ECUSA

The Episcopal Church‘s House of Bishops has responded anew yesterday to the crisis in its worldwide communion. Here’s the sum and substance:

It is incumbent upon us as disciples to do our best to follow Jesus in the increasing experience of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We fully understand that others in the Communion believe the same, but we do not believe that Jesus leads us to break our relationships. We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion, and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children,
including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject. And, contrary to the way the Anglican Communion Network and the American Anglican Council have represented us, we proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God’s truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision.

I’m impressed with their faithfulness and their stand on this matter.

Newsweek has the following to say in an article about how American denominations view women:

When Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori this month became the head of the U.S. Episcopal Church, she wasn’t just the first presiding bishop of that faith—she became the first woman in American history elected to lead a major Christian denomination…But there are indications that times are changing. Just this month, the U.S. Presbyterian Church elected the Rev. Joan S. Gray as its”moderator,” a one-year position akin to being named ambassador.

Sounds like the Presbyterians are behind the 8-ball on this one, huh? Truth of the matter is that the first woman elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church was Elder Lois Stair, way back in 1971. (Should have been earlier, I know, but still.)

Stair passed away in 1981; Here is her obit. An interesting quiz (in PDF format) about the ordination of women in the presbyterian church is available, too…

…Sorry, I forgot the link to the Newsweek article, which is here.