Letter from Bishop Wolf on General Convention

This letter was sent to Rhode Island clergy last Friday, June 23. It is posted here with Bishop Wolf's permission.

Dear friends,

I know that many of you are waiting to hear my experiences and thoughts about General Convention. As a member of the special committee charged with coordinating all resolutions regarding the Windsor Report, I confess to my complete exhaustion, and thus the inadequacy of my remarks. However, I know that many of you will be asked to respond this Sunday, so I offer these initial considerations.

First, the election of the Right Rev'd Katharine Jefferts Schori as the Presiding Bishop-elect was a complete surprise. As one ordained in 1977, I could never have imagined at that time that would happen in less than thirty years. She brings an intelligence and clarity of expression that will serve her well as the public voice of the Episcopal Church. I confess that I do not know her well, not having served on any committees or table groups together, but look forward to the different life experiences and perspectives that she brings to the office.

Second, the Millenium Development Goals are beginning to take hold in our church and diocese. The challenge of giving 0.7% of total giving for developmental work amongst the poorest of the poor is capturing the heart of our church. In fact, as the Program and Budget Committee deliberated on our diocesan budget, we committed ourselves to this goal, awaiting the response of Diocesan Council and our convention in October.

Third, and the work to which I devoted the most time, the Windsor Report resolutions. I believe that the resolution that was passed in both houses on the final day of the convention was the best that we could do.

However, in all honesty, I do not think that it fulfilled what was requested of us in the Windsor Report. I hope sincerely that the Archbishop of Canterbury and his advisors believe that it is enough to continue the dialog now occurring in our Commion.

I believe that the issue is not sexuality, but ecclesiology. Namely, what does it mean to be a world-wide Communion in a time of great global changes, cultural differences, and various mindsets? Is it desirable? If so, then it is possible? The belief that we will arrive at a consensus of opinion on the issues at hand is unrealistic. Will we both find a way to claim that which binds us together and define the limits that we must not trespass? Will we find it necessary to walk apart? I do not believe that we should expect a unity of thought and practice.

In our Episcopal Church, each parish, mission, and diocese have documents that describe the expectations of life held in common. Therefore, I support a "covenant" that describes and identifies the community of the Anglican Communion.

The long corridors of the Covention Hall gave the fourteen members of our official party a good dose of daily exercise. In addition, we were joined by at least twenty other members of our diocese who attended meetings, worked as volunteers, staffed convention booths, and brought us joy and encouragement. Three of our seminarians were present, as were one of our youth members, one of our young adults, and one of our children.

Food in the convention hall had no resemblance to the "pyramid" we've all been encouraged to follow. However, there were some good restaurants and a wonderful farmer's market. The hotel was one of the less expensive choices on our list, which means that it was basic, but comfortable. The night before we returned home, we celebrated the ten days by going out to dinner together. "Schmidt's Restaurant," in the German Village section of Columbus was a great send-off. Filled with meat loaf, potatoes, sauerbraten, creme puffs, and bavarian lager we gratefully returned to Rhode Island. In spite of that calorie-laden send-off, I discovered that I had lost five pounds!

Please continue to pray for our Presiding Bishop-elect, our mission to the poorest of the poor, and our partnership in the Anglican Communion.