A window on Colorado's Deputation

A rare editorial comment from Beckett Stokes, Director of Communications:

The ongoing work here at General Convention, as it is now dealing with the issues on which there is the most profound disagreement in the Church, has illustrated two vitally important truths about the members of Colorado’s deputation: first, that they have deep disagreements about some of the issues facing the Church; and, second, that they deal with those disagreements with deep care, charity and love. The Diocese of Colorado can be proud and grateful that it is represented by a community of people whose work together is grace and love manifest, who have not at all given up their own deep convictions, but whose shared conviction and commitment is to their Christian community – in its narrowest and its broadest sense – and to God.

In a video interview a couple of days into General Convention, clergy deputy and previous chair of the deputation the Rev. Brooks Keith said that his prayer for the deputation is that everyone in the diverse diocese of Colorado can find themselves somewhere around the table of deputies. And, indeed, like the diocese, the members of Colorado’s deputation have a wide variety of opinions and convictions regarding the more challenging issues facing the General Convention. There are many points of view and perspectives about the issues facing The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, and deputies often hear those presenting to the Convention from very different perspectives.

But, every day at caucus meeting, (and some evenings after the day’s business is done) they meet and break bread together, pray together, and talk together about the business before them. Sometimes that talk is practical – what resolution is being heard where, by whom; what is the text of a resolution; what meeting is where. But, more often, it is substantive and personal. I had the great privilege of sitting with the deputation as they discussed their feelings about resolution D025, “Commitment and Witness to the Anglican Communion” that passed the House of Bishops yesterday (and finally in the House of Deputies this afternoon). Many shared their responses, which I will not share with you here – I’ll leave it to them to do that – but as each spoke, everyone listened carefully and deeply, and in word, body language and manner, communicated reverence, respect and reaching out. They reach out to each other with humor, with camaraderie, with prayer, and in ways that are not visible except in their plain dealing with each other.

They care deeply about their own communities and congregations, about the Diocese, about The Episcopal Church, about the Anglican Communion and the world. They are all eager to see the Church grow and reach more people, and they yearn deeply for a whole, healthy Church that reaches more and more people and offers the love of God to those who have never known it, or who have known it too little. I hope when they return, and you ask them about what they did here, you will hear those shared hopes and prayers, and each individual’s clear commitment to the Church and to each other.

They are all grateful for the prayers and love that they feel coming from the people of Colorado. Today especially, I will offer a special prayer of thanks for their particular example of love, grace and charity.

Peace - Beckett