wfn.org | Browning urges bishops to strive fo

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July 16, 1997
Episcopal News Service
Jim Solheim, Director
212-922-5385
ens@ecunet.org

ENSGC-01-01

Browning urges bishops to strive for community

By David Skidmore

PHILADELPHIA (July 16, 1997) - Twelve years ago Presiding Bishop Edmond 
Browning spoke of "no outcasts" in introducing his vision for the church. 
Today, in his remarks at the opening session of the House of Bishops, he 
repeated this theme.
	
In the waning days of his leadership, his two words for the church in 1985 
have become one: community. "Community is where we get the strength and the 
energy and the affirmation to believe in ourselves and press forth even in 
times of great difficulty."
	
Browning said he is well versed in the challenges of speaking with a 
prophetic voice while remaining connected and engaged with the church 
community. Throughout his term as presiding bishop, he has struggled with 
the tension of feeling called to prophetic ministry and awareness of being 
trapped by a sense of self-importance. 
	
Though not mentioning directly the conflict among the bishops in recent 
conventions - most notably the 1991 General Convention which resulted in the 
bishops going into closed session - Browning made it apparent his cautionary 
words were aimed at his colleagues.  
	
Few things are more threatening to our work, he said, than believing "we are 
the faithful remnant." Doing so panders to "our worst instincts." While it 
is necessary to believe in the worth of one's vision and ministry, that 
focus needs to be balanced with an openness to others, especially those who 
represent opposing views and values, he said.
	
"They are the ones that God has particularly sent to us," Browning said. 
"They are our gifts, our angels." We should be open to these voices, he 
added, as they are an integral part of our community. "I love this house. I 
love this church. And I believe that each of you individually is a gift from 
God."
	
After asking for a moment of silence, Browning concluded by offering his 
gratitude "for the chance to take this walk with each of you individually 
and each of you collectively."

Youth welcomed
Browning introduced the Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa, youth officer of the 
Episcopal Church Center, who introduced Jaime Rios, a youth delegate from 
the Diocese of Texas. Kujawa noted the youth at this convention have a 
historic presence because, for the first time, they would be seated with 
their deputations and have a voice in the convention's decisions.
	
In a clear and forcefully presented speech that earned him a standing 
ovation, Rios told the bishops that "youth are God's greatest laypersons." 
He urged the bishops to put youth at the top of their agendas: "Devote a 
piece of your budget to the youth ministry of your diocese" - and if youth 
ministry is already in the budget, increase the amount given to it, he said. 
	
"We can no longer leave this piece of our church unattended," Rios said. "It 
is the children who will lead this world into the 21st century, and I want 
to know that I am following a child of God. I want to know that I am 
following someone who believes, and I know the chances of that are much 
greater if we start now."
	
Rios said despite names given to his generation by the media - "Generation 
X," "the lost generation" - the youth of the church are here to stay, and to 
lead. "The youth must be involved in the governance of this church," he 
said. "We must open up and realize that every member of this church has 
merit and, within reason, the ability to assume a position of leadership 
regardless of age, gender, race or any other worldly description.
	"Our Lord Jesus Christ put the children first, and I ask you, ladies and 
gentlemen, where are we going to put them?"

Other guests welcomed
The bishops also welcomed Gini Peterson, president of the Episcopal Church 
Women, who reminded the bishops of the celebration of the ECW's 126th 
birthday this Friday, and the ECW Triennial theme, "Enlarge the Site of Your 
Tent;" and Bishop Allen Bartlett Jr., bishop of the convention's host 
diocese, who said Philadelphia has served as the site of 20 General 
Conventions, including the first in 1789. Bartlett noted Browning in 1946 
attended the last Philadelphia General Convention as a youth representative 
from the Diocese of West Texas.
	
On a humorous note, Browning pointed out that the chair from which the 
church's first presiding bishop, William White, conducted the first General 
Convention is still in the sanctuary of Christ Church. 
	
When Browning was here last year for the Diocese of Pennsylvania's 
tricentennial celebration, he had the opportunity to sit in the chair and 
found it to be "absolutely the most uncomfortable chair I have ever sat in." 
	
Browning quipped he is inclined have each of the presiding bishop candidates 
spend five minutes in the chair next Monday before the balloting begins for 
electing his successor.

David Skidmore is communications director for the Diocese of Chicago.