Amazing. Why not just align with the Diocese of New Westminster?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles Scott" <crscott@...>
To: <faithandlife@...>
Sent: Monday, October 28, 2002 7:09 AM
Subject: [FaithandLife] THINGS ARE UP TO DATE IN KANSAS CITY
>
> 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
>
>
> --
> To unsubscribe, send ANY message to
<faithandlife-unsubscribe@...>
>