by Laverne V. MacInnis

When I was first asked to write what it's been like since the General Convention confirmed the election of V. Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire here in New Hampshire, I felt it was very important to make a thoughtful presentation. No passionate rhetoric for me. I was praying daily that the Lord would soften my words, and inspire me to a charitable essay.

In the midst of this daily prayer, the headlines in the state's largest newspaper (the somewhat notorious Union Leader) scream: "Episcopal Bishop speaks at Gay Pride rally." Oh, Lord, how can I be charitable to this so obviously one-note Bishop when all I feel is one embarrassment after another? I have cringed in front of the television set as this Bishop is interviewed by 60 Minutes in a gay bar. What does it matter, gay, straight - what in God's name is a clergy person doing being interviewed on national TV in such a setting? I have to bear the questioning of colleagues and friends who know I am Episcopalian when he is pictured in the paper testifying before the state legislature advocating gay marriage. I am embarrassed. I am ashamed. I am distressed.

Then, shortly after Mr. Robinson speaks at Gay Pride, we receive our monthly Episcopal newsletter in which it is noted that there are 49 parishes in the diocese and Mr. Robinson has visited 45 of them. I know my parish is one of the four he hasn't visited. The majority of members in my parish have been vocal in their dread of this inevitable visitation. I secretly wish I knew who the other three parishes were...could we start a union? Strike, perhaps? I'd gladly walk that picket line! A few days later, we have a Vestry meeting and we learn that Mr. Robinson wants to visit our parish the first Sunday in January. We are in a difficult position. We are a small, poor parish without a rector. We are much like the church in Rochester, NH that has so vociferously protested Mr. Robinson's election. Their church has split apart because of their adamant refusal to recognize him as Bishop. We do not want the same fate for our little parish. Reluctantly, we agree to his visitation with the hope that since it's right after the holidays, perhaps the attendance will be really low. Those of us who are "regulars" are joking amongst ourselves as to the trips out of town we'll be taking that Sunday! I'm in charge of the Eucharistic Ministers, and there's only one person who is willing to serve on the altar with Mr. Robinson.

Our wonderful interim priest will be celebrating fifty years in the priesthood in December! The parish loves this man and we want to acknowledge this tremendous milestone in his life. Since it seems none of us has known someone who has celebrated fifty years in the priesthood, I call the diocese to ask how others have celebrated such an event. The secretary quickly replies: "Oh, we'll send the Bishop!" I cringe and begin to mumble that we were thinking of something more secular for a celebration! It seems Mr. Robinson intrudes on too many areas of our faith life and parish community. It has been an extremely painful year. We are distressed and distraught over what has happened here in New Hampshire and in the entire Anglican Communion. And, at least we are honest about the negative impact his election has had.

On the other hand, one sees nothing in the media of the negative impact Mr. Robinson's election has had on those who have supported him. Grace Church, one of the largest churches in the Diocese and one of Mr. Robinson's most ardent supporters, suffered a $40,000 loss of income in the year after his election and had to lay off their assistant rector this past June. We just recently learned that St. Paul's in Concord (the Bishop's church), where the Rector has presided over Mr. Robinson's "dream team" (yes, he really did call his transition team that!) has lost $200,000 in the first year of Mr. Robinson's Episcopacy. And remember how Mr. Robinson predicted shortly after his election that it would ATTRACT many new people to the church? There is no one in this diocese, even his most dedicated supporters bragging that that has happened! We live in a world where being politically correct supersedes honesty and reality. Perish the thought that any secular media person (or Robinson supporter) might accurately report the truly negative impact Mr. Robinson has had here in New Hampshire.

As for me, I have had personal dealings with Mr. Robinson. About ten years ago, I had a very negative experience with him in which he acted in his own interests, rather than doing the right thing. After his election, I decided to try to achieve some measure of reconciliation with him. I went to his office in Concord in August of 2003. It took a lot of courage, maturity and prayer for me to choose to attempt this reconciliation. There were certain facts about the incident that he was unable to remember. He told me he would research the documentation and get back to me. In January of 2004, when he called a meeting to present his thoughts and ideas for the diocese, he pulled me aside and assured me he had the documentation in his brief case and he would soon be calling me to meet with him again. It's September and I am still waiting for that meeting. I guess Mr. Robinson doesn't know that I believe what people do, not what they say.

So, here I am, an Episcopalian in New Hampshire. I am the Junior Warden of my parish. I am a liberal who loves the Lord. Thirty years ago as a young adult, I deliberately chose the Episcopal Church as my home in part because of its acceptance of differences. I loved its breadth and diversity. And now, I feel duped. It seems that one of the things I have so loved about the church has now been distorted beyond recognition and countless people have been deeply and tragically hurt. Hurt by one small diocese making a terrible mistake, which was then compounded by the General Convention. A convention that helped Mr. Robinson flout even Canonical law. So, is Mr. Robinson my Bishop? Absolutely not. As one parishioner said when we met with a representative from Mr. Robinson: "I don't care if a horse is elected Bishop, I love the Episcopal Church." I, too, love the Episcopal Church. And yet, I think we did indeed, elect a Trojan horse who may be the ultimate undoing of what so many of us have loved for so long. How tragic that "their Bishop" (as I refer to him) has been able to gain such a toehold in the Anglican Communion.

Why Belong to the Network of Anglican Parishes and Dioceses?

For me it is a matter of roots. A parish Church is like a tree. The roots need to be as deep as the branches are broad. If we cut off our roots by excluding ourselves from the breadth of the Anglican Communion we will, sooner or later, damage the fruit bearing capability of the branches. Shallow roots makes for shallow and impermanent growth! So many of people in our society are already rootless. My heart cries out for the lost and the rootless! I want to call them home, but to a home that is rooted and grounded in the history and tradition of the Church. To offer them a shallow congregationalist Church separated from the mainstream of Anglican tradition would be a pastoral cruelty. They need to affirm "what has always been believed, everywhere, always, and by all" and let their roots run deeply in the history and tradition of the Church. Belonging to the Network is a concrete way of affirming our roots and our membership in the larger Anglican Communion.

~ Fr. Rob +

Spiritual Foundations

During this time of uncertainty in the Episcopal Church we have a great need to discover our spiritual roots. Who are we? Where did we come from? What does it mean to be an Anglican today?

Father Rob will be leading The Adult Class, which will be starting again on Sunday, September 12th at 9:30 a.m. We will be investigating the historical and spiritual roots of Anglicanism with readings from a variety of sources and some lively discussion. Come and join us.