Report on the 2005 Convention by Val Hymes

The 221st Diocesan Convention was marked by Bibles, bags, storytellers, yellow-shirted pages, and discussions of racism, "holy habits," world hunger, prison ministry, "articulating our faith" and sexuality issues.

Nearly 300 clergy and lay delegates traveled to Hagerstown May 6-7 for the convention, "Hearing the Voice of God: Walking Together in the Light of the Word."

In his vision statement, Bishop Robert W. Ihloff warned, "We may exhaust ourselves on issues of sexuality rather than address the truly essential issues of Christian faith." But, he added, "We will continue to find unity at the altar and through liturgy" and "will emerge as a Communion stronger in faith, more able in evangelism, uniquely equipped to proclaim the Good News in a multicultural and increasingly diverse world."

Calling for the "public voice" of the church to "sound the trumpet when there is a violation against God's good order . both in service to those in need and against the causes which harm God's people," Bishop John L. Rabb said the "work we call social justice must minister to all" - the marginalized, children at risk, the addicted, ex-offenders.

When the vote came for four resolutions dealing with sexuality, they were adopted by a "substantial majority," said Bishop Ihloff.

The resolutions support pastoral care and medical directives for gays and lesbians and couples living together outside marriage, and oppose constitutional amendments banning same sex marriages and discrimination based on gender, identity or expression.

Most of them had already been enacted by the legislature but had not been signed or vetoed by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich.

Some of the delegates said they felt issues like "Holy Habits" - a resolution calling for tithing, prayer, worship and study --were more important and deserving of more public attention.

The delegates also affirmed General Convention 2003 resolutions that endorsed adopting United Nations Millennium Development Goals, continuing the "anti-racism mandate," and electing youth and minorities as convention delegates.

Some consider the resolution calling on Episcopalians to "articulate faith stories" to be "scary," said the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool, canon to the bishops. "The impression much of the world has is that it's easier for us to talk about sex than it is to articulate our faith clearly."

The convention ended the Capital Campaign with pledges of $2.5 million from only 390 donors. The Rev. William H. C. Ticknor, clergy co-chair, urged the honoring of the pledges, saying $1.8 million of the total has come in.

In his keynote address, the Rev. Dr. Roger Ferlo, author of Sensing God: Reading Scripture with All Our Senses, said, the Bible is about "opening conversations, not closing them."

Click this link to read the Bishops' Convention Address

2005-1
Resolutions from General Convention 2003

• A135: Holy Habits
• D006: Supporting International Relief and Development
• A010: Continue Anti-Racism Mandate
• A079: General Convention Deputies
• A083: Articulate Faith Story

2005-2
Oppose Constitutional Amendments Banning Same Sex Marriages

2005-3
Support Legislation Providing Benefits to Same Sex Couples

2005-4
Prohibit Discrimination based on Gender Identity or Expression

2005-5
Establish a Task Force to Study and Recommend Appropriate Pastoral Responses to Couples Living in Relationships Other than Marriage

2005-6
General Convention Deputies Reporting to the Diocese of Maryland

2005-7
Youth Membership within Vestries

2005-8
Prison Ministry Sundays during Epiphany

2005-9
Clergy and Lay Employee Compensation (in Adobe PDF format)