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NEBRASKA: "No thank you" to booze at General Convention says Nebraska Episcopal Bishop
By David W. virtue
www.virtueonline.org
February 8, 2015
Bishop J. Scott Barker, the Episcopal Bishop of Nebraska, has written a letter, posted in the Nebraska Episcopalian, about his decision to abstain from alcohol at General Convention 2015.
"I've made a small decision for which I ask your support. I've decided not to consume alcohol of any kind or at any time during our church's General Convention in Salt Lake City this summer. I'm mindful of the recent tragedy in Maryland, and the chance to make a small witness for delight in sobriety as a bishop of the Church.
"I note that in the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska so many wonderful disciples are in recovery and could use some support -- and so many parish churches are hobbled by alcoholic family systems long in place. I am aware that at convention we will be talking and praying about major restructuring in our denomination to face the challenges of faithfully following Jesus in this new millennium.
"I want to be fully present to all that, even and especially the informal and late night conversations where some of the most important work may be done. I'm a little bummed. I'm sure there will be some fun opportunities for celebration that I'll miss. Seems right anyway. Surely this is the right time to try doing things a little differently. Amen?"
One wonders what would happen if the entire House of Bishops abstained from alcohol, though the bishop did not ask for that. Perhaps Bishop Gene Robinson (a recovering alcoholic) could be resurrected to lead the HOB in a moment of abject silence perhaps even a time of repentance.
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