Open Conversations a step forward in ‘holy work’ of reconciliation

Bishop Adams speaks in Bluffton.

Three “Open Conversations” in Conway, Charleston and Bluffton this week brought together hundreds of Episcopalians and Anglicans to join in the “holy work” of reconciliation in the diocese and the churches of eastern South Carolina.

The Rev. William Coyne, Missioner for Returning Congregations for The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, reported on Thursday to the Diocesan Council about the three events, which drew 80 people in Conway on Monday, 211 in Charleston on Tuesday and 154 in Bluffton on Wednesday.

“As we await the court setting in motion the implementation plan and timeline for returning congregations, we began by listening, sharing information, and collecting contacts of those who wish to be partners in building the new future together,” Fr. Coyne told the Council.

The Conversations were an important step on the road toward reconciliation, according to Bishop Skip Adams. “We’ve said all along the way that we’ve wanted to have the opportunity to talk to people in the pews,” the Bishop told Diocesan Council members.

At each meeting, a majority of those who came are attending churches that are now part of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, but a significant number also identified themselves as members of  the 29 churches that will be returning to The Episcopal Church under the August 2017 decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court. In keeping with the Open Conversation theme, participants were not required to identify themselves or their churches, but many chose to do so.

Each evening opened with an introduction from Fr. Coyne, who talked about the work that already has begun toward an orderly return of the congregations to the Episcopal Church, and invited everyone to participate in it. “We have holy work to do,” he told the participants.
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Bishop Adams began with Scripture (Philippians 4:4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always…”) and with prayer, inviting people to join in one of his favorites from the Book of Common Prayer’s ordination and Good Friday liturgies:

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry sent his greetings via a video, filmed during The Episcopal Church’s General Convention July 5-13 in Austin Texas, offering with his prayers and encouragement to all who are coming together to work toward reconciliation.

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A video message from the Presiding Bishop, delivered at the three Open Conversations July 16-18.

Fr. Bill Coyne, center, listens during the Open Conversation in Charleston on July 17.

Bishop Adams closed his remarks with two quotations from the Rt. Rev. Gray Temple (1914-1999), who served from 1961-1982 as the 11th Bishop of our diocese:

“It is not we who can heal the wounds in his Body…It is only by coming closer to him that we can come nearer to one another. And we cannot by ourselves come closer to him.” And:

“Let individuals or groups within the body contend vehemently for the truth as they see it; that is their contribution to the life of the body; but let them not rend or break the body itself, and let the body rejoice in them all.”

Later, the program moved into four “table conversations” around the room, each staffed by clergy and lay leaders of TECSC. Topics for the tables were an introduction for returning congregations; worship and faith, practical matters, and communication. People circulated freely among the tables for about 75 minutes.

Table leaders were focused on listening and hearing concerns and questions, including points of difference and disagreement. While the conversations at times were difficult, “everyone remained respectful,” Bishop Adams told the Diocesan Council. People frequently were seen hugging or shaking hands as they wrapped up their conversations.

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Many who attended from TECSC congregations came to show support for people who are concerned about the future of their church homes. They also had questions, particularly about ways to connect with people in the disaffiliated churches who are seeking more information. Some participants from disaffiliated churches said their leaders had discouraged members from attending.

Copies of a newly updated FAQ document were available for everyone, with extra copies to take home. The FAQ, available here, offers answers to many of the questions that came up at the Open Conversations.

Not knowing how many people to expect, the diocese chose venues in community buildings that would accommodate 140-180 people, so the large turnout meant space was tight and, in Bluffton, overflowing. Once conversations began around the room, it was sometimes difficult to hear at the tables, participants said. Diocesan leaders are encouraging people who still have questions or concerns to contact Fr. Coyne directly: [email protected] or (843) 614-0679.

“This was a beginning,” Bishop Adams told the Diocesan Council. “We wanted to try this and see, and we will be learning from them.”

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A Prayer of Sir Francis Drake

Fr. Bill Coyne offered this prayer during each of the Open Conversations:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity, and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, To venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask You to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.
 

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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'Our Future Work Together'

Read 'Our Future Work Together,' a handout with information from Missioner Bill Coyne.