Into the Breach

There has been some hot keyboards in the province of late in the west on Kenny’s Blog  here and here and in the east on Ruth’s Blog here.

What has caused all these smoking keyboards you may ask, well Dr Elaine Cameron’s slot on the Provincial Gender Audit at the Glasgow and Galloway Synod.  I also attended said Synod and my feelings and conclusion on the presentation is below.

There were four recommendations that the Provincial Standing Committee had sent down for Diocesan attention, however Elaine spoke to the whole report.  The recommendations that were sent down are:-

• Recommendation 1:  That there should be greater equality of gender representation on Provincial Boards and committees. (passed to the dioceses as the dioceses appoint to the boards)
• Recommendation 2: That there should be greater equality of gender representation on diocesan committees.
• Recommendation 3: That there should be greater equality of representation of women on Cathedral Chapters and generally into senior clerical posts.
• Recommendation 7: That the annual congregational returns continue to reflect gender and that another gender audit be conducted in November 2012…

It would appear that Recommendation 1, 2 and 7 are inconsequential (although the last one might be dangerous – will it mean in the future we have to have equal numbers of males and females in our congregations?) as no discussion on them was made.  It was Recommendation 3 that on the day and since has become the talking point, maybe because that is the only one that refers to women directly, or maybe not.

Dr Elaine Cameron pointed out the difference in gender balance in both dioceses and the province, she pointed out areas were the gender balance wasn’t equal and were she felt posts were being filled by gender typing ie secretaries female, treasurers male.  She spoke of the need of equal opportunity and consideration to be given to both women and men.

Giving people equal opportunity and consideration isn’t positive discrimination it is exactly what we should be doing giving people consideration and opportunity regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or any other force you choose to discriminate with.

There were several instances at our Synod that had I had the energy I would have challenged including the statement that was made on the Gender Audit that passed the buck onto the system!  An image of Pontius Pilate and a bowl of water sprang to mind.

Did You Know That There Are People Out There Who … ?

Recently I have been spending a lot of time speaking with people who have either no or little connection with the church and for one reason or another have ended up with me on the other end of a telephone line, e-mail, or other side of a death-bed.  I have listened and prayed.  Laughed and wiped away tears.  I have said, ‘Yes, that is possible’, and watched fear turn to delight, apprehension turn to surprise and concern turn to tears of joy.  Through it all I have seen a pattern:-

• Did you know that there are people out there who think the church isn’t for them, not in a ‘I am not worthy kind of way’, but in a ‘the church isn’t interested in me kind of way’?
• Did you know that there are people out there who don’t expect to be treated with respect and as individuals by the church?
• Did you know that there are people out there who don’t know that the church can help share their laughter and their tears, their joys and their sorrows without some kind of ulterior motive?
• Did you know that there are people out there who have come to expect, yes expect, the church to turn them away or put up barriers?
• Did you know that there are people out there who want to talk of God, but don’t think the church is interested in that any more?
• Did you know that there are people out there who think that church only exists for its members?
• Did you know that there are people out there who believe that the church revels in ripping open and pouring salt on old wounds?
• Did you know that this appears to have nothing to do with age, or gender, education or life experience?
• Did you know that some of these people who think this way actually attend churches?

Well yes, like me you probably did, but maybe like me you have only ever encountered these things over a period of time and haven’t been struck by the chasm between our reality and other peoples impressions, when they are listed before you.  Who gave them those impressions?  Well I have my suspects including some hard evidence, but I don’t think raking over them will get us anywhere.  My current concern is that we don’t perpetuate those impressions and turn them into realities.

As General Synod approaches we will sit and talk of Gender Audits and Rural Commissions, of Accounts and Standing Committees, of Moving Towards a ‘Whole Church’ Mission and Ministry Policy and Anglican Covenants, of Canons and Inter Church Relations.

We have a wonderful gift which has been gifted to us that we need to share, but people either don’t know it is there, or think that it is some worn out reject from a second-hand shop.  I am struggling to find anything in the Synod papers that celebrates that gift and projects it out to those people out there who want it, even know that they want it, but just don’t know it is there for them in our churches.  This is not simply about Mission (although we do need to get on with that as well) it is about PR about letting people know the realities of our church.  We can tinker with canons and liturgy, we can report on this and that, we can even agree motions to concentrate the mind (well hopefully), but we must also let people out there know who we are and what we believe in.

I love the Scottish Episcopal Church, it reminds me so much of God with its breadth and depth and height and width, with its variety yet constancy, and at its best with its lack of fear and willingness to be prophetic, while loving welcoming and protecting.  I do however fear we are currently in grave danger of becoming overly inward looking and report centered, of becoming the very thing that people out there already think we are, of not being for or interested in them … unless there is an ulterior motive that is.

General Synod – The Return

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Synods

The return home from General Synod that is, although there are some similarities between General Synod and a film sequel. The cast are pretty familiar – even if some have taken on new roles – with a smattering of new faces; the plot while slightly different is recognisable enough for one to make a reasonably good guess at who will say or do what; and just as some sequels in the movies are better than others, so are some Synods.

This year was a good year, despite some concerns to the contrary no blood split on the carpet, well none that I saw any way.

There is one thing that we can always rely on, and that is the weather. Regardless of where the Synod is held (this year it was Edinburgh) the days while we are all stuck in a building are sunny and warm.  I wonder what God is trying to tell us.

General Synod

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Synods

While packing my briefcase for General Synod this word of wisdom invaded my mind, can’t think why.

From silly devotions and from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.
St. Teresa of Avila.