Another Season of Advent

I'm living in a season of advent right now, a time of anticipatory waiting.

Two friends of mine became a married couple last summer in California. They happen to be two men, and they were legally married in the span of time when marriage for gay couples and lesbian couples was validated by the California Supreme Court. In November California voters narrowly passed Proposition 8 making gay and lesbian marriage illegal again.

The California Supreme Court is now evaluating arguments for and against the language of Prop. 8. Even the Attorney General of California, who approved putting Prop. 8 on the ballot, asked the court to overturn the proposition. As I understand it, the CA Supremes will decide whether the language of Prop. 8 is contrary to the constitutional language guaranteeing equality for all citizens. They will also decide whether the existing married gay/lesbian couples will continue to be legally married.

The Supremes' decision will be announced this coming Tuesday, June 2. My friends are not alone. Thousands of couples were married between June and November. I'm waiting with detached academic interest. I cannot know how anxiously those many couples must feel as they await the California Supreme Court's decision.

More emotional for me is the pending national General Convention of the Episcopal Church scheduled for July this year. TEC meets only once every three years. Last time, in 2006, TEC failed to make any headway toward forming a liturgy for same sex commitment ceremonies. Worse, at the latest possible hour, then Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold persuaded the PB-elect, Katharine Jefferts Schori, to join him in getting a resolution passed to promise the Anglican Communion we would not consecrate any bishops "whose manner of life" might offend other members of the AC. Resolution B033 was so mildly worded that it failed to assuage fears of conservative provinces. It was so contrary to the slow but steady progress in GLBT acceptance in TEC that it offended me and many other affected Episcopalians.

In the intervening three years there has been a systematic, orchestrated undermining of the Episcopal Church. GLBTs and their families and friends have pulled back. Conservatives opposed to any acceptance of GLBTs have withdrawn individual congregations and even whole dioceses from TEC. There has been a continuous painful rumble of discontent over this issue from both polarized sides.

I have stood to the side, unwilling to support a church that won't support me. Some others have left altogether in disgust. Many courageous faithful GLBTs have stayed and worked within the framework of the church to bring about a change of policies. PB Jefferts Schori indicates that she does not want B033 rescinded. So will we have a resolution favoring my 'manner of life?' I cannot envision what, if any, solution will be adopted.

Meanwhile much of the life of the church has been drained by emotional and spiritual torment. We forget we are to be about our Father's business: feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, healing the sick, teaching the little ones, and preaching the Good News. This upheaval has had financial and legal impacts as well. Yes, we are paying lawyers to resolve property disputes. Is it little wonder TEC may not be able to fulfill its previous commitments to the Millenium Development Goals?

So, now is a time of waiting. I am waiting for the advent of justice and acceptance. I'd like to be like everybody else and still be myself--exactly as God created me.

Someday. Who knows? Maybe Tuesday. Maybe in July.

Thanks be to God.