Explanation

Language matters. The 231st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut “acknowledged that using only male language for God distorts and impoverishes our theological vision” (Resolution #12). Our principal worship resource, the Book of Common Prayer, contains thousands of references to God, virtually all of which are male. As we increasingly understand the fluidity of gender, assigning a male gender to God reinforces patriarchy, androcentrism and clericalism. The 78th General Convention required the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to present a plan for BCP revision to the 79th General Convention. This is an unprecedented opportunity to further our commitment to equality of all genders.