THE EPISCOPAL WOMEN’S CAUCUS
Advocating for Women since 1971
Theologically, Spiritually, Politically
October 13, 2012
We live as members of the Body of Christ in a time of low trust and excessive speculation where even those of good will find themselves too frequently at odds.
In the current resignation of four UTO Board members to protest the process of establishing new bylaws and a changed relationship with The Episcopal Church office (DFMS), we once again see these factors at work, undermining the Church’s witness to God’s transforming love.
The gap between the story each side tells of how the stalemate came to be is itself evidence of the general failure of relationships within the Body of Christ.
As members of the Episcopal Women’s Caucus Board, we have long been advocates for the work of women, both lay and ordained, within the Body of Christ.
It is therefore with great sadness that we watch this controversy unfold — a controversy which is subverting the important work of God's mission.
Those ubiquitous, little Blue UTO Boxes have been the means by which the laity (primarily women but also men and children) have participated in a powerful eucharistic act of transforming ordinary thanksgivings into tangible relief from suffering and for the work of mission.
It is our most fervent prayer that those in positions of leadership within the formal structures of The Episcopal Church will rise to the challenge of working to restore relationships which have been broken, regardless of where blame may lie for misunderstanding.
We appreciate that changing secular legal climates — as well as the need for the Church to adapt its structures to continue proclaiming the Good News in a rapidly-changing world — may necessitate changes in how relationships are structured and memorialized.
We also see the incontrovertible evidence of the work UTO has done, of its own ability to adapt to a variety of changes in its 125-year history.
The women who have voluntarily undertaken and shepherded this work are capable of continuing to do so to the Glory of God and to the benefit of those who receive their grants in the 21st century, as they have in the preceding centuries.
We are particularly mindful and concerned that this situation seems to represent one more instance in which the formal structures supporting ministry by and for women are in danger of being undermined.
A Church flexible for mission in the 21st century is a Church that is not wedded to formal structures or weighed down by centralized bureaucracies. It is a Church which fosters and collaborates with emerging structures, empowering indigenous leaders to use their gifts in new and creative ways.
The Episcopal Church Women and members of the UTO Board have both demonstrated their wisdom and capacity for indigenous, creative leadership. Good faith collaboration in shaping the contours of a mutually-interdependent relationship requires a responsive awareness of power differences.
To be credible and to foster the level of trust that bears fruit in ministry, those with formal institutional power may need to accept the wisdom and experience of those without formal institutional power.
The alternative risks the institution they serve becoming increasingly irrelevant and unable to par- ticipate meaningfully in God’s ongoing work of reconciliation.
CO-CONVENERS
Terri Cole Pilarski
Dearborn, Michigan Terri@christchurchdearborn.org
Pamela RW Kandt
Casper, Wyoming PamelaKandt@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS
L. Zoe Cole
Denver, Colorado LZoeCole@gmail.com
Margo McMahon
Amherst, Massachusetts McMahon@juno.com
Georgene Connor
Gulfport, Florida GigiPriest@prodigy.net
Babs Meairs
San Diego, California BabsMarie50@gmail.com
PAST CONVENER
Elizabeth Kaeton
Long Neck, Delaware MotherKaeton@gmail.com
STAFF
Business Manager
Chris Mackey
Pasadena, California Mackmay22@sbcglobal.net
Publications Editor
Karen D. Bota
Ionia, Michigan KDBota@aol.com
EPISCOPAL WOMEN'S CAUCUS - a 501(c)3 organization
1103 Magnolia St. South Pasadena, CA 91030
www.EpiscopalWomensCaucus.org
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Amen!
ReplyDeleteI confess, I don't understand the issues here.
I DO understand, that there seems to be a shocking lack of trust between the parties involved. Prayers for reconciliation!
I do not understand how it is that 815 can summarily change UTO bylaws that had been approved by Executive Council AND passed by General Convention. It boggles my mind.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say this again: This was a PROTEST resignation. This was not "four old ladies" who walked off in a huff. Their resignation accomplished two things (1) It delayed the passing of the "new, new" bylaws and MOU by "the leadership" of 815 and (2) raised questions and concerns which was necessary because the UTO Board had been compelled to sign a Statement of Confidentiality.
Please keep this issue in your prayers as Executive Council meets this week.
Does EC have the ability to go back to the old bylaws or change/stop this, or is it just going to be a "this is the way it is, deal with it" moment in the meeting?
ReplyDeleteYes, they do. They can stop it dead in its tracks. Let's just hope they don't 'kick the can down the road' b/c what's waiting at the end of the road is what we deserve if we don't stand up to this centralization of power by 815.
ReplyDeleteThis conflict feels almost like our government's impasse, which is temporarily forestalled but bound to rear up again because of what? Stubbornness, control, fear, who know really? But this is the Church, the Body of Christ. Why, for Christ's sake, can we not seek Christ in all parties, thus building understanding, and yes, compromise? I have never in my life prayed for our government, nor for the UTO or ECW, but now I will—daily. Thanks for the statement EWC.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lyn. It just makes my heart sick
ReplyDelete