Sponsored by The Living Church Foundation and Forward Movement, and hosted by the Diocese of Long Island, a diverse group of church leaders gathered May 13-15 in Garden City, NY to discuss varied perspectives on contested issues in the church.
After the 2024 General Convention declined to continue its Task Force on Communion Across Difference, the Rev’d Dr. Matthew S.C. Olver and the Rev’d Scott Gunn discussed the need to carry on vital work of reconciliation within the church in a time of increasing division in society and the church.
Gunn said, “Our prayer book defines the church’s mission as one of reconciliation, so I was eager for us to practice this work that might allow us to be an effective witness in a divided world.” Olver said, “Looking at the context of the US church, it might seem that the progressive side ‘won’ the debate on marriage for same-sex persons, but it begins to look different from a global perspective. I wanted us to learn to hear one another and to find paths of reconciliation even when we disagree.”
Olver and Gunn decided to enlist their respective organizations, The Living Church Foundation and Forward Movement as sponsors of this reconciling work. They sought a third partner, discovering that Bishop Larry Provenzano was willing to host the gatherings at the diocesan center and cathedral in Garden City in the Diocese of Long Island.
The leaders of the three entities believe that the group can model to the church how to do this work (a) constructively and with theological integrity, (b) without the bureaucracy of a task force and (c) without any strain on the churchwide budget. Our desire is to be a sign of hope for church peace and church reforms moving into the future.
The group will seek to build on the Blue Book reports of the previous two triennia, continuing to seek a lasting path forward for mutual flourishing consistent with the polity of The Episcopal Church and the 2015 “Communion across Difference” statement of the House of Bishops, affirming
- the clear decision of General Convention that Christian marriage is a covenant open to two people of the same sex or of the opposite sex,
- General Convention’s firm commitment to make provision for all couples asking to be married in this Church to have access to authorized liturgies; and also affirming
- the indispensable place that the minority who hold to this Church’s historic teaching on marriage have in our common life, whose witness our Church needs.
In keeping with the approach of the last two trienia, half of the members appointed hold that marriage is a “covenant between a man and a woman” (BCP, 422), half hold that marriage is a “covenant between two people” in the presence of God (Resolution 2018-A085), and that all of those appointed seek a pathway toward mutual flourishing in The Episcopal Church.
Most of the Long Island gathering’s energy was devoted to understanding the landscape of disagreement and varied perspectives on marriage for same-sex couples. The group also prayed the morning and evening offices and joined together for Holy Eucharist.
The group will meet occasionally by video conference, and they plan to meet in person annually until the next General Convention convenes in Phoenix in 2027.
Forward Movement inspires disciples and empowers evangelists. We offer devotionals, Bible studies, formation courses, and other resources to equip and support people in their walk with Jesus Christ. Forward Movement has been a ministry of the Episcopal Church since 1935. We are financially independent, relying on sales and the generosity of our donors to support our mission and expand our reach.
The Living Church Foundation is a ministry of unity that champions the catholic and evangelical faith by supporting and resourcing the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion through our publications, programs, and products. A 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, TLC is a foundation governed by members of the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion and was founded in 1878.