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The Center for Sexuality & Religion (CSR) CSR, headquartered in Wayne, PA, is an interfaith, interdenominational agency, which assists religious institutions and groups in providing healthy and responsible sex education in the context of religious and theological study. CSR provides counseling, consultation, education, advocacy, and resources. For more information concerning CSR and its services, contact the Rev. Charles A. Cesaretti, executive director, 610-995-0341. Or, check the web site at http://www.ctrsr.org; E-mail: CSR19882aol.com.
The 28th Annual Workshop on Sexuality Announces Summer Session
Wayne, PA (January, 2000) - The nationally acclaimed Annual Workshop on Sexuality, which is entering its 28th year of week-long intensive training, has announced the dates of its summer session ---July 23 -30, 2000. The session will be held at the Kirkridge Retreat Center in eastern Pennsylvania. The Center for Sexuality & Religion (CSR) has joined as a partner in sponsoring the workshops. The internationally known Annual Workshop has trained over one thousand people from across the world. The Workshop is designed to increase awareness and understanding of one's own sexuality and that of others, explores models of sexual health, and increases the confidence and competence of professionals in areas of sexuality and diversity education. "Clergy and those who work in religious systems will find the Annual Workshop a rich and rewarding experience," explained the Rev. Charles Cesaretti, CSR executive director. "CSR is pleased to join the Workshop in providing information and skills to those who are educators, counselors, and spiritual directors within religious systems." The program includes a five-day Sexual Attitude Reassessment (SAR) followed by a day of skill-building workshops. The SAR is a powerful experience designed to help individuals explore attitudes and feelings about various aspects of sexuality, including body image, gender identity and role, sexual orientation, abuse, and issues facing people who are disabled or aging. The SAR utilizes a variety of stimuli, including explicit films, guest speakers, and informal lectures in the large group, followed by small group discussions. "The SAR is an outstanding way of helping professionals to reassess their own attitudes about various aspects of sexuality, lower any anxiety about sexual activities, and become comfortable with the subjects that comprise the field of human sexuality," commented the Rev. Dr. William R. Stayton, a member of the Workshop faculty and board member of CSR. Affiliated with Widener University of Pennsylvania, three academic credits from the University are available for the workshop. Also, applications have been submitted for 46 continuing education units from the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). The weeklong intensive training is open to all. Limited to 40 participants, the cost of the workshop, including room and board, is $1045. Held for many years at the Thornfield retreat in New York, the Annual Workshop on Sexuality is expanding to include other sites. Kirkridge is located on the Kittatinny ridge of eastern Pennsylvania near the Delaware Water Gap and Pocono Mountain region. The Kirkridge web site is http://www.kirkridge.org.
For more information contact The Rev. Charles A. Cesaretti, CSR executive director, 610-995-0341
Center For Sexuality and Religion Supports Widener University Human Sexuality Education Graduate Degree
The Center for Sexuality and Religion (CSR) is pleased to support Widener University's efforts to offer a new Human Sexuality Education graduate program, under the auspices of the University's Center for Education, School of Human Service Professions. CSR joined with the former faculty of the University of Pennsylvania Program in Human Sexuality in developing the graduate program, with courses especially designed for clergy and lay professionals who work in religious systems. The program for religious leaders is unique, incorporating a rigorous academic program, noted faculty, and an advanced clinical component. "We have recently witnessed in this country, in relation to the issues with President Clinton, that there is a need for education in the area of human sexuality for our religious leaders," noted the Rev. Canon Charles Cesaretti, executive director of CSR. "Widener's new program is a major step in the direction of addressing that lack of education." CSR, headquartered in Wayne, PA (near Philadelphia) is an interfaith, interdenominational agency that assists religious institutions and groups in providing health and responsible sex positive education in the context of religious and theological study. CSR provides counseling, consultation, education, advocacy, and resources. Widener's Master of Education in Human Sexually Education program for religious leaders is unique to the United States. Graduates will be able to communicate, plan, implement, and evaluate human sexuality resources in order to facilitate effective dialogues on human sexuality. "If people had confidence that their clergy, in the context of spiritual guidance, would respect their concerns and be able to listen to them, and make suggestions or referrals as needed, many more people would seek out their pastor, priest, or rabbi for help," commented Harold I. Lief, chairman of CSR. "The goal of the Widener University degree program is to prepare clergy to fill this role comfortably and capably." CSR has long been a public proponent for human sexuality education. The need for formal education became apparent after research and investigation by Dr. Sally Conklin of University of Wyoming. "In reviewing the subject offerings in the 400+ religious and theological schools of higher education in North America, it was uncovered that there were almost no courses on sexuality and religion," stated Cesaretti. "Courses tended to lump sexuality and religion in with some other topic, such as pastoral counseling, ethical theology, or homiletics. The lack of educational materials is another example of the desperate need for a study of sexuality and religion." The Masters is designed for individuals who aspire to be certified in sexuality educators; to do counseling therapy, including pastoral and spiritual counseling; engage in sexological research; do advanced clinical training; or be certified by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). "The faculty of the Widener University program in Human Sexuality Education practice what they teach," noted the Rev. Dr. William R. Stayton, CSR board member and graduate degree program coordinator. "Along with their grasp of the information and data, they bring to their student the wealth of their experience gained as longtime practitioners." The Center for Sexuality and Religion Founded in 1988 by a consortium of theologians, sexologists, educators and health care professionals, CSR is a not-for-profit 501(c)3, interfaith, interdenominational agency. CSR was created to assist religious institutions and groups in providing healthy and responsible sexuality education in the context of religious and theological study. Over the years, CSR has continued to provide educational forums, counsel and assistance to the major theological schools in The United States and Canada. CSR has provided ongoing consulting for heads and leaders of all major religious denominations in the United States. It also sponsors conferences and networking opportunities for faculties of theological schools and centers of learning of all faiths. CSR also will provide assistance to entrance committees of seminaries and theological schools in the discernment of potential students.
For more information concerning CSR and its services, contact The Rev. Canon Charles Cesaretti, executive director, 610-995-0341. Or, check the web site at http:// www.CTRSR.org; E*Mail: CSR1988@aol.com.
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FAQ on the
73rd General Convention of the Excerpts from The Convocation Newsletter
What is General Convention?
The General Convention is the national legislative body of the Episcopal Church in the USA, a member of the world-wide Anglican Communion.
Who participates?
The Convention includes the 800+ House of Deputies -- up to four clergy and four lay persons from every diocese; and a House of Bishops -- nearly 300 active and retired bishops. The Convention meets every three years, for a ten-day legislative session, and its powers are established by the first article of the Church's Constitution. The Houses meet and act separately, and both must concur in order to adopt legislation. Since 1874 the General Convention has met simultaneously with the Triennial Meeting of the Women of the Church -- almost 500 delegates from diocesan chapters of the Episcopal Church Women, who gather for worship and educational programs. For almost a century this was the only connection women had with the General Convention. Women could not serve as Deputies until the convention of 1970, and there were no women in the House of Bishops until the Convention of 1991. In recent years, Triennial delegates have joined bishops and deputies for various joint sessions.
What authority does it have?
The General Convention alone has authority to amend the Book of Common Prayer and the Episcopal Church's Constitution, to amend the Canons (laws) of the Church, and to determine the program and budget of the Convention itself and whatever missionary, educational and social programs it authorizes. It receives reports from various church committees and agencies, formulates policy, and elects half the forty members of the Executive Council which administers policy and program between the triennial gatherings of the Convention.
What is the House of Deputies?
Every diocese in each of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church is entitled to representation by four clerical and four lay deputies, elected according to local diocesan canons for a three-year term which includes one regular triennial General Convention. Dioceses also elect at least up to four alternates in each order, who may take the place of a deputy for a particular legislative session. The House of Deputies elects a President for the next triennium (Dr. Pamela P. Chinnis is completing a third three-year term as President) and Vice President (the Very Rev. George L. Werner is completing a second three-year term), a Secretary, who also serves as Secretary of the whole General Convention (the Rev. Rosemary Sullivan was appointed following the retirement of the Rev. Donald Nicholson), and together with the House of Bishops elects a Treasurer for the General Convention(Steven Duggan, the Treasurer for the Episcopal Church holds this position).
Who makes decisions when General Convention is not is session?
Between the triennial meetings of the General Convention, the business of the Episcopal Church is carried on by the Executive Council, various Standing Commissions, Committees, Boards and Agencies. Staff support for the officers and interim bodies of the General Convention is provided by members of the General Convention Office, located at the Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
What is the purpose of Committees at General Convention?
There are 24 legislative committees that meet prior to the opening of General Convention, early in the mornings before the worship services and legislative sessions once General Convention has started and often at other times during the day as well. All of the resolutions that have been submitted to General Convention will be reviewed by at least one committee. The committee-approved resolutions will then be forwarded for discussion and vote to the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. These committees include: World Mission, National & International Affairs, Social & Urban Affairs, Church in Small Communities, Evangelism, Stewardship & Development, among others. Other committees will insure the smooth workings of the convention itself, such as Dispatch of Business, Certification of Minutes, Rules of Order, Privilege & Courtesy, Credentials and Sergeant-at- Arms.
How do the Bishops and Deputies prepare for General Convention?
The Blue Book, which contains the reports of the Executive Council and Standing Commissions, is required reading for all the Deputies and Bishops. It also contains any resolutions arising from these approximately 30 interim groups, including 15 Standing Commissions, whose wide ranging work cover everything from Constitution & Canons, to Ecumenical Relations, Evangelism, Human Affairs, Peace with Justice, Stewardship & Development and World Mission. The Blue Book, which will be mailed in late March to all the Bishops and Deputies, can be viewed from 5 April 2000 at two cyberspace locations: the General Convention web page: <http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/governance/general-convention/> and the Church Publishing web page <http://www.churchpublishing.org>.
What is an example of legislation that will be voted at General Convention?
One of the major pieces of legislation which will be voted at General Convention is Called to Common Mission: A Lutheran Proposal for a Revision of the Concordat of Agreement (CCM), the proposal that would bring the Episcopal Church into a full communion relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). At the 72nd General Convention which met in Philadelphia in 1997, the Concordat was passed by the Episcopal Church, but then rejected by only a few votes when the ELCA met the next month at convention, also in Philadelphia. This proposal has been re-examined and CCM was adopted 716-317 by the ELCA Church- wide Assembly in August 1999. It is anticipated that the General Convention will also approve this second proposal by a wide margin. However, not everyone in the ELCA is happy about the resolution and the Rev. H. George Anderson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America formally transmitted to the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church the text of a pastoral letter from the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The bishops' letter, adopted 6 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, addressed the implementation of Called to Common Mission . The ELCA bishops' letter, addressed to the ELCA's 5.2 million members, was intended to acknowledge concerns about the proposal. Some Lutherans oppose CCM because it requires the ELCA to adopt the historic episcopate, a succession of bishops as a sign of unity back to the early Christian Church. The bishops' pastoral letter suggests the possibility of discussions for exceptions to a CCM proposal that a bishop preside at all Lutheran ordinations. Information on Called to Common Mission can be found on the Ecumenism web page of ECUSA at: http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ecumenism, which includes the text of the agreement and supplementary explanatory material. Also found at this site is the ARCIC agreement on The Gift of Authority, and other ecumenical documents and information.
Are there any controversial issues that may arise at General Convention?
An issue that is very likely to provoke heated discussions during the meetings has to do with sexual orientation in relation to committed relationships and ordination. Two of the Standing Commissions have addressed this issue in their reports to General Convention. The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has issued a report in response to a resolution from the 72nd General Convention to continue its study of theological aspects of committed relationships of same-sex couples. This report includes a number of essays that focus on Scripture, Tradition, Experience, Understanding of Homosexuality, Ecclesiology, and Blessings. The full report and resolution can be found on the web at: http://www.churchpublishing.org/gc2k/ Other publications for General Convention will also be available at this web site. And the Standing Commission on World Mission, because of much of the debate within the church on sexual issues, has issued a statement called The Primacy of Mission in the Church's Life that is included in their report to the Blue Book. Location is Everything! The 73rd General Convention is being hosted by the Diocese of Colorado in Denver, located at an elevation of one mile above sea level and just a short distance from the Rocky Mountains and many famous vacation areas: Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, etc. But if you think that the Bishops and Deputies will have the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful location and scenic vistas, then look at the following schedule posted on the General Convention web site and you will realize that they will be kept very busy:
Keeping posted During General Convention
If you would like to follow the many activities taking place during General Convention, then visit their web page which will be constantly updated during these two very busy weeks. News stories from the Convention Daily, photos, and press releases will bring the action almost immediately to your own computer at: http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/governance/ general-convention/.
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Education Network Finds New Vision Around the Corner... by Sandra E. Pacyga, Education Network Coordinator
The network of educators of our province is made up of diocesan representatives. These educators have met twice a year since 1995, each time hosted by a different diocese, dialoging with the bishop and educators of each diocese whenever possible. These meetings resulted in the sharing of information, gaining understanding of the vision for education in each diocese and linking the educators of our province with the educators of the entire church networking through the Church Center with educators of each of the other provinces. This year, however, with the help of the Appreciative Inquiry process, led by the Children's Ministries and Education Officer at Church Center, Robyn Szoke, the network bounded forward with a new understanding of its ministry. This led to restructuring how we work as a group and a new vision of the way we can better serve our diocesan and parish educators. Changes in operation: 1. A co-coordinator leadership will be established so that an ongoing rotation of the leadership responsibility will happen. 2. A budget committee was appointed to assist the Coordinator(s) in budget preparation and to help with record keeping. 3. Various responsibilities for meeting minutes, communication, meeting housing and transportation arrangements were divided up and committed to by individual diocesan representatives. 4. While the network will continue to receive the diocesan information packets from 815 and disseminate that information through each diocesan structure, we also will develop an active approach for being available to do workshops, consultation and training as each diocese senses its needs. The next Education Network meeting will be held in conjunction with and prior to the Synod on May 10 and 11, in Albany. While each diocese has been asked to appoint two representatives, one of which attends our meetings, interested individuals are invited to join us at their own expense.
Questions? Contact Sandy Pacyga at: 716-225-04366 or 716-723-0103 or
On the road to "Transforming Lives" in Syracuse Conference
A gifted team of national and provincial educators, after more than a year of planning, presented an exciting and very successful Ministry with Children conference held in Liverpool, New York on March 3-5. The focus of the conference was congregational worship which celebrated by including the active participation of all, especially highlighting the ministries of children in our liturgies. It highlighted and demonstrated how a congregation can incorporate the Children's Charter and with it stimulate the life of a parish. The Rev. Ken Bordner, Rector of St. Stephen's, Rochester, in the parish newsletter immediately upon his return said AI am still glowing from the "transfiguration experience'...this was probably the most powerful experience of my life as a priest...It's primary focus is to open liturgy up so that ALL may be nourished..." The conference was attended by 323 participants from across the nation.
C. E. Network visits with three parishes and finds education alive and well!
In early February the education network had the delightful opportunity to meet with adults, children and clergy of three separate parishes during the network's 'in-service' training for the APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY PROCESS. For the first time in since we began meeting twice a year in 1995, we met as a network with parishioners in the Virgin Islands. Their hospitality was so very gracious. But the lessons we learned about the concerns of educators there were invaluable. Bishop Daniels, Canon Brooks, the Rev's Bell, MacDonald and the educators of their parishes met and shared with us their excitement and concerns over Christian Education. We learned about their programs, dreams and hopes for support from Province and national sources. Among the questions we heard, were the same concerns we hear all over the province: What Episcopal curricula and/or materials are there? How do we keep our youth coming to church after confirmation? Are there successful materials or programs to help parishioners with Christian parenting or family life? How do we encourage adult Episcopalians to participate in Bible study? How do we provide truly inter-generational community worship and learning? How can the province and the church nationally help us? The network's experience with these energetic and perplexed learners and teachers while at the same time working with the Church Center's Education Officer led to the network's recognition that steps toward a new, active ministry vision were needed..
Who's Who in Province II Province II Education Ministries Network Diocese of Central New York Nancy Wart
Diocese of Haiti
Diocese of Long Island The Rev. Charles Ackerson
Diocese of New Jersey
Diocese of Newark The Rev. Lucy Ann Dure Diocese of New York Suzanne McNiff The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie
Diocese of Rochester
Diocese of the Virgin Islands
Diocese of Western New York
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Views on General Convention 2000 Marge Christie
What's in store for the Episcopal Church during - and as a result of - the 72nd General Convention? This summer in Denver will be my ninth convention as a deputy and my second in the mile high city, which makes me want to talk about the ambiance of General Convention itself along side the issues which will consume its time and energy. Obviously I love Convention - otherwise I would not choose to spend almost two weeks in nonstop days which begin at 7 AM and conclude at midnight. But those hours are precisely the point for me; golden opportunities to be with people from every corner of the country - people with different backgrounds and different perspectives - all gathered together to pray and plan for the present and future life of the Episcopal Church. I especially love the democratic structure of our faith community - a General Convention created in 1785 to be a legislative body, the means for deputies and bishops to propose, discuss, amend and decide on Church policy. While 200 years ago the decisions were certainly made within the context of worship, today they take place following bible study, which brings bishops, deputies, triennial delegates and visitors together to share their understandings of scripture. Important and significant decisions, then, are made within the framework of our spiritual and theological lives. Efforts to shorten the convention, reduce the number of deputies or lengthen the intervals between convention seem to be in opposition to that basic purpose: addressing societal and church issues in a rapidly changing world. So - what is in store? The deputies and bishops who gather in Denver in early July will be called on to make decisions on a wide variety of issues. Without a Blue Book in hand as yet, it is impossible to know what some of the committees and commissions will be bringing forward, and if one just kept track by following the discussions on the internet, one would think that the only issues to be addressed are sexuality and evangelism. Past experience, however, tells us that we will be faced with hundreds of resolutions on a myriad of other subjects. While the Evangelism Commission goal to double the size of the Episcopal Church and the question of including gay men and lesbians in the church's sacraments are interestingly interwoven, there is no indication that they will be addressed side-by-side. The Commission on Liturgy and Music suggests that the "resolution of issues related to same-sex relationships, including the blessing of such relationships and the ordination of homosexual Christians" should be left to the spiritual and pastoral direction of the diocesan bishop. Diocesan policy versus Church policy will make for interesting debate. An early decision will undoubtedly be reached on Called to Common Mission - the proposed agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Conjecture has it that the debate will be more extensive this time and the vote closer than it was three years ago, but that it will pass handily and we will be in communion with our Lutheran sisters and brothers. If the recent publication, The Gift of Authority - the latest statement of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission - is on the agenda of the Ecumenical Committee, there will be considerable debate about one of its points, the primacy of the pope as the chief bishop for both churches. The Committee on the State of the Church sustains the nine-year focus on the "open wound" of racism by recommending required anti-racism training for all persons in leadership - lay and ordained, elected and appointed, volunteer and staff. It also recommends that the Executive Council develop procedures for registering and recording those who participate in the training. Two separate interim bodies are bringing forward resolutions to create volunteer service corps. One is focusing on young people, the other on retirees and/or those able to take time from their employment to provide short or long term service in either domestic or foreign placements. The triennium budget proposed by the Executive Council has been sent to all deputies and bishops and shows an 8% increase over the budget for the previous three years, with the single asking of the dioceses remaining at 21% of diocesan income. The budget priorities have been set in accord with a mission statement which sees the national church as partner to provinces, dioceses and congregations as they live into the Baptismal Covenant. The House of Deputies will be choosing new leaders in Denver. At least four names have surfaced as nominees for president so far: M.L. Agnew, Reynolds Cheney, Randy Dales and George Werner. All are clergy, continuing the tradition of alternating the leadership between clergy and laity. If one of these men is elected, then the Canons require that the vice president be a lay person. Technology will be more evident at this convention: all voting will be electronic in the House of Deputies. It will probably take several voting times for everyone to become used to this new procedure - along side a general mourning for the green and red cards which were often cause for much humor. But once everyone is on board, the potential for eliminating the time lost following each vote - whether an election, a decision on a resolution or a vote by orders - will be to shorten the duration of the convention into fewer days and saved dollars. Much is being said these days about the need for reconciliation, suggesting that it will be one of the "hot topics" in Denver. Reconciling divergent convictions on such subjects as the Singapore ordinations, racist attitudes and behavior, acceptance of women's ordination, inclusion of lesbians and gays - indeed, the health of the church itself - will be a daunting challenge. How does one reconcile what some see as injustice and others see as disorder? The convention will be framed within the context of Jubilee - the year of the Lord's favor. To quote from the message of the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, "Liberation is the heart of Jubilee: liberation from slavery, from all patterns of domination, from attitudes that bind or oppress, from language that demeans or dismisses, from bonds of fear and mistrust, from the burden of debt for both debtor and creditor...Jubilee calls for profound forgiveness, for release in every way."
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Written as a response to the resolution submitted by the Structure Commission
Resolved the House of .----------------. concurring that this 73rd General Convention reaffirm the current system of organizing the dioceses of our church into geographical provinces for more effective mission and ministry, in recognition of the momentum, positive experience, and energy within the provinces during this triennium; and be it further
Resolved, that the provinces utilize and broaden existing networks and resources to strengthen and expand their capacity to facilitate, coordinate, and support their mission and ministry initiative; and be it further
Resolved, that provinces continue to fulfill their canonical responsibilities and those that may be assigned to them by General Convention or Executive Council; and be it further
Resolved, that provinces demonstrate accountability by reporting regularly to diocese, Provinces, ECC and Executive Council and Executive Council, and by submitting a formal report to the 74th General Convention.
Historical Documentation for Resolution
Over this triennium the provincial officers have been working with the church center staff in a new partnership of trust and cooperation resulting in a forward momentum toward increased effectiveness at the provincial level. This resolution calls for the General Convention's affirmation of this forward movement.
Explanation to the Resolution Printed Above:
Provinces can be the "ties that bind" several aspects of our common life together. They are the communication link between diocese and Episcopal Church Center, church-wide ministries, the executive council and diocese, and between provinces. They tie the diverse voices together creating the synergy necessary to strengthen and nourish the Body of Christ as experienced in the varied mission and ministry initiatives within provinces.
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Partners for Sacred Places, a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization, supports the maintenance of older religious properties and provides resources to help. Understanding that many church facilities are used by community groups and organizations, it has developed a Tool Kit to help a congregations measure its public value in human, physical and historical assets. Partners publishes The Complete Guide to Capital Campaigns written by fund raising experts that offers step-by-step help to plan and execute a capital campaign. A 25-minute video, "After Sunday," illustrates the role inner-city congregations play in their neighborhoods. Partners' aims its stewardship efforts at preserving the historic value and cultural history of the nation's oldest worship buildings. For information on membership and resources available, write:
This information was provided by the Historiographer, published by the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists.
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As we approach the 73rd General Convention this July, we are coming to it with an entirely new perspective: everyone has all of the information available at the click of a mouse! This year the Blue Book is right there on line for everyone to see! You don't have to ask a deputy if you can see his or her copy some time, you can go right to the web page and look up whatever interests you. The convention deputies are not the only ones who will be able to know what the issues are and the background leading up to convention. This issue of the Grapevine contains a little information and those who attend the Synod meeting in Albany will have an opportunity to become more informed through the discussions and workshops. In this issue, also, the Education Network has an article which includes the list of diocesan contacts for the network. It is interesting to note that almost all of them have e-mail addresses. The internet provides a marvelous way of maintaining networks across great distances. I hope each of you will avail yourself of the opportunity to be an informed and connected member of the larger church community. Please remember that the deadline for the fall (post convention) issue of The Grapevine will be September 8, 2000. Please send your articles and events to me by that time.
Jan
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