Marriage equality achieved in Scotland
On February 4, 2014, The Parliament of Scotland approved a measure that will allow marriage of same-sex couples as early as October. Freedom to Marry reported the story here.CoE General Synod meeting this week
The General Synod of the Church of England is meeting this week between February 10 and February 12, 2014. Of greatest interest to Episcopalians is the matter of advancing provisions for allowing women bishops (to be discussed on Tuesday) and a presentation by Sir Joseph Pilling on the Pilling Report (on Wednesday, followed by Q&A). Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will deliver a Presidential Address Wednesday morning. A press release describing the meeting can be found here. Links to the meeting agenda and background papers can be found here. The proceedings are being live streamed here.Presiding Bishop to receive honorary degree from Oxford
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori is to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University on June 25, 2014, along with five other recipients from various disciplines. She will receive the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. Episcopal News Service published the press release from Oxford University on February 7, 2014. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby issued a statement of congratulations that can be read here.Episcopal Church Executive Council meets
The church’s Executive Council met in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, from February 5 to February 7, 2014. The council has two new members. The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker has replaced the Rev. Jenny Vervynck, who resigned as the Province VIII clergy representative. The Rev. Nathaniel W. Pierce has replaced the Rev. Chris Cunningham, who resigned as the Province III clergy representative. (See Episcopal News Service stories here and here.) Note that the Diocese of Pittsburgh is in Province III.Opening remarks of the President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings can be read here. Opening remarks of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori can be read here and her opening sermon here.
It has been announced that the 2018 General Convention will be held in Austin, Texas. The decision required a number of approvals, including that of the Executive Council. Details are here.
Executive Council approved $168,060 of Constable Fund Grants. Last year, a Constable Fund Grant of $30,000 was approved for the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s sexuality dialogue. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) This year’s grants include $13,200 for Building & Enhancing Anti-Racism Ministry throughout Province III. The grant will be used “to support anti-racism workshops where none exist and to strengthen those that do.”
A summary of Executive Council resolutions can be found here. An additional summary of the work of the group is here. Apparently, the rift between the United Thank Offering (UTO) and the church is largely resolved. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.) The UTO and the Executive Council have approved a new memorandum of understanding and a new set of bylaws for the UTO. Details can be found here.