Good afternoon. Something to consider on A022 – re this bit:

The Solemn Declaration of the Declaration of Principles belongs in a particular historic context and therefore cannot be altered or amended.

Some folk are wondering if this relegates the Solemn Declaration to historic context like the Magna Carta -i.e we cannot amend it but it has no practical use in our day and age. Difference of opinion on this one.

Also, there may be some new amendments coming to the floor…stay tuned…

According to the orders it will now be committee of the whole, this is basically a massive talking shop, no resolutions come to the floor. Expect lots of discussion on SSB.

Abp Andrew introducing afternoon session. Ruling on procedural motion C003…..it is in order.

C003 comes up (see end of morning post for details on C003), will see if I can paraphrase intelligibly. We are voting now on the request that resolution C003 be debated immediately after Committee of the Whole. Not on C003, but on the request that it be debated immediately.

Voting…..this one will need counting….trying again……think it needs 2/3…..motion fails in clergy and laity….don’t have figures. Makes Bishop count moot but we’re doing it anyway. Motion fails in the house of bishops.

Committee of the Whole Blessing Same Sex Unions

Abp Andrew introducing…listen to what Spirit is saying to the Church, be respectful, be cognisent. Now prayers.

Presentation being made. Speaker ? (CoGS member I think) Leading a discussion of SSU (Same Sex Unions). Leading you to understand how CoGS came to the resolutions they did (this should be good). Talking about adiaphora doctrine…can have disagreement without endagering unity. Respectful discussions were had. Honestly we did no know how to proceed…H.S opened our eyes. Last meeting significant majority arrived at these resolutions. Now will explain how resolutions were arrived at.

Speaker opinion these resultions are clear – no ambiguity. Council is presenting resolution with 60% approval rate. CoGS thought it wise to have larger than 60% majority. Recognise differences, therefreo clear majority needed. CoGS struggled if this was doctrine…..this is not new doctrine….trying to apply doctrine pastorally…..CoGS thinks it is time for ACC to address issue fairly at this Synod…we are not defining a new doctrine therefore not new canon, we need this done in one synod….as we did with ordination of women and other examples. We chose not to deal with this as marriage, but suggest we look at marriage over time and think more about this as a Church.

Please be honest and respectful. Speaker now talking personally…in favour of SSB. Chuirch needs to address this and not exclude homosexuals. Everyone loved by God and called to a life of love with Him. Homosexusals must abide by same code as hereosexuals. Quoting ABC ethics – the decision must reflect the character of God.

Another CoGS member addressing synod….missed some of her talk…explaining again how the CoGS did things ahead of these resolution. Fears were expressed during CoGS sessions….who will minister with these presons if we do not? Are we establishing a church of the elite? Who are we serving, only those on the inside? Too fixated on this one issue? Concerns re justice making. Faith and Worship committee had some things to say. Debated how these motions should be put forward…none of this was done lightly and it was all respectful. Most of us felt very very good. We pass this info to you so you understand how we came to these motions.

Committe of Whole….freeflowing discussion, not bound by rules. Still 3 mins per speaker max….here we go…..

Dio BC (George). Labels are not helpful…he was part of the ‘yes and not now’ – in favour of new amendment that would require this go through on two synods, not just this one (don’t have details on that as yet). Only cares about ACC , not about Anglican Communion.

Dio Algoma. Talking about 60%…..why is this 60% when we can change the creed with 50%?

Dio Toronto. I am hetero family man. If resolutions are defeated I will be disappointed. Talking about gay pain and exclusion. Need to consider this with respect to these people. Will be a ray of hope for these people. Will be recognised for human beings. If resolution is defeated they will be devestated. Let us do the right thing.

Dio Saskatchewan (John Rice?) Have been listening from all people, international partners, people with fears about what is going on at GS. Time for grey haired Englishment with nice accent to be in charge is gone.

Dio Fredricton (Jean). When APA removed homosexuality from list of disorders, it was not done by science, but done by political pressure. Dr Spitzer – same sex attraction can be changed (the APA guy in charge when homosexuality removed)

Speaker ? The issue is not homosexuality – issue is that we are Catholic christians and need to consider more widely. How does this relate throughout the world. CS Lewis chronological snobbery. We in N America have geographical snobbery.

Dio Edmonton Steve London. We should be talking more time over this. We need to wrestle with more significant issue. Nothing published by church to wrestle with this.

Dio ? (Steve) Troubled sometimes with these questions….need to take time over this.

Dio ? (Jean) Concern about resolution A186. Ambiguous. Talking about core doctrine in that resolution would propose amendment ‘it is not in conflict with doctrine’ as a wording.

Dio Arctic David Parsons Has had change of opinion, used to disregard the Bible. Not now. We have been handed down the Bible and that word speaks life beyond comprehension. Sin is Sin. Cannot bless Sin. Talking about Titanic, Captain wouldn’t listen, be careful about which spirit you are listening to. JC is my one and only saviour. Listen to Him.

Dio Fredricton David Edwards. Speaking against resolution. We are a divided house, we are not in position to make decision. WWAC is asking us to do something…wait.

Dio Ruperts Land. Story re blessings. Why something that was available for me (blessings) not available for others?

Bp Buckle. Speaking Zaccheaus Fellowship letter (these folk were denied voice at GS) – folks coming out from gay lifestyle. Who will minister to them, they will be told their desire to be faithful will be told was wrong. They stand as vioce of hope.

Speaker ? We beleive in God who will transform our lives. We accept folk. Will stand against motion.

Ronald Stephenson (chancellor) – speaking personally. Can remeber when same sex acts were criminal. Can remembers when straights though gay sexual perverts. Not a manner of choice.

Dio BC Bruce Byant-Scott. Readikng from scripture – All things are lawful but not all things are beneficial / build up. I beleive it is lawful and acceptable.

Dio Ontario (Dorothy) Heard brother speaking about brother/sister in Uganda. Difficult situation there – stigma. Bear this in mind.

Speaker ? From 3rd world country. People from my country are looking for hope, wating for you to decide in favour. Friend brutally killed because gay. Brothers/sisters waiting for a light to come from here.

Dio Niagra – Missed some of this while page loading up. When 2 people come before God. Not question what we shouls allow, but reconciling work of JC. Not intolerance.

Dio Toronto – Story from 1972 re lesbian. 30% of my community is gay. Come to be welcomed, come for community, come to meet Jesus, come to be shaped by H.S. By that they find Justice and compassion. We are oasis right now, but we should not be there. God is calling us to move. Like Peter – who am I to stand in the way of the spirit?

James Robinson CoGS Dio Calgary (lone Con on CoGS). We should not be Pharisees, but neither should we be Sadducees – who atempted to conform to the world and the ruling party. We are becoming indistinguishable from society.

Dio Ruperts Land (Barry). Talking about fears. Will pass this with only 60% for such a momentus decision? We said it was an issue of doctrine.If you can prove it is valid then WWAC will join.

Dio Toronto (Kim Baird?) Had touch with many communities in Nigeria, Kenya etc. They were very strong on consensus, and very patient. Dio NW seperated from diocese. 5 diocese and lots of churches in TEC seperated. Speaker sees division, a house that cannot stand. Supports WR.

Dio Quebec (Dennis). Talking about alienation and inclusion. We must begin to accept a profound policy of inclusion. Open doors and break down barriers. SSB only a small part of this issue. Open the doors and invite all to share with us.

Dio Athabasca (Terry) Bible knows nothing about committed SSU – need theology. Can’t decide this on a simple majority as we have agreed it is doctrine. Need practical help.

Dio Calgary (Sheila Vanderputter). Want to be honest, hear my heart. We value and cherish the word of God. Reached a point when I have to realise what I understand of scripture many here do not. I care, but what holds me is word of God. Society is not foundation. How can it be movement of the H.S. when it is contradicted by scripture? Here I stand, can do no other, will not vote in favour.

Speaker ? – missed most of this one, sorry. Looks like there is 20 speakers waiting in line.

Dio Arctic. I oppose SSU due to love of God and fellow people. Homosexual behaviour not in line with scripture. I desire for Gods people to be whole, help them come back in line with Gods will. Pastoral care for all Gods people.

Dio West Newfoundland (Derek) 17 yrs old. God loves everybody. Not offering ss couples blessings, are we saying different level of acceptance in Gods eyes.

Dio Brandon. Do not want to cause pain. Praying about inclusivity – wide and narrow path. Wide path saying great things. Other one very quiet alone, narrow. Ask God why not more on that path? All people on that path carrying crosses…transformative power.

Dio NW Steve Schuh. Encouraged by theological work. Giving his story. About repressed sexual identity, no understanding of myself as human being. Thanks to theological studies was able to deal with sexual orientation for very first time. Still small voice said to me I am a gay person.

Dio Calgary Gene Packwood. Qoute from Little mosque on the Praries “I’m a Christian but I do not let that affect me”. Encouraged that you are letting Christianity affect you. Graciously magnanimous…but also need to speak truth. You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd . Follow JC. Can love the man but challenge the sin.

Dio Toronto. We need to pass this now, have waited far too long. Listen to deepest scripture – Love and Justice. Struggle for acceptance.

Dio Fredricton. Think SSB is premature at this time.

Dio New West (Charles Nurse?) Talking about same sex committed relationships, 46 years. See in them same kind of relationship that married couples have. No reason we should not bless. Vote in favour of motion.

Dio New West (John Oakes). Has changed his mind on this issue…now on a more conservative side. Do not beleive that teachings of NT allow me to be anywhere else. Working within Dio NW. Concern for unity of the Church. Do not beleive we are ready to make this decision, we are a house divided. We need time. Think John is behind C003 – take more time and study. A187 so open ended no provision for me.

Dio Montreal. Have you ever felt excluded? As a priest and divorced woman felt excluded when trying to marry second husband. Also husband from another race so suffered stigma.

Dio New West. Youth delegate in favour. Very much reading from prepared statement. Blessing SSU acting in the love of God. God wants us to act above out of all from love.

Dio Kewaitin (Hugh Matherson) Speaking about grace of St Peter when sheet let down from heaven. I know some things were right e.g. women priests even though not in Bible. Know H.S. in faithful committed relationship of gay/lesbian.

Speaker ? Understands God loves sinner but hates sin. Hatred of evil is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Dio Fredricton (Keith Joyce?) Acknowleges pain, has conservative view. Cross of Christ brings us together. Desire for unity and not be seperated over SSUs. Find a way to not do it by vote, cos that’s about power.

Dio Edmonton (Robin Thompson?). Don’t like the 60%. Too much uncertainty with 60%. Is on EcoJustice committee. We are all genuinely seeking Christ. Why are we in disagreement, is God not speaking or alowing us to believe different things? If so He must have good reason for this. Need time to study this.

Dio Niagra (? Newman?) Speak in support of strong and sturdy simple majority. Ordination of wonen was sorted by simple majority, as well as many other things. 11th hour changes in search for new number not fair. Do nothing done out of fear.

John Paul Westin (Essentials Federation). Speaking against. Think in communitarian ways
(larger circle). Challenge for gracious magnimanity.

Abp Andrew time is coming to an end. Taking last speaker.

Dio Kootney (Chris). Middle voter, liberal on issue, struggling with how fast we should go. Correct method is to do this via Canon – needs to be done properly by 2/3 over 2 synods. Local option does not prevent discussion.

Voted out of committe of the whole, so now back in formal session. Admin stuff for provincial caucases.

We will reconvene at 7pm.