A Message from the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont
To follow is a letter from the Rt. Rev. Thomas C. Ely, Bishop of Vermont, that comes in response to the recent pastoral letter from the Bishop of Albany regarding compliance with General Convention Resolution B012 dealing with trial marriage rites and marriage equality.
Bishop Ely says, “I write this simply to reaffirm my deep commitment to the full inclusion of all in the life of our church, and especially to the LGBTQ community, many of whom are deeply hurt and troubled by the position Bishop Love has taken and by what he has written in this letter.”
The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies have offered statements in response. Here are links to those statements: Presiding Bishop’s Statement ; Statement from the President of the House of Deputies
Finally, Episcopal New Service is covering the news related to this matter https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/
November 14, 2018
To the people of The Episcopal Church in Vermont
Considering the wide publication and growing public comment regarding the recent pastoral letter issued by Bishop William Love in the neighboring Diocese of Albany, I write to the people of The Episcopal Church in Vermont to reaffirm my commitment to the full inclusion of all people in the life of The Episcopal Church and our church’s canonical commitment to marriage equality. The trial marriage liturgies for all couples authorized by the General Convention will be available for use in The Diocese of Vermont beginning Sunday, December 2, the first Sunday of Advent.
I am grateful for the strong statements from the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies in support of the actions of General Convention and the full inclusion of all people in the life, worship and governance of our church. I remain mindful of the theological differences within our church about matters of human sexuality, and I remain committed to full and honest conversation with anyone who wishes to explore these matters in more depth.
I ask that you please remember in your prayers the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex, NY, and St. Luke the Beloved Physician in Saranac Lake, NY. Many, if not most, in these two congregations, where I offer Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight, hold a theological understanding different from their bishop and have shared their disappointment and hurt with me.
We welcome all seeking a spiritual home to visit a local Episcopal Church in Vermont and receive the warm welcome and hospitality of our members.
Faithfully yours,
The Right Reverend Thomas C. Ely
Photo credit: Richard Hunter