Simon,

Here's my answer to all of this: http://regula.blogspot.com/2007/02/time-for-full-compliace-cassandras-of.html

Thanks Christopher, I appreciate your effort to think about just how creatively and accurately to respond to this whole Communique plus Schedule business. I began to feel and think in similar directions, I must admit. That is, how can we formally comply with the demands, but spread the hurt around as equally-institutionally as possible, and establish church life to keep going in areas that are, at least at the moment, not policed and punished or threatened with punishment.

Apparently for the moment, the Primates do not care a fig for the real lives of real lay people on the ground, except for always taking great care to acknowledge the anger and upset of realignment believers who say they are offended that anybody would talk about love between people who are not straight. If that love offends them, what about two mommies or two daddies parenting? Do we now suddenly return our kids to the nearest office of the conservative Anglican networks post-haste, simply because they claim to know, both us and the mind of God, better than anybody else?

I hope all the bright TEC minds available will join together quickly, and assist in the effort. We cannot simply comply as realignment folks understand it; that option is simply barred by the facts on the ground about the decency and giving of people who are not straight.

Our only ways forward are to consider and thoughtfully reject. Or, to find highly creative ways without dissimulation to move forwards as from the bottoms up, as lay people who bear one another's burdens, no matter what the bishops and higher ups think, feel, say, or do. I am tantalized by imagining a kenotic Boston Tea Party. But it would need TEC togetherness and great courage, and we couldn't wait for the Windsor bishops to dream it up, now could we?

I think such a movement, if it were to happen, would bear an immense witness to many people who are forced to live, now, outside, on the margins.

Bright minds of TEC, are you listening? Praying? Talking? Thinking? Feeling it through? We need ways to respond that enact just how we are all in this together as TEC, and not allow the specialized wedge targeting of people who are not straight. Are we up to it?

The Jim Strader blog is wonderful !

Great blog Christopher
Great suggestions -- too costly.

Not tried and not found wanting.

Christopher

I don't agree about the rites of marriage not being done. I think people should be doubly committed to living in life-long monogamous relationships. But if the church is unholy, it doesn't hurt to have a political protest and only have a civil union. You are still making the vows before God, just bypassing corrupt priests.

Apart from that, they are excellent suggestions.

I would paraphrase your rebuke that moderates who allow people to be cherry picked are part of the problem. To be part of the solution you need to be consistently championing treating women, children, GLBTs, the afflicted and the marginalsed with respect.

Advocate for others as you would have them advocate for you.