MEETING NOTES Historical Context Where do you see the modern face of "Empire" in the world around you? Empire can be economic, political/authoritarian, or religious Prisons and other institutions of confinement Inappropriate exercise of power The ability to affect others decisions Diminshing of human dignity Does "Empire" require a certain size or scope? Is a man oppressing his wife or a mother oppressing her children "Empire"? What do oppressed people share in common? What does the Gospel offer them? Inability to be heard Lack of dignity Lack of time, resources and opportunity to explore options (cf Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich) Hopelessness, frustration, anger Oppressed people may not realize they are oppressed "Winners" write history Gospel offers hope Theological Context Why is the one commandment of Jesus simply built around love? We are all capable of love No one else can control our love for another person It would take a lifetime to figure out Love points towards JUSTICE Love emphasizes forgiveness Love requires listening sympathetically and empathetically Love requires finding common ground Emulate living in the image of God. What is the theology of our shared worship as Anglicans and why has that always been so important to us? Non prescriptive (no recipes) Celebrates diversity Place for dialogue (and joining together in communion helps to do that) Belief in the Nicene Creed and acceptance of scripture are the only requirements We are encouraged/required to bring our brain along.   Political Context What is the difference between a political body and the Body of Christ? Political Body Body of Christ Serves to divide Brings together Demands conformity Praying --> Discernment Attempts to have God align with its tenets Also political Shorter life span Aligns itself with God Specific "one issue" agendas Focus on theologies   Enormous faith   Ordinary folk   What is your dream of a church that "shows no partiality?" An ongoing dream that we must strive for It would have no Windsor Report Inclusive Dignity through equal respect for all Think about who is not in, or has left, our Church and why A Muslim woman leading prayers in a mixed gender group (which happened to be in an Episcopal Church!)  Cultural Context Why was Jesus the "Christ of change?" We weren’t getting God’s intent (LOVE), only his rules Jesus’ way of teaching (dynamic thought process) helped foster change The Beatitudes invert the social structure Meets you where you are and moves you towards change When and where will we see the new revelation (and will we recognize it?) Prayer/faith Jesus sent to change culture What does being "The Middle Way" mean for us as Anglicans? How we find truth and how we search for agreement We go through the Narthex to the discussion room (Sanctuary) but we bring our prejudices with us and are ready to listen and change A worldwide heterogeneous culture Provides a safe haven for different ideas and the exchange of thoughts and beliefs  The Windsor Report itself (Historical) How could the Windsor Report help the oppressed to find hope within the Anglican Communion, or, how could it be used to further divide oppressed peoples? Find Hope Further Divide Discussion Communion vs Revelation Desire to reconcile within, to do work as Body of Christ in Communion Proposes to elevate Archbishop of Canterbury to "mini Pope" Rejection of Archbishop of Canterbury as mini-Pope Gay community feels stonewalled by the Anglican Communion. The Windsor Report fails to acknowledge this. Provides a balanced view of the history   Shows willingness to continue dialogue     (Theological) In what ways does the Windsor Report reflect our theology and in what ways does it seem to offer a different theology? Our Theology Different Theology Emphasizes Communion "all" welcomed but not everywhere Adiaphora Autinomy/Subsidiarity Emphasizes that scripture must be taken as a whole   Attempts to avoid advocating a single theological position     (Political) How does the Windsor Report seem to be a part of church politics in the Anglican Communion and how does it transcend those politics? Part of Transcend Instruments of Unity Did not say ECUSA was wrong, only that we had not explained ourselves Too much power for Bishops Trying for Covenant may be a way to discern where we agree and disagree   (Cultural) How does the Windsor Report reflect the historic tradition of the Anglican Communion, or, how does it change that tradition? Reflect Tradition Change Tradition Tries to find a place where we can be in communion Names Gene Robinson (which is unnecessary) Reiterates the "Do not poach" precept of the Anglican Communion     Additional uncategorized thought The African Bishops are caught in the cross fire between authoritative regimes ("Empire") and oppressed peoples ECUSA is trying to change the Church by not reflecting the status quo The Ionian Eucharist Manny used was wonderful.

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