DAY 7: Monday, July 13

From Christine Purcell:

This afternoon, the House of Bishops took up Resolution D025, which was passed by a major majority in the House of Deputies yesterday (please see David Lovelace’s thoughtful posting below).

It passed with amendment, which means that it will need to come back to the House of Deputies for final approval. The amendment inserted language into the 6th “resolve”, which addressed the discernment process for the election of bishops in The Episcopal Church. You may read about that language in more detail at http://www.episcopal-life.org/79901_112523_ENG_HTM.htm.

The press will, of course, rush to interpret what this means and its implications for our relationship with the Anglican communion. Time will tell. In the meantime, please watch this page for future posting when we all have had a little more time to process and reflect.

On another note, the House of Deputies was treated to a wonderfully encouraging and compelling presentation by two member s of the Youth Deputation to this Convention. Zachary Brown, from the Diocese of Upper South Carolina and head of the Youth deputation, and Carolyn Chou, a very articulate college-bound young woman from the Diocese of Pennsylvania took turns at the microphone telling their stories of involvement in and commitment to the Episcopal Church, and calling for greater openness to their voices in the life and discernment of the church as a whole. They were a living icon, differing in gender, ethnicity and political viewpoint, yet joined in their desire to offer their gifts and share in leadership.

It was a fabulous moment. It reminded me that we are so much more than a single issue church, that our future is filled with Spirit-led and grace-filled possibilities. I pray it won’t be lost or forgotten on a news day that focused elsewhere.

From Stephen Casey:

In the midst of the turmoil surrounding resolutions involving human sexuality, the House of Deputies passed Resolution D038 calling on the church to reach out to Latinos/Hispanics in the coming triennial of 2010-2012.

There are many images that strike the eye when attending General Convention and one in particular is the cultural diversity of the Episcopal Church. Flags from eighteen nations hang on the wall behind the platform on the floor of the House of Deputies, reminding us that The Episcopal Church is a truly international church, unique in the Anglican Communion. In the liturgies at General Convention we have experienced the music and movement of Deaf Episcopalians, African/American, Native American, and Latino and Hispanic cultures and styles of worship. It may seem to some that in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania we are a little removed from such diversity, but this is not so, especially in the south where, in York, Lancaster, for instance, there is a growing Latino/Hispanic community.

In the spirit of Ubuntu (I in you, you in me) this resolution calls us to reach out to these communities.

From Carol Burkey Snell, Volunteer:

Greetings from Anaheim, California!

I have pulled duty in the House of Bishops and the ECW Secretariat. Ever wonder where all of those neatly folded and stapled packets come from or how items get from the third floor to the first floor? Well, there are hundreds, yes hundreds, of volunteers in bright yellow aprons scurrying around "making things happen". What a great time I'm having. Peace and Joy to all!


From Gina Barrett:

Friday night was the Integrity Eucharist at General Convention. I attended this service three years ago, and it changed my life. You’d better believe I was there this year.

The service included the renewal of our baptismal promises. An especially poignant moment was the thanksgiving over the water. The celebrant invited all of us in the congregation to raise our hands toward the font, so we all consecrated the water together.

For the gospel procession, two acolytes carried multi-colored banners. Next came the thurifer. Then a man playing an African drum. He was followed by two torchbearers and a deacon carrying the Gospel Book. Then there were more torchbearers, followed by Bishop Robinson, who asperged us with the newly-consecrated baptismal water. Bringing up the rear were more torchbearers and banners. The procession wound its way around the room while we all sang an African song.

Another highlight was the Rt. Rev. Barbara Harris’ sermon. I’ve never heard her preach before, and she did not mince words. She declared that B033 was the ticket to a false peace. She wondered why others in the Anglican Communion have a say in who we elect as bishop when we don’t have a say in who they select as bishop. If we don’t want gay bishops, we shouldn’t ordain them as transitional deacons, she continued. In fact, we shouldn’t even baptize them to begin with. She capped this off with, “How can you initiate someone and then treat them like they’re half-assed baptized?” Strong words, indeed. Whether you agree with her or not, there’s no doubt about where she stands.

She made two other excellent points: first, God has no favorites. Second, in reference to the proposed Anglican Covenant, the baptismal covenant is the only covenant we need, to be faithful to God.

It’s hard to believe that a hotel ballroom could feel like “church.” But that’s what I experienced. And one last thing: the language of the version used for the scripture readings was everyday and easy to understand. I later found out that it was “The Message” by Eugene Peterson. If you’ve ever been confused by the Bible (everyone raise your hands), then you might want to check it out.

From Jennifer Railing:

Greetings to all of you in Central Pennsylvania! Here is a montage of memories from the first week of participating in the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church (TEC).

Daily Eucharists offered midmorning in English, Spanish and sign language (often our own Rayelenn Casey from St. Edward’s, Lancaster signing) with wonderful music and choirs (our own Mary Ellen Baxter singing her heart out) --

Discussing giving vote to the Youth representation (who sit in the House of Deputies with voice only) --

Elizabeth Von Trapp freely giving a beautiful concert while the offering that was taken up was given for the Jericho Road project in New Orleans --

The Archbishop of Canterbury giving the meditation at one Eucharist service and leading a panel discussion that evening under the title “Building an Ethical Economy: Theology and the Marketplace” --

Hearing how many deputies feel the structure of our church is burdened with committees, task forces, etc. and suggesting we take a step back for three years and see if all this is necessary?

Tomorrow we shall receive the proposed budget for the next three years (2010, 11, 12) --

And a final thought: the weather that God gives to Southern California is gorgeous (warm no humidity, blue sky) while humankind sets the thermostat inside the cavernous Anaheim Convention Center at what seems an Arctic (pre-global warming) temperature that makes many of us wish we’d packed our sweaters and longjohns…ah well…you are all in my thoughts and prayers, and again I thank you for voting me to be one of our lay deputies from Central PA.