In Episcopal Life, this triennial convention is referred to as a family reunion, and as the new kid on the block, I feel a bit adopted, but also excited to see so many familiar faces from Jubilee and economic justice work. My fellow deputies from Atlanta have been very supportive and helpful. The familiarities and connections are growing already.
I'm glad I read Ubuntu before I arrived here. The book by theologian Michael Battle is subtitled "I in You and You in Me" which carries the theme of this gathering. What a powerful notion this is to ponder and hold as a plumb line---that we are only made human to live together, to know others, to be with, to understand others as God's own. This African word seems so very simple and to have such obvious implications, yet for us Americans, it will a difficult journey to emphasize the community before the self. Ubuntu gives us new ways to live into the Great Commandment, and you'll hear more about this challenge from us while we are at General Convention and back home in the Diocese.
We're also learning a new way to communicate. The practice of "Public Narrative" invites us to tell our values through stories, appreciate the values of others and then move to action. We'll actually practice doing this in small groups. I got to practice already today at a hearing on a resolution for funding economic justice work, as I told the story of the beginning of our Chattahoochee Federal Credit Union.
I was not disappointed at the Opening Eucharist today. The worship experiences at General Convention are often described as awesome, lively, diverse, multi-lingual, non-traditional. Over 1200 deputies plus guests and volunteers stood before vibrant images of our global wealth of people and places. Music came from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Angola and The Hymnal. We recited the Lord's Prayer in English and Spanish simultaneously. No wonder we are not to be called "the national church" anymore. We are of the world, and that strikes me as very real at General Convention.
There is a genuine spirit of love in this place. I can see this body saying "Yes" to life for all. From the vast Exhibit Hall to the packed legislative hearing rooms, I can sense the need to listen carefully to one another and to learn to BE Ubuntu.
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