30 Years of Unreceived Gifts

Posted for Mark Delcuze, priest of the church, bon vivant, raconteur, and dear, dear friend.

Friends,

1976 was such a great year. It was the year I graduated from high
school. It was the year of the American Bicentennial and it was the year
of the 65th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Having listened
to and read through ++Rowan's "reflection" it is clear to me that Rowan
(and much of Anglicanism) does not participate fully in the gifts of the
1976 General Convention. Let me illustrate:

In 1976 our Church embraced the ministry of women as full participants
in the ministry of presbyters and overseers. Thirty years later this is
not a value shared by all Anglicans. I am grateful that ++Rowan notices
that there are "local churches" that have women in these roles, but am
saddened that he does not say anything commendatory about them in his
reflection.

In 1976 our Church greatly improved the Baptismal service with a clear
baptismal covenant setting forth the responsibilities of every member of
Christ's Body, the Church, for study, sacraments, repentance,
evangelism, seeking Christ in all and (yes, Louie is still right) doing
justice. Our current neuralgia seems to have overwhelmed ++Rowan's
reflection on the challenge and hope of the mission of the church in
favor of a discussion of the challenge and hope of its structure.

In 1976 our Church proposed a Book of Common Prayer included a catechism
specifying that "The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops,
priests and deacons". Ministry in ++Rowan's reflection refers
exclusively as the work of the ordained and primarily as the work of
bishops.

In 1976 our Church resolved that "homosexual persons are children of God
and have full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love,
acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church". Here ++Rowan
does firmly stand against prejudice and bigotry, though one might find
his reflection falls short on acceptance.

In 1976 I still knew the tune to "Love isn't something 'til you give it
away". My prayer is that the gifts that our "local church" received
thirty years ago will some day be unwrapped by all God's people.

The Rev. Mark S. Delcuze
(Thrice a clergy deputy, but now a nutmegger cleric)
St. Stephen's Church
Ridgefield, CT