But the Episcopal Church is already gearing up to bless these kinds of unions. Maybe not right away, but soon. After all, it's a justice issue!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
It May Be Illegal Now
But the Episcopal Church is already gearing up to bless these kinds of unions. Maybe not right away, but soon. After all, it's a justice issue!
Friday, July 10, 2009
General Convention Reform
I've never been to the Episcopal Church's General Convention (GC). Thanks to modern technology, I will never need to. This GC has around 1,000 delegates for a church that has less than a million attendees. Add to that, the more delegates a legislative body has, the less gets done. More people means more time for discussion. The GC is both ungainly and expensive.
Were I in charge, which is highly unlikely, I'd change things in the following ways: First, I'd trim the delegates to 1 bishop and 1 lay delegate from every diocese. That cuts the delegates down to slightly over 200 total. Allow for the election of a non-participating, unfunded alternate. But the total funded attendance would be one fifth of the present size. That means instead of using expensive rented facilities, the GC could meet in a parish hall. That would be a lot less glamourous to be sure, but it's also a great deal more frugal.
I'd also allow for committee meetings, either live or virtually ahead of time. In fact, I'd probably make that mandatory. The bishops already know whether or not they are delegates. With the laity, all that would have to happen are elections far enough in advance for committees to be formed.
By trimming delegates and shifting committee meetings to before, the GC could be reduced in its length as well. Currently it's a two week commitment, which prevents a great number of potential delegates from participating. Two weeks is the standard annual vacation for most Americans. Trim it to four days and all of a sudden working stiffs can run for delegate. To counter balance this egalitarian move, I'd remove all delegate funding from the diocese. Delegates would have to pay their own way. This would further encourage the delegates to be about their business.
Of course, none of the above will ever happen.
Preview: I'm working on a detailed rant/essay about grilling. I've no idea when I'll post it though.
Were I in charge, which is highly unlikely, I'd change things in the following ways: First, I'd trim the delegates to 1 bishop and 1 lay delegate from every diocese. That cuts the delegates down to slightly over 200 total. Allow for the election of a non-participating, unfunded alternate. But the total funded attendance would be one fifth of the present size. That means instead of using expensive rented facilities, the GC could meet in a parish hall. That would be a lot less glamourous to be sure, but it's also a great deal more frugal.
I'd also allow for committee meetings, either live or virtually ahead of time. In fact, I'd probably make that mandatory. The bishops already know whether or not they are delegates. With the laity, all that would have to happen are elections far enough in advance for committees to be formed.
By trimming delegates and shifting committee meetings to before, the GC could be reduced in its length as well. Currently it's a two week commitment, which prevents a great number of potential delegates from participating. Two weeks is the standard annual vacation for most Americans. Trim it to four days and all of a sudden working stiffs can run for delegate. To counter balance this egalitarian move, I'd remove all delegate funding from the diocese. Delegates would have to pay their own way. This would further encourage the delegates to be about their business.
Of course, none of the above will ever happen.
Preview: I'm working on a detailed rant/essay about grilling. I've no idea when I'll post it though.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Obscure Reference Time
I had a revelation earlier this morning: The leaders of the General Convention are Elan of Elanor wannabes.
Yes, that is a slam. No, I'm not going to take it back. I believe it also to be the truth.
Yes, that is a slam. No, I'm not going to take it back. I believe it also to be the truth.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Last Minute Suggestion
The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be convening tomorrow in Anaheim California. The theme of the convention will be 'Ubuntu'.
I like Ubuntu. It is the primary operating system on two of my computers. But it is not even last years meme. It's the last generation's. If the Episcopal Church truly wishes to be relevant in this modern society then it should move up to a slightly more modern theme.
My suggestion is from 2007. It's kind of dated now, but I can assure the leadership that whatever grandchildren are still remaining Episcopal will be blown away when Grandma tells them "The cake is a lie".
Inspired by XKCD, of course
I like Ubuntu. It is the primary operating system on two of my computers. But it is not even last years meme. It's the last generation's. If the Episcopal Church truly wishes to be relevant in this modern society then it should move up to a slightly more modern theme.
My suggestion is from 2007. It's kind of dated now, but I can assure the leadership that whatever grandchildren are still remaining Episcopal will be blown away when Grandma tells them "The cake is a lie".
Inspired by XKCD, of course
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
