Yesterday I took the day off. I slept in until 6 AM. This was the first day (other than last Sunday) that we on the World Mission Committee did not have a 7:30 AM hour and a half committee meeting, preceding the two hour legislative session. I did exercise which I have done all but [...]
These may be connected, or they may be disconnected random thoughts: I walk each morning; today I walked through some neighborhoods near to the convention center here in Anaheim (and contiguous Garden Grove, Calif.). What struck me is how very close the houses are to each other – almost no lawn and the back yards [...]
Yesterday’s Convention actions will result in significant consequences, but it is important for us to realize what was done and what was not done. The proposed budget is nothing less than revolutionary. Amendments to the enabling resolution will probably be attempted in today’s legislative sessions. In any event, however, the end result will indicate some [...]
The House of Deputies is staring at the end of our time together with way too much left to do. Every day, we get a calendar for the day, a consent calendar for the next day and then one, two or three supplemental calendars! Now that wouldn’t be so bad if we actually did all [...]
Bonjour Tout Le Monde – Happy Bastille Day! I must tell you that I am so impressed by my fellow deputies. Bob Strimer shepherded our diocesan resolution “Health Care Coverage for all” through the legislative process. Our resolution was approved by both the House of Bishops and the House. Lynn Schmissrauter, as chair of the [...]
The Theme of this year’s General Convention is Ubuntu. Why would a theme be chosen that is not readily understandable? It was done for good reasons. First Ubuntu is an African word showing our interdependent connections. That’s important for two reasons. One is our Anglican Communion is now made up mostly of people of color, [...]
At home it is possible to avoid or to be unaware of the larger picture of our Episcopal Church identity. Here at General Convention it is clear that we are many and varied. Our visitors from Europe, Africa and New Zealand speak to us and help us to see ourselves as others see us. We’ve [...]
We have had a few very busy legislative days as the pace necessarily heats up. In the House of Deputies, we dealt with D025 again. The House of Bishops passed the resolution with amendment so we had to pass it again. D025 states that we will not discriminate on the basis of race, color … [...]
D025 is descriptive. That is, the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, which have not changed, are referenced. What can be done, according to those canons, is described. D025 also references the Anglican Communion. That is, we value our participation in this world-wide fellowship, and we commit ourselves to continuing involvement and prayers for [...]
I’ve been struck by the wonderful variety of worship here at General Convention. We have a midday Eucharist each day, led by different priests and bishops and complemented by varying choirs leading us in singing diverse music that is inspiring. Attendees, particularly first time deputies such as myself, can be surprised by how differently Episcopalians [...]