A new day in San Joaquin...

Reports from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin - what a difference a year makes:

Episcopalians from a diocese that divided partly over homosexuality overwhelmingly approved a proposal to create a new commission that would support gays and lesbians.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin gave the thumbs up to an "equality commission" during its annual convention, which concluded Sunday.

Delegates voted to create a commission that would include lay and clergy members to support, engage and affirm marginalized communities within the diocese, according to The Episcopal News Service. In this case, the marginalized are identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender persons, as well as women and various ethnic communities, among a few others.

More here and here.

Kudos to our inspirational blog - Fr. Jake Stops the World - for his work to bring about this new day.

Some not as happy as others at Lambeth

Anglicans United are not as happy at Lambeth:

Some would say there was little reason for optimism. We learned yesterday that The Rt. Rev. John-David Schofield’s invitation was withdrawn last week, as were the invitations of two bishops from Recife, Brazil. All three are now under the Most Rev. Greg Venables of the Southern Cone. It seems that they, like the “irregularly consecrated bishops of CANA and the AMiA” in the states, will not be recognized. This leaves little doubt about the future for other clergy and bishops who leave TEC and hope to remain part of the Communion. It looks like any intervention into another Province will be denied acceptance, be they priests, parishes or dioceses transferring to a foreign bishop. Those whose only desire was to remain Anglican within the Communion now stand outside those vast boundaries.

Read AU thoughts on the opening day here.

Schofield not going to Lambeth

Letter from Obispo Primado Greg Venables of the Southern Cone reveals a note from the Archbishop of Canterbury:

Rowan writes: "I understand that Bishop John-David Schofield has been accepted as a full member of the episcopal fellowship of the Province of the Southern Cone within the Anglican Communion and as such cannot be regarded as having withdrawn from the Anglican Communion. However, it is acknowledged that his exact status (especially given the complications surrounding the congregations associated with him) remains unclear on the basis of the general norms of Anglican Canon Law, and this constitutes one of the issues on which we hope for assistance from the Windsor Continuation Group. Bishop Schofield has elected to decline the invitation to the Lambeth Conference issued to him last year although that decision does not signal any withdrawal from the Communion. I hope there may be further careful reflection to clarify the terms on which he will exercise his ministry."

Hmm - sounds like there was a bit of behind the scenes going on regarding Schofield's status and he was allowed to "elect to decline" his invite.

Read more of who is there and who is not here

Bishop Jerry Lamb asks clergy to confirm status in The Episcopal Church

It seems that Bishop Lamb, of the Diocese of San Joaquin, has written a letter requesting all diocesan priests/deacons to decide whether they will uphold their ordination vows by August 5th. The letter gives them three choices:

1) remain a clergy member of The Episcopal Church,

2) no longer "exercise ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church ... for reasons not affecting my moral character"

3) declare no longer consider self to be a clergy in The Episcopal Church.

Bishop Lamb emphasizes that he is willing to talk, and that he has attempted to contact these folks several times, but that he needs peoples positions to be clarified so that the Diocese can move forward.

Interesting developments happening in San Joaquin!