You can't escape it--this is a big election year. A very big one, both nationally and in the Episcopal Church. The stakes are high enough that this introvert is going door-to-door with the MoveOn campaign for voter registration, something I could not have imagined myself doing ten years ago. And in the relative freedom of my very recent retirement, I plan to devote time and energy both to getting out the vote and to speaking out on the issues that threaten our nation.
Our own Episcopal Church elections are more
significant than usual this year. It's important for us all as Caucus members to be aware, alert, and involved in the elections of General Convention deputies which are beginning to take place. June 2006 may seem a long way away, but my diocese will elect this October. Are you able to consider running? Can you work with other progressives in your diocese to support a progressive candidate? If you are a delegate to your diocesan convention, are you making an effort to get to know the candidates and their positions? If the Episcopal Women's Caucus is to be a strong and effective voice in the next General Convention, we all need to be working now.
On May 8, Nedi Rivera was elected Bishop
Suffragan of the Diocese of Olympia. This would be cause for great rejoicing in any event, but it is especially welcome news after a series of episcopal elections (five or six? I've lost track.) without any women candidates. Your Board, and most especially Jane Dixon, retired Bishop Suffragan of Washington, did what we could to support Nedi through the walkabout and election. The Board is in the process of developing a sup portprocess--and a list of possible candidates--for future episcopal elections.
By the time you read this, our neighbors to the
north, the Anglican Church of Canada, will have elected their new Primate at General Synod in May. As I write, Victoria Matthews, the Bishop of Edmonton and the
first woman diocesan in the Canadian Church is said to be one of the two leading candidates for the post. If she is elected, another Old Boys Club will be cracked open!
[Note: as Ruach goes to press we have learned
that Victoria Matthews has withdrawn her candidacy for health reasons. We rejoice that she was so seriously considered and pray for her complete and speedy recovery.]
As usual, there's good news and bad news.
Nedi Rivera is the good news; the bad news is symbolized for me in a Reuters article on April 28, in which Deborah Zabarenka reported on recent deletions and alterations of significant information on a range of women's issues from government web sites. The deleted information covered such fundamental things as health, pay equity, child care, women business owners, and much more.
The political message is clear: we dare not take
anything for granted. That's true in the church also, sisters and brothers.
Now for our very own Episcopal Women's
Caucus elections: this year we will need to elect at least two new Board members. Our by-laws provide for the election of four of the seven Board members in rotation, and the appointment of the remaining three by members of the Board. Any member of the Caucus is eligible for office. Consider seriously the possibility of serving, and don't be shy about nominating your self.
Please send names and something about yourself or the person you are nominating to our Business Manager, Bill Fleener by July 31. Our bylaws call for an election by mail, and the ballot will be sent to all members in August. Please feel free to contact any present Board member to find out more about the work, and don't forget to keep recruiting new members, male and female. This Caucus has work to do!