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Resolutions Adopted |
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CONSENT CALENDAR CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 2 JOHN E. HINES COMMEMORATION RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark designates October 3 as the date annually to commemorate John Elbridge Hines, 22d Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church and Adopted Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, honoring his exemplary Christian life and ministry, adding this date as a diocesan-wide observance in preparation for endorsing Bishop Hines for inclusion in the Calendar of the Church Year and Lesser Feasts and Fasts; and, be it further RESOLVED, that all congregations be encouraged to mark this date in worship and prayer, using the following in the same manner as other dates on the Calendar and in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. JOHN HINES Prophet and Bishop, 1997 Gracious God, your son taught us that in serving the poor and the oppressed, we both serve him and give the world a glimpse of your Reign. Receive our thanks for the life and witness of John Hines, servant and bishop, who selflessly and with courage prophesied against injustice, prejudice and oppression of every kind, thereby awakening us to the deeper demands of the Gospel. After his good example, strengthen us to risk, giving ourselves as he did for the sake of the least among us and to honor your most holy name. This we ask through Jesus Christ, who bids us, each and all, to take up our cross and follow. Amen. Psalm Lessons: 18:21-36 Amos 7:7-9a 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 Luke 9:23-26 Preface of Apostles and Ordinations -- October 3 CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 3 INTERNATIONAL DEBT RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is deeply concerned regarding the International Debt and its repayment, because it so adversely affects the poor, people of color, and especially, women and children, and we call upon Episcopalians more closely to examine and educate ourselves to the various facets of this issue with the intent of sharing our understanding with our legislators. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 4 HATE CRIMES RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urge the NJ congressional delegation in the new Congress to support the introduction and passage of legislation in the Congress of the United States which would amend the current federal law to include real or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and disability in the federal prosecution of a hate crime; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this diocese support the efforts of Episcopal Dioceses working for the passage of state laws in the several states that do not currently have consonant state laws regarding inclusive anti-bias legislation; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this diocese memorialize the 73rd General Convention of the ECUSA to enact a resolution consistent with the first section of this resolution; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this diocese direct the Secretary of Convention to appropriately inform the Governor of the State of NJ, members of the NJ State legislature and the US Congressional delegation from NJ, the Bishops and Standing Committee of those dioceses, as well as Secretary of the General Convention of the passage of this resolution. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 5 BLESSING COMMITTED, MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIPS RESOLVED, this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark affirms full inclusion of the members of this church who experience prejudice, discrimination and oppression due to their sexual orientation; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this diocese affirms its support of the blessing of committed, monogamous relationships intended to be life-long; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this diocese memorializes the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church to that effect and directs the Secretary to send this resolution to the Office of the General Convention of the National Church Center. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 6 MAKING THE CONNECTION RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark steadfastly refuses to be caught in the tangled web of prejudice and seeks to avoid the divisive establishment of a hierarchy of the evils of oppression; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention supports the efforts of every congregation and individual members of the Episcopal church to make the connections AMONG discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, ability, and class through educational programs, workshops, and seminars collaborated among diocesan organizations such as the Women's Commission, The Oasis, The Mission to Dismantle Racism, the Black Clergy Caucus, the Union of Black Episcopalians, and any other related program or organization, along with the Offices at the National Church Center dedicated to the issues of minorities; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention express its expectation that the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church exercise leadership on the issue, and directs the Secretary of Convention to convey our expectations to him. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 7 CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OASIS AND THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTEGRITY RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark commends The Oasis, the diocesan ministry to gay and lesbian people and their family and friends, on its Tenth Anniversary this year; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention commends Integrity, a nationwide lesbian and gay justice ministry in the Episcopal Church, on its 25th Anniversary this year; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention commits this Diocese to continue aiding the efforts of these two organizations for the full inclusion of all people in the Episcopal Church regardless of sexual orientation; and, be it further RESOLVED, that in honor of The Oasis, Integrity, and in thanksgiving for the ministry of the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, this Diocese encourages participation by all its congregations in the 29th annual New York City Lesbian and Gay Pride March on June 27, 1999. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 8 TO CREATE THE HONORARY POSITION OF DIOCESAN POET LAUREATE RESOLVED, that the Diocese create the honorary position of diocesan Poet Laureate, whose duties would include, but not be limited to, writing poems for special diocesan occasions, such as the 125th Anniversary and on the occasion of Bishop Spong's retirement and Bishop Croneberger's subsequent installation; and, be it further RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation(s) of the Diocesan Poetry Group the Laureate be appointed by the diocesan bishop for a term of two years. RESOLUTION 9 ANTI-RACISM RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, rejoices in the ministry of the Diocesan Anti-Racism Dialogue, a pilot ministry project undertaken in the past year, which began to break down walls between black and white Episcopalians, which led to a deeper understanding of racism within the church, and which brought hope to all who participated; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention directs the Diocesan Council to support the expansion of this ministry during 1999 by encouraging: the formation of more anti-racism dialogues; pulpit exchanges between clergy of color and Caucasian clergy; and other relevant ministries, so that, we can break down the walls of racism, distrust, and oppression amongst God's people in our diocese; and bring glory to Jesus Christ; and, be it further RESOLVED, that we encourage the bishops and Diocesan Council to explore the deployment of a permanent diocesan staff for furthering the ministries of people of color, in order to initiate, facilitate, and direct special ministries for and with people of color in our diocese and in northern New Jersey. RESOLUTION 10 ELECTRIC DEREGULATION RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark calls to the attention of the churches of this diocese the recent passage of legislation deregulating the electric industry in the state of New Jersey and urges clergy and laity to acquaint themselves with this issue; and, be it further RESOLVED, that this Convention urges all people in the Diocese to demand full disclosure of the sources of energy from those who will be marketing electricity and buy only from those who meet New Jersey standards of air quality; and, be it further RESOLVED, that JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) be encouraged to work with the Partners for Environmental Quality (PEQ), an interreligious coalition, to investigate the possibility of aggregate buying of power and of promoting renewable sources of energy; and present a plan for such to Diocesan Council. RESOLUTION 11 MINORITY VENDORS RESOLVED, that the Bishop appoint a Task Force to investigate the issues raised by Resolution 11 (Minority Vendors) including an audit of current purchasing practices of congregations and the Diocesan Offices, and that this Task Force report back to the 126th Diocesan Convention in January 2000 with recommendations for action. The above passed as a substitute for the following, original resolution:
RESOLUTION 12 AFFIRMING CATHOLICISM CONFERENCE 1998 RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark affirms the full text of the formal resolution of the National Council of Affirming Catholicism, a world-wide Anglican Organization, which was first proposed at Keble College, Oxford, England, in August 1998 which states: Affirming Catholicism is an affirming body. This Conference therefore notes with regret the oppressive resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference on Human sexuality, specifically that element referring to homosexual relations. We are grateful for the Pastoral Statement to Lesbian and Gay Anglicans issued by some of the member bishops of the Lambeth Conference, but believe that further points of substance must be made. This Conference affirms: 1. that the bishops' resolution that ‘all homosexual practice is incompatible with scripture' lacks the customary reflective balance of scripture, tradition, sound learning and pastoral discernment found in classic Anglican approaches to controversy. Our Church does not approach other issues, such as the Church's treatment of women or of those who remarry after divorce, in this literalist fashion. We believe that the question of homosexual relationships constitutes a similar issue. 2. that, as the English bishops wrote in their report Issues in Human Sexuality, ‘there are those whose partnerships are a blessing to the world around them and who achieve great, even heroic, sacrifice and devotion'. Many faithful members of the Anglican Communion, both laity and clergy, conscientiously believe that they are called by God to live in faithful same sex partnerships. We believe that the Church cannot and should not discount such Christian experience. 3. that there has been and remains a longstanding Catholic tradition of pastoral dedication and service in some of the most demanding parishes by priests who are celibate or in a stable relationship. We believe that it is our duty to support all Anglican clergy and the ministers of our ecumenical partners who live in such stable relationships. 4. that our bishops and other leaders should support those who have been honest about their state of life not only (as often) in private, but also in public; and that the latter should not be disadvantaged in matters of ordination and preferment. RESOLUTION 13 A RESOLUTION CONCERNING DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE, TRADITION AND REASON IN RELATIONSHIP TO HUMAN SEXUALITY RESOLVED, that this 125th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark affirms Section (c) of Resolution 1.10 of the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops, which provides recognition of "the presence among us of persons who experience themselves as having a homosexual orientation" and commits the bishops and their churches "to listen to the experience of homosexual persons, remembering that we are all loved by God and that all baptized, believing, and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation are full members of the Body of Christ;" and, be it further RESOLVED, that in the light of the traditional Anglican reliance on Scripture, tradition, and reason for the discernment of God's will in our lives, this Convention does not receive as an authentic teaching that abstinence is the only appropriate response for gay and lesbian Christians; and, be it further RESOLVED, that in light of modern Biblical scholarship and in reliance on the message of Scripture in its entirely, this Convention also does not receive as an authentic teaching that "homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture,"; and, be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Presiding Bishop and the Archbishop of Canterbury, with the request that it be shared with the Anglican Consultative Council in accordance with Section (f) of Lambeth Resolution 1.10. RESOLUTION 14 DIOCESAN COUNCIL Resolved, that the Steering Committee of the Diocesan Council refer to all resolutions of the 124th Convention which mandated action by the Council during 1998 and circulate a written report to the lay and clerical deputies of the 125th Convention on actions taken on these resolutions no later the June 1, 1999. |