"I'm what the world considers to be a phenomenally successful man. And I've failed much more than I've succeeded. And each time I fail, I get my people together, and I say, "Where are we going?" And it starts to get better." - Calvin Trager
That's how I feel right now. It's a new day for the Episcopal Church. A new, exciting, hope-filled day.
Today, we concurred with the House of Bishops on a resolution that basically calls for local option on blessings of same-gender unions. I am proud to say that our bishop and our entire deputation voted yes.
This is a much different feeling from several days ago. I believe we have taken a firm stand for the expansive love of Christ. I believe we have struck a blow for progressive Christianity ... Christianity that is what we are all about at ECM -- not denying our historic roots but interpreting them anew through the fresh revelation of the Holy Spirit. God is doing something wonderful, and I feel strongly that what we have done is have the courage to follow.
I do feel badly for those who are pained by this. I hope they can get to a place where they can accept that what has happened is that we have affirmed that this is a church for EVERYONE to be who God created them to be -- you, me, us, them, everybody.
But this is a new day ... and it is a good day. I have no illusions that we aren't in for some difficult times. But I think we are in for a lot more good times ... great times. We have a HUGE amount of work to do as the body of Christ. I believe the vote today is the beginning of the end of our institutional obsession with internal matters of human sexuality which, important as they are, have prevented us from a whole hearted focus on mission. It is only the beginning of the end, and who knows how long that end will take, but it is clear to me now that the end will come.
I can't wait to get back to Wash. U. We have just had a two-week free commercial on CNN about how cool and true to Christ's Gospel of love the Episcopal Church is. We need to find ways to invite people into ECM to experience in the flesh what they've seen on TV.
Thank you all for your continual prayers ... they have been felt.
EGR resources and connects the church to embrace what one person, one congregation, one diocese and one church can do to make this mission of global reconciliation happen.
Want to find out more ... check our our website at www.e4gr.org.
"Christ's example is being
demeaned by the church if they ignore the new leprosy,
which is AIDS. The church is the sleeping giant here.
If it wakes up to what's really going on in the rest
of the world, it has a real role to play. If it doesn't,
it will be irrelevant."
- Bono
Episcopalians for 
