In the last few years, the Anglican Communion has been roiled by controversies over ordination of non-celibate homosexuals, interpretation of Scripture, and breakdown of traditional boundary lines between Provinces. Last year, the Rector and Senior Warden tasked the Policy and Planning Commission with reviewing these issues, and reporting back to the Vestry.

            These issues have challenged some of the greatest minds, and most learned theologians in the Communion, so they also approved a challenge for the Policy and Planning Commission. The Commission deliberately includes people with different, and strongly-held, views on these issues. But after a great deal of prayer and thoughtful discussion, a consensus Report was presented to the Vestry in August.

            The Vestry is still considering that Report. But, it has moved forward on one recommendation: the Parish will be regularly updated on ongoing developments within The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the Anglican Communion, which are relevant to this discussion, and which may affect Pohick. As part of that communication effort, there will be regular reports on these issues in the Pohick Post.

            The current debate might be summed up this way:

            • Some Anglicans and Episcopalians say TEC has abandoned traditional interpretations of the Faith, and have lost its understanding of the Word of God. These people generally interpret the Bible according to the teachings of the early historic Church.

            • Others feel that TEC is responding to changes in the needs of Christ’s flock, and learning from new Biblical scholarship. They believe it is correctly leading the Church and Anglican Communion into the 21st century.

            • Both groups sincerely believe they are being faithful to the Word of God.

            • Thus, it is argued by some that the current debate is not really about human sexuality. The real issue is a divide about how the Bible is to be interpreted and understood, and its place in the life of the Church. In this view of the situation, human sexuality is simply the current battleground for this more significant debate about Scripture.

            What has happened in recent months?

            • Bishops, priests and lay people from “The Global South” - generally, churches in Africa and Southeast Asia that take the more traditional approach to Scripture, met in Jerusalem in June at a “Global Anglican Futures Conference,” or “GAFCON.” Many anticipated this gathering would lead to a formal split within the Anglican Communion, although that step was not taken. Instead, GAFCON announced establishment of a new Province in North America and a new “Council of Primates” of its own choosing. Some GAFCON bishops declined to attend this summer’s Lambeth Conference. Others attended both Conferences.

            • By design, the Lambeth Conference did not pass any resolutions or policy statements. Instead, the bishops spent much of their time in discussion groups, or “Indabas.” They were aimed at having “purposeful discussion on the common concerns of our shared life.” The key discussion themes were “Equipping Bishops for Mission” and “Strengthening Anglican Identity.”  Instead of Resolutions, a final document was published “capturing conversations and reflections.” Many came away feeling they had gotten a better understanding of how other Bishops saw things.

            • Meanwhile, work continues on an Anglican Covenant, which would set out agreed-upon principles of membership in the Anglican Communion, and provide a process to deal with those who violate these principles. Some have attacked the drafts of the Covenant as being too legalistic, while others have attacked it as lacking teeth. Many Provinces, including The Episcopal Church, seem to have serious reservations about the idea, but the Archbishop of Canterbury continues to push hard for it.

            In this country, two dioceses, San Joaquin and Pittsburgh, have voted to leave The Episcopal Church and affiliate with the Province of the Southern Cone (South America). A third, Fort Worth, likely will make a similar move soon.

            TEC contends they have no power to take this action. TEC’s position is that dioceses are created by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and have no power to remove themselves from TEC. The Presiding Bishop appointed a Provisional Bishop to lead the Diocese of San Joaquin until it could reorganize and elect a new Bishop. In Pittsburgh, a much larger contingent wanted to remain with TEC, and the Presiding Bishop is working with the remaining Standing Committee members on a way forward.

            Closer to home, the Diocese of Virginia continues to be locked in lawsuits with churches that voted to leave this diocese and affiliate with other Provinces, primarily the Province of Nigeria. So far, the court rulings have generally favored these breakaway parishes. The Diocese with strong backing from the national church has vowed to appeal.

            It is important to remember that despite all these controversies, the work of the Church - globally, nationally, and locally - goes on. Hungry are fed; needy are provided for; sick are visited. Episcopal churches, including Pohick, have responded to flood victims in Iowa, and the mission team recently completed another rebuilding trip to New Orleans. Pohick’s Vestry is determined to continue the important ministry and mission.