Bishop: Episcopal Church must change Presiding bishop says new way forward is needed By Kenneth C. Crowe II Updated 08:44 p.m., Friday, May 4, 2012
COLONIE — The Episcopal Church must embrace change and diversity if it is to move forward, the presiding bishop of the 2.4 million member church said Friday.
"We need to discover ways to engage in the outside community," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said, in urging the 125 delegates attending the Province II Synod of the Episcopal Church to recognize that while many believe the church is an unchanging rock, it too slowly evolves.
"'We are beginning to discover a way forward into a new chapter in the church's history," Jefferts Schori said. "If we are going to save the life of the church, we are going to have to lose it."
The Episcopal Church draws strength from its growing immigrant population who know the value of community, Jefferts Schori said. Even though this is labeled a time of connectivity via the Internet, she said, there is a spiritual hunger that needs to be filled in person.
"We value the voices of all in decision making," Jefferts Schori said.
The synod, which includes the dioceses in New York and New Jersey as well as Haiti, the Virgin Islands and Europe, met at the Holiday Inn Wolf Road to prepare for the Episcopalians' triennial General Convention in July in Indianapolis.
The presiding bishop's remarks provide a lot to think about as delegates prepare for the General Convention, said Sue Ellen Reutsch of Calvary Church in Burnt Hills, who is a delegate.
Bishop Skip Adams of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York said Jefferts Schori's remarks would be very similar to ones that he would deliver.
A large, diverse church is a healthier body, said Adams of Syracuse.
At the General Convention, discussion of the Anglican Covenant and liturgy for blessing same-sex unions are expected to be among the top topics, Jefferts Schori said....................>>>>...............>>>>..............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....79.php#ixzz1tzqlbPuo
The churches can change all they want........God never does!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Logged
