by Cheryl M. Wetzel, Editor THE ANGLICAN VOICE Reporting from Quito, Ecuador
Prior to the close of Executive Council meetings, the presiding officers offer their remarks. The Secretary talked about the locations and dates of the next meeting, buses to the airport and other departure details.
The President of the House of Deputies talked about her evolving dreams for that House, so very different in makeup and frequency from the House of Bishops, since they assemble only at the General Convention. This body, the Executive Council, is the group she will do her work within.
This group meets more in a calendar year that the bishops, and develops lasting relationships. I have been struck again by the similarity in mindset of this group. There is little or no diversity of opinion here, either about the current issues in the church or its political inclinations.
The Presiding Bishop’s remarks were the only indicators I heard that the ”hot button” issues such as San Joaquin and potentially, Pittsburgh and Fort Worth, were significant in the eyes of the hierarchy of this church.
The Presiding Bishop spoke of getting out of, “the grass fires that engulf us; and climbing up the mountain to see the longer perspective,” during Sunday’s Scenario planning. She referred to Ecuador’s Diocese Central as, “helpful perspectives of a diocese healing from a major disruption,“ especially since the rebuilding of San Joaquin was so close to the surface of almost every discussion. She spoke of, “the many challenging subjects that the group dealt with in flexible ways,” especially in the priorities in the budget for reorganizing the staff in New York and reorganizing possibly three dioceses this calendar year.
Reorganizing the staff in New York is essential, because of two reasons. First, real estate in New York City is scarce. The greater percentage of the national headquarters available for rent equals enormous potential income. Secondly, the new regional offices put the staff where the church is: across the country and across the time zones. A prudent move.
The anger and sense of betrayal by San Joaquin for the rest of the Church was evidenced by many of the members of this council. The strongly negative words and facial expressions when the topic was mentioned belayed the calm, controlled exterior “face” the subject was given. But, absence of discussion does not equal lack of concern. Discussion takes place behind closed doors and the resultant anger and/or anguish is not revealed.
“All is well; all is well; all manner of things will be well.” (Attributed to Julian of Norwich) That is the public face of The Episcopal Church today.
Cheryl M. Wetzel
