is essential that the state has data on LGBT Californians so that money can be targeted where it is most needed and community members can receive the resources they most need.”

“If California is to meet the needs of the LGBT community, then government agencies, non-profit organizations, and researchers will need more data about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents,” said Senator Kehoe. “This information will be collected voluntarily and will help Californians better understand the lives and concerns of the LGBT community.”

Currently, the state administers a number of statewide surveys that collect data such as the California Health Information Survey (CHIS), the nation's largest state health survey that gives a detailed picture of the health and healthcare needs of California's large and diverse population, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a federal survey administered by the state that tracks health conditions and risk behaviors in the United States since 1984. These and other statewide surveys collect demographic information such as race/ethnic identity, age, family size, health and safety information, and other data from the Californians. However, data relating to California’s LGBT population is not currently consistently collected by the state or federal government.

For more information on Equality California sponsored legislation, please visit: www.eqca.org/legislation

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights advocacy organization in California. Over the past decade, Equality California has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil rights protections in the nation. Equality California has passed more than 70 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, electoral work, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org