Post-Convention thoughts, part two

I've run across a few more interesting reflections on General Convention, so I thought I'd post another round-up of what's crawling across the web these days. This is a follow-up to a post a few days ago.

• Bishop Peter Lee of Virginia finds that "the vital center...is intact" in a letter posted to the Center Aisle website. "The far right of the church already is filling blogs with statements of disassociation and repudiation. The fact is the General Convention has responded substantially and seriously to the Windsor Report. But some did not get their way: gay and lesbian people and their supporters who feel we have stepped back, and the extreme right, who find it so difficult to work with those with whom they disagree. The vital center of the church is intact. Much of what Convention accomplished is in the budget and in unheralded resolutions that strengthened the mission of the church." (Thanks to Jim Naughton's excellent EDOW blog for sending me here.)
  
• The Anglican Communion Institute has a write-up and analysis on whether General Convention has adequately responded to the requests of the Windsor Report. Their conclusion (I'm simplifying) is that we have not done so, and I tend to agree. Should we have done as the Windsor Report asked? That's another matter.
  
• One British commentator says in an article in the Guardian that the American version of the church, despite its problems, is better than the way things are done in England. "The American church is to be commended for quietly carrying on with its life. The entire Anglican communion has risen up against it, Lambeth Palace included. But it has chosen to maintain its dignity. Last week Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman leader of an Anglican church anywhere in the world when she was appointed to head the US Episcopalian church and said there should be 'room at the table' for gay and lesbian members of the church." (Hat tip to Thinking Anglicans, which is well worth reading.)
• Bishop Gene Robinson has written an open letter to "LGBT brothers and sisters" in which he concludes, "It is not arrogant to say that we believe we know how all this is going to turn out. It will end with the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people in the life and ministry and leadership of the Church. It will take a long time. Some or all of us may not live to see it. But happen it will! In a strange way, I think the conservatives know it too. All we're arguing about now is timing. It will be enough for each of us to play her/his own part. Each of us can provide a pair of shoulders for someone else to stand on, just as surely as we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. This is a never-ending march toward justice for ALL, and NO ONE is going to be left behind. In the end, the reign of God will come. And oh what a privilege it is for each of us to play a small part." asd
• Finally, Christ Church in Plano, TX has said that it will leave the Episcopal Church just as soon as they can get things lined up to do that. This is one of the largest parishes in the country, with around 2,000 in attendance every weekend. Their rector, the Rev'd David Roseberry has been one of the leaders among the most conservative members of our church for several years. "The General Convention of the Episcopal Church, as difficult as it was, achieved clarity and showed a direction and corporate mission for ECUSA that is unmistakable. I would invite you to read the daily posts I wrote from Columbus found on our website. By God’s grace, the Convention has given your Vestry and me clarity as well."

It would be hard to imagine exactly which direction things will go. I suspect that Bishop Lee's moderate perspective will prevail as all sides examine the situation as the dust settles.