General Convention Matters

With neither winners nor losers

2009-07-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Alicia Schuster Weltner

What a privilege it was and is to be chosen as one of the deputies from the Diocese of Atlanta! Thank you for electing me. I have learned a great deal about how our church orders its common life; both the blessedness and the challenges of it. I have learned a tremendous amount about our church and how it works and prays and tries to bring order to its life these past two weeks.

I have also learned first hand that what I have heard from others with more experience is true--our polity (the authority structures by which we make decisions) makes for complicated decision making. It means that I, along with many others, have agonized over votes because they dealt with such complex issues but required a yes or no vote. It has become clear to me that almost all legislation involves some compromise, perhaps in the best sense; some giving on all sides. It is also an awesome responsibility to be at General Convention. No vote is simple, and please know no vote is taken or made lightly.

In interpreting the actions of this General Conventon, I pray that the wider church and the world will be as attentive to the receiving and interpretation of actions taken there as we were in making them. I commend to you in particular this letter sent to The Most Reverend Rowan Williams from President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefforts Schori. You can read the Episcopal Life article on the letter here, which includes a link to the letter posted online.

I was truly blessed as a first time deputy to be a member of a legislative committee at this Convention. I served on the "Canons," committee, which engaged in important and faithful work about the laws that govern our church's life together (which we call canons), and how those rules intersect with the life and loves and challenges of this church. We had particularly difficult work to do around "Title IV," as our disciplinary canons for the clergy of this church are known. This involved a complete redoing of the canons that have been in place since 1994, and generated considerable debate. It was in how this debate and division was listened to and incorporated into the life of the committee itself and the final resolution that was presented and passed without amendment by both houses that I learned the most about how a legislative process, as challenging as it is, can also be holy, and how negotiation can be the gentlest of arts when done by those whose love for the church and its people informs it. It was in that committee work that I was able to see on a smaller scale how those who differ profoundly can come together in a common statement that has neither winners nor losers but simply the truth of the group that crafted it, and the prayer that it is also what God would will.

In summaries of this Convention, which in many places have focused almost exclusively on the actions we took in D025 and C056, it could seem that we have spent most of our time talking mainly to and about ourselves. But it is important to point out that we have also made important witness to the vital importance of keeping our minds, hearts, and financial resources focused on those who have so very much less than we do. So in spite all the pain of the budget we passed, it does include 0.7% for the Millennium Development Goals as well as a corresponding 0.7% for domestic poverty initiatives through our Jubilee Ministries.

We also reached out to take stands for the weakest and most in want in our world; victims of human trafficking, those without health insurance, those still routinely sidelined for reasons of race, as well as for youth and children and young adults. We added new feast days to our church calendar. We made a commitment to continue and grow our outreach and ministry with Latinos and Hispanics. We worshiped and we prayed and sang together; a lot. We showed that we believe both in repentance and restoration, in facing the truth of our lives together and the ever-enduring nature of Christian hope.

And now we are back home, to the churches and families who were so gracious to give us this time away and this holy responsibility. I come home newly aware of both the challenges we face together as a church and also of God's call to unite in praying for the grace to accomplish them.

A summing up

2009-07-18T19:42:00.001-07:00

From Alternate Bruce Garner

The gavel sounded yesterday afternoon and General Convention 2009 became a part of our history.

It was a remarkable convention for a number of reasons.

Most remarkable, perhaps was the absence of rancor and nastiness of previous General Conventions. Having attended every convention since 1991, it was a refreshing change for our discussions to be polite, respectful and considerate.

Many things were accomplished.

The process of implementing a denomination-wide health care plan was begun with the passage of an enabling resolution.

Lay employees of the church were brought into a pension plan.

We condemned the sin of racism again (as we will have to continue to do for a long time to come).

We condemned the sins of human trafficking and the exploitation of commercial sex workers.

We embarked on the revisions of Lesser Feasts and Fasts as it begins to morph into "Holy Men and Holy Women." Similarly, we asked for more liturgical resources in electronic format and available online.

We addressed the all sorts and conditions of humanity that caught our attention whether for good or not so good reasons. We took care of the business of the church that we are required to do by canon as well as that which we noticed through day to day living.

And of course we had our discussions about issues of human sexuality. In one resolution we affirmed our commitment to the Anglican Communion while we also described where we are as a church on the issue of ordination of lesbians and gays as bishops. We gave each other space to be where they are and where we might want to go.

In another resolution we began the process of gathering and studying materials that will lead to liturgies for blessing same gender committed relationships.

We aren't through discussing matters of human sexuality but we are trying to come to grips with some of the realities lesbian and gay members of our church face each day.

Perhaps the blockbuster issue for us was the financial state of our church. We have not been spared the impact of the economic recession. We passed a budget for the upcoming triennium that has us facing the loss of both programs and staff. Over two dozen employees of the Church Center will lose their jobs.

Part of our financial issues arise from the overall economic conditions around our country and the world . But part are the result of a substantial number of dioceses not paying their full asking of the church. Their failure to meet their financial obligations is having a negative impact on us all.

This General Convention reiterated for me that there is room for all in our church. Some may not feel welcomed because their views are in the minority, but they also have a tendency to exclude themselves. The bottom line is that we gather around a table that is not ours. It belongs to God and it is God who issues the invitation to be there. None of us can exclude others and we are bound by our Baptismal Covenant to make sure that we provide the respect to which all are entitled.

The Whole Creation

2009-07-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

From Alternate Arthur Villareal

Mark 16:15: "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation." I am honored to have had a sat on the floor today as a deputy with voice, and vote, while the floor moved to debate and vote on resolution C056. Make no mistake. I did not take this position lightly; especially knowing that my vote counted toward a majority in the Lay and Clerical orders.

For me, one voice stood out during the deliberation. One deputy spoke against C056 with the fear and in trepidation of our church living into the world and leaving behind the traditions of our biblical history. But I believe that is just what Jesus has called us to do, as mentioned in Mark 16:15, "Go into the world." I also believe that our mission is to seek and serve everyone, the poor, the marginalized, and those who live with injustice. When I support C056, I am reminded of all who fall into the category of "the whole creation." I have a sense that this resolution and others brought before the convention this year confirms our desire to live into full inclusion. I pray that we, as a church, understand this as an awesome moment in time to take advantage of real evangelism and meaningful pastoral care. We are in a unique position to say to the world, "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You;" all of you. I believe this welcome is extended equally to the LGBT community as well as to our straight sisters and brothers. Therefore, we have a commission to minister to everyone and to one another in continued support and pastoral care in honor of each and everyone’s spiritual journey.

I do believe we can and are living into Ubuntu.

Holy Longing and Church Blessings

2009-07-16T21:41:00.001-07:00

From Deputy Sam Candler

It’s Thursday night, my twelfth night in Anaheim, the night before the last day of General Convention 2009. We are all tired, longing to be home; and we have faced grueling decisions. We have passed a budget with large cuts; they were necessary. We have made last second amendments and grown frustrated with parliamentary procedure. We have struggled with votes forcing us to think quickly about church and government issues. We have had to think quickly about the deepest theology and about the kindest courtesies. We have laughed thankfully with old friends. We have met some bright new faces. We have made some people rejoice; the same decision has offended others.

And tomorrow will be the last day. With it will arrive one of our most controversial resolutions, C056, presenting a way forward on the matter of blessing committed same gender relationships. Most of us have heard every argument for, and every argument against, going forward on this matter.

I have been chair of the “Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Church Music” committee, which has been crafting this resolution for the last several days; and, as chair of the committee, I will present it on the floor of the House of Deputies tomorrow. I will urge recommendation of the resolution. In fact, I hoped we would pass a similar resolution six years ago, because I desire good theological and liturgical order. Six years ago, we consented to the consecration of a partnered gay man as bishop, and I believe that was a good decision; but I wish we had been able to construct, first, the orderly way that we could recognize and bless his union. That would have been “decent and in order.”

There is a good chance C056 will pass. The tenor of the House of Deputies seems to be favorable. But I will also feel for my conservative friends in the House of Deputies, and across the church. They are already a disappointed minority in many places (certainly here), and my call is to minister to disappointed minorities. They will find comfort in a large majority across the Anglican Communion of churches, and in many individual parishes in The Episcopal Church; that is well and good.

I will pray, tomorrow night, for that perfected heavenly community where our love and affection overwhelm the differences between us. All of us know that holy longing. None of us is there yet, though we are given the grace to glimpse it in our smaller communities –maybe in our parishes and, God willing, in our own marriages and partnerships.

I am thinking of my partner now, whom I miss and long to see after two weeks. The two of us have known joy and disappointment together; we have known pain and grace together; through divine grace, we have even known God through each other. Our union is blessed by God and by the Church. It is because I believe in that Church blessing, that it should be available to everyone, that I will be supporting C056.

The Very Reverend Sam Candler

Two days to go

2009-07-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

From Bishop Alexander

It is late Wednesday night in Anaheim. We have completed eight of the ten legislative days of the 76th General Convention. I thought I would take the opportunity of a lighter-than-usual evening schedule to write to you and highlight a few matters.

First, let me say that your deputation and bishops have worked faithfully through the Convention. We have two legislative committee chairs among us as well as a number of appointments to major committees of the Convention. Our other deputies have tracked legislation, sought and shared voluminous amounts of information, and have contributed significantly to the work before us. The Diocese of Atlanta is "in the thick of things" at The General Convention!

Secondly, let me share some of the highlights. I share these from my perspective only. Bishop Whitmore and the lay and clergy deputies may see some of this from a slightly different vantage point.

Ecumenical and Interfaith -- There have been several important events on this front. The Convention has approved a full-communion agreement with the Moravian Church in America. The Convention has also moved forward our growing ecumenical relationships with the Presbyterian Church and opened the way to further bilateral dialogues. Another significant development is a major position paper on our church's participation and essential witness in interreligious conversations which passed both houses late today.

Church Pension - As you know, the Convention considered a new lay pension plan and a new mandatory denominational health plan. The provisions of these two plans have been well publicized in anticipation of Convention and mammoth amounts of research and background materials have been given to clergy and parishes over the last couple of years. After lengthy conversations, both houses of the Convention passed both measures by near-unanimous votes. In the Diocese of Atlanta, the vast majority of our parishes and the diocese itself is already with Medical Trust, an affiliate of the Pension Fund. The principal thing that we will feel in the Diocese of Atlanta is that our costs should go down measurably. While there are many details to be worked out, before we came out for Convention we began conversations with Medical Trust in the hopes that the Diocese of Atlanta can begin its phase-in of the plans near the beginning of the three-year phase-in period. The sooner we're in the new program, the sooner we will be able to accrue savings and redirect funds to other ministries both at the parish and diocesan level.

Human sexuality - Several dozen resolutions on some aspect of human sexuality were submitted to the Convention by dioceses, parishes, and individuals across the church. The Convention, working through its legislative committees on World Mission and Prayer Book and Liturgy, combined most of these resolutions into two.

The first of these -- Resolution D-025 -- has been widely reported in the press. The press coverage has essentially said that the Episcopal Church has approved the ordination of gay and lesbian persons. Well, no, this Convention took no such action. What this resolution did was simply to reaffirm our own Canons. Back in 1994, the General Convention created a Canon that opened access to the ordination processes of the church -- for all holy orders -- to all baptized persons. This has been our canonical position for fifteen years and it is consistent with the baptismal theology of the Book of Common Prayer. Discernment for holy orders is serious business and should be. In the Episcopal Church we take such discernment with the utmost of seriousness. There is no "right" to ordination for anyone. Our Canons are clear that all baptized persons are to have access to discernment processes. Whether any persons actually gets ordained is a much more complicated set of questions. To summarize: the principal thing this resolution does is simply to affirm that when our church makes decisions on who can and cannot be ordained, we will discern those decisions in accordance with our Canons. The Canons on these matters have not changed since 1994.

Some will ask, does this ignore the request of the Windsor Report for a moratorium on the election and consent to gay or lesbian partnered priests to the episcopate? Some would say so; I don't think so. I don't find the moratorium concept at all helpful, but unless and until a diocese of the church elects a gay partnered person to the episcopate, and the church gives its consent, there is, practically speaking, a moratorium in effect. And again, the only thing this Convention has said is that when any such decision comes before the church, the decision will be made according to our own Canons. The Convention simply clarified that "state of the question" to those who have been asking. The Convention changed nothing.

A very positive dimension of the resolution was its very strong affirmation of our desire as a church to participate fully in the mission and ministry of the Anglican Communion at every level of the church's life. (On this matter, we are very much ahead of the curve in the Diocese of Atlanta with official partnerships in Ecuador, Brazil, and Tanzania, and less formal but no less important relationships in Honduras, Haiti, Guatemala, and other places.) We also commit ourselves to full financial support of the Anglican Communion. We provide a disproportionally large percentage of the Communion budget and we have committed ourselves to continuing to do so. Let no one question our commitment to the Anglican Communion!

A second resolution - C-056 - is the Convention's response to a large group of resolutions, mostly from dioceses, concerning same sex blessings and gay marriage. At the heart of the resolution are the difficult pastoral needs particularly in those states in which some form of gay marriage or civil unions is the law of the land. There is also the felt need, by many in the church, to work more carefully through the theological and liturgical issues related to the church's pastoral and liturgical response to our members who are living in committed, same-sex relationships. I believe the Convention is looking at this in a creative way. First, we name the "tension" between those parts of the church in which gay unions or marriage is provided for by law and those parts of the church that serve in civil jurisdictions where no legal provisions pertain. Recognizing that tension is important. Secondly, the resolution asks for more theological and liturgical work to be done on the matter and the results of that work be brought to the 2012 Convention. It is impossible to tell at this point what sort of form that work will take. This provision strengthens the resolution, in my judgment, because as a liturgical and sacramental church it is essential to do theological and liturgical work hand-in-hand, and not as separate endeavors. Thirdly, this resolution invites the Anglican Communion to join us in this theological and liturgical exploration. I am confident that this invitation for collaboration will be welcomed by a number of provinces in the Communion. C-056 passed the House of Bishops late in the day on Wednesday and is expected to reach the floor of the House of Deputies on Thursday.

The obvious question is: does this mean the General Convention has "approved" rites for same-sex unions or gay marriage? The answer to that is "no." What the Convention did was to pave the way for more extensive theological and liturgical work to be done in the upcoming triennium. The next Convention will receive a report that will be both theological and liturgical in scope and will almost certainly contain some "model rites" for the church to consider. The 2012 Convention will have to decide whether to proceed further and, if so, in what manner.

With respect to the Anglican Covenant, the House of Deputies has approved a resolution that commits the Episcopal Church to continued participation in the covenant process that grew out of the Windsor Report. It will come before the House of Bishops on Thursday and will almost surely get the bishops' full support.

A major revision of Lesser Feasts and Fasts to be called Holy Women, Holy Men is also winding its way through the legislative process. The Bishops have approved a resolution for a feasibility study for a new hymnal. . .

. . . and on and on and on . . . with two days to go!

We're tired and getting weary, but this Convention has done good work -- and in many cases -- very good work. It is very clear to anyone here that our church is strong and vital and about the work of God's mission!

Photo above: the Diocese of Atlanta Deputation and Bishops, pictured following a Joint Session of the two Houses on the proposed budget for the triennial.

Moving the Conversation On

2009-07-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

From Alternate Mac Thigpen

Resolution D025 , a replacement for 2006 B033, was passed by the House of Deputies on and was sent on to the House of Bishops. On Monday, the House of Bishops amended and passed the resolution. Now it comes back to the House of Deputies (who passed the resolution, as amended by the House of Bishops, on Tuesday). There is already "news" that the Archbishop of Canterbury is not happy with our direction. But it is our direction. We do believe that it is where God is calling us; has called us.

The theme of this convention has been Ubuntu - the notion that I cannot be me without you. There are those who have used it to say that therefore we cannot move on the issue of non-discrimation in the ordination process (including bishops) because there are those in the communion for whom it is problematic, that by passing this resolution we are saying that we can be us without you. This is simply not true; it is a false choice. We are saying that we cannot be us without all of us and that includes our lgbt brothers and sisters. Ubuntu, if it is to have any real strength, must be for all of us. There are those who would say "yes" to Ubuntu but "no" to our lgbt brothers and sisters. This is not Ubuntu.

We have committed ourselves to mission, to MDGs, to seeking and serving Christ in all persons. But it must be all of us. We cannot sacrifice one for the other. We will continue the work of Christ wherever God call us.

I am thankful that we as the Episcopal Church are able to be truth tellers at this point. There may indeed be those who wish to walk away from us because we tell the truth and we live the gospel and God's message of reconciliation as we believe we have been called. But let it be done in truth and without anger. That this is where we find ourselves, who we are, who we believe we are called to be. My hope is that as we are clear and strong and faithful that if we cannot agree we can respect one another and perhaps in time find ways to walk together again.

We are marching in the light of God.

The Headlines Sizzle

2009-07-15T07:01:00.001-07:00

From Deputy Sam Candler

I rejoiced yesterday with many of my friends in The Episcopal Church after the passage of D025; it is an honest proclamation of full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the church and an honest proclamation of our commitment to the wider Anglican Communion. That is its beauty. I also sat with friends who were discouraged, for fear that we had taken a step apart from the wider Anglican Communion. I disagree with their assessment, but I care for them.

Meanwhile, the headlines, as usual, have all the sizzle but none of the meat. The snippet headlines want the world to believe that The Episcopal Church has overturned a moratorium on the consecration of gays or lesbians, or has repealed the 2006 resolution B033. The substance of resolution D025 is far richer than that. It has re-affirmed the commitment of The Episcopal Church both to the full inclusion of gays and lesbians, and to the wider Anglican Communion. The Episcopal Church refuses to believe it must choose between the two.

I am among that apparently growing minority who believes that the actual wording of 2006-B033 did not place a legislative moratorium on the consecration of gays or lesbians as bishops. I acknowledge that it was interpreted that way after its passage. I also acknowledge that some close friends of mine considered themselves excluded because of it.

In fact, however, B033 was always interpreted variously. A major reason it passed the General Convention of 2006 was because it mentioned neither “moratorium” nor “gays and lesbians.” Thus, there never was a formal “moratorium” in place in the Episcopal Church which has now been broken. There may have been informal moratoria, within the minds of individuals and nominating committees and dioceses, and that fact has always been legitimate in the church. At this convention, D025 simply does not mention overturning a moratorium, because no legislative moratorium is in place.

I do agree that certain relationships within the Anglican Communion of churches are strained. Those are the relationships, generally, who see sexuality issues as determinative for communion. I do not agree. There are plenty of healthy, vigorous, and missional relationships across lines in the Anglican Communion which are satisfied to let sexuality issues be secondary issues. Uniform opinion on the sexuality issues of our time –or any time-- should not be the basis for Christian communion. Indeed, they should not be determinative for Christian covenant either – but more on that at a later time!

Walking for Justice

2009-07-15T06:07:00.001-07:00

by Vicky Partin and Emily Cosby

Today, July 14, we joined Episcopal Network for Economic Justice for a Prayer Vigil and march in solidarity with Disneyland hotel workers. After blessings and short speeches by Bishops Jon Bruno, Gene Robinson, and a former Bishop of Mexico, we took our Unite/DisneyBeFaithful picket signs and marched with hundreds of struggling hotel workers and local union activists to the entrance of the amusement park.

For eighteen months, the workers have not had contracts due to the company's proposals to increase part time positions and to increase the cost and eligibility to these low wage workers for health care benefits, which could cost up to $500 per month. For one of the richest companies in the land, this act of corporate greed is inexcusable. It was reported that CEO Robert Iger made $30.6 million in 2008, and despite the recession, Disney reported a net income of $1.46 billion for the first half of fiscal year 2009. It can afford to care for those who made its financial success possible!

Many priests and lay attendants of the General Convention joined the vibrant chanters led by Episcopal priest and CLUE leader Henry Atkins and Bishops Barbara Harris, Greg Rickel, and Chip Marble. Over 30 supporters and labor organizations, including UAW, steel workers, teachers, LA airport workers, other local hotel and Anaheim/Orange County employees joined in solidarity with the Disney hotel workers. One such worker, a Disney bartender of over twenty years, spoke in the exhibit hall on Monday. She feels betrayed after two decades of loyal commitment and seniority. She did not think it fair to have to find a second job to make a living, or to have to choose between paying rent or seeing a doctor. She put a face to the issues.
It was moving for us to put into action the inspiration given us all week in Convention. Ubuntu! I in you and you in me.

My "pet" resolutions on economic justice and Jubilee are behind me now. Some, like the one to fund our justice network and its distribution of vast resources, were never brought out of the Social and Urban Affairs Committee. The one for alleviating poverty was strongly endorsed and adopted but not funded yet. Another to provide grants to Jubilee Centers like CVEM was adopted by both Houses. This one was adopted in a clump of resolutions. I had actually prepared a two-minute endorsement of Jubilee support to speak on the "floor", so I felt a bit disappointed when it slid by.

In the meanwhile, many resolutions were passed with funding not already listed in the draft budget, whose final version went to press on Sunday night. Soon we will see more clearly how serious the shortfall (estimated at $17 million) may be for the next three years. Many, many programs are not funded as usual.

Since Day 1 there has been a tent card at my place on the "floor": "A Daugther of the King has prayed over your seat." I thought, "How sweet." Today, Day 8, I picked it up and brought it home, knowing that praying is what DOK does best. I'm grateful for the prayers I hear and for the prayers we recite and for those we keep within. There are far too many sensitive resolutions, canons, church calendars, organizations, budgets around which people are passionate for us NOT to pray. "Oh Lord, you'll have to direct me on this one...or that one!"

What did we mean?

2009-07-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

From Bishop Alexander

One of the most difficult aspects of a large legislative assembly is communicating its results effectively. Today is a great example! The Convention has passed a resolution -- D-025 -- that has been completely misinterpreted by the press. Read the resolution here.

The press is suggesting that we have voted to make it possible for gay and lesbian persons to be admitted to the ordination process of our church, thereby clearing the way for more gay or lesbian bishops. Actually, the church decided to admit all baptized persons to our discernment processes, including gay and lesbian persons, in 1994. This applies to all orders of ministry. If someone has access to the process for discernment for any order, they have access to all orders. Consequently, resolution D-025 did not change anything that has not been in place since 1994. It simply re-affirmed that when we make decisions about these things, we are going to make them as we have since 1789, according to the Constituion and Canons of our church.

A second thing the press is trying to say is that in passing this resolution we have thumbed our nose at the Anglican Communion. If you actually read the resolution you can plainly see that is not what it says. It says in very clear terms that we are committed to the Anglican Communion at every level of our church and that we are prepared to put our money where our mouth is. There are thirty-eight provinces of the Anglican Communion and our province alone provides a disproportionally large percentage of the Communion budget. We do so gratefully and, I might add, with no strings attached.

This is a great example of the press sensationalizing a clear, straightforward, and positive statement of our church that attempts to say only two things: (1) we are committed to full partnership in the Anglican Communion; and (2) when it comes to deciding who will be bishops, priests, and deacons of our church, we'll do that the way we always have, i.e. through careful, thoughtful, prayerful discernment processes established by our Canons. In our Canons, there is a big difference between "open access" to the ordination process and meeting the rigorous demands of that process. It is not easy -- for anyone -- to be ordained to any of the holy orders of The Episcopal Church. That is as it should be. It seems clear that that's not going to change!

So, be careful what you read in the press!

Choices and Challenges

2009-07-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

From Alternate Angela Williamson

"Love that is wise, justice that is generous, process that is empowered."

Those words, part of a prayer offered today by our chaplain, the Rev. Frank Wade of St. Alban's Church in Washington, D.C., should be, I think, how we should always operate in our church deliberations.

Some especially significant deliberations took place today, including the passage of a new Title IV on ecclesiastical discipline written over a three year period by a special task force, the passage of the resolution mandating lay employee pension funding, and the consent to the ordination and consecration of the Rev. Luis Fernando Ruiz Restrepo as Bishop of the Diocese of Ecuador Central. After the consent, Fr. Ruiz and his wife entered the house to a standing ovation, escorted by the deputations from his home diocese, the Diocese of Columbia, as well as the the Diocese of Ecuador Central, and Ecuador Central's Companion Diocese, the Diocese of Atlanta.

Two engaging speeches on the gifts of young adults were given by two young adults, Deputy Chu of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and Deputy Brown of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine," greeted worshipers arriving for the daily Eucharist. With boys in black suits and ties and girls in black skirts and white blouses, the choir of Young at Arts, a program of Christ Church in Bronxville, New York, made a joyful and energetic noise unto the Lord. Then there was the moving and challenging sermon by Courtney Cowart, Director of Disaster Response in the Diocese of Louisiana, who grew up at the Cathedral of St. Philip. She challenged us, the church . Will we choose to be the good Samaritan on the road to Jericho or will we choose to pass by the one in need? Will we as a church choose "to glorify God on every Jericho road?"

Will we embrace Ubuntu, "I in you and you in me", yes or no?

Day 5- The Lord's Day

2009-07-12T13:08:00.001-07:00

From Deputy Richard Perry

We started today with a magnificent choral communion, with dancers, drummers and some 3500 of our closest friends. Bishop Schori picked up on today's Gospel and admonished us to travel lightly - a Prayer Book and Hymnal in one hand and a Swiss Army knife in the pocket to open the wine bottle. We were out in an hour and a half, having administered communion to 3500 folks in the same time we take to administer to 300 at the Cathedral.

The dialogue on B033 continues to develop and the Committee has consolidated 13 Resolutions on the subject into one Resolution D025, which will have a Special Order for consideration, perhaps tomorrow. The Resolution is too long to repeat here, but generally has six parts:

1. That we reaffirm and give thanks our continued participation in the Anglican Communion.
2. That we encourage all members, parishes and dioceses to participate in the continuing relationships in the Anglican Communion.
3. That we affirm the value of listening to the experience of homosexual persons and recognize that the baptized membership of the Episcopal Church includes same sex couples, living in life long committed relationships.
4. That we acknowledge that gay and lesbian persons exercise various ministries in the Church.
5. That we affirm that God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry in the Church.
6. That we acknowledge that members of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion are not of one mind and that Christians of good conscience disagree on some of these matters.

This is not the entire text and you can see it on the various web sites. Interestingly enough, the Deputies portion of the Joint Committee voted in favor by 24 - 2, but the Bishops portion of the Committee voted 2 - 3 against it. Stay Tuned.

Yesterday we heard great messages from six international visitors from Ghana, Brazil, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Kenya, all, in their own way, supportive of our joint ministries, but acknowledging the differences in our cultures.

One Resolution you would not think would cause any trouble was the Consent to the election of a Bishop for Central Ecuador - perhaps not so much a concern over the person as the process. But great debate over the election process and a Special Order for debate tomorrow morning. Of his own 5 person Deputation 3 oppose Consent!

Our own Kay Meyers, National President of the ECW addressed us yesterday and one Committee, dealing with a Resolution suggesting that the more affluent Dioceses share their "resources", i.e., money, with those less affluent, asked to be Discharged, as it was "too hard to legislate". . . a new parliamentary move in my experience. . .

Finally, the quote of the day: "We are 'followers' of Jesus because He is going somewhere. Otherwise we might as well be attached to, partners with, or just filed under. . .."

A Vision Fixed Beyond the Horizon of Fear

2009-07-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

From Alternate Mac Thigpen

On Friday, the House of Deputies met as a whole body in committee (not legislation session) to hear speakers address deputies in conversation on 2006 B033 (basically a moratorium on consenting to the election of bishops in same-sex relationships). With over 800 members, the house had decided upon a lottery to determine 30 speakers for the special session. The Atlanta deputation selected two of the lower numbers allowing Bruce Garner and I to the address the house.

I had the opportunity to stand and speak of my experience of B033 in 2006. I tried to express my pain and disappointment over its passage at the very end of General Convention 2006. I felt it had placed us in the position of making an impossible choice - "Sophie's Choice - sacrifice one child for the other - to choose between mission and justice. Mission and justice cannot be separated. I believe we can and must do both, sacrificing neither for the other. My hope is that we will move past B033 and renew our commitment to our own canons of non-discrimination related to ordination.

We await the direction we will choose to take on this issue.

Later in the evening, 1500 were in attendance at the Integrity Eucharist. The focus was on our baptismal covenant. It was indeed a joyful and colorful celebration. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson was celebrant. The Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris preached. Former Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning was honored for his support of the lgbt community from the beginning of his ministry as presiding bishop when he stated, "there will be no outcasts in this church."

At the end of the service, Bishop Robinson invited all lgbt clergy to come to the altar. I remember when we first began to this in 2000 and there were approximately 20 of us gathered around the altar. Last night, there were over a hundred lgbt clergy gathered around that altar, young and old, men and women, people of all colors. What joy to be surrounded by so many of my brothers and sisters with full recognition of the struggle that has brought us to this day!

Today, international visitors addressed the HOD. Dr. Jenny Te Paa of New Zealand charged us "your vision must be fixed beyond the horizon of fear."

Bedraggled Grace

2009-07-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Sam Candler

Every deputy or bishop who is keeping some sort of personal account of General Convention (through posts on blogs, reports to dioceses or home parishes, or even facebook) is remarking by now how long the days are. Most of us admit some fatigue. Will Sunday be a day of rest? (Yes: we can sleep a bit later. But there is the grand UTO Ingathering on Sunday morning, followed by an afternoon legislative session).

Yesterday, I was up early, preparing for our 7:30 am committee meeting. We have begun the untangling and review of eleven resolutions having something to do with same gender commitment blessings and/or marriage rites. This work will be complicated, as almost everyone in the church knows by now. Pray for the committee, for the House of Deputies, and the House of Bishops!

As usual, I was barely on time for the 9:30 legislative session. The special order resumed, in which the House of Deputies heard forty articulate and faithful statements about the effects of 2006-B033. All of us have heard most of this material “by title.” We all know the various arguments, justifications, and pain. Still, I was touched by almost every speaker, whether or not she or he was justifying or critiquing B033. Every person on the floor of the House of Deputies has a strong and faithful story.

After the 11:30 worship service, which I am continuing to enjoy, I snuck away for a quick thirty minute lunch, before the lunch meeting I had arranged with a subcommittee of Committee 13 at 1:00. (I can never actually eat while I am leading, or even participating in, a meeting!)

Then, we were back in the House of Deputies at 2:00, for a four-hour legislative session. We glimpsed some of the pain and confusion over the recent election of a bishop for Equador Central. We began to vote, finally efficiently, for trustees of the Church Pension Fund. At one point, a live and lovely pigeon flew over the assembly; actually, I could not quite tell if it was a dove or not.

I forgot to mention that one of our deputation had a serious accident just as the afternoon legislative session was beginning. She fell, and, it turns out, dislocated her shoulder. Another of our deputation, Claiborne Jones, left the floor and accompanied her to the hospital. I spoke to Claiborne later in the evening, and I hope and pray that bodies are mending. I mention this to point out that life –with glory and accident—continues in the midst of General Convention. We adjust. We pray for grace.

In the evening, my committee had no meetings. I attended the Integrity Eucharist, not only because I have so many friends involved there, but also because that worship service really is energetic! We sang some lovely pieces and heard an enchanting Kenyan anthem. Afterwards, I enjoyed a very late and important dinner with two old friends and finally got to bed about 11:30 pm.

General Convention continues to be part “family reunion,” part “county fair,” and part “state legislature.” At our best, maybe we approach “federal legislature!” There is important legislation. But there is also invigorating worship, old friends, new friends, crazy events – and everyone clamoring and claiming a piece of this grand extravaganza. We find some grace, but sometimes it is a bit bedraggled.

And Then There was Day 4

2009-07-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Richard Perry

Day Three was a busy one as the Legislative portion got under way - we are through 83 resolutions to date. One Resolution soon to come on the Floor is that Atlanta is on the short list for hosting General Convention in 2012 - this does not at all mean we will host GC, but Atlanta is among the final 4 cities being considered.

The Committee working on B033 has developed a very good 4 page history of "Episcopal Elections and the Anglican Communion" which I will bring back with me. The mood of the Convention, in my opinion, is that the Deputies are frustrated with the Anglican Communion's failure to acknowledge our efforts or to prevent the "Flying Bishops" and we are anxious to do something and the Bishops are more cautious about how to move beyond B033 and more wary of fracturing the Anglican Communion.

The Budget is tight. . .we do not have enough money to do what we would like to do, but one idea "The 80 cent Solution" - if every member of the Church would give just $.80 per year, we could double the size of our Missionary Corps.

Dealing with resolutions is sometimes tedious - witness a Floor Amendment to A026 to add an "s". . .The resolution called for each Deputation to elect a Chairperson and so inform the General Convention. But many Deputations, including ours, do not "elect" their Chairperson, but rather follow its own developed historical protocol or accept the appointment of its Bishop. Thus we needed to change the word "elect" to the work "select", by simply adding an "s". But the time and paperwork necessary to do so. . .

Finally a couple of quotes from floor arguments:

"Our Anglican Communion is not fragile - so long as we are going abroad to build churches and schools and hospitals, dig wells, nurse the sick and feed the hungry, our communion is very alive and well."

and, "The Church is like an airplane - it needs two wings to fly - a right wing and a left wing."

Connections and Blessings

2009-07-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Rick Callaway

Connections are made and restored at General Convention. Thursday afternoon, I turned in my Deputy credential, and First Alternate Rob Wood took a turn on the floor of convention as a Deputy. It was good for Rob to get some experience, and, I had some business to attend to with the Church Deployment Office.

All of the agencies of the Church have displays in the Market Place. The Church Deployment Office (CDO), has two staff, Sabrina Neeley and Pam Ramsden. They came to Convention to meet with clergy who are looking for the next place God may be calling them. Pam and I had some left over business on a CDO search I needed. While I was in the CDO booth, I met with several of my fellow deployment officers from around the Church: Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, East Tennessee, Eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma. I've also seen my peers from Mississippi, Central Florida, and West and EastTennessee.

All of us know one another on the phone; some of us were face-to-face for the first time. These relationships are the basis of good community; a shared gospel value. Meeting one another at General Convention, sharing a joke, speaking of one another's challenges and helping a friend find a priest or a different situation, builds our trust and furthers the work of the Gospel. This is one of the blessings of this large gathering.

Listening and Learning

2009-07-10T08:09:00.001-07:00

From Alternate Rob Wood

It's the end of day three of our time in Anaheim—and, as a first-time participant, I'm listening and learning—with a lot to learn. However, I'm not alone. About 46% of deputies are first-timers, a percentage that is true for all recent General Conventions. So please don't get the idea that it's the same people all the time who attend these gatherings. And I do have to say, thanks for sending me. It's quite an experience.

Sometimes I feel a bit like an Episcopal tourist—mainly because I got to see people I've only seen in before in pictures: Katharine Jefferts Schori—a very fine preacher, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, and Gene Robinson. More and more, though, I'm getting the hang of schedule, hearings, and the full-day routine and feeling like a "regular".

I'm an alternate, which is like being a second string running back. The first stringers (the deputies) are on the floor to vote most of the time. I've been told I might get in the game for a few plays, (which I did today for the legislative session about the Anglican Communion, Windsor Report, and Resolution B033 from 2006), but I'll likely spend more time on the sidelines. That is…the legislative sidelines (where we are gathered to vote on resolutions). But it's game on for many other activities…like committee hearings for resolutions. Activities such as these begin at 7:30 in the morning, and work continues through 9 PM. I have carved out some time to clear my head by walking under the Southern Californian sun ( a two mile walk around the block) and a visit or two to the hotel's fitness center. I should also mention how nice it is to run into clergy I know from seminary, my time in Mississippi, and Atlanta alums—like Brad Whitaker and Stacy Sauls.

Of course, good worship has also marked out time. Whether it's morning prayer, meditations by our convention chaplain Frank Wade, or the daily Eucharist (in which we've heard Bishop Katharine and Archbishop Rowan preach), we are connected, moved, and inspired by the Word of God, diverse music in our tradition, and centering time together.

Early days here are mainly marked not by voting but by hearings on resolutions that will come before the House of Deputies at some point.

- My first hearing was for Budget and Finance, where many, many spoke up for the MDGs as a priority that needs a specific line item. I would be very surprised if that didn't happen. One resolution even asserts that the MDG monies would all go to netsforlife, which provides mosquito nets to prevent needless death from malaria.

- I heard a Church Pension Group hearing about increased benefits for the surviving spouses of clergy

- I attended hearings on Theological Education and spoke in favor of funding for seminarians from the Episcopal Church Budget. Seminarians often graduate with over $50,000 in debt. Many denominations offer financial help their seminarians, but the Episcopal Church as a whole does not (though a diocese or a congregation might). As I said in the hearing, "Theological Education is not an individual issue; nor can debt from theological education be an individual burden. It's got to be a church issue, and it's time to start helping with seminary costs and growing vibrant ministry."

- I attended two hearing on resolutions concerning issues of 1) pastoral response to gay and lesbian couples in states where their marriage or union is now legal, and 2) the possible development of liturgies for same sex blessing. There are more than 5 resolutions on such liturgies, some (in my opinion) poorly written and misdirected. I spoke in opposition on one them—mainly on its substance more than its principle, and asked for good theological work to be done on such a liturgy if any were to be explored. Such a resolution was submitted by the Bishop of Vermont, and that is one I could support with less hesistancy. Interestingly, I did not experience a great deal of controversy or tension in those hearings even as differences of opinion were expressed. Respectful listening was there…which was nice to experience.

Lastly, I'll report briefly on a presentation from Archbishop of Canterbury and Katharine Jefferts Schori on the troubling world economic situation. I hope this one makes it to the web or YouTube for all to see. The troubles, as Archbishop Williams explained it, started with years of lying to ourselves about economic practices and lying to ourselves about the delicate interconnections of people and countries. It's truly difficult to explain his points in full, so I hope you'll check http://www.episcopalchurch.org/index.htm for his remarks and all kinds of updates.

Peace to from sunny Southern California, and thank you again for the honor of being here as a member of our diocese's deputation. I'll write some more in the days ahead.

“Same-sex Blessings and Order” versus "Mis-interpretation and Anxiety"

2009-07-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Sam Candler

Today, Thursday, 9 July 2009, could be quite a tangled and tense day. Hearings and/or committee conference meetings meet at their earliest time of convention, 7:00 am. Everyone is up early! Then, after another session of Misson Conversation and the mid-day Eucharist, the testimonies, and speeches, and conversations and hearings begin; they will be about homosexuality, about strains upon communion and conscience, about same-sex blessings, abut varied recollections and hopes. It will be tangled and tense.

At 2:00 pm, the “Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music’ Committee will hear testimony regarding all the various resolutions having something to with authorizing rites for same-sex blessings or changing canons regarding marriage. There are about ten such resolutions, but there will be scores of nuances and variations of opinion. While many here sense that both houses are willing to allow some progress toward the acceptance of rites or blessings of same-sex couples, no one knows exactly what form that progress might take.

At 5:00 pm, during the legislative session of the House of Deputies, the house will take up a special order of business, which seek to review the issues surrounding resolution 2006-B033 – that is, a resolution that passed the General Convention of 2006 in the closing hours, and which, to many seemed rushed, confusing, and Painful.

I voted against the special order for review of 2006-B033. That seems surprising to some of my friends, but I believe that the way to go beyond B033 is to go beyond it. Let it be. Even at the time, it was subject to all sorts of interpretation, for it does not mention gays and lesbians at all. Still, many interpreted it to mean that gays or lesbians should not be presented, or nominated, for election to the episcopate. I did not interpret it that way, but I must also admit that there is evidence that at least one diocese did interpret it that way.

I do not know the details of the House of Deputies special order, but I do know that the World Missions committee, to which these B033 resolutions have been assigned, has worked long and arduously toward the right presentation. I pray for them, and I hope we can move out of the B033 morass gracefully. We do not need to linger in the land of anxiety and mis-interpretation. My understanding is that the World Missions committee will also hold regular open hearings tonight on the same matter. Then, the House of Deputies will take up a second half of the special order, again having to do with B033 issues, on Friday morning.

By late Friday morning, then, I am sure we will have reviewed almost all the various arguments in favor of, or against, same-sex blessings. We will have reviewed the various interpretations or reasons for B033. We will have hashed and re-hashed.

My prayer is about peace against anxiety. I pray that all this concentrated anxiety will not produce chaos and ill will and frustration. My prayer is about the order that might very well be established if General Convention finds a way to honor and bless same-sex relationships. I am glad that those resolutions devoted to such blessings will be considered in their customary ways by the Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music committee. That would make available an ordered way of life that will make a great and graceful witness to the Anglican Communion and to the world.

A New Heart

2009-07-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

From Alternate Arthur Villarreal

Right now all I can say is that I’m so excited to be here! It has been like hanging out with the who’s who of the Episcopal Church. I’m not just talking about bumping into the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori at the reception for the Chicago Consultation. Nor am I just talking about running into our famous Bishop of New Hampshire, The Right Reverend Gene Robinson while dining at a fabulous steak house, Morton’s. I’m not just referring to my turning the corner in the exhibit hall and finding myself face to face with the Archbishop of Canterbury (you know, I don’t think he clips his eye brows)!

I am talking about meeting and making new friends who are here to do their part in serving our Church and the world community. I am overwhelmed as I learn more about their mission and work in the Church. Also, after living in Berkeley, California for the past year, it has been extremely wonderful catching up with everyone from the Diocese of Atlanta. I felt like we just picked up where we left off--they had no hesititation about putting me to work. Thank you for the opportunity!

As an Alternate Deputy attending General Convention for the first time, I can afford the time to sit back, watch, and listen to the life of the church. The work that is taking place here with hearings, meetings, and legislative sessions can seem confusing. So I have chosen to review the activities and items of business of a few committees and follow their process of actions.

I have been spending time in the Program, Budget, and Finance (PB&F) hearings. I am touched by the compassion that is expressed by the deputies and bishops on PB&F as they strive to be good stewards of God’s gifts as well as their drive to make every penny count toward the work of serving others. Also, I have sat in on the discussion and dialogue of the Episcopal Church’s desire to live in full communion with more of our sisters and brothers in the different bodies of the Moravian, Methodist, and Swedish Churches in the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations.

I find all this amazing and what is to come exciting, and I feel blessed to be an Episcopalian. The lesson from Ezekiel 36:24-26 in our first Eucharist frames my experience thus far. With this church’s passion to live fully int its desire to serve, I feel we are a people of a "new heart" of which Ezekiel speaks. We are ready to live into the compassion of love and service to our church and world community that this General Convention's theme, "Ubuntu – I in You and You in Me" calls us to.

Learning Ubuntu

2009-07-08T15:33:00.001-07:00

From Deputy Vicky Partin

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.

Wading in the Water

2009-07-08T13:49:00.001-07:00

From Deputy Rick Callaway

The opening Eucharist today reminded me once again how I become immersed in this event we know as General Convention. This is my fourth as a Deputy, and each time I have experienced becoming more and more in tune with the convention by degrees. It is much like wading into a pond, gradually moving out away from the bank into the deeper waters. Baptismal imagery, isn't it? Here we are taking counsel for the Church; lay and ordained with our varieties of gifts and agendas, and all being brought into the event by the Spirit to do the work given us to do. God, how blessed I am to be an Episcopalian, and what a privilege it is to serve in this way!

I have seen a lot of old friends from seminary, from my other larger church work with deployment, congregation development and administration. So this is like a reunion. It's part county fair, too: the sales booths in the market place, the folks with flyers urging your vote or support for a cause or a candidate. And, it's the legislature of the church's mission. Whew. Plenty going on!

The committee I am serving on, "Structure," has already moved several resolutions to the House for consideration because we met several hoursat work on Tuesday before convention opened. One of those --Atlanta readers take note --was a resolution to place Atlanta, along with three other cities, into consideration for the Convention in 2015. Not time to start polishing the good silver, yet, though. The committee that makes the final recommendation has some work to do, but we're on the list for the first time in a generation. I was glad to have a small hand in that.

There is some concern being expressed in my committee and others about the cost of supporting many of the "standing" committees and commissions of the General Convention and the Executive Council. We have hearings on resolutions that will help us get a hand on the size of the committee and commission structure. We'll see if we can regulate ourselves !

In her sermon this morning, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefforts Schori likened the mission of the church to the body of Christ with mission as the heart. She spoke of the various parts staying in shape so that the heart can be in the best possible condition to do its work-- keeping all the parts alive.

She ended the sermon gently comparing the beating heart rhythm with the word "mission. "Can you hear it?", she said, softly repeating the beating rhythm, "Mission...mission...mission."

Cacophony, Candy and a Camel, or "How I spent my lunch break!"

2009-07-07T21:49:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Claiborne Jones

At noon today a festively dressed group of elementary-aged drummers from St. James’ School led the opening ceremonial procession into and all around...the Exhibit Hall! What fun it was to hear their rhythmic percussion rebound off the walls of the huge space. Their bright red, white and navy cloth drum straps outshone even the myriad yellow booth partitions that fill the hall, and their ethnic heritages--Asian, African, European, Latina--reflected the rich variety of taller (and much older) deputies, bishops, Triennial delegates, visitors and volunteers at this 76th General Convention of our church.

Even a brief stroll through this gathering place is a treat. At the Faith Alive booth, a saxophonist sweetens our ears with “Jesus Loves Me.” At the Mission Center booth, a gigantic glass bowel is filled with red “M & Ms” bearing their logo. A tour service booth has a life-sized cut out photo of a baby camel (wish I could have had someone take my picture there) and at one of the church haberdashery booths (nicely carpeted, I might add), a U.S. Hispanic bishop comes in to tease his brethren from further south. Smiling, he says “You guys always complain about being poor but you come right here to buy stuff!” (I couldn’t complain, having just gotten two new clergy shirts, a new alb, and a current Gospel Book for Emmaus House Chapel).

Over to the right is our friend the Rev. Skip Schueddig and the Episcopal Media Center team; in the middle is the Church Pension Fund where they are ready to let you know how you’ll fare in retirement at 60, 62 or 65; at the back is a woman writing her third book about beads and prayer; in another corner is a couple in medieval costume who are full of jollity and talent, creating beautiful illuminated manuscripts of saints and prayers. They’ve even let in non-Episcopalians--in one aisle a Disciples of Christ pastor is helping at the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights booth and my college boyfriend, a Methodist minister, arrives on Wednesday to work at a Palestinian justice and peace set-up.

Did I mention the DOK, ERD, BSA, ECW, VTS, CDSP, CPC, ECCC, ECVA and NAES? How about the groups in relationships of mutual ministry (and craft sales) with Anglicans in Africa? Central America? Native America? The Middle East? The bookstores? The Ubuntu center? The Diocese of Los Angeles hospitality area?

Ah, me. So much to learn, so many to meet. And alas, we are actually expected to participate in legislative sessions, committee hearings, open forums, diocesan caucuses, joint presentations, common worship and narrative conversation groups.

Yes, General Convention is a meeting, but it is so much more than business. It is relationship, excitement, learning, challenge and lots of joy. Certainly we are a body of Christians in the Episcopal Church who warrant having folks beat the drums for us.

Photo of the Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation Booth in the Exhibit Hall courtesy of Bill Monk.

We're getting started!

2009-07-06T23:13:00.001-07:00

From Bishop Alexander:

We're getting started! The bishops and deputation from the Diocese of Atlanta are here and busy! All of us have now arrived, some Sunday afternoon and everyone else today. Even though convention doesn't actually begin until tomorrow, today was filled up for almost everyone.

All of our deputies are on committees or have significant duties in their house. Deputy Richard Perry works with the Committee on Dispatch of Business.That means he helps keep the flow of legislation moving, particularly when things need to move from the deputies to the bishops.

Deputy John Andrews, the chair of our deputation, serves on the Committee on Small Churches, Deputy Alicia Schuster Weltner is on the Committee on Canons, Deputy Rick Callaway is on the Committee on Structure, and Deputy Janet Patterson serves on the Committee on Ministry. Deputy Vicky Partin is following legislation related to economic justice; Alternate Rob Wood is following legislation on theological education. Deputy Claiborne Jones brings her years of General Convention experience to bear on a variety of subjects and is helpful to many of us when it comes to process. Mac Thigpen is also here as an alternate from Atlanta and we are grateful for his General Convention experience. Arthur Villarreal is here as a first-time alternate and is preparing to step up in support of our deputies at any time.

Sam Candler is the co-chair of Committee 13 - Prayer Book and Liturgy, one of the busiest committees! He and his legislative committee win the prize for dealing with the most resolutions of any committee at convention.

In the House of Bishops, I chair Committee 7 - Ordination and Resignation of Bishops, and Bishop Whitmore is the bishop from Province IV on Program, Budget and Finance, one of the hardest working groups at the convention. They have to make the financial decisions to recommend to convention for funding the mission and ministry of the church nationally and internationally.

RPM Bowden, a long-time deputy from Atlanta is here as a member of the Executive Council of the church, together with Bruce Garner, also from Atlanta, who is also an elected member of that body. Bruce is doubling as an alternate from Atlanta as well.

There's a great delegation to the Triennial of the Episcopal Church Women. Needless to say we are all proud as we can be of Kay Meyer from our diocese who is the national president of the ECW and is presiding over the triennial with style and grace. Our own director of communications, Nan Ross, is serving as editor of the ECW Triennial Today.

So, YOUR deputies and bishops are already up and running with the business of General Convention and the opening gavel is still to come down. Please be in prayer for us, for the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies, for all who gather here from every corner of our beloved church.

Working it out: Committees

2009-07-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Sam Candler:

Grace and peace to all who will follow General Convention on this blog! At a meeting of the diocesan deputies last week, we discussed briefly the relative merits of 1) attending all sorts of meetings, or 2) staying with one resolution or committee throughout convention. My own time at General Convention will be given over almost entirely to chairing Committee 13, “Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music,” which is always quite, quite busy. This year, 58 resolutions have already been pre-assigned to that committee.

Again, there is great merit in being able to float from committee hearing to committee hearing and thus obtain an overview of the entire convention. However, for those of you blog readers interested in the complexities of the legislative process itself, I am listing here the five categories in which I have arranged the resolutions assigned to Committee 13. Even if you read only the titles of these resolutions, you will gain a fairly accurate flavor of the matters that arise before every committee and before the entire convention. Each matter is deeply held by at least one person or group or diocese, and those groups will be ready to speak for, or against, pertinent resolutions.

Many of these resolutions are NOT in the Blue Book. They have been filed in the last several months and weeks. The most up-to-date listing of resolutions is at the General Convention page on the Episcopal Church web site. If you sort it (rather easily done) by committee, you can then read the actual resolutions and be up-to-date. But, again, the resolutions that come out of committee will almost always be somewhat different from these pre-filed resolutions.

Enjoy!

The bags are packed (almost!)

2009-07-03T06:07:00.000-07:00

From Deputy Alicia Schuster Weltner

Too many bags, no doubt. Back in the day, it was a sort of badge of honor for me to travel as light as possible. But I got over all that! I no doubt have much too much in my bags that is "just in case" that I will wind up bringing home again. But the Girl Scout leader in me always wants to be prepared!

With other members of our deputation, I will be traveling all the way across our country in just a day or so, and along with those clothes we hope will suffice for the two weeks, and protein bars to squeeze in breakfast before 7:00 am meetings, and more paperwork than we should carry, we will all bring with us our hopes and dreams for the church we all love. Those hopes and dreams may sometimes clash with the hopes and dreams others bring with them. We trust that God will be with us through it all.

As the junior member of our deputation, I have a lot to learn about General Convention and its workings. I will be paying attention to everything and everyone that I can in this effort to hear and see and know all that I can from and about the people who seek, as faithfully as we all can, to do God's will for our church and the world.

In seeking that will, I hope to bring, and I hope all can bring, what Dr. Marshall Ganz of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard calls a "critical eye and a hopeful heart," the ability recognize both need and possibility.

I ask your prayers for us all; for safe travels and open hearts and minds; for our church as it goes about doing the work that God has called us to do in the many places God has called us to do it, and, for the guidance of what my ten-year-old daughter affectionately calls "the only REAL spirit," the Holy Spirit.

Our deputation

2009-06-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

Our team of deputies to the 76th General Convention was elected Nov. 9, 2007, at the 101st Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta. Each diocese is allowed four clergy deputies and four lay deputies.

Alternates are encouraged to attend and share in the legislative sessions when possible.

The entire deputation, as well as alternates, are listed in the right hand column of this blog. This photograph was taken was taken on the day of election.