SING IT BOYS! THINGS ARE UP TO DATE IN KANSAS CITY, THEY'VE GONE ABOUT AS FUR AS THEY KIN GO. . . . Time wuz (mid last century) when Theatre People in New York and Hollywood looked upon Mid America as a backwater. In a more innocent time (????), we could sing of Midwestern folks in the following manner: "I'm as corny as Kansas in August. . . ." In these days of instant information, Kansas is as up to date and sophisticated as any other state in this blessed union. If folks in the Midwest and West were ever as innocent as "Oklahoma" depicts them to be (and I doubt it), the following narrative sets the record straight. Charles ------------------------------------- ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE ACNS 3177 ENS 24 OCTOBER 2002 Kansas blessings policy upheld by narrow margin by Melodie Woerman [ENS 2002-243] The 143rd convention of the Diocese of Kansas narrowly defeated a resolution opposing Bishop William Smalley's policy of blessings for couples outside of marriage in a vote that was characterized by people on both sides of the issue as "prayerful" and "grace-filled." The convention took place October 18-19 in Overland Park, Kansas. The resolution, which had been proposed by 12 priests and two deacons, urged Smalley to reconsider his policy and would have put the diocese on record as saying the policy "does not reflect the mind of the diocese." The vote was taken by orders, a procedure that in the Diocese of Kansas usually is used for votes on major issues, most recently in 1999 regarding apportionment rates. The vote was: clergy in favour of the resolution, 31; clergy against, 38; clergy abstaining, 7; lay people in favour of the resolution, 60; lay people against, 52; lay people abstaining, 12. A majority of votes cast in both orders was required for the resolution to be adopted. Jean Crutchfield, president of the diocesan standing committee, presided over the debate and vote. Smalley relinquished the chair, saying he did not think it was appropriate for him to preside over this matter. Discussion of the resolution ran almost an hour, with speakers in support of and opposed to the resolution alternating their remarks. More than a dozen speakers lined up at the two microphones, almost all of them priests, to make their views known. Those in support of the resolution said they objected to the process Smalley used to issue his policy, which permits parishes to decide if they wish to bless the relationships of non-married persons in liturgies that may not resemble marriage. Several speakers said the bishop should not have acted unilaterally but rather should have waited for the church as a whole to move together on this issue. Other speakers challenged the diocese to act prophetically on the issue of how the church treats homosexuals. During debate another priest had indicated he felt torn by the resolution and could see merit in both sides, resulting in his decision to abstain. He asked Crutchfield to call for abstentions as well as ayes and nays once voting began. In remarks made earlier to the convention, Smalley had called on those present to pause for prayer whenever anyone felt it was needed, needing only to say, "Point of order, we need to pray." Delegates called for times of prayer throughout the deliberations of convention, including before the vote on this resolution. As delegates prayed silently, one person rose to offer the prayer for the unity of the church from the Prayer Book. After the convention had concluded, Smalley noted that the debate had been cordial and "showed the collegiality we enjoy in this diocese." He said, "We do differ from one another but can deal with our differences with respect and cordiality. The entire discussion was wrapped in prayer." [Melodie Woerman is editor of Plenteous Harvest, the newspaper of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas] ---------------------------------------------- Gentlemen: If the Kansas Diocesan majority really wants to sell their view in the Midwest, they need to do a last re-make of Oklahoma. They need the imprimatur of a major Hollywood production. Picture this: Instead of Gordon McRae waving his Stetson and riding across the prairie singing Oklahoma. . . . they could have John Wayne chasing Lee Marvin across the plain waving his hat and singing "I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE, I'M IN LOVE WITH A WONDERFUL GUY!" Of course, like most wars, this was the wrong battle, in the wrong place, over the wrong issues. But at least the Midwestern ECUSites were more civil in their proceedings and did not walk out on one another as the New Westminster Canadian Anglicans did. And, they did pray. But some how, considering the times, was this THE issue, I wonder. . . ."Pore Jed is dead, a candle marks his head. . ." Grumble . . . grumble. . . .next thing you know some fool will want to burn the flag. . . . and some woman will throw away her undies. . . and other fools will want to play war games. Is this a replay of the sixties? Oh, I'm as corny as Kansas in August, high as a Kite on the 4th of July, if you’ll excuse an expression I use. . . .AAAARGGGGHHHHH!" Charles _________________________________________________________________ Broadband? Dial-up? Get reliable MSN Internet Access. http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/default.asp