I awoke to read this nice email from Bonnie Anderson addressed to the deputies and first alternates from SC to the General Convention:
March 19, 2010
Dear Deputies and First Alternates,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the Diocese of South Carolina as you approach the gathering of the people of God at the 219th annual diocesan convention.
I would like to offer my sincere thanks to you for your generosity of spirit in your preparation for General Convention and for your faithful participation in all that the House of Deputies accomplished at General Convention in Anaheim.
For the 76th time in the history of The Episcopal Church, in Anaheim we experienced how the Holy Spirit works through our governance structure, fashioned by our founders, that requires the equal participation of laity, clergy and bishops. Centered in our community worship, we navigated difficult decisions with care and prayer.
Now we begin again, laity, bishops, clergy, all taking our places in the councils of the Church as called for in our Catechism. Your diocesan convention offers the opportunities for relationship building, mission development and leadership. All are enabled by God in a unique gathering of all the baptized. As deputies, elected by and trusted by your diocese, you have been called into leadership.
Leadership in “tough times” is challenging. We are called to do more ministry with fewer material resources. But our spiritual resources have not been diminished. Our spiritual resources are strengthened and increased as we come together in Christian community in the name of Jesus Christ.
I pray that the convention of the Diocese of South Carolina is spirit-filled, generous and joyful and that you are happy and at peace.
In thanksgiving for your ministry,
Bonnie Anderson, D.D.,
President, The House of Deputies
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There’s some interesting theology in that letter. My recollection has grown fuzzy I’ve aged, what did Cranmer have to say about the General Convention? Or closer to home, what did Wm. P. Dubose have to say? And the purpose of the diocesan convention is what again, exactly?
Then again I’m not a D.D.
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What an utter bunch of hooey! A waste of time and effort on her part. Doesn’t she know that those who are elected as delegates to our Diocesean convention are not necessarily the same people who are diocesan delegates to GC.
Yes, Ms. Anderson, WE WILL have a spirit filled time no doubt. I suspect your boss won’t be happy with the proposed resolutions nor the actual votes in convention. Oh well. We are sticking to our mission. How about you??
There is no doubt about it, Bonnie Anderson will be sticking to her mission, which is to spread the pansexual agenda anywhere she can.
Do you think she wrote this to make sure the delegation knows that she is watching? (I’d have said “paying attention” but I long ago gave up that hope.) My take? This was written while she was on an airplane- undoubtedly on the back of an airsick bag.
Sibyl, She can do whatever she wants. That will not deter this diocese from fulfilling our mission to proclaim Christ’s Gospel in this place. I prefer our mission over hers!!
Renee, It matters not if Bonnie Anderson is “watching” us or not. What happens in this diocese is known very quickly by many in the church. However, decisions here are not made simply to appease certain people who may be watching our actions and reading our decisions. I do agree inpart… her writings make me think of finding the next air sick bag.
Ms Anderson is absolutely right. “Your diocesan convention offers the opportunities for relationship building, mission development and leadership”
The Diocese of SC historically has done a good job of keeping the main thing the main thing, not just at an annual convention, but throughout the year. As a delegate to the upcoming convention, it is my hope and my intention that each of us will stand and honor our Lord, in whatever way that looks like, and at whatever cost that may come with. And yes, leadership “in tough times” is challenging. The leadership I know, and the leadership I am under, I thank God for, truly.