Dynamic Times

Dear Friends in Christ -
As is the case almost every day, there were many articles in today's NYTimes that touched me deeply - stories of local and international loss and love, desperation and determination. Today there were also two articles that touched me personally.

The first article that touched me was about our Church. It was entitled "Anglican Conservatives, Rebelling on Gays, Will Form New Power Bloc." Our Anglican Communion has been struggling mightily over issues of Biblical interpretation for the past 30 years. Among the key questions: Should women be allowed to be priests? Should gay and lesbian folks be allowed to be priests or bishops? The leaders of the Anglican Communion have tried, and failed, and are still trying, to come to singular agreement on Biblical interpretation and how that interpretation impacts the way we deal with these issues. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Church and other Anglican provinces have enacted various positions on these issues - some ordaining women, some not; some ordaining people who are gay or lesbian, some not.

I feel tremendously sad and somewhat angry that some of the Bishops of our Communion can't or won't do what I see the people in our pews doing: struggling with the issues - and hanging together while we do it. Like so many, I do feel impatient for resolution regarding specific issues, but a look at history has sobered me and has tempered my impatience. In the past, it has often taken the Church decades or even centuries to get theologically clear on an important issue. I'm not sure this process can be rushed. Christ-centered unity (which is what we're supposed to be trying to achieve, not just decisions on who's right and who's wrong, who's in and who's out) requires great compassion gained through deep listening to the words and lives and cultures of all God's people.

The second article that touched me personally was about a woman's achievement: Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody's nomination for promotion to four star general. I'm not one to groan and moan about "glass ceilings" or "brass ceilings" but, believe me, I notice when they're there. I've experienced the spine-jangling pain of running headlong into a few. In reading this article, I felt joyful and celebratory to see Dunwoody recognized for her great accomplishments and supported for promotion in a system that clearly is far from gender-blind. This news also helps me dare to hope that my daughter will have one less glass ceiling to bump her head on as she rises to be whatever she's called to be.

We live in dynamic times, times so full of choices and changes that I'm always checking to see if I've got my Foundation under me. As I read these articles today, words from last week's women's Bible study echoed in my mind: ". . . good news to the poor . . . release to the captives . . . sight to the blind . . . the oppressed go free . . . the year of the Lord's favor." (Isaiah 61:1-2) Jesus' life, death and resurrection make these ideas more than just words printed on dusty pages. Good news and release and sight and freedom and favor are for me - for us - now. The places in our Church and in our world that aren't marked by these things need Spirit-powered renewal.

Why do I even bother to be concerned about these things when my own life is so busy and full? Because Spirit-powered renewal happens when we care and listen and learn and get involved. What's in it for you and me personally? The fear that comes with risk. The confusion that comes with change. The frustration that comes with waiting. The pain that comes with growth. The dazzling joy that comes with new Life.

Faithfully yours,
Janet+