The Protest text

March 30, 2008

This text was handed to the person identified as the Secretary of Convention for inclusion in the minutes of the Meeting.  The person identified as Parliamentarian (and Chancellor) ruled that it could not be included except by approved Motion from the floor of the Meeting.   To be consistent  with our position of not acting in any legal fashion at the meeting, we chose not to do so, nor to ask anyone else to do our work for us.  We knew that some of the proceedings were being recorded and there would be the potential of some sort of media posting of the protest.  We therefore chose to exhibit the complete prepared text of the protest here on Surrounded.  In posting, a few grammatical errors have been corrected from the hand-written text used at the microphone, as well as, in two places, a one or two-word edit of a phrase where the meaning was not immediately clear .

Presented as a point of personal priviledge before the Special Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin held Saturday, March 29, 2008 in Lodi, California, at approximately 10 am.

St. John Parish, Tulare – Protest/Objection Statement #1

Read by George Sutton:

We greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ.
We are here at this proceeding by choice to be considered as Episcopalians and a part of this Diocese voluntarily signing our allegiance as Episcopalians.
The signing of the allegiance as Episcopalians prior to any Episcopal Convention is an unwarranted and unprecedented act especially for already certified delegates from an Episcopal Congregation or Diocese.
Nevertheless, we have come to publicly state our place in this Diocese and because we do have a place, we object and protest the canonical legality of this meeting as an official legislative convention of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.

We will not be casting any votes for any measure or resolution presented at this meeting.

By direction of the Canons only the ecclesiastical authority of a diocese can call a special convention if there is no Bishop. That responsibility falls to the Standing Committee as per Title 3, Canon 13. The Standing Committee has not called this special convention. Therefore, it would be our understanding that any decision made today on behalf of the Diocese cannot be implemented because they are null and void.

Read by Gillian Busch:

Beyond the issues we have just raised concerning canonical status of this meeting, we are also very concerned about a precedent of “non-inclusion” set by the Steering Committee. It came to our attention, by un-official notice, that a Steering Committee for the re-organization of the Diocese would be established. In that notice, it was stated that a Steering Committee would be composed of one (1) priest and one (1) lay person from each congregation that chose not to leave the Episcopal Church.
St. John Parish, in Tulare, a Parish in good standing, never having left the Episcopal Church was not included in the Steering Committee process.
As a result, a clear voice for a canonically compliant path for the Diocese was not followed.

George Sutton, Elected Delegate from Parish Annual Meetings (1/07 and 1/08, respectively)
to 2007 Diocesan Convention (held 12/07)
and 2008 Diocesan Convention (canonically scheduled for 10/0 8)
Senior Warden
St. John Parish, Tulare

Gillian P. Busch, Elected Delegate from Parish Annual Meetings (1/07 and 1/08, respectively)
to 2007 Diocesan Convention (held 12/07)
and 2008 Diocesan Convention (canonically scheduled for 10/0 8)
Vestry Member
St. John Parish, Tulare

The Rev. Robert G. Eaton, Clergy Delegate by Canonical Residency
Rector
St. John Parish, Tulare

St. John Parish, Tulare – Protest/Objection Statement #2

Prior to the agenda item of election of Standing Committee members

Regarding the election of Standing Committee members (and similarly of General Convention delegates), I come before you to simply state that I object to and protest the election of any new Standing Committee member who would in effect replace me, a diocesan Standing Committee member (and any Standing Committee member) validly and duly elected at the December 2007 Diocesan Convention (and prior conventions). I have not, nor did I ever leave the (Episcopal) Church, nor have I acted in such a way as to repudiate my place in the Church.

The Rev. Robert G. Eaton, Clergy Delegate by Canonical Residency
Standing Committee Member, elected to 4-year term, December 2007 Diocesan Convention
Rector
St. John Parish, Tulare

Objections were declined by the chair, citing the Presiding Bishop’s earlier explanation regarding such objections

To Beryl, and others

March 27, 2008

Beryl,

Why don’t you ask me some questions and I’ll try to respond.   I’m posting in this manner right now because I lost a long response to the recesses of “clipboard.” 

I will start though with a few comparable matches to what I know about you — I am 52 and the grandfather to 4.   I have been the rector of the Episcopal parish in Tulare for 18 1/2 years.

Jesus is my Lord.

It was said on another weblog recently regarding the diocese of Northwest Texas, that a rumor was floating that the Nominating Committee/Standing Committee only wanted “liberal” nominees heading into what was to be their May Electing Convention.  The background of the thread Post itself was that only 2 nominees had been selected for an intended slate of 3 to 5.  So the Electing Convention has been postponed a month to give the Nominating Committee more time to get at least a third nominee on board.

Teaching and encouraging and leading others through the election process has been one of my deep concerns over many years, now, including the same conversation with members of my own family who are spread abroad TEC and have been faced with episcopal elections in their own dioceses.  The following, as a result, did not take long to type out, and I am reprinting it here, since San Joaquin is faced with (as some have publicized it) the “election” of a bishop with provisional authority (which is not how the canons describe such approval), and in the long term as a now very small diocese the election of an Ordinary. 
 RGEaton

“I would want to hear that rumor from the Standing Committee/Nominating Committee itself before believing it (searching only for “liberal” candidates). 

“The problem of not having enough candidates is not a new problem!
“So you folks in NWT should not feel alone.  This problem has been made known by readers of StandFirm and TitusOneNine and in other venues for probably 3 to 5 years.  And it is not just a matter of not finding “qualified” candidates (whatever thay might mean these days).  There are simply a lot of clergy (across the spectrum) who are gun shy of “the process”, or are hedging their bets still on TEC, or don’t want to be caught in a small-ish or small diocese with membership decreases (one of the consequences being ongoing funding of the episcopate - the job).
“It would seem the Search Comm is calling out for involvement in the process.  Like [a commenter] mentioned re: Eau Claire on that thread, the reasserter folks in NWT have an amazing, yet very small, window that has opened up to them.   Find the Ackerman, the Lillibridge, the Adams, the M.Smith; find the Love.  : )
They are out there.  Fast and pray for a day or two regarding who they might be and how you might make contact with them.  Take the direction given in your prayer time, get in touch with them, ask them to do the same prayer and fasting, and get back to you.  Make as many contacts as names you have been led to consider.   Then get that nomination form to them, and get the info to the Search Comm.  Pronto.

“BTW, when I say ‘…as names you have been led to consider’, I am not limiting to priests who might be a nominee.  A “name” might be your TEC cousin in some other diocese who is not ordained, and the Lord might be leading you to have a conversation with them because THEY know of someone (even the cousin hadn’t thought about it yet).   Or the name of someone you have never met, but you know of them, and THEY have a contact that should be asked to be a nominee.

“Which leads me to my final thought on this.  The members of the Search Committees of smaller dioceses must give a <b>great</b> deal of time to the matter of specific, Holy Spirit calling and inspiration.  Not that large dioceses must (in my opinion) also.  But beware the priest willing to suffer the lower stipend in a smaller diocese in order to be consecrated a bishop, only to find a better paying bishop job in some other larger diocese, and resign.  Those bishops exist.  Those dioceses exist (”just find someone”, or “who would look best under our mitre”).  Granted, this may have been unforseen consequence, as one recent example suggests.

“It is better to keep postponing the election in order to find 3 or more clergy who are convinced in their own deep discernment, and for the Search Comm to be convinced in their own deep discernment of each of their nominees, that it is the Lord’s Will for each nominee to certain of their place in that election, than to simply find someone who seems to fit the profile.

“How can a Search Committee (and a potential nominee) be sure?  Well, to assist those in discernment (searching for God’s Will, leading and direction), it is important to identify and receive the ministry of Spirit-gifted prophets, and those with the gift of words of knowledge.  It is important to set aside retreat times, making use of a gifted facilitator in Spirit discernment.  It is important to be open to the possibility of a nominee who doesn’t fit the profile, but whose name is strongly present through the Spirit’s leading.  Practicing the presence of God in this way may be something you’ve never really done before — but now you have to step up.   Be led by prayer and scripture.  Understand how the Holy Spirit moves.  Keep your eyes upon Jesus.

“All of this cannot happen without intercession.  I can only hope that any diocese in preparation for an electing convention would have at least 10% of each congregation committeed and engaged in intercessory prayer.”

  
One way or the other, we’ll all find out what the Lord of all Truth, Jesus Christ,  reveals about what was right and what was wrong, at the great Day.
  On this Day, however, it would seem extremely appropriate for all parties to remember that we are all crucified with Christ.  Jesus did all in fulfillment of the scriptures, even knowing of His divine work of demise on the cursed tree;  He did all He was supposed to do.  But the World, in complete denial of His identity and saving work for them, and the Enemy, deluded into believing this was the last barrier to complete rebellion, still judged Jesus worthy of death.  And so did we all.   “We”, said the crucified criminal to the other also crucified, yet spewing verbal bile , “are receiving our just reward.  This man, however, has done nothing wrong.  Jesus, take me with you……”  The human demanded death for reasons of the Flesh; if we had only recognized the demand of God in His death, we would have cried, “No!  Here is my cross instead.  I am the offender.  Take me.  Take us.”
The World, long laying in sin and error pining, demands such a witness and confirmation of the incarnation from the members of the Body of Christ.  In every instance, we must do as Christ demanded to show we are His disciples.  We submit to the Work He alone could do for us all, and then in humility, together, to constantly, in every situation, pick up our own cross and follow Him.  All.  
And the World will be amazed, and, through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit,  say not only with the Centurion, “Truly this man was the Son of God”, but also, “See how, as they gaze upon Him, they love one another.”  And they will come.
The Standing Committee has received questions from acquaintances, friends, intercessors, and other members of this Church, all concerned about the Canonical or non-canonical morass that has been created for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, which could be summarized as, “Why aren’t you doing something?”
The January letter to the Presiding Bishop, sent after her letter to each of the Standing Committee members, both of which were posted across the internet (and are available here on Surrounded), lays out the problem.
The Standing Committee, within a couple of weeks after the December election, were made aware through a variety of channels of communication that there were congregations and clergy who would not be going along to the Southern Cone Province, AND there were congregations and there were clergy who were already or who would be “in discernment” about the matter. If you are going to take action and include all players, plans cannot nor should not be made until everyone who is on board gets on board.
Look at the Surrounded posts “And on the same day..” and the one re: Ecclesiastes, “Axe vs Wisdom”. We did not nor do not consider ourselves subservient to the tyranny of the urgent. We believed the bishop would eventually resign, and it would be a matter of simply acknowleding his resignation, as the Standing Committee and accepting the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.
The Presiding Bishop, rather than approach the mess from a canonical basis and ask the question, “Who’s left to carry on?”, she rather only listened to and heard “There’s no one left - they’ve all betrayed us.” She has since allowed for her hasty pronouncement — which came despite having that January phone conversation with her which was somewhat affirming of our presence, which tells me “somebody” else got their two cents in —- and now seems intransigent. This includes the spin from the failed deposition vote.
But that brings us to where the Standing Committee was all along. We had to wait. That’s because — according to TEC Canons, which we have been following diligently — the Standing Committee does not become the Ecclesiastical Authority until the office of Bishop is vacant. If the HOB vote for deposition had not failed, the See would indeed now be vacant.
Now we are one week closer to March 29, and there are layers of non-canonical actions being taken and planned for in order to push TEC DSJ ahead without the Standing Committee.
Let us be clear, as our letter already stated, we are ready to legally act when TEC lawfully & canonically deposes Bishop Schofield.  The Presiding Bishop and her advisers chose to use this as their strategy for dealing with Bp Schofield.  That is thus the current canonical mess which now must be cleaned up. 
Accordingly, until then, Bp. Schofield, as per the C&C of TEC and the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is still the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.  We, the duly elected and canonically recognized Standing Committee of the Diocese have pointed out, and now say it again, that the PB does not have any canonical authority to dismiss (”not recognize”) the elected Standing Committee nor to call a special meeting of the convention of DSJ. The announced meeting to be held in Lodi at the end of March cannot by canonical requirements be a diocesan convention and any actions purported to be taken have no force or effect in the Diocese of San Joaquin.
We have not “done anything” because we did not yet have the authority, as per the Canons. The Presiding Bishop has given permission, financial support and encouragement to (basically) Remain Episcopal folks in DSJ to “do something”, because she has facilitated a canonical coup in the making, all prepared to begin with the deposition of Bp Schofield.
One of the consequences that is very sad for us on the Standing Committee to watch is this irony: the sharp and biting complaint of so many within the Remain Episcopal camp,  that they have been autocratically removed from any authoritative, collegial process in DSJ under Bp Schofield, is very close to being replaced by the same kind of autocratic “squeeze out”, and by their own enthusiasm.
Prayer, and a willingness to operate within the borders that are necessary for our common life together, is what we need right now from all, if for nothing else, the sake of the rest of this Church to have hope that we have groundrules that work, even in uncharted waters.

The following was posted on Lent & Beyond recently.  Appropriate for us all to see, and know that others are praying for us. 
The diocese of San Joaquin is undergoing a great transition.  I think it good to lift them up in prayer regularly.   A previous post is here.O God,

You have spoken to Your people at many times and in many ways.  We ask for this blessing for Your servants in San Joaquin–the blessing of receiving and believing Your word.  Stir in them a hunger for Holy Scripture.

You have spoken to Your people by Your Son, through whom You made the universe.  We ask for this blessing for Your servants in San Joaquin–the blessing of receiving and believing the Word Incarnate.  Stir in them a hunger for prayer.

He has provided the final sacrifice for our sins and is seated at Your right hand, O God.  We ask this blessing for Your servants in San Joaquin–the blessing of receiving and believing the Body and Blood of the Lamb.  Stir in them a hunger for Holy Communion. 

Your Son is the radiance of Your glory and the exact representation of Your being.  As they receive Him through Holy Scripture, prayer, and Holy Communion, may they believe and be sustained in His name.  Amen.

Hebrews 1:1-3

Dear Bishop Schori,

Thank you for your letter of December 14, 2007 asking for clarification of my status. Much has happened in the past few weeks that have a bearing on that status.

I am proud of the people of the Diocese of San Joaquin. Last year when the vote was taken to change the Constitution, that first vote was not only required by Canons but, in essence, was a “straw vote”. Little was at stake, for truly no action had –or could– be taken. This year the delegates to the Annual Convention came fully cognizant of what has taken place in Virginia and Southern California where litigation has been pursued vigorously against those who oppose the innovations of The Episcopal Church and who, consequently, have stood up for their faith and remain protective of the property they have built, purchased and maintained with no help either from The Episcopal Church on a national level nor –in most instances– from the local diocese either.

The people of The Diocese of San Joaquin came to the Convention fully aware that years of meetings with the leaders of The Episcopal Church have accomplished little or nothing. They came fully aware, too, that at the meeting of the House of Bishops in New Orleans this past September a last minute attempt to provide some semblance of oversight was proposed. The sad thing was that those most affected by the innovations of The Episcopal Church had no part in this proposal and to this very day have never seen what such a plan involves. It is true that the vote on Saturday December 8th, 2007, was a protest, but it was much more than this.

To understand December 8th’s vote as a protest only would be to misunderstand the courage of the people within the Diocese of San Joaquin. They were saying that no matter what the consequences, they take a stand for a clear reading of Scripture, the faith that The Episcopal Church first received - but from which it has departed - and for Catholic Order within the Anglican Communion. Truly, the vote was for their bishop and diocese to remain in the Anglican Communion with the fullness of the heritage we have received as a part of that worldwide body. Once again, it was much more than this. It was an expression of profound gratitude to the Global South who have expressed support in many ways and more specifically to the Primate of the Southern Cone, his House of Bishops and their Provincial Synod for their understanding of our plight - along with that of many others within The Episcopal Church - and their willingness to offer a place of refuge. Their offer, as you know, was conditional until such time as The Episcopal Church repents of those decisions and actions that have caused a rift in the wider Anglican Communion. Furthermore, I took the Convention’s actions as a request that I provide episcopal oversight of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin under the Province of the Southern Cone of South America. Accepting such an invitation to be a part of the Southern Cone’s House of Bishops may not necessarily define my relationship with The Episcopal Church particularly since this may only be a temporary arrangement. This is true in light of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Advent Letter in which he proposes facilitated conversations not only between us but among others in the Anglican Communion.

The purpose of December 8th’s vote, then, was not to change anything within the Diocese but quite to the contrary. With the status of The Episcopal Church’s membership in the Anglican Communion looking more and more precarious, the people of San Joaquin simply wanted to remain what we have always been, namely Anglican.

On the very day your letter arrived asking for clarification, the Advent Letter of the Archbishop of Canterbury was received. In it he pointed out clearly the distress in many parts of the Anglican Communion caused by the unilateral actions of The Episcopal Church. In his own words he fully understands that “A scheme has been outlined for the pastoral care of those who do not accept the majority view in TEC, but the detail of any consultation or involvement with other provinces as to how this might best work remains to be filled out and what has been proposed does not so far seem to have commanded the full confidence of those most affected.” He continues: “Furthermore, serious concerns remain about the risks of spiralling disputes before the secular courts, although the Dar-es-Salaam communiqué expressed profound disquietude on this matter, addressed to all parties.” Giving thought to the future, the Archbishop makes reference to the upcoming Lambeth Conference during which he trusts: “Whatever happens, we are bound to seek the fruitful ways of carrying forward liaison with provinces whose policies cause scandal or difficulty to others.”

Ultimately, then, it is the Archbishop’s proposal for a course of action in the months ahead that may affect my status. Since everything that the Diocese of San Joaquin has done, it has done with an eye toward remaining Anglican and in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, his proposal should naturally take precedence. As he says, “I wish to pursue some professionally facilitated conversations between the leadership of The Episcopal Church and those with whom they are most in dispute, internally and externally, to see if we can generate any better level of mutual understanding. Such meetings will not seek any predetermined outcome but will attempt to ease tensions and clarify options. They may also clarify ideas about the future pattern of liaison between TEC and other parts of the Communion. I have already identified resources and people who will assist in this.”

Despite the dismal failure of meetings with the leadership of The Episcopal Church over the past two decades, I will remain open to the Archbishop’s proposal and not close the door on anything that the Holy Spirit may accomplish through these efforts. It may well be that in these facilitated conversations my own status and even that of The Episcopal Church vis-à-vis its membership in the Anglican Communion will be clarified. This, then, is both my hope and my prayer.

Sincerely,

+John-David Schofield,
Bishop

I love John-David. Although he can blow hot air as much as anyone else, I’ve heard him preach when there was so much Holy Spirit anointing, you hardly had to breath to stay alive. He presided at the marriage of my second son. He’s a sponsor of The Word Shop. Once, after he heard my confession, my heart was aflame for hours– a burning in the center of my chest. That night when I prayed for various people, I put my palm on their chests and tears splashed onto my hand. It was nothing I did. It was nothing he did. It was something God did. Himself.

I’m not much of a denominationalist. In the last month I’ve worshiped at Anglican, Lutheran, Roman and Episcopalian Churches. I’ve done a quiet day with Evangelicals. (Yes, they CAN be quiet for a day.) OK, I couldn’t eat the bread at the Episcopal Church, but that was a thing of the moment. I’ve eaten it before, I’ll eat it again. I’ve choked on it before, I will undoubtedly choke on it again. Siblings always get the least slack. Still, there remains a weight in my stomach, a pain in my heart. The churches didn’t care much when individuals left. The dioceses didn’t care much when churches left. Don’t see why a province would give a damn when a diocese leaves. Except about the property. Of course.


My eldest son once asked, “why aren’t there more guys like the Bishop and Fr. George?” I don’t know. When we were looking for a new Pastor I wanted four things: Someone who knew Jesus was Lord, who granted the authority of the scripture, who was conversant with the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, who liked me. Needless to say I didn’t get it. That last one can be a real doozey.


People talk as if this denominational re-alignment is over priestesses and sexual sin. It’s not. It’s about those four things: the Lordship of Jesus, the authority of scripture, the moves of the Spirit, unfeigned love. I’m grieved that we’ve been so appallingly inept at evangelizing our own church–not to even mention the world. I’m grieved because the response of those left behind is so often self-righteous justification when it should be a rending of clothes and covering of the head with ashes. I’m grieved because those whom I love are misunderstood and maligned.


I suppose in the long run it doesn’t matter much. Jesus knows his own. But in the short run–in this particular sprint on a cold December morn–I wish that the church, some day to be presented without spot or wrinkle, wasn’t once again back at the Laundromat.

St. Vincent of Lerins, in 434 A.D., devised a method for evaluating truth claims in the Christian church.

He believed truth begins and ends with holy Scripture. Even in the fifth century, everyone didn’t agree on what holy writ said or meant.

He wrote about what is taught everywhere, what has always been taught and what everyone teaches.

By everywhere, he meant what’s claimed or practiced by the church in every region.

By always, he meant what’s claimed by the apostles and through succeeding generations.

By everyone, he meant what’s claimed by teachers of great note.

It’s called the Canon of St. Vincent, and it’s good for today’s church leaders to remember it. It might be considered a vision statement for traditionalist-conservatives and can help explain difference between them and progressive-liberals in mainline Christianity.

Mainline churches, including the Episcopal church, are splitting into traditional and progressive camps over universal claims of Jesus Christ, the authority of holy Scripture and sexual morality.

Along with today’s traditionalists, St. Vincent taught truth is universal and constant, and doesn’t change according to time or place.

To all who prayed….

December 14, 2007

posted by Fr. Rob Eaton 

On behalf of the Dept of Communication for the Diocese of San Joaquin, I’d like to thank all those willing to pray and intercede for the duration of the Diocesan Convention held Dec 7 and 8, including the 24 hours prior to, and the few hours after as folks traveled home.

AnglicanTV.org has already posted recordings of some of the speakers to the convention, and is going to be posting more, including the Opening Eucharist and some of the convention proceedings.  During these events you will be looking at - even if it is not obvious - individuals who were given permission by convention to be intercessors (no vote, silent voice, if you will) on during these events, and on the floor of convention.  We thank these particular individuals for their ministry, as well as those who recruited and organized them, especially Sister Phoebe of the Little Sisters of Sacrifice. Overall coordination of this ministry, as directed by the Dept. and given permission by the bishop, was under the care of Dept members Deacon Erin Giles, and Pam Stout, LSS.   We presume they will carry on this ministry again, and again, providing the “prayer covering” necessary for such important gatherings.

The Department also thanks Ms Kelly Ferrari who brought her solo minstry of song and encouragement, with words of prophecy and knowledge, to the diocesan convention.   Kelly, who also performed at one point during the Denver General Convention, was the primary for the Thursday evening prayer gathering.  During that time of ministry the Holy Spirit moved in many ways, including healings, praise, passionate intercession, words of wisdom, encouragement, exhortation, knowledge and prophecy.   Kelly also sang at the close of the convention banquet after the address by Bp Duncan.   She sang a communion hymn of her own composition, and then sang “It is well with my soul” at the early Friday morning mass, and also toward the end of the convention on Saturday.   She has her own website here.

Along the line of music, I would personally like to recognize the work of Royce Nickel, the cathedral organist, Art Huff, who directed the combined choir, folded in the brass quintet (led by Alicia and “booked” by Josh McDonald), and prepared the necessary arrangement for both voices and brass and organ, and Kathy Reibe, who rehearsed the “southern diocese” portion of the combined choir; also to John Downing and Pat Fellancy, and to Ron Hunt, who prepared the cathedral and Eden Hall for the multiple spots of sound collection and projection.  Good work to all (I know AnglicanTV also appreciates the hard work provided by these 3 guys, especially).

May the Lord’s Name be praised.