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(Preliminary draft of the resolution
that was passed at the 2006 Diocesan Convention) Amended and Restated Resolution #6 - on Full Inclusion of Gay and Lesbian Persons - - - Submitted in substitution for Resolution # 6 by the Rev. Dr. Nancy Lee Jose, Rector, St. - - - - - - RESOLVED, that the One Hundred Eleventh Convention of the Diocese of Washington - - - reaffirm its commitment to live out the commandment to "love our neighbors as - - - ourselves;" and that the Convention recall our Baptismal Covenant to "strive for justice - - - and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being," and in - - - particular our beliefs in the goodness of creation and that all are welcome to share the - - - feast at God's table; and be it further - - - - - - RESOLVED, that the Convention uphold the right of every person of faith to participate - - - fully in the sacraments and life of our Church; that it reaffirm the authority of the rubrics - - - of the Book of Common Prayer (at page 13), which permit a parish, subject to the - - - direction of the bishop, to use special devotions taken from the Book of Common Prayer, - - - or from Holy Scripture, "when the needs of the congregation so require;" and that it - - - reaffirm the authority of individual parishes to develop and adopt rites for the blessing of - - - same-sex unions, which honor and address the pastoral needs of gay and lesbian couples, - - - in accordance with such rubrics; and be it further - - - - - - RESOLVED, that the Convention reaffirm its support for the procedures set forth in the - - - Constitution and Canons of the General Convention, in particular Canon III.16, which - - - outlines the process for election of a bishop; that it confirm its support for the right of - - - each diocese to elect its bishops in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the - - - General Convention and of the respective dioceses; and that it affirm the statements in the - - - Windsor Report concerning the right of each province and diocese to determine their own - - - procedures for the election of bishops and other ministers; and be it further - - - - - - RESOLVED, that the Convention affirm its support for its bishops, John Chane and - - - Barbara Harris, in their efforts to find common ground and to end the divisiveness within - - - the Anglican Communion; that it commend the bishops for inviting all people of faith to - - - gather at God's table; and that it encourage them in their endeavors to heal the hurt that - - - we all have suffered, but particularly our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Explanation: Last Spring, our Vestry approved a resolution in support of the election
of Gene Robinson. Following various discussions this year within the parish regarding
the reactions within the Anglican Communion to action taken by General Convention
in support of the election of Gene Robinson and the blessing of same sex unions, the Vestry decided that St. Thomas' Parish should propose a resolution to the Diocesan Convention
in support of Gene Robinson and Bishop Chane's work to incorporate the blessing of same sex unions in our liturgy. Our parish believes that it is an important part of our witness
to the Gospel to proclaim our support of actions that include, rather than exclude, members of our communion from full participation in the life of our church. We believe that most
of the parishes in our diocese agree with the sentiments expressed by this resolution.
We also believe that it is important to have voices of equality and compassion expressed
as loudly as possible, so that the world does not hear only the voices of exclusion Budget Impact: There is no budget impact for this resolution. Recommendation: The Resolutions Committee recommends this resolution for consideration.
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