tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post116079141499370752..comments2023-05-31T04:43:47.546-07:00Comments on Golden Thread: Panel of Reference RecommendationsAmiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06695779265490637939noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161752297047379872006-10-24T21:58:00.000-07:002006-10-24T21:58:00.000-07:00I've seen the statement - it opened after a re-dir...I've seen the statement - it opened after a re-direct to a pdf file. Maybe the site is more friendly to some web browsers than others? (I'm using Safari - I'm on Mac)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161627645401069132006-10-23T11:20:00.000-07:002006-10-23T11:20:00.000-07:00Greetings!Has anyone seen the recent statement by ...Greetings!<BR/>Has anyone seen the recent statement by Archbishop Buckle? When I go to the link on the ACC website, I can't get the blinkin' document to open! Somebody help me out!<BR/>Peace,<BR/>Shawn +Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161312488007674282006-10-19T19:48:00.000-07:002006-10-19T19:48:00.000-07:00Hi Joseph,Welcome. Love and Prayers,Ann MarieHi Joseph,<BR/><BR/>Welcome. <BR/><BR/>Love and Prayers,<BR/>Ann MarieAmiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695779265490637939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161309421794748042006-10-19T18:57:00.000-07:002006-10-19T18:57:00.000-07:00Hi Ann Marie - just discovered your blog and put u...Hi Ann Marie - just discovered your blog and put up a post link.<BR/><BR/>blessingsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161200192690971032006-10-18T12:36:00.000-07:002006-10-18T12:36:00.000-07:00Shawn,To some extent I know what you mean. I was ...Shawn,<BR/><BR/>To some extent I know what you mean. I was all set to throw in the towel in September. I came out of my vestry meeting wondering what on earth was the use. I know the telephone wires burned between my house and my parents as I fumed and cried. And then came October and hope. <BR/><BR/>I was worried when you were talking about the Lutherans and their openess to some sort of future with the Anglicans. The message I had been getting from my people was - we'll close our doors when the time comes and that will be it. After you had spoken with me, I was thinking, "Oh great, the Anglicans are going to let the Lutherans down yet again." Then on Monday morning on coffee row, one of my Anglicans was talking about your sermon and the story about heaven and hell and self-sufficiency and then went on to mention some sort of arrangement with the Lutherans. I was thinking, Thank you God for Shawn. This is one of my more negative people and she's talking about a future with the Lutherans rather than just shutting our doors. Alleluia! I am now a lot more hopeful although I am still holding off on pushing them. I came to the realization this summer that they needed time to grieve for the loss of what they had hoped for so I backed off on pushing any decisions or work for the future. I am listening for signs to move ahead and this was certainly one of them. God does work in wondrous ways and angels do come in many shapes and sizes.Amiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695779265490637939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161199393915087962006-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:002006-10-18T12:23:00.000-07:00Ann Marie,Thanks for your care-full response. I a...Ann Marie,<BR/>Thanks for your care-full response. I appreciate your support, and our ongoing conversation - its very helpful in my discernment. And I hope that having this conversation in a public (sort of) forum might help others who are also sorting through the issues.<BR/>The past couple days have been very good. I've felt really connected with my communities (Christian and non-Christian alike). I think its when I'm feeling alienated from my communities that I'm more likely to feel like just cutting ties and moving into a new sphere. Its easier to envision leaving the Anglican church when I'm not surrounded by particular people and concrete relationships which give me life. Keep praying for me, as I pray for you, and we'll both keep praying for this broken world which God loves so much.<BR/>Peace,<BR/>Shawn +Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1161041562446512122006-10-16T16:32:00.000-07:002006-10-16T16:32:00.000-07:00Shawn, To some extent I know how you feel. I went...Shawn,<BR/> <BR/>To some extent I know how you feel. I went through these questions in seminary. I remember talking to my father one night in Tim Horton's. It was that horrible week when I had been told that doctrinal lines should be drawn and people who supported same sex relationships placed on the outside. I attended the Ash Wednesday service and every one taking part in the service was male. And I had just been told by Claude Payne that had I approached him as a postulant, he would not have accepted me. I had to go to Timmie's with Dad because Mom was having bridge at their house. I broke down crying. Dad pointed out that there were other places where I would be accepted, that I wasn't alone. The problem was that I wasn't at those other places and didn't see a possibility of being there. <BR/> <BR/>I guess two things keep me going. One is the fact that in the '60's and 70's a number of "liberals" left the Church. And we see the strength of the "conservatives" as a result. The other is the reason why my Dad went back into the priesthood after burnout. That was that if he didn't there wouldn't be a voice for other possiblities. So I figure that for me to leave the diocese or to do something which my affects my being present as an ordained priest, leaves the possibilities I present voiceless in the deanery or among the clergy. So for now I remain and try to continue dialogue with others. Not easy at times and at times costly on a personal level. Biting my tongue was never my forte. <BR/> <BR/>You have to do what you believe is right. Place the matter in God's hand and look at it through God's heart. Where are you most effective in furthering God's kingdom. You know that I will support you whatever your decision is. My concern, if you chose to move ahead, is what happens to the people at SNM and at Integrity. You have a valuable and effective ministry in both those places and you have these people's trust and respect. As far as Integrity is concerned, the priests who would be most effective (at least in my mind) have left the diocese. But on the other hand, how effective are you going to be if you start suffering spiritually over not being true to yourself? I'm sure these are questions that haunt you and I'm sorry to say that what ever decision you make, those or other questions will probably continue to haunt you. “Did you make the right choice?” “What if...?” <BR/> <BR/>For my part, I question whether my acceptance that I will toe the line (at least for now) is really as altruistic as I say. Is it because I want to stay and be a voice and presence or is it because I'm too cowardly to face the consequences. As you know, I have considered other denominations. The thing it keeps coming back to is - if we all leave what then what? Who will be left to support those who believe they have to stay? My recent experience with healing stands out strongly. Would the person have made the strides they have in accepting themself had I left. I praise God that through my just being present, God was able to bring healing. I think of certain people in the various places I have lived. I really haven't done anything and yet through my presence in their lives, God has brought various healings, acceptances, gifts. I did nothing except be present. I still don't know what exactly these people are thanking me for because I have not been aware that I have done anything - probably because I have not, God has. I hold on to that, that my presence with the men in this diocese will make a difference. I haven't got a foggy clue how, but I will continue as long as I can and still maintain my health on all levels so that God has an avenue to work through. <BR/> <BR/>But that is me. We need people who will stay and continue to be a presence, a reminder, a possibility. But what is the point in staying if the buttons aren't pushed to encourage us all to be stretched. And that's where we need the people who act. That's why each of us is created differently. For you, your soul dies through inaction. For me, my soul dies through not staying and being a voice. Through each of us God works. The trick is to discern how God wants to work through us and then accommodate God. <BR/> <BR/>If you weren't struggling with the decision, I would be worried. If the decision were an easy one or cut and dried I would worry that it was the wrong one. Giving birth to things is not passive nor is it painless. It is through the baptism of fire that we truly listen to and heed God's call. And God calls each of us differently for different things. May God bless you in your discernment and continue to support you with God's loving arms through whatever the decision you make in God's name. <BR/> <BR/>Love and Prayers,<BR/>Ann MarieAmiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06695779265490637939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35161010.post-1160888676253063922006-10-14T22:04:00.000-07:002006-10-14T22:04:00.000-07:00Hey there Ann Marie! Good to see you tonight - In...Hey there Ann Marie! Good to see you tonight - Integrity is sure a lively bunch, n'est-ce pas?<BR/>I've not followed this whole "panel of reference" thing very closely, so I don't know all the ins and outs. But it sure is interesting to see the responses it is generating - have you see the Essentials Network (or whatever it is they're calling it) response yet? Very ominous sounding.... wonder what threat is insinuated behind it.<BR/>All this politics ... nasty on the soul after a while. I just had a good email exchange with a lesbian priest in the Old Catholic Church of Canada, who had been an Anglican priest for 20 years. She said it was so good getting out of the toxic spirituality of reactionary religion, into a church body that actually let her get on with the type of pastoral ministry and mission that the church needs. I tell you, there are days when I seriously consider it. And who knows what I will do after GS07. Even if the church moves strongly toward local option, Bishop Rod has said quite clearly he is not going there. So what am I to do? I can't wait this out ... I feel like my own soul is dying from having to uphold such an unjust law. I feel like I'm lying to myself, as well as betraying Queer folk in the church.<BR/>In my mind, in 20 years we will look back and see the damage we have done, and know that its something very similar to the damage done through the residential schools. And I will be asking myself what I did to stop it...<BR/>I'm not sure how much longer I can hold out.<BR/>Peace,<BR/>Shawn +Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com