new church life: september/october 2014
found where people are, see that they want to move from there to something
better, believe they have the ability to think intelligently, and believe they can
reach higher states. If we can do this, we can offer bread rather than stones
when people ask for such goodness for their lives.
The discussion included both appreciation of the theme of love and
caution that truth and judgment are necessary to deliver people from the evil
loves in which people who are hurting find themselves.
The remainder of the session was given to business, including a moment
of silent remembrance of the Rev. Jan Weiss and the Rev. Les Sheppard, who
had departed this world since our last meetings. Feedback and volunteers were
sought for the program committee for the following meetings.
Wrap-up: Bishop Buss led a wrap-up session, noting that Bishop Keith
(who could not be present because he was presiding at a General Church Board
meeting) had asked for ministers over the summer to send him a one-page
synopsis of what they saw to be the key teachings bearing on the subject of
gender and the priesthood. These will be collated and reflected upon in counsel
with others, with the intention of ascertaining the collective understanding of
the clergy and communicating that understanding to the Church.
(Editor’s note: Bishop Keith plans to report on this process in the
November-December issue of New Church Life.)
This session was for sharing closing thoughts and shared expectations of
what gets done from here.
About 20 ministers spoke. One spoke at some length about how little time
we actually spent during the meetings in trying to reconcile differing views on
the subject of gender and ordination. He appealed for courage to really explore
with one another these differing views so that we are not talking past each
other and writing each other off.
Another expressed his sense that we all care about the women and men
in this church but that we have different ideas of what it is to show care and
concern.
A couple of ministers spoke to the disproportionate participation by
women in the Church as evidence that we have a problem engaging the men
of the Church.
Yet another echoed appreciation for the vital role women have played for
the growth of the Church.
Another suggested that the Convention branch of the New Church has
gone down the road we are considering, and has not been helped by it.
Several others expressed appreciation for Mr. Appelgren’s paper, and one
said that the early morning workshops on mindfulness, led by the Rev. Clark
Echols, were a big help in remaining peaceful throughout the day.
Bishop Buss expressed gratitude to the presenters, program committee
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