General Convention 2009 – 16 July

This report and the one for Day 10 that follows were written after I returned home.  Early Friday morning at the beginning of Day 10, my laptop decided that it no longer wanted to recognize my pin number.  My apologies to all.

 Legislative Day 9

 This was BUDGET DAY!  With the theme of a “Balanced budget that is responsive to the Gospel, hears the General Convention, and takes into account current economic conditions,” the Deputies and the Bishops considered the budget that was reported yesterday by the Program, Budget, and Finance (PB&F) committee.  The proposed budget represents a reduction of $21 million from budget approved by the church’s Executive Council in January 2009, which was based assumed revenues of $162 million, and includes a total for the 2010-2012 triennium of $141 million ($79 million from diocese, $23 million from investment income, and the remainder from other sources including administration of government grant programs).  Expenses are budgeted at $141 million for ministry and missions, administrative support of the church center, and funding for the offices of the Presiding Bishop, the President of the House of Deputies, General Convention, and interim bodies, such as the Executive Council and various Standing Committees that administer the church’s programs during the triennium.  In contrast, the 2007-2009 triennial budget projected revenues and $165 million and expenses of $164 million.

 As noted in yesterday’s report, PB&F added 0.7% of non-governmental revenues to the Millennium Development Grant program and also provided $300 thousand as seed money for Hispanic/Latino strategic outreach.   To increase the incentive for dioceses to subscribe fully to the “asking” from diocesan budgets for support the national church and in recognition of the impact of the current economic situation, the budget reduces the “asking” percentage from 21% in 2010, 20% in 2011, and 19% in 2012, and increased the diocesan exemption prior to calculation of the “asking” from $100 thousand to $120 thousand.  

 To accommodate the $23 million reduction in the 2010-2012 triennial budget a number of church-wide programs and supporting offices, such as the women’s ministry and racial justice offices, will have to be reduced, or eliminated entirely.  Thirty of the 180 people employed by the Episcopal Church in the New York office and regional offices could lose their jobs. To further cut expenses the budget also includes a 2-day reduction in the length of the next General Convention and increased used of automation and modern communications to reduce the expense of paper reports and other written resources.

 During consider of the budget PB&F leaders and other deputies argued to hold the line and pass the draft budget as presented.  Six amendments were offered, each of which required the identification of offset source in the draft budget.  All were defeated.  The budget passed with an overwhelming voice vote.

 During the Virginia Deputation’s noonday caucus, Bishop Lee observed that the budget cuts would result in a shift in the focus of mission from initiatives supported by the national church to dioceses and local congregations

 The morning Eucharist focused on the day’s theme of Ubuntu and Evangelism: Expanding Community, and the ministry of evangelists in spreading the Gospel of Christ.  In his sermon, Brian McLaren, author, activist, and evangelist, said, “Evangelism is not a dirty word.”

 Following completion of final passage of the budget, Deputies in the afternoon worked through a number of reports and resolutionss on the Day 7 and Day 8 calendars and the Day 9 consent calendar, and made sufficient progress  that we were able to recess at 6:30 pm and not have a third legislative session Thursday evening.  Resolutions addressed social issues and internal church matters, including a call for increased mission activities.

Resolution D075, “Mission, the Heartbeat of the Church,” challenges dioceses and congregations to participate in a new or ongoing project that would engage in a relationship with another part of the body of Christ in the world, and also directed the development of strategies by the Standing Commission on World Mission to help individuals, congregations and dioceses engage in mission activities.

 Deputies recognized the contributions being made by the young people of the church and the Official Youth Presence at the General Convention – 18 young people from the provinces of the church who are seated with voice, but do not vote.  A resolution was offered to amend the church constitution and seat the youth deputies with voice and vote was not approved, but was sent to the Standing Commission and Canons for review.  However, dioceses that want the youth perspective in the house with voice and vote were encouraged to elect young people as deputies.

 The hottest social issue was Resolution C023, which urged the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and called on all Episcopalians to work against similar state statutes and constitutional amendments.  The resolution was adopted in a vote by orders and forwarded to the House of Bishops for consideration.  Deputies also adopted resolutions offering support for victims of domestic violence and calls for clergy training to enable them to respond appropriately to victims.  Deputies also adopted resolutions condemning torture, calling for reconciliation in Honduras follow the recent civil unrest.

 In a high point of the afternoon session, the Deputies by resolution and in a standing ovation recognized the presence with voice and vote of the Continuing Dioceses of Pittsburg, Fort Worth, Quincy, and San Joaquin.

General Convention 2009 – 15 July

Legislative Day 8:

 The pace is picking up as we see the approaching end of General Convention on Friday and need to complete our work.  Legislative committees continue to work modifications of resolutions based on action taken in both the HOB and the HOD in order to move the resolutions toward final passage.  As in the Congress, General Convention resolutions must be passed in the same form in both Houses.

  Program, Budget, and Finance Committee presented a grim budget to a joint session of the Bishops and Deputies this afternoon with a $23 million reduction in funding for the 2010-2012 triennium, compared to the 2007-2009.  The reduction is the result of a number of dioceses not fully subscribing the 21% assessment from the national church and the economic downturn.  Severe cuts in the national church staff are proposed, but several mission areas and initiatives have been restored or increased: Millennium Development Goals funded at 0.7% of the non-governmental budget, and $300,000 in seed money provided to support the Strategic Vision for Reaching Latinos/Hispanics. Proposals are also included for reducing the cost of General Convention.  HOD will take up the budget resolution for formal consideration tomorrow afternoon.

 The Deputies concurred with the Bishops in establishing a Denominational Health Plan for clergy and lay employees that will be administered by the Church Pension Fund and also established a Mandatory Lay Employee Pension System for employees of domestic Diocese, Parish, Mission, or other ecclesiastical organization subject to the authority of the Church. The Deputies also concurred with the Bishops in entering into full communion with the Moravian Church in the United States.

 The Deputies continued to work through the calendar at an increased rate, suspending the rules and reducing the amount of time for individual speeches to one minute (two when translations is needed), but also spending precious time wrangling about when during debate on a resolution amendments could be offered, or the question called.  Those issues were worked out, but at the end of the day, which was the deadline for consideration of original resolutions on the HOD calendar, the Deputies mistakenly defeated a motion to extend until Friday, Legislative Day 10, the period for such consideration.  That action will need to be reversed this morning, because, as of the end of the day, we’ve only gotten to the middle of calendar day 6 and there are a large number of resolutions on the calendar still to be formally reported for action and taken up

 As is the case in Congress, the majority of the work in preparing legislation to be considered on the floor is done by the various Legislative Committees: hearings last week, preparation and perfection of resolutions this week, and then incorporating the results of action by the Bishops on resolutions they report to the Deputies, and actions by the Deputies on resolutions reported to the Bishops.  New deputies do not serve on the Legislative Committees although they may testify before them, because it is felt that they don’t have the experience for the nuanced work of the committees.  About 43% of the deputies are serving in their first Convention, and I’m not sure that restriction is appropriate.  Nevertheless, that’s the current process, and the committees do yeoman work with early morning meeting and long hours into the evenings.  A number are bleary-eyed with the norm reported in The Daily as five hours sleep.

 Today’s Eucharist was a Rite II service that celebrated stewardship of the earth and environment.  It was “paperless” with no service bulletin and the service music and hymns projected on the screen.  Tremendous sermon by the celebrant.

 I failed to indicate in yesterday’s report that I had gone to the third floor of the convention center to observe the House of Bishops.  I hope to get up there tomorrow.

General Convention 2009 – 14 July

Legislative Day 7.  A busy day in Legislative Committees, the House of Deputies (HOD) and the House of Bishop (HOB).  Legislative committees continued their work of perfecting resolutions to be presented on the floor of the HOD and addressing resolutions reported from the HOB for consideration by the HOD.  Legislative Sessions in both the HOB and HOD continued to debate and vote on resolution and reports from committees and in the HOD with election of trustees of the Church Pension Fund and the Executive Council.

 A correction to yesterday’s report:  the new bishop-elect of Ecuador Central is the Rev. Luis Fernando Ruiz Restrepo.

 Today’s Eucharist, a traditional Rite I, Prayer II service with music by Healey Willen, celebrated Ubuntu in Action: the Millennium Development Goals.  The preacher, Abigail Smith from Episcopal said “God did not call us to tinker on the edges of reform, and apply BandAids to the open sores bleeding upon the world.  He calls us today, to the year of the Lord.  He calls us to be one, to be whole . . . In wholeness, we move from fear of scarcity to joy in Abundance.  It’s a matter of will!”

Legislative Sessions:

House of Deputies.  HOD passed Resolution D025, as amended by the Bishops yesterday.  The resolution commits fully to continuing support of the Anglican Communion, while at the same time affirming that all baptized Christians may seek holy orders through the discernment process – all levels of holy orders if so moved.  I believe that deputies spoke from the heart in debating the amended resolution.  I also feel that in approving the resolution the HOD in no way, shape, or form disavowed 2006 Resolution B033, and certainly the option of refusing to consent to the election of a bishop is open at the diocesan level.  [I would also note that The Episcopal Life Daily corrected their July 14 page one headline that said “Bishops approve opening ordination to gays” (which could be interpreted by some as disavowing B033), saying that the headline should have read “Bishops affirm openness of ordination process.”  This is an important distinction because of the desire to remain clearly in communion with other provinces in the Anglican Communion.]

 HOD also completed the election of both lay and clerical deputies to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court for Bishops, the first time that laity and clergy will serve on that court, which since the establishment of the Episcopal Church following the Revolutionary War has always been composed of bishops. 

 A high point of the morning session was a visit by a group of ecumenical and interreligious guests, and the singing  by a Jewish cantor, Muslim, and Episcopal priest of prayers in Hebrew, Arabic, and English, followed by them combining in trio in a sung “Abrahamic” blessing.  Absolutely thrilling!

 House of Bishops.  The Bishops completed Convention action a new Title IV of the Canons, Ecclesiastical Discipline, by concurring in the version passed by the HOD on 13 July.  The new Title has been in work since the 75^th General Convention and moves away from a criminal court-oriented system toward one based on safety , truth-telling, healing and reconciliation. 

 Former Grace Church parishioners/ seminarians seen at the Convention: 

• Peggy Bailey – Yesterday, I picked up a free copy of the August 2 issue of The Living Church in Exhibit Hall C.  As I leafed through it while listening to the HOD floor debate, I did a double-take when I turned the page to the inside back cover of pictures in the Exhibit Hall and there was a beautiful picture of Peggy shown knitting at the Seaman’s’ Church Institute booth.  After we recessed for the evening I ran to Hall C to the SCI booth and asked if Peggy were there.  They pointed me to another booth where Peggy is demonstrating Shelby Systems, a church software data base package that we formerly used at Grace Church.  I found there and we promptly hugged and updated one another on what our two families were doing.  (For those of you who don’t know Peggy and her husband Ross, who died a couple of years ago, Peggy, Ross and their families were pillars of Grace Church from the 70s to the early 90s and Peggy was parish secretary.  She now lives on their farm near Carlisle, PA).  It was great to see her.  She sends her best wishes to all.
• Jenny Montgomery, former seminarian.  Jenny is coordinating the volunteer effort at the Convention.  She’s recently been called as rector, St. Andrew’s, Arlington, and I’m confident that we’ll be seeing much of her in the future.
• Sonny Brown, former seminarian.  Rector, Trinity Church, Chocowinity, NC, and a deputy from East Carolina.  It was great to see him.  He also sends his best regards

General Convention 2009 – July 13

Legislative Day 6 and what soldiers call “battle rhythm” has kicked in.  Legislative committees continue open and executive sessions to refine and perfect resolutions to be consider on the HOD Daily Calendar and non-controversial resolutions for the HOD Consent Calendar.  We’re about two days behind (still working of the Day 4 calendar) and this afternoon the HOD voted to suspend the rules and reduce the time for individual speeches by deputies on motions from 3′ to 2′ (4′ if translation to English  is required) and from 30′ to 20′ for debate on any issue, and a second suspension to vote all consent calendar resolutions for the day en bloc with a single vote.   In a July 12 letter, the Program, Budget, and Finance Committee informed the HOB and the HOD that they were dealing with a gap of approximately $14 million between projected income and projected expenses.  Floor consideration of the budget for the 2010-2012 tritium will begin on Thursday, Day 8.

Today’s Eucharist focused on domestic poverty, the story of the Good Samaritan on the Jerico Road, and the post-Katrina work of the Diocese of  Louisiana in addressing rebuilding and poverty in New Orleans.

After a morning of passionate debate the HOD voted its consent to the election of the Rev. Luiz Fernando Ruiz, a Colombian priest  who is married to an Ecuadoran, as bishop of the Dioceses of Ecuador Central .  Ruiz was elected by House of Bishops, following breakdown of the dicosean election process and a request by the Provisional Bishop of Ecuador Central under the canons for election of a new bishop by the HOB.  Opponents in Ecudaor contested the election, arguing that the process of the clection had been flawed.  The HOD commmittte on Selectioni of Bishops, led by the Rev. Gay Jennings (a candidate for Bishop Coadjutor of Virginia at 2007 DOV Council), affirmed the election process.  Then the HOD consent by a 3-1 vote consent to Ruiz’ election.  The new bishop-elect and his familiy were recognized by HOD President Bonnie Anderson; the HOB formally concurred with his election; and Ruiz was seated with the HOB, where he will have voice, but no vote until his consecration , which is set for August 1.

During the mid-day caucus of the Virginia Deputation, Bishop Jones reported as one of it’s first orders of business that the HOB had approved the Strategic Vision for Reaching Latinos/Hispanics, which was passed by the HOD yesterday.  Despite concerns that the money might not materialize due to budget shortages, the Vision would provide $3.5 million  to increase the numbe of active Lation/Hispanic congreations to 354, a 15% increase, and to target 100 small, predominately Anglo churches  surrounded by high Latin/Hispanic populations by helping them reach out to them with the goal of increasing membership by 30 %.

As reported by the Episcopal News Service - following two hours of debate, the HOB adoped an amended version of Resolution D025 that will now be forwarded to the HOD World Mission Committe for recommendation to the full HOD to concur with the amended resollution, amend it further, or defeat it.  The Bishop of Rhode Island, who chairs the combined World Mission legislative committee and othr bishops who voted against the amended resolution in the HOB said that passage of the resolution would not be well-received by some members of the Anglican Communion.

ENS also reported that among the 70 international guests at General Convention are 13 Anglican Communion primates, who are learning about the difference in polity between the Episcopal Church, where bishops, clergy, and laity govern the church, and the primates own churches that are led by their bishops with no participation of the laity.  Archbishop Andrade of the Episcopal Anglican Church in Brazil, who has attended four General Conventions, said that the presence of many Anglicans at the conventioin is a refutation of the Episcopalians’ worries that our church has been pushed to the margins of the Communion.

In other actions on the HOD floor the deputies approved a major revision to Title IV, the disciplinary canon,  that has been 9 years in the making, completed voting for Trustees of the Church Pension Fund and the Bishops Trial Court, and working through a number of reports and resolutions from Days 3 and 4.

General Convention 2009 – 12 July

Legislative Day 5 – A powerful day exemplified in the Morning Eucharist celebrating the Triennial Ingathering of the United Thank Offering and the afternoon legislative sesssion that witnessed the House of Deputies’ passage of Resolution D025 on the consecration of bishops.

The 10:00 am Eucharist was a powerful testimony to unity, diversity, and mission.  Over 7000 gathered in the cavernous Hall D.    A choral prelude of soul , contemporary, and traditional music included the entire congreation standing and lustily singing We’re Marching to Zion (LEVAS II, 12).  The procession begain with the singing of Holy, Holy, Holy”and a drum corps fanfare by the Honari Drums (Humong?) from St. James’ School, Diocese of Los Angeles.  Streamers in procession, dancers with flags, and the House of Bishops attired in rochet and chemise were reminiscent of Presiding Bishop Katherine’s installation at Washington National Cathedral.  The procession of the bishops down the center aisle to Christ is Made the Sure Foundation, followed by the PB’s approach to the to the altar, accompanied by former PB’s Browning and Griswold, created a feeling of unity and the presence of the Holy Spirit that for me was a very emotional event. 

The PB presided and preached.  Taking her text from Luke 10:1-9, she interpreted Jesus ‘ first instruction for the mission field as “travel light, offer peace, and proclaim the reign of God has come.”  At the offertory representatives from each diocese were recognized for the work of the UTO “ingathering,” which collected over $6.7 million over the past triennium.  During the offertory worshipers added another $28,000.

A high point for me during Holy Communion was servingas one of approximately 140 LEMS -  administering the bread at one station then with my assigned chalicers taking communion to the backstage technical crew behind the altar screens.

During Sunday afternoon’s legislative session, J.P. Causey, the diocese’s longest serving Deputy, and I exchanged our respective badges.   He resumed his duty as Deputy and I, my status as Alternate Deputy.  (I hope to get back on the HOD floor later in the week.)

Resolution D025 was the focus of the session under a Special Order for consideration of the Report of the Committee on World Missions that provided for 60 minutes debate.  D025 was created in the legislative committee as a response to the 2006 Resolution B033, which urged “restraint” concerning the election of bishops whose “manner of life” would cause offense to the wider Anglican Communion.  D025 declares the ordination process to be open to all individuals, while expressing the Episcopal Church’s  firm and ongoing commitment to the Anglican Communion.  The resolution was reported out by the committee in a split vote in which deputies voted to approve and bishops voted to reject.  Debate of D025 on the HOD floor benefitted from the process of discussion and listening during the two previous legislative sessions, and was conducted with decorum and respect.  As noted in yesterday’s report, there was none of the rancour and venting of spleen that marked the debate during the 2006 General Convention.  As the House prepared to vote, Chaplain Frank Wade offered prayers for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The resolution was adopted by a 2-1 margin in both the clerical and lay orders.  The House of Bishops has not taken up the resolution.

Two other signifcant resolutions were also approved during the session – showing the HOD and the General Conventions commitment to mission that is the theme of the convention, even while dealing with issues surrounding B033.   Resolutoin D019 reaffirmed the church’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.  The HOD also approved Resoulution D038, a commitment to a strategic vision for reaching Latinos/Hispanics in the next three years.  D038 requested $3.5 million over the triennium to fund 36 new congregations and provide resources for existing congreations.

General Convention 2009 – July 11

Fourth Legislative Day.   In order to clean up some of my e-mail  and to catch an extra 30 minutes of sleep because of the lateness of Friday night’s baseball game, I didn’t attend legislative committees that began at 0730 this morning.   World Missions and Program and Budget were the most active, the former focusing on Resolution B033, commitment to the Anglican Communion, and human sexuality resolutions.   Last night was the deadline for filing resolutions and legislative committees are now focusing on hearings on the individual resolutions and preparing them in final for for submission to the House of Deputies (HOD) and House of Bishops( HOB).  As is the case with the Congress, any resolution must be approved by both the HOB and the HOD before it can become “law.”

The first legislative session began at 0930.  The HOD meets on the first floor of the Anaheim Convention Center in Hall B (a room about 100 yards wide by 150 yards long),  while the HOB meets in a smaller hall on the third floor (upona higher plane – closer to God?).   Upon entering the rear of the HOD, one sees several rows of chairs for open seating  of visitors, press, etc.   The major portion of the hall contains  113 tables ( each of which seats 8 deputies) arrayed in rows of 9-11 across the hall.   Clergy and lay members of the delegations sit together. In front of the deputies tables is the platform for the HOD President, Secretary, Parliamentarian and supporting staff , centered on a podium that is one level down from the platform.  At the back of the platform are two large rear projection screens.  Along the right side of the hall are three rows of tables for Alternate Deputies  that run the length of the Deputies area, and a distribution area where Alternates pick up the calendar of the day’s legislative schedule, consent calendar (cleared, “non-controversial legislation), reports from committees, copies of resolutions, etc.  Deputies receive their distribution form mail boxes in the left front of the hall.

The HOD operates under the Canons and Constitution of the Episcopal Church and Robert’s Rules of Order.  Procedures are very similar to those in the U.S. House of Representatives: consideration of reports of the legislative committees and other business on the calendar is governed by Rules established by the Committee on Dispatch of Business (a committee similar in function to the U.S. House Rules Committee, the chair of which is referred to by the President as “Dispatch.”).  The President, Dr. Bonnie Anderson, seated beside the Parliamentarian presides from her seat at stage center left of the  platform, with the Secretary who keeps the HOD  running smoothly (much like the Clerk of the U.S. House) on stage  center right.  The session begins with an opening prayer by the Chaplain (The Rev. Dr. Frank Wade), then certification of the minutes of the previous session, report of the Committee on Credentials,  Dispatch report of any special rules, consideration of the consent calendar, announcement of messages from the HOB (actions they’ve taken on resolutions), and then consideration of reports from legislative committes and other business of the calendar.  Legislative committees as listed in the calendar make their reports with recommendations (concur, concur with amendments,  with draw, etc.) deputies make motions and propose amendments, debate occurs, etc., etc.

During today’s second session, I replaced J.P. Causey (long-time deputy from Region II).  Voice vote on several resolutions, electronic vote on election of Bishop trial court were the principal business.  Exciting for a first time alternate deputy.  We were addressed by six international Anglican guests who expressed great support for the American church.   The address by Dr. Jenny Te Paa, the “ahorangi” or dean of Te Rau Kahikatea (College of St. John the Evangelist) in Auckland, New Zealand was particularly moving:  ”As your international friends we are now all quietly urging you not to dwell unduly with any sense of uncertainty about your place within the global Anglican Communion… in the cause of local, national and global mission you are treasured and needed for the common good of the Anglican Communion.  Dr. Te Pa’s entire address on the web at www.episcopal-life.org/79901_112408_ENG_HTM.htm 

General Convention 2009 – 10 July

The pace continues fast and furious as indicated by the fact that this is being written on Sunday morning.  

Friday’s 3rd Legislative Day was a typical day at the Triennial (if there is such a thing) :  7:30 am-8:00 am Deputy Certification (i.e. verifying any changes in Deputies, such as an Alternate Deputy replacing the Primary for a Legislative Session); 7:30 am – 9:00 am Legislative Committee Meetings (various locations in the Hilton or the Marriott, the two principal hotels where most reside); 9:30 am – 11:15 am 1st Legislative Sessions of the HOD and HOB; 11:30 am-12:45 pm Community Eucharist in Hall D; 12:45 -1:30 pm lunch break and Deputy Certification for the afternoon session (this is when the Virginia Deputation has lunch together (Subway sandwiches) and shares views on what’s going on in the various committees); 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm 2nd Legislative Session; 7:30 pm-9:00 pm Program, Budget & Finance Committee Resource/Funding Hearing and other Hearings (Hilton),  and several receptions by special interest groups or institutions. 

Daily Eucharist is held in the cavernous Hall  D where we have our Mission Conversation sessions.  We sit at 10-person round tables and face the altar, which is centered on the long axi s of the hall in front of three large project reredoes that represent the Ubuntu convention theme.  The choir is on stage left  (our right).   Today’s theme was “Ubuntu: Belonging to Each Other” with Steven Miller, Bishop of Milwaukee, and Hoeton Clennon, Chaplain, Moravian College and Moravain Tehological Seminary, as co-presiders.  The Service bulletin is printed in English and Spanish, but today two of the prayers were in Hawaiian.  Music selections run the full range of traditional and contemporary, and the service itself also reflects the diversity of Rite I, Rite II, and other contemporary variations.  All serve to highten the diversity that is present in the Episcopal Church throughout the world.

Today’s morning legislative session in the Committee of the Whole was a continuation of yesterday’s session which  reviewed the issues on Resolution B033  (the 2006 Triennial Resolution  on human sexuality and consecration of bishops that responded to the Windsor Report and have kept us in conversation with the wider Church).  Yesterday, following a report on the history and possible alternatives regarding B033,  we had two-person conversations among the Deputies and the Alternates.  Today, 30 persons , who were chosen by lot among those who indicated that they wished to speak,  each had two minutes to talk about their views.  Not suprisingly, those who advocated repeal of B033 predominated those who wished to speak.  Nevertheless, all views were represented in the discussion.   I was struck by the thoughtfulness and consideration of all views that took place in calm, heart-felt conversation, without the rancour and anger that have characterized the debate in the past.  It remains to be seen what action will be taken by the HOD on B033. 

A busy and meaningful day, but not all work.  Most of your Virginia deputation played hooky from the budget hearing tonight to watch the Yankees and Angels duke it out at Anaheim Stadium about two miles from here (exciting game, but the Yankees lost).  Had to wait an hour for the return Orange Country Transit Authority (OCTA) bus that was supposed to run every 15 minutes, and got back to the hotel about mid-night.  “And so to bed” as Mr. Pepys would say.

General Convention 2009 – 9 July

2nd Legislative Day.    Highlight of the day was the Community Eucharest at which Archbishop Rown presented a powerful meditation on Community  (“Ubhutu”, the convention theme – “being one and being many; each without dimishing the other “).  Approximately 2000 present in the hall.  The Bishop of Los Angeles, as host bishop, was celebrant.

The world is a small place .  For the Euchrist the Rev. Bob Pritchard from VTS and I sat down at a table fairly near the altar (40 yards) to better see the altar and the archbishop.  The Bishop of the Rio Grande and his wife, both of whom know Bob, sat with us and they brought one another up-to-date. Then just before the service began a young lady sat down next to me to fill out the table.  We struck up a conversation and I found that she graduated from my high school (Norman, Oklahoma), but 23 years after I did);  we shared  Bob Moody stories) .

Legislative committees continue to meet to take testimony on the various resolutions that are under consideration. The stack in my note book is over two inches thick. Deadline for submission of resolutions for consideration is tonight (9 July). 

House of Deputies  (HOD) legislative session was scheduled to elect trustees for Church Pension Group, but the electronic teller system didn’t work properly and the vote was postponed until tomorrow (10 July).   HOD did elect Bonnie Anderson for a second term as President and worked through a series of non-controversial resolutions on the consent calendar.  Deputies moved into the Committee of the Whole House (similar to that in the U.S. House of Representatives) to provide an opportunity for discussion on the Resolution B033 from the 2006 Triennial on election of bishops (a key element in the Episcopal Church’s response to the Windsor Report), and will continue that discussion on Friday for another hour. 

This evening after attending the Washington National Cathedral reception (I mentioned to several and to the Dean Lloyd, Father Malm’s service as chaplain and how much the cathedral and that ministry meant to us), I attended the first budget hearing (there’s strong support for increasing the funding for the Millenium Development Grant program).  The budget hearing room was packed.    Then I attended a large hearing on World Missions in the Pacific where B033 was the focus of much of the discussion.

The Virginia Deputation (bishops, lay and clerical deputies and alternates, and the Center Aisle and support staff) meets daily  at lunchtime to exchange information on what’s going on in the legislative committee meetings.   The pace is fast, there’s some much going on,  and already some of us are getting a little tired. (That will change I hope as we work into our “battle rhythm.”)   Russ Palmore chairs the meeting and said at today’s meeting, “1 1/2 days down and 8 1/2 to go.”  [It's not all work, however.  The deputation is going to a baseball game Friday night.]

As you meet other delegates and others attending the Triennial, particularly those associated with VTS, and say you’re from Grace Church, Alexandria, the response is frequently ” Oh, yeah!  I know that church.  It’s great.”

General Convention 2009 – 8 July

1st Day.  Busy, long, and rewarding.  Father Frank Wade, who was our keynote speaker at last year’s Founder’s Day dinner, is the Convention Chaplain, and opens and closes the House of Deputies daily session with prayer.

Today’s activities included the 1st legislative session of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, opening Eucharist with the PB as celebrant, and the second day of legislative committee hearings on the myriad resolutions that have been filed.   The House of Deputies today had 411 clerical and 411 lay deputies present as it convened, and a total of 834 later in the day as more deputies arrived.

The Archbishop of Canterbury arrived this afternoon and spoke tonight to a packed ballroom  for a forum panel on the global economic situation and the church’s role in meeting the needs of the poor, sick, and hungry.  Powerful and moving speech.  He really has a twinkle in his eye when he engages in close conversation with friends he has met before.   I sat with Bishop Lee and Bishop Jones and their wives about four rows from the panel.    Archbishop Rowan met senior church clerical and lay leaders this afternoon and will offering a meditation during tomorrow’s Eucharist.

House of Deputies ‘s legislative session today focused on the administrative duties of formally electing the officers of the House (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and designated helpers), approval of election of two bishop coadjutors, and approval of several reports and resolutions on continuing issues such as AIDs.  President Bonnie Anderson recognized in addition to the approximately 830 delegates from the Dioceses, the presence for the first time of four deputies from the church in Liberia and 18 youth deputies from the nine provinces of the church (both Liberia and the youth deputies have voice and vote in the House).

You can follow the work of General Convention on the convention website (www.episcopalchurch.org/gchub) and on the DOV’s daily opinion newsletter “Center Aisle” (www.centeraisle.net)

More tomorrow,

Jean

Grace at Triennial – 7 July

Arrived 2:00 pm local time. Triennial meets in Anaheim Convention Center next to Disneyland. PB and President, House of Deputies kicked off with brief welcome, followed by delegate orientation.

Huge Convention Center. Sat with Bishop Lee and two other DOV delegates during initial session on mission discernment. Legislative committee hearings began this evening. 1st Full Day tomorrow.