One aspect of Oasis/California's mission commits us to advocacy for the full inclusion of glbt people throughout the Church. To that end, we have sponsored several resolutions to be sent from the Diocese of California to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the summer of 2003.

RITES FOR BLESSING AND SUPPORTING COMMITTED RELATIONSHIPS

as passed by Diocesan Convention on October 20, 2001

Resolved: That the 152nd Convention of the Diocese of California submit the following Resolution, together with the appended Explanation, to the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

Resolved: the House of __________ concurring, that desiring to support all couples living in life-long committed relationships of mutuality and fidelity outside the relationship of marriage which mediate the grace of God, the 74th General Convention direct the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to prepare for consideration by the 75th General Convention rites for inclusion in the Book of Occasional Services by means of which the Church may express that support; and be it further

Resolved: That the guidelines for the use of such a rite be included in rubrics for the rite and stress the necessity of pastoral support, discernment and preparation.

Explanation:

Resolution D039sa, Human Sexuality: Issues Related to Sexuality and Relationships, was adopted at the 73rd General Convention. That resolution acknowledged that "there are currently couples in the Body of Christ in this Church who are living in marriage and couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in other life-long committed relationships."

D039sa also expressed the intention of the Church to provide for all its members "in such relationships" "the prayerful support, encouragement and pastoral care necessary to live faithfully" so that their lives together might be characterized by "fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God."

The Episcopal Church is a liturgical church. Liturgy is a vital and central way that we in the Body of Christ provide pastoral care and prayerful support to Church members. There is currently no rite authorized by General Convention expressing support for couples in life-long committed relationships of mutuality and fidelity other than marriage.

Development and authorization by General Convention of such rites would not preclude diocesan bishops from authorizing other rites to meet the particular needs of their dioceses.

ON REPARATIVE THERAPIES

as passed by Diocesan Convention on October 20, 2001

Resolved: That the 152nd Convention of the Diocese of California submit the following Resolution, together with the appended Explanation, to the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

Resolved: the House of __________ concurring, that the 74th General Convention affirm that the Church does not insist that gay and lesbian people are in need of therapy to change their sexual orientation, nor should the Church inhibit or discourage those who are unhappy with or confused about their sexual orientation from seeking therapy and/or pastoral counseling they believe would be helpful; and be it further,

Resolved: that this Church oppose any religious, spiritual, psychological, or psychiatric counseling or treatment founded on the premise that homosexuality is a mental, spiritual, religious, or ethical disorder, affirming that medical treatment, psychological therapy, and pastoral counseling should conform to professional standards.

Explanation:

Besides confining gay and lesbian people to mental wards and prisons, many "therapeutic" attempts have been made in the past to change gay and lesbian people into heterosexuals, including electroshock, surgery, hormone therapy, hypnotherapy, heterosexual marriage and parenthood, psychoanalysis, and lobotomy. Currently "conversion" and "reparative" therapies, as well as "transitional" and "transformational" ministries, are being offered by some Christian organizations claiming to change people into heterosexuals.

There is extensive scientific evidence and overwhelming professional ethical consensus that such therapies are misguided and run the risk of causing a great deal of psychological harm to the persons they are trying to help. These approaches have been repudiated by many major professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, and the National Association of Social Workers.

Efforts by some within the Christian community to claim that homosexuality is a pathological spiritual disorder curable by spiritual counseling, prayer, and willpower are directly at odds with this Church's efforts to end homophobia and its destructive effects. This resolution has been adapted from a statement supported by the 1999 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA.

EVANGELISM TO THE "NEW MAJORITY"

as passed by Diocesan Convention, 10/19/02

Co-sponsored by:
Commission on Peace, Justice, and Hunger
Marin Deanery
Peninsula Deanery
Diocese of California Deputation to General Convention in 2003

Resolved: That the 153rd Convention of the Diocese of California submit the following Resolution, together with the appended Explanation, to the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

Resolved: The House of __________ concurring, That in implementing the 20/20 goal of focusing the Episcopal Church on mission, this church reach out to groups not traditionally within the scope of evangelism efforts, including those previously not affiliated with organized religion and those disaffected from their previous religious affiliations, particularly but not limited to those who identify themselves as part of the "new majority" characterized by diversity of race, ethnicity, language, disability, and sexual orientation; and be it further

Resolved: That the Office of Congregational Development, in consultation with dioceses and the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism, and after careful listening to and conscious accompaniment of these communities, and prayerful self-examination, prepare specific plans for mission and evangelism, including but not limited to the communities listed above, which shall be presented to Executive Council no later than the fall of 2004.

Explanation:

This resolution is offered in the spirit of Jubilee and in keeping with the goals of the 20/20 initiative of the Episcopal Church. Its passage will offer a sign that this church strives for justice and endeavors to ensure that its membership will reflect the diversity present in our pluralistic society.