Dave Walker's Cartoon of the progress of the movement to ordain women to the episcopacy in Great Britain comes on the heels of the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Consecration of Barbara Clementine Harris, the first woman to be elected and consecrated to the episcopacy in the World Wide Anglican Communion.
I remember it well. I was there, in Massachusetts, at her election.
I was there at the service of Consecration. I remember she, like +Gene Robinson after her, wore a kevlar vest.
I remember it being a holy, earth-moving moment.
Some of us were privileged to celebrate the occasion with Barbara last evening. She said that, at the time, it was predicted that her election and consecration would 'rip the fabric of the world wide Anglican Communion."
Where have we heard that before?
Sometimes, some things need to be ripped in order for the Realm of God to break in.
You know. Like at the crucifixion, when God ripped the veil between heaven and earth so that the resurrection might happen.
God moves in strange and mysterious ways. Don't we have a hymn with those exact words?
Too bad we sing them, but don't really believe them.
Or, maybe we want to believe these 'strange and mysterious ways' only in ways we understand.
God is continuing to work in the church in ways that are mysterious and strange.
In the memorable words of Rt. Rev'd Barbara Clementine Harris, "Get over it!"
I was not there. But from far away we all cheered.
ReplyDeleteFinally in the Dio of FTW women are celebrating God's love. Thank you, +BCH!
I really needed this today for reasons totally unrelated to the current issues in our church. Thank you.
ReplyDelete(singing) AMEN!
ReplyDeleteAmen indeed - this gives me great hope from where I sit.
ReplyDeleteher preaching last night was a fine, strong tonic
ReplyDeleteWe have a woman Bishop in England already. She is Lutheran.
ReplyDelete