From Rev Susan Wiltsey

Inclusivity is a beautiful thing. For a church it is vital. How could any church not be inclusive and still be a church. The Episcopal Church of my youth was not inclusive and it still survived. I think because of evolution. Today, the inclusivity of the Episcopal Church is palatable. Those working to keep it from being so, stand out like sore thumbs. I hate to use clichés but this one is such a good image. They are strident and angry and self-righteous. The majority, ready to invite everyone, has broad smiles and warmth coming from being loved.

I was proud of our outgoing Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and Bishop Gene Robinson last evening on Larry King Live. They both expressed the complete inclusivity that continues to draw me to this church. Christ could not have had better servants helping us move toward the Kingdom.

Each sermon we have heard has encouraged us to love who we are, and thereby to easily love our neighbor. It is the antithesis of a very rhythmic song from the Broadway show, Avenue Q, entitled, “It Sucks to be Me.” As a priest from the Diocese of Southwest Florida said yesterday in our Eucharistic small group discussion, “it isn’t agreement that keeps us together.” How thrilling to be part of 10,000 who understand that the power of the Holy Spirit is available to us at every minute. How fabulous to have a church that encourages the best of us, encourages us to stretch past our own opinions, by passing them by as fact, to a central truth and beauty that is beyond description: what God offers.

I am proud of our Utah delegation. Our senior delegates, Steve Hutchison, Dave Bailey and Russ Babcock are some of the stalwarts in the center of this church causing it to be the church that it is. Others like Lee Shaw, Karen Cramer, Adam Linton, and Jay Stretch give energy and direction to the committees, which are the backbone of our governance and power. Coming from a state that is not inclusive, we are one of the most inclusive, open and accepting delegations here. I’m proud to hang my hat with such fine folks, people who embody the best of TEC, The Episcopal Church of 2006. So long, and thanks for sending me here and being here with us though this blog.

Love, Susan+