I was elected student representative to the Board of Trustees a month or so ago. I attended one meeting thus far, but it was atypical because the Board, minus the student reps, went on a retreat after the “official” meeting. Anyway, just so that I don’t offer only my personal opinions on things, we had a meeting of the Middler class in our apartment last night. It was a good meeting – not a “bitch session,” but we did let off a little steam, and then went on to substantive things.
Higher ed. Administration and student services really is my element, which of course makes sense since I’ve been doing that sort of thing for so long, but I am also in my element with regards to religion, politics, and technology. Anyway, doing this caused me to realize that I am coming at this thing from both an administrative perspective and also, for the first time in ten years, from a student perspective. It was just an odd feeling. If I end up back in higher education, I have been reminded what it is like being a student, especially a non-typical student.
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I came across a great newspaper article in an Australian newspaper. Here is the link to the article. Go ahead and read it.
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This has been a very difficult two weeks. Classes have us all at our wits end. The Anglican Communion drama is still going on and we are all still fit-to-be-tied. All-in-all, things have been better.
There is a large contingent from the seminary going up to Gene Robinson’s consecration. I decided not to go early on, for a variety of reasons. I think I have changed my mind. There are a bunch going up just on Sunday for the consecration and then returning, same day. I’m trying to get a ticket and hopefully I will be able to attend. The type of language coming out of the American Anglican Council convinced me I should go. They are so strident and absolutist, and wrong.
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“Some things hurt us; we hope they will not happen again; we call them bad. Some things please us; we hope they will happen again; we call them good.” (Thomas & Wondra, Introduction to Theology, p.153) From a quote by Temple, concerning redefining sin in our modern era surrounding the notion of self-centeredness.
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Well, “Law & Order” will be filming here sometime this week. It never ends.
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I was wrong. They have not been filming “Law & Order” these past couple of days. They are filming a new movie entitle, supposedly, “The House of D,” staring Robin Williams. There are a whole heck of a lot of people roaming around. Most of the shooting seems to be taking place in Hoffman, my building, in the gym and Refectory. It seems to be set in the 1970’s – funny seeing all these people dressed up in what is now absurd (although quite retro-chic) 1970’s clothing.
So, look for the movie, and if you see it you will see General Theological Seminary!
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Ashton is here now. We are going to see a movie in a bit, walk Daq later this evening, and we will not forget FOOD!
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Law and Order is here in force this morning. I’m not sure how long or for which series, but I have never seen so many people with such an array of equipment and supplies for any of their previous shoots. It looks like they will be here for quite a while. It is fun and interesting to watch. I’m amazed at how much effort, how much equipment, and how many people it takes to produce a one hour series.
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I have always had a nagging sense that once my discernment process concluded, once I was declared a Postulant, then through my seminary education, through Candidacy, only to come to the end and be told I will not be ordained. Everyone over the last four years have told me I have nothing to worry about. My diocese is electing a new bishop in a month. Again, I was assured that the selection committee would not put forward for election someone who did not support ordination of gay people.
Okay. I still have the nagging feeling. Recently, there came a news report from the BBC. Here it is:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?T5CF16F26
Looks like BBC conducted a survey of all the Primates prior to the Lambeth meeting...
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Church leaders to urge gay priests ban
16:59 - 12 October 2003
Anglican Church leaders will be sharply divided at a special meeting to discuss homosexuality this week, according to a survey.
All 38 primates from around the world are due to attend a meeting at Lambeth Palace, London, on Wednesday and Thursday to consider the controversial issue of gay priests.
There were calls recently for the US branch of the church to be excluded from the international communion after Gene Robinson was appointed as the first openly gay bishop.
In this country, Canon Jeffrey John was nominated for the post of Bishop of Reading in June, but later withdrew after controversy over his sexuality.
A BBC survey found that three-quarters of the primates would not allow homosexuals to become priests in their province.
Asian and African church leaders also plan to use the meeting, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, to push for a ban on homosexual priests throughout the Anglican communion, the poll revealed.
The BBC's World This Weekend programme contacted every primate in the communion, and received 17 responses. Only four said they would accept homosexuality among priests in their church province.
A spokesman for the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, told the programme it was a matter of dealing with the "errant few".
"It is a departure from the teachings handed down from the fathers of faith and the Word of God in the holy scriptures," he added.
The Anglican communion has 80 million members worldwide.

I am still perplexed why there has been no counter argument from scripture against those who claim inclusionists have departed from the authority of scripture. I came to belief that homosexual relationships are not forbidden by God BECAUSE of scripture, not by denying scripture. So, why are liberals not making arguments to engage prohibitionists from scripture? I hope the accusations are not true – that liberals really have denied the authority of scripture.
The funny thing, if that is true, is that this evangelically minded person, because of scripture, is an inclusionist. I still wonder whether I will ever be ordained.
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I have a new definition of seminary. Seminary is a three year hazing experience for entrance into the priesthood! Pure and simple – hazing!!!
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