Approximately one hour ago, the 76th General Convention came to a close. In truth, it was much less contentious than recent similar gatherings of the Episcopal Church. At least in the House of Bishop's, I can attest to you that there was grace filled listening and mutual respect in ways that I must confess have not always been as obviously the case. We did not agree on everything, but we did good and faithful work together.
I cited in an earlier blog the "opinion journal" offered by the Diocese of Virginia, "Center Aisle" found at www.centeraisle.net. In their final issue this morning, an editorial referenced the time we have spent together under the title "Glorious Messiness." I commend it to you.
I have never held out a lot of hope that an "Anglican Covenant" would ever be developed that the entire body of the Anglican Communion's constituent members could all agree to embrace. However, now that this Church has spoken through this convention to the Communion, the Communion decision makers now have more information with which to make their proposals. To this end, I suggest that we must not act precipitously to move beyond the space of self-defining we have made. Rather, we would be better served to now wait a bit longer as the official Instruments of the Anglican Communion respond to what they have heard us say.
To speak our truth takes courage. To listen also takes courage. In fact, to listen takes courage, patience and humility. To assist the Archbishop of Canterbury and others understand what we meant by the actions we have taken is important work. We cannot let others interpret and spin their meaning for us. As with all situations that have the complexity of a "glorious messiness," we need to name what we meant even if we do not always agree about it ourselves. To this end, a letter was composed and provided over the signatures of our Presiding Bishop and of the President of the House of Deputies to Archbishop Rowan Williams and to others in decision making positions that need to hear with clarity what we did while gathered in Convention. By now, it is inevitably on "the web," but in case you have had trouble finding it, I will provide a copy in a later post before the weekend is over.
Now it is time to pack our bags, get some supper and look forward to returning home. Jeannie and I have missed being with you all. But I hope that our contact through the postings of our various deputies and those that I have offered have helped give you a bit of a sense of what we have been doing in this time of shared discernment.
I thank your Deputation for their faithful work on behalf of our diocese. You made great choices in selecting and sending each one of them. They will have stories to share when we all return. Until then, know that we hold each of you in our thoughts and prayers even as we look forward to returning home tomorrow.
Jeannie and I will be taking a week of vacation next week, be back in the office, and squeeze in another week of vacation following that so that I might back in time to attend the Laymen's Conference. Then it is back to the office and the anticipation of many opportunities to speak and listen to one another as we take the next steps together along the journey of life we share. Know you are loved. +Don
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Truth telling as a way of being in relationship
I apologize for being out of touch with you for the last few days. I have two reasons for this blogging absence. First, I have a new responsibility in this convention that I have not had in the past. I read and certify the minutes of each day’s proceedings for the next publication of the Convention Journal. It is not particularly hard to do, but it is demanding in terms of precision and time. For example, today I reviewed in tedious detail over two hundred pages of minutes from the previous two days of legislative action. I am actually very good at this task, but this late night review coupled with my responsibilities as the vice-chair of the Dispatch of Business for the convention has left me much more focused on when and exactingly how we are making decisions rather than on the nuanced substance of all the decisions we are making.
As with most legislative processes involving many people with positions on issues, hopes and concerns to address, the decisions we make in Convention often look quite different in the context of the many final resolutions as “perfected” than the ones we were sent to study before arriving on site. This is the point at which the oft-cited mantra that we are “deputies” and not “delegates” comes into play. We vote on the motion before us and we do so depending on the study, debate and concerns presented to one another within the context of hope. That hope is that the Holy Spirit is leading us in this Convention into all truth. Therefore, I have come to see that the decisions we make here are more a snap shots of the proverbial “bird in flight” than the descent of Moses from the Mt. Sinai carrying two neatly chiseled tablets of the Law of God. The decision one must make individually is whether our “bird in flight” is the Holy Spirit dove or just a pigeon in the parks of our minds. (By this, I mean no disrespect to pigeons.)
My role on Dispatch of Business involves deciding how and when various legislative actions will be considered by the House of Bishops. This is mostly done behind the scenes before or after the upcoming legislative sessions. In addition to this, I have had the privilege and responsibility to be “in the chair” on behalf of Dispatch during the legislative sessions on all but two days thus far. Once again, this work tends to focus my attention on the process of “dispatching” the business of the House of Bishops rather than on the debate. But I listen intently to this debate, and more often than not, this is what informs my voting decisions. This is where I watch for the Holy Spirit to fly through our House with signs of God’s love revealed.
Second, I have not been on the blog site regarding a couple of the more hot button issues because I wanted to reflect with you (1) how I voted; (2) the reason I voted the way I did which will inevitably surprise, please or distress some of you; and (3) the fact that my decision was not made in isolation from the context of this convention and the other resolutions that are still coming before us for consideration. In passing, I have already contextualized how I perceive the way in which I see God working among us when we gather as Christ’s body in Convention. Having observed that, I have waited at times to respond publicly about decisions the House of Bishops has made until the other “House” has acted. Given our polity, an action of General Convention does not become an official action of this Church unless and until both Houses (Deputies and Bishops) have voted to concur word for word on any piece of legislation that comes our way. This is to say that legislatively, we as bishops or as lay and clergy deputies cannot act on our own. This creates a conservative process of decision making, and when we concur it is because both Houses have been moved to move together in that direction. I see this as the way we have decided to reveal where we are at our highest corporate level of decision making and thereby give that snap shot of who we are as The Episcopal Church today.
Noting this about the way we make decisions in Convention as the body of Christ constituted from across the entire Episcopal Church, I come to a conclusion that I think each one of us must wrestle with individually. The reason I voted the way I did on some of the more controversial resolutions can be summed up in two words: truth telling.
I have come to believe that the trajectory that we as a Church have chosen to embrace is described in many of the resolutions we have put forward by this General Convention. The one that has gotten the most press to date is D025 (click here to view the final version of D025). Some see it as overturning action at the last General Convention that expressed a willingness to show great restraint in going forward with the ordination of persons whose lifestyle might be seen to cause a problem for others in the Anglican Communion. Those of you who follow church politics will immediately recognize this “code language” as being a reference for homosexual persons.
Others do not see the resolution as explicitly overturning this “moratorium” but, in their more candid moments, would probably say that it has maintained the moratorium until someone ignores it. I am holding out for restraint, but I am pragmatic enough to own that people will do what they will do. In fact, this has been the case for the last three years as well, but the issue comes back with new strength at this convention. I think we are therefore in a wait-and-see place in this matter. (Click here to read some of the mixed responses)
Regarding the passage of D025, I am not totally happy with some of the ways in which it describes what I have come to believe is what much of The Episcopal Church would affirm. I am not alone in this observation. People on many sides of the various issues this resolution addresses would like it to say much more or much less than it does. However, it did pass by a two to one vote, and such strong support is not to be ignored. Therefore, to tell the truth, I think it does fairly offer a description of and anticipates the general direction in which our Church is heading. To this end, I again say that what commends this document to me is that it is true. And truth matters even when it is not what I anticipated.
The really important element in our telling the truth of who we are should not be overlooked. We say we want to continue to be in full communion with the Anglican Communion. To do so is to present ourselves as who we are, and then we have an opportunity for the “Communion” to respond by either drawing closer in relationship or not. Whatever the outcome of this truth telling, at least the relationship is based on honesty and transparency. If the Communion can find a gracious space to allow The Episcopal Church to be who we broadly say we are and to allow us to bring what many in The Episcopal Church claim to be the gifts of God’s all-embracing love to the world in the name of Christ, shouldn’t we be honest about it? Shouldn’t we be willing to say, “This is who we are, and we do seek to be who we are as an expression of our discipleship to Jesus Christ”?
Much work is being done right now on “Episcopal identity.” At the heart of that study is that The Episcopal Church is “Christ centered.” The way we have chosen as a denomination to express this Christ centeredness in practical terms is to take a radical reading of the baptismal covenant in our Prayer Book. We claim that all people are, through their belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God’s children. If we claim this as truth and if we identify what this will look like for us as Episcopalians in the way we order, bless and celebrate with child-like confidence our membership in God’s family (without regard for our differences), we offer ourselves as a denomination of Christians who make a radical claim on God’s love and acceptance as members of God’s family. It is a radical claim. But I think this General Convention has claimed this perspective by our actions that are descriptive of such a desired reality. I think the claim needs to be offered to the world in Christ’s name to see whether or not, in the long run, it rings true in the hearts of that same broken and alienated world.
Having said this, it is also true that I and others are very mindful that not everyone is in agreement with this trajectory of God-intended inclusiveness as the best, most accurate or most effective way to express this “truth” of God’s love. Even if one agrees with the claim, the same person may not agree with the timeframe by which we as a Christian denomination should move in a united way toward this vision. Therefore, I have tried to modify my descriptive voting on the “truth” of who we are with the modifying votes that leave room for those who are not ready to move into this vision or at least to not move there yet.
Telling this truth is not to be feared. In fact, I think the time for truth telling is overdue. If The Episcopal Church has any gift to offer the larger Anglican Communion, it is only made available to the Communion if we are honest and say the truth of our own identity as we perceive it to be.
We have no guarantee that the Anglican Communion will want to embrace us for the gifts we offer, but we can do nothing less than tell the truth about ourselves in the hopes that this perspective on God’s truth will either be affirmed by the Communion or cause us to hear the Communion’s many voices telling us that we should reconsider the flight pattern we have chosen to traverse.
In the end, we have chosen a theological path to follow that makes sense when viewed through the lens of salvation as inclusion in God's family. Let me be clear. I did not say that this is the only theological lens we could or should have in making our decisions as a Church. However, it appears to me to be descriptive of where The Episcopal Church is today. If one is “with God” in baptism, one is with God forever. In its most radical form, I find this to be an expression of the baptismal covenant espoused and often cited by The Episcopal Church. Now it is up the Communion in its own way and in its own timeframe to decide whether or not it will, to use a technical term, “receive” the teaching we offer as our rationale for acting in faith as our faith directs. .
I have no fear of saying “this is who we are.” For this reason, I imagine that some will see some of my votes as surprising, disappointing or affirming of their own preconceived notions. I have focused on how I voted and not on how our deputation voted. I have stayed away from this last piece, our deputations’ respective votes, because I believe this is best left up to them to discuss with you in their own way and time. However, know this to be true. When I have been asked to vote on each of these significant matters that have come before the Convention, I have done so prayerfully. I believe the same is true of our deputation.
When my vote is recorded in a roll call vote as a bishop of this Church, I have done so with the leading of the Holy Spirit as best as I can discern. I believe that the same is true of our deputation as well. For this reason, I have no fear to report back to you that we are trying to discern the truth as it becomes unveiled before us and to seek the most pastorally responsive means to meet the various and often conflicting demands that such discernment requires.
I stand behind my votes, not because they are mine but because I believe that God has led me to this place of conversion. Telling the truth in love, I claim that we as a Church are seeking the mind of Christ, the will of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I am confident that your deputation has done no less.
Now it is late, and I am ready for bed. I rest in peace, and I pray that you will do the same. Blessings, +Don
As with most legislative processes involving many people with positions on issues, hopes and concerns to address, the decisions we make in Convention often look quite different in the context of the many final resolutions as “perfected” than the ones we were sent to study before arriving on site. This is the point at which the oft-cited mantra that we are “deputies” and not “delegates” comes into play. We vote on the motion before us and we do so depending on the study, debate and concerns presented to one another within the context of hope. That hope is that the Holy Spirit is leading us in this Convention into all truth. Therefore, I have come to see that the decisions we make here are more a snap shots of the proverbial “bird in flight” than the descent of Moses from the Mt. Sinai carrying two neatly chiseled tablets of the Law of God. The decision one must make individually is whether our “bird in flight” is the Holy Spirit dove or just a pigeon in the parks of our minds. (By this, I mean no disrespect to pigeons.)
My role on Dispatch of Business involves deciding how and when various legislative actions will be considered by the House of Bishops. This is mostly done behind the scenes before or after the upcoming legislative sessions. In addition to this, I have had the privilege and responsibility to be “in the chair” on behalf of Dispatch during the legislative sessions on all but two days thus far. Once again, this work tends to focus my attention on the process of “dispatching” the business of the House of Bishops rather than on the debate. But I listen intently to this debate, and more often than not, this is what informs my voting decisions. This is where I watch for the Holy Spirit to fly through our House with signs of God’s love revealed.
Second, I have not been on the blog site regarding a couple of the more hot button issues because I wanted to reflect with you (1) how I voted; (2) the reason I voted the way I did which will inevitably surprise, please or distress some of you; and (3) the fact that my decision was not made in isolation from the context of this convention and the other resolutions that are still coming before us for consideration. In passing, I have already contextualized how I perceive the way in which I see God working among us when we gather as Christ’s body in Convention. Having observed that, I have waited at times to respond publicly about decisions the House of Bishops has made until the other “House” has acted. Given our polity, an action of General Convention does not become an official action of this Church unless and until both Houses (Deputies and Bishops) have voted to concur word for word on any piece of legislation that comes our way. This is to say that legislatively, we as bishops or as lay and clergy deputies cannot act on our own. This creates a conservative process of decision making, and when we concur it is because both Houses have been moved to move together in that direction. I see this as the way we have decided to reveal where we are at our highest corporate level of decision making and thereby give that snap shot of who we are as The Episcopal Church today.
Noting this about the way we make decisions in Convention as the body of Christ constituted from across the entire Episcopal Church, I come to a conclusion that I think each one of us must wrestle with individually. The reason I voted the way I did on some of the more controversial resolutions can be summed up in two words: truth telling.
I have come to believe that the trajectory that we as a Church have chosen to embrace is described in many of the resolutions we have put forward by this General Convention. The one that has gotten the most press to date is D025 (click here to view the final version of D025). Some see it as overturning action at the last General Convention that expressed a willingness to show great restraint in going forward with the ordination of persons whose lifestyle might be seen to cause a problem for others in the Anglican Communion. Those of you who follow church politics will immediately recognize this “code language” as being a reference for homosexual persons.
Others do not see the resolution as explicitly overturning this “moratorium” but, in their more candid moments, would probably say that it has maintained the moratorium until someone ignores it. I am holding out for restraint, but I am pragmatic enough to own that people will do what they will do. In fact, this has been the case for the last three years as well, but the issue comes back with new strength at this convention. I think we are therefore in a wait-and-see place in this matter. (Click here to read some of the mixed responses)
Regarding the passage of D025, I am not totally happy with some of the ways in which it describes what I have come to believe is what much of The Episcopal Church would affirm. I am not alone in this observation. People on many sides of the various issues this resolution addresses would like it to say much more or much less than it does. However, it did pass by a two to one vote, and such strong support is not to be ignored. Therefore, to tell the truth, I think it does fairly offer a description of and anticipates the general direction in which our Church is heading. To this end, I again say that what commends this document to me is that it is true. And truth matters even when it is not what I anticipated.
The really important element in our telling the truth of who we are should not be overlooked. We say we want to continue to be in full communion with the Anglican Communion. To do so is to present ourselves as who we are, and then we have an opportunity for the “Communion” to respond by either drawing closer in relationship or not. Whatever the outcome of this truth telling, at least the relationship is based on honesty and transparency. If the Communion can find a gracious space to allow The Episcopal Church to be who we broadly say we are and to allow us to bring what many in The Episcopal Church claim to be the gifts of God’s all-embracing love to the world in the name of Christ, shouldn’t we be honest about it? Shouldn’t we be willing to say, “This is who we are, and we do seek to be who we are as an expression of our discipleship to Jesus Christ”?
Much work is being done right now on “Episcopal identity.” At the heart of that study is that The Episcopal Church is “Christ centered.” The way we have chosen as a denomination to express this Christ centeredness in practical terms is to take a radical reading of the baptismal covenant in our Prayer Book. We claim that all people are, through their belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord, God’s children. If we claim this as truth and if we identify what this will look like for us as Episcopalians in the way we order, bless and celebrate with child-like confidence our membership in God’s family (without regard for our differences), we offer ourselves as a denomination of Christians who make a radical claim on God’s love and acceptance as members of God’s family. It is a radical claim. But I think this General Convention has claimed this perspective by our actions that are descriptive of such a desired reality. I think the claim needs to be offered to the world in Christ’s name to see whether or not, in the long run, it rings true in the hearts of that same broken and alienated world.
Having said this, it is also true that I and others are very mindful that not everyone is in agreement with this trajectory of God-intended inclusiveness as the best, most accurate or most effective way to express this “truth” of God’s love. Even if one agrees with the claim, the same person may not agree with the timeframe by which we as a Christian denomination should move in a united way toward this vision. Therefore, I have tried to modify my descriptive voting on the “truth” of who we are with the modifying votes that leave room for those who are not ready to move into this vision or at least to not move there yet.
Telling this truth is not to be feared. In fact, I think the time for truth telling is overdue. If The Episcopal Church has any gift to offer the larger Anglican Communion, it is only made available to the Communion if we are honest and say the truth of our own identity as we perceive it to be.
We have no guarantee that the Anglican Communion will want to embrace us for the gifts we offer, but we can do nothing less than tell the truth about ourselves in the hopes that this perspective on God’s truth will either be affirmed by the Communion or cause us to hear the Communion’s many voices telling us that we should reconsider the flight pattern we have chosen to traverse.
In the end, we have chosen a theological path to follow that makes sense when viewed through the lens of salvation as inclusion in God's family. Let me be clear. I did not say that this is the only theological lens we could or should have in making our decisions as a Church. However, it appears to me to be descriptive of where The Episcopal Church is today. If one is “with God” in baptism, one is with God forever. In its most radical form, I find this to be an expression of the baptismal covenant espoused and often cited by The Episcopal Church. Now it is up the Communion in its own way and in its own timeframe to decide whether or not it will, to use a technical term, “receive” the teaching we offer as our rationale for acting in faith as our faith directs. .
I have no fear of saying “this is who we are.” For this reason, I imagine that some will see some of my votes as surprising, disappointing or affirming of their own preconceived notions. I have focused on how I voted and not on how our deputation voted. I have stayed away from this last piece, our deputations’ respective votes, because I believe this is best left up to them to discuss with you in their own way and time. However, know this to be true. When I have been asked to vote on each of these significant matters that have come before the Convention, I have done so prayerfully. I believe the same is true of our deputation.
When my vote is recorded in a roll call vote as a bishop of this Church, I have done so with the leading of the Holy Spirit as best as I can discern. I believe that the same is true of our deputation as well. For this reason, I have no fear to report back to you that we are trying to discern the truth as it becomes unveiled before us and to seek the most pastorally responsive means to meet the various and often conflicting demands that such discernment requires.
I stand behind my votes, not because they are mine but because I believe that God has led me to this place of conversion. Telling the truth in love, I claim that we as a Church are seeking the mind of Christ, the will of God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I am confident that your deputation has done no less.
Now it is late, and I am ready for bed. I rest in peace, and I pray that you will do the same. Blessings, +Don
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
July 15, 2009 - General Convention
Greetings from Anaheim. Today has been the 8th legislative day, and there are two more to go. But I'm getting ahead of myself because a lot has happened since I last wrote.
Yesterday, the House of Deputies concurred with the Bishops on their amended Resolution D025. A quote from Episcopal Life: "The resolution affirms that ordination is available to anyone in the church through the discernment process outlined in the Constitution and Canons of the Church. It also said that God's call to ordination is a mystery and reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's participation in the Anglican Communion, while noting that the communion is not of one mind on this matter." The resolution passed in a vote by orders. No doubt there has been a lot written about what might be the implications of this vote, and no doubt much more will be written and pondered in the months ahead. But the sense of many of the deputies here is that it is an honest statement about where the Church is now.
This has not been the only legislation that has moved through both houses with adoption on a positive note. We now have new enriching liturgies to test, we have an improved disciplinary process for clergy, we have a strong denominational health plan and an enhanced lay employee pension plan, and we have had the opportunity to share our stories and listen as others have shared theirs.
Also on yesterday's agenda was the election of members to the General Theological Seminary Board and the Executive Council of the Church. I had been slated in a double slate for Executive Council, and I am excited to say I was elected. Executive Council serves as the governing body of the Church between General Conventions -- sort of like the Vestry of your congregation between annual meetings. I am honored and awed by the responsibility this will entail.
Last night the West Tennessee deputation was hosted at dinner by Bishop and Mrs. Johnson. It was a delightful evening to be together and not have to discuss legislation for a change. We were joined by Andy and Sybil MacBeth who were here for Sybil's workshop for the ECW.
Today's big event was the budget presentation. In a joint meeting of both Houses, we received some tough information about programs and personnel that will be cut, about necessary reduced spending for all commissions and committees of the church and about the need to trim budget line items across the board. But there was a strong emphasis on mission and ministry imperatives. The vote will come tomorrow.
Tomorrow promises to be long day. The deputies have already been informed that because of the amount of legislation still to be considered, there will be an evening legislative session in addition to the two sessions during the day. Please hold your deputation in your thoughts and prayers as they grapple with the issues of the next two days.
I suspect I can speak for them all when I say that we are looking forward to returning home on Saturday. Until then, best wishes from all of us and God's peace.
Stephanie
Yesterday, the House of Deputies concurred with the Bishops on their amended Resolution D025. A quote from Episcopal Life: "The resolution affirms that ordination is available to anyone in the church through the discernment process outlined in the Constitution and Canons of the Church. It also said that God's call to ordination is a mystery and reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's participation in the Anglican Communion, while noting that the communion is not of one mind on this matter." The resolution passed in a vote by orders. No doubt there has been a lot written about what might be the implications of this vote, and no doubt much more will be written and pondered in the months ahead. But the sense of many of the deputies here is that it is an honest statement about where the Church is now.
This has not been the only legislation that has moved through both houses with adoption on a positive note. We now have new enriching liturgies to test, we have an improved disciplinary process for clergy, we have a strong denominational health plan and an enhanced lay employee pension plan, and we have had the opportunity to share our stories and listen as others have shared theirs.
Also on yesterday's agenda was the election of members to the General Theological Seminary Board and the Executive Council of the Church. I had been slated in a double slate for Executive Council, and I am excited to say I was elected. Executive Council serves as the governing body of the Church between General Conventions -- sort of like the Vestry of your congregation between annual meetings. I am honored and awed by the responsibility this will entail.
Last night the West Tennessee deputation was hosted at dinner by Bishop and Mrs. Johnson. It was a delightful evening to be together and not have to discuss legislation for a change. We were joined by Andy and Sybil MacBeth who were here for Sybil's workshop for the ECW.
Today's big event was the budget presentation. In a joint meeting of both Houses, we received some tough information about programs and personnel that will be cut, about necessary reduced spending for all commissions and committees of the church and about the need to trim budget line items across the board. But there was a strong emphasis on mission and ministry imperatives. The vote will come tomorrow.
Tomorrow promises to be long day. The deputies have already been informed that because of the amount of legislation still to be considered, there will be an evening legislative session in addition to the two sessions during the day. Please hold your deputation in your thoughts and prayers as they grapple with the issues of the next two days.
I suspect I can speak for them all when I say that we are looking forward to returning home on Saturday. Until then, best wishes from all of us and God's peace.
Stephanie
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, July 13th, General Convention
Good morning from Anaheim. It's about 7 a.m. I've been up since 6 doing laundry. This is a huge hotel, but it only has four washing machines. I suspect they don't have too many guests who stay for two weeks and have need of doing laundry.
Yesterday was a bit of a slower pace. Afterall, even General Convention needs Sabbath time. The day began with Eucharist at 10 a.m. It was a wonderful service. Drummers began the procession, followed by liturgical dancers with flowing satiny banners. Next came all the bishops decked in rochet and chimeres. Bringing up the back of the procession were former presiding bishops Edmund Browning and Frank Griswold and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. This service was the UTO engathering. Representatives from each of the 100+ dioceses were announced as they walked across the chancel area and presented their diocese's offering.
The afternoon legislative session was an important milestone in the Church's life. The House of Deputies debated Resolution D025 which reaffirmed continued participation in the Anglican Communion; encouraged all entities of the Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the Anglican Communion; reaffirmed our financial commitment to the Anglican Communion; affirmed the value of listening to the experience of homosexual persons and acknowledged that through that process, the Church has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong commited relationships; recognized that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relatioships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's church; affirmed that God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry in the Churdch through discernment processes in accordance with church canons; and acknowledged that members of the church and the Anglican Communion are not of one mind and disagree on some of these matters. This is a paraphrase of the resolution, so be sure to read it for yourself on line. After much political manuevering, the resolution passed in its entirety. It remains to be seen what the House of Bishops will do with this resolution, so stay tuned.
The day ended for the Cheney's with a lovely dinner with Ron DelBene who was in town to conduct a workshop for the ECW, and Dr. Fredricka Thompsett, who was with us at Diocesan Convention last March. All in all, a momentous day.
I must be off to laundry land right now then on to my volunteer job in print distribution. So fo now, I wish all of you in West Tennessee a good day.
Stephanie
Yesterday was a bit of a slower pace. Afterall, even General Convention needs Sabbath time. The day began with Eucharist at 10 a.m. It was a wonderful service. Drummers began the procession, followed by liturgical dancers with flowing satiny banners. Next came all the bishops decked in rochet and chimeres. Bringing up the back of the procession were former presiding bishops Edmund Browning and Frank Griswold and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. This service was the UTO engathering. Representatives from each of the 100+ dioceses were announced as they walked across the chancel area and presented their diocese's offering.
The afternoon legislative session was an important milestone in the Church's life. The House of Deputies debated Resolution D025 which reaffirmed continued participation in the Anglican Communion; encouraged all entities of the Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the Anglican Communion; reaffirmed our financial commitment to the Anglican Communion; affirmed the value of listening to the experience of homosexual persons and acknowledged that through that process, the Church has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong commited relationships; recognized that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relatioships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's church; affirmed that God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry in the Churdch through discernment processes in accordance with church canons; and acknowledged that members of the church and the Anglican Communion are not of one mind and disagree on some of these matters. This is a paraphrase of the resolution, so be sure to read it for yourself on line. After much political manuevering, the resolution passed in its entirety. It remains to be seen what the House of Bishops will do with this resolution, so stay tuned.
The day ended for the Cheney's with a lovely dinner with Ron DelBene who was in town to conduct a workshop for the ECW, and Dr. Fredricka Thompsett, who was with us at Diocesan Convention last March. All in all, a momentous day.
I must be off to laundry land right now then on to my volunteer job in print distribution. So fo now, I wish all of you in West Tennessee a good day.
Stephanie
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Saturday, July 11th from General Convention
Greetings to each of you in West Tennessee. Once again I have written a long blog over the course of the day and have tried to paste it in to this blog, but to no avail. Suffice it to say, I've been off duty visiting with my son Brian and his girlfriend Susan who live about one hour north of here and have come down to spend a couple of days. We went to San Juan Capistrano today, a place I have heard about all my life and am glad to have had the opportunity to visit. It was the first of about 25 missions built up the coast of California in the late 1700s. It was a fascinating look into another point in history and a wonderful day with my son and his girlfriend. I hadn't seen them in 18 months, so it has been a real gift to me.
I'll be back on duty tomorrow and will try to bring you up to date on legislative activity. Until then, God's peace and have a wonderful rest of the weekend. With best wishes from all your deputation who are beingf far more diligent than I have been for the last 24 hours.
Stephanie
I'll be back on duty tomorrow and will try to bring you up to date on legislative activity. Until then, God's peace and have a wonderful rest of the weekend. With best wishes from all your deputation who are beingf far more diligent than I have been for the last 24 hours.
Stephanie
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Legislative Day Two - Thursday, July 9th
Greetings to everyone in The Diocese of West Tennessee. I did a rather long blog this morning about the events of the day yesterday - only to lose my connection and everything I had written. It was all about the legislative process and what took place in the House of Deputies having to do with organizing for the rest of Convention. It may have only been interesting to those of you who love the legislative process, so probably pretty boring.
Suffice it to say, both Houses did get organized, and resolutions began flowing.
The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke last night. Be sure to go to the diocesan website to read about that and also the Presiding Bishop's sermon from yesterday -- both very powerful.
The day was a long one, and the deputation didn't even get a chance to meet last night because of all the legislative committees that were working late into the day. We hope to meet tonight.
The next session of both houses is about to begin, and I understand the Bishops have been invited to be a part of this meeting where the House of Deputies has decided to operate as a committee of the whole to discuss B033. You can also access information about that on the web site, but I'll try to fill you in later. Until then, all the best from Anaheim.
Stephanie
Suffice it to say, both Houses did get organized, and resolutions began flowing.
The Archbishop of Canterbury spoke last night. Be sure to go to the diocesan website to read about that and also the Presiding Bishop's sermon from yesterday -- both very powerful.
The day was a long one, and the deputation didn't even get a chance to meet last night because of all the legislative committees that were working late into the day. We hope to meet tonight.
The next session of both houses is about to begin, and I understand the Bishops have been invited to be a part of this meeting where the House of Deputies has decided to operate as a committee of the whole to discuss B033. You can also access information about that on the web site, but I'll try to fill you in later. Until then, all the best from Anaheim.
Stephanie
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Next year in Jerusalem...
This day was full. We had our opening Eucharist at which our Presiding Bishop preached. Prior to this, both Houses (Deputies and Bishops) met for our first official legislative sessions. My role is to assist as the Vice-Chair of Dispatch of Business. In this capacity, I have the opportunity to assist the Presiding Bishop and other officers of the House of Bishops in the day in and day out running of the legislative flow of resolutions to be considered before our House. There are three of us on Dispatch. We rotate through each day with one of us serving as the Chair of Dispatch for the day. That will fall to me tomorrow, but I sat today as Bishop Wayne Wright's, Dispatch Chair, as his assistant. Bishop Dan Daniel will assist me in this capacity tomorrow, and the next day, Bishop Daniel will be the Chairperson. While we are just beginning to roll out the legislative responses for the work we have before us, we are finally officially underway.
Following the morning and evening legislative sessions, I attended an open session regarding the economic and environmental issues of the world-wide economy. At this meeting, Bishop Greg Rickels introduced the Presiding Bishop who set the context for the conversation. In turn, she introduced the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who presented a thirty minute presentation on the topic of the need for the Church to tell the truth about the economy in which we are both an observer and a participant. He offered specific recommendations as to the ways in which the Episcopal Church could be faithful in responding to the economic crisis we are all facing. Following his presentation, we heard from three young adults who work for the Church Center Staff. Respectively, their work centered on indigenous people, economic justice and the environment, and on the malaria fighting project, Nets for Life. Coverage in more depth about these various and important issues can be found by checking on our web site for reports related to these topics.
Finally, Jeannie and I were invited by the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno and his wife, Mary, to join a group supportive of the work of the Friends of Jerusalem. The bishop of Jerusalem and his wife, with whom Jeannie and I had visited two years ago on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land, were present and spoke to the group of one hundred or so people who support the efforts of the Church in that challenging area. We reconnected with many of the friends with whom we had made our pilgrimage, and we are exploring joining a return trip in 2010 to see and learn even more of this most holy area where our Lord walked, healed, taught and was crucified and resurrected.
It was a long and fruitful day. We are ready to call it an evening. I hope you day went well, and Jeannie and I look forward to being in touch tomorrow. Until then, God's blessings, +Don
Following the morning and evening legislative sessions, I attended an open session regarding the economic and environmental issues of the world-wide economy. At this meeting, Bishop Greg Rickels introduced the Presiding Bishop who set the context for the conversation. In turn, she introduced the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, who presented a thirty minute presentation on the topic of the need for the Church to tell the truth about the economy in which we are both an observer and a participant. He offered specific recommendations as to the ways in which the Episcopal Church could be faithful in responding to the economic crisis we are all facing. Following his presentation, we heard from three young adults who work for the Church Center Staff. Respectively, their work centered on indigenous people, economic justice and the environment, and on the malaria fighting project, Nets for Life. Coverage in more depth about these various and important issues can be found by checking on our web site for reports related to these topics.
Finally, Jeannie and I were invited by the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno and his wife, Mary, to join a group supportive of the work of the Friends of Jerusalem. The bishop of Jerusalem and his wife, with whom Jeannie and I had visited two years ago on our pilgrimage to the Holy Land, were present and spoke to the group of one hundred or so people who support the efforts of the Church in that challenging area. We reconnected with many of the friends with whom we had made our pilgrimage, and we are exploring joining a return trip in 2010 to see and learn even more of this most holy area where our Lord walked, healed, taught and was crucified and resurrected.
It was a long and fruitful day. We are ready to call it an evening. I hope you day went well, and Jeannie and I look forward to being in touch tomorrow. Until then, God's blessings, +Don
Legislative Day One at General Convention
Greetings to each of you in The Diocese of West Tennessee. Today is the first legislative day, although much has gone on in preparation for today over the last 24 hours. There are roughly 25 legislative committees of the General Convention, each of which is assigned various resolutions that have been filed prior to Convention, in addition to those that have been filed on site. I haven't counted total resolutions as of late, but the last time I did, there were close to 300 that had been filed. So in order for there to be legislation to consider during these early days of Convention, the legislative committees have been working diligently to perfect, table, or combine with other like resolutions.
Two of the West Tennessee deputation were assigned to be members of legislative committees: Reynolds Cheney, Structure, and Rene Somodevilla, Ministry. Bishop Johnson was assigned to Dispatch of Business in the House of Bishops. In addition, each member of the West Tennessee deputation is monitoring other legislative committees, and they will report back to the entire deputation on the resolutions coming out of those committees so that the deputation will be informed when it comes time for legislative votes in the House of Deputies.
It has been an extremely busy convention thus far, and there never seems to be much time to let your hair down or reflect on the events of the day, not to mention eat or sleep. Committee meetings start at 7 a.m. and often meet again late into the evening in order to prepare for the next day's work.
The afternoon sessions are about to begin, so I will close for now. In my next blog, I'll try to give you a description of what it's like to observe the House of Deputies in action. On behalf of all the deputation, we send our best wishes to each of you at home.
Stephanie
Two of the West Tennessee deputation were assigned to be members of legislative committees: Reynolds Cheney, Structure, and Rene Somodevilla, Ministry. Bishop Johnson was assigned to Dispatch of Business in the House of Bishops. In addition, each member of the West Tennessee deputation is monitoring other legislative committees, and they will report back to the entire deputation on the resolutions coming out of those committees so that the deputation will be informed when it comes time for legislative votes in the House of Deputies.
It has been an extremely busy convention thus far, and there never seems to be much time to let your hair down or reflect on the events of the day, not to mention eat or sleep. Committee meetings start at 7 a.m. and often meet again late into the evening in order to prepare for the next day's work.
The afternoon sessions are about to begin, so I will close for now. In my next blog, I'll try to give you a description of what it's like to observe the House of Deputies in action. On behalf of all the deputation, we send our best wishes to each of you at home.
Stephanie
A Gift from Virginia
Since 2000 when the General Convention was hosted in Denver, the Diocese of Virginia has published Center Aisle. This daily commentary is available online at www.centeraisle.net. I commend it to you. Virginia bishop, Peter Lee, describes the purpose of this gift to the church family as follows: "Our emphasis on the center is not a political compromise between extremes but rather a focus on what draws us together in the mission of Jesus Christ. And the 'together' is not just the identity of the Episcopal Church, but our identity of as faithful Anglicans with an historic legacy and a worldwide community... We believe a focus on the theological center requires a degree of humility and restaint, not throwing our weight around, but rather looking for those actions which buiild up the Body of Christ worldwide and contribute to a climate where freedom and justice flourish, not just for ourselves but for the wold-wide community." I join with our sisters and brothers in Virginia and across the Convention deputations to work toward finding the center aisle that "draws us together in the mission of Jesus Christ."
Yesterday we completed our last day of pre-Convention preparations. Orientations have now been completed, and the legislative sessions begin today. Committees have been working late into the night, and the first set of calendered resolutions for consideration should be ready to be considered no later than this afternoon. And so it begins.
As part of our welcome by the presiding officers of both Houses (House of Deputies and House of Bishops), our Presiding Bishop mentioned that the "great American heresy" is to think that "we can be saved individually." This comment does not ring a familiar tone for many of us brought up with an understanding of salvation that is dependent on our coming to "accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior." And yet, within the context of the Presiding Bishop's comments, the truth of what she proclaims is consistent with our traditional Christian understanding that Jesus the Christ came to save the whole world, that we are called as part of that salvation community to speak this truth and invitation to the world, and that we are saved as part of God's greater project of salvation for all. We come to belief one at a time, but the belief we have as Christians is for the larger project of God's ultimate goal for all humankind and all creation. For now, this seems a helpful reminder that what we decide at General Convention is not just about getting what I want for myself as a Christian. It is about what I can contribute to making God's plan of salvation for all a promise fulfilled. As we say in West Tennessee, we are about the task of becoming a place where God's promise in Christ is good news for all people. Pray we live each day into that vision. +Don
Yesterday we completed our last day of pre-Convention preparations. Orientations have now been completed, and the legislative sessions begin today. Committees have been working late into the night, and the first set of calendered resolutions for consideration should be ready to be considered no later than this afternoon. And so it begins.
As part of our welcome by the presiding officers of both Houses (House of Deputies and House of Bishops), our Presiding Bishop mentioned that the "great American heresy" is to think that "we can be saved individually." This comment does not ring a familiar tone for many of us brought up with an understanding of salvation that is dependent on our coming to "accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior." And yet, within the context of the Presiding Bishop's comments, the truth of what she proclaims is consistent with our traditional Christian understanding that Jesus the Christ came to save the whole world, that we are called as part of that salvation community to speak this truth and invitation to the world, and that we are saved as part of God's greater project of salvation for all. We come to belief one at a time, but the belief we have as Christians is for the larger project of God's ultimate goal for all humankind and all creation. For now, this seems a helpful reminder that what we decide at General Convention is not just about getting what I want for myself as a Christian. It is about what I can contribute to making God's plan of salvation for all a promise fulfilled. As we say in West Tennessee, we are about the task of becoming a place where God's promise in Christ is good news for all people. Pray we live each day into that vision. +Don
Monday, July 6, 2009
"Here's the situation right now..."
"In the conference room on the Oregon all the seats were filled. Hanley entered last and walked over to a podium and set a file on top. 'Here's the situation right now,' Hanley began. 'We believe we have the bomb pinned down to the general area of the West End of London." This brief excerpt from Clive Cussler's novel, Sacred Stone, seems to match the general situation we are facing today as your deputation arrives to fill all the seats and take our place as your designated "operatives" in the unfolding of the next edition of General Convention 2009.
Cussler is a favorite "airplane reading" novelist of mine. Since I bought this particular book of his in the Minneapolis airport on the way to General Convention, I have enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for the bad guys and the anxiety of the hunt if it goes wrong. In fact, London is in danger. And on New Year's Eve while a concert of Elton John is being offered to the people of the Anglican Holy Land, there is a plot afoot to blow up London with a "dirty bomb." This is what many are fearing about General Convention 2009. I think otherwise. I am still holding out for the Holy Spirit to "lead and guide" us into "all truth."
An optimist? Yes. And at the same time, I am a realist. "God is working his purpose out..." This is what I believe is and will happen at General Convention 2009. I also believe that this is the appropriate expectation to have for the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. I can believe nothing less and still be a person of hope and commitment.
Today was a day of meetings. I met all the chairpersons, vice-chairs, and legislative aides for another "orientation." When I get home, I want to research the etymology of orientation. I think it has something to do with the Orient. Once again, I find myself looking to the East. Hmmm. If this is the case, I wonder what such an orient-ation will reveal. In the course of the meeting, I found out that our own Brad Foster has been given many extra responsibilities beyond his day in and day out work as our Chancellor. For example, in addition to serving on the legislative committees related to Constitutional and Canonical changes being proposed at the Convention, Brad also had the important task of being one of a handful of people authorized to "sign off" on certain legal matters that will move the legislation of Convention along to its Spirit-inspired conclusion. I am confident that Brad will represent the Episcopal Church quite well in this newest assignment.
Toward the end of the evening, your deputation gathered in our hospitality suite (hosted quite effectively by Reynolds and Stephanie Cheney.) To date the members of our deputation who have arrived include the Johnsons, the Cheneys, the Somodevillas, John Leach, Andy Cobb, Brad Foster, Candace Welch, and Kevin Brown. We are looking forward to Patti and James Newsom and to Colenzo and LaVerne Hubbard joining us. We also are looking forward to our Episcopal Church Women representatives, to Ann McCormick and to the Rev. Ron DelBene joining us as well. These last listed folks have been invited to join your deputation for our evening gatherings and for other ways of being part of our West Tennessee presence as best they are able. If you happen to be traveling through this part of the country and the Convention is still going on, come visit us in the Cheney Hospitality Suite, Anaheim Hilton room 151. There is room in the inn for you.
At the end of the evening, Jeannie and I set out in different directions. Jeannie went with her friends from Education for Ministry (EFM). They were completing last minute plans for the EFM presentation to the spouses of the bishops, The House of Spouse as they are lovingly known. For my part, I had a meeting to attend that had to do with my responsibilities as one of the members of the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop. This group has only met twice since it was established to consider matters referred to us. For now, we have taken the time as a Court to review the status of a current matter on our agenda. At the end of the evening, our part is to wait expectantly.
So the evening draws to a close. We move up to the cusp of the Convention's official opening session. Tomorrow the various legislative committees will meet for the first time to organize and begin preparing for the legislation that will be handled by their respective groups of bishop and lay/clergy representatives. In the meantime, know that the work that is beginning to unfold tomorrow is part of our "situation right now" and that this is a good thing. Our Episcopal deputies are a committed lot, and the work that General Convention is about to accomplish will undoubtedly reflect this situation in a way that will ultimately prove to be faithful.
In Cussler's book, the key to understanding what is going on is to understand "the situation right now..." General Convention is not much different than this summing up of the process that brings us together every three years to determine the thrust and vision for ministry that our Church is embracing. The situation right now is that we are starting on solid ground and we are beginning to walk toward what Jesus would have us do. We all stay tuned in to what ever this will ultimately mean in real time and concrete terms. However, it is not a vision that is born in a vacuum.
We are getting ready for God to speak to and through General Convention. Truth be told, we are holding out for this gift. This is not a decision by our Church to let "majority rule." This is an attempt on behalf of our Church to say, "Here's the situation right now..." To be part of this unfolding message of God's promised Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth is a privilege to encounter and a calling to embrace. I hope you will keep us in your prayers as we seek to follow the Spirit's moving. If we can do this, there is no decision coming out of General Convention that will undermine our faith in Christ and our desire to serve God in ways that might challenge our limits while at the same time directing our energies. In fact, given this context for the decisions we will make together, there is little that we can do that will not speak to God's own plan for "the situation right now." Pray that our hearts, minds and souls will be open to God's plan. Blessings, +Don
Cussler is a favorite "airplane reading" novelist of mine. Since I bought this particular book of his in the Minneapolis airport on the way to General Convention, I have enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for the bad guys and the anxiety of the hunt if it goes wrong. In fact, London is in danger. And on New Year's Eve while a concert of Elton John is being offered to the people of the Anglican Holy Land, there is a plot afoot to blow up London with a "dirty bomb." This is what many are fearing about General Convention 2009. I think otherwise. I am still holding out for the Holy Spirit to "lead and guide" us into "all truth."
An optimist? Yes. And at the same time, I am a realist. "God is working his purpose out..." This is what I believe is and will happen at General Convention 2009. I also believe that this is the appropriate expectation to have for the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst. I can believe nothing less and still be a person of hope and commitment.
Today was a day of meetings. I met all the chairpersons, vice-chairs, and legislative aides for another "orientation." When I get home, I want to research the etymology of orientation. I think it has something to do with the Orient. Once again, I find myself looking to the East. Hmmm. If this is the case, I wonder what such an orient-ation will reveal. In the course of the meeting, I found out that our own Brad Foster has been given many extra responsibilities beyond his day in and day out work as our Chancellor. For example, in addition to serving on the legislative committees related to Constitutional and Canonical changes being proposed at the Convention, Brad also had the important task of being one of a handful of people authorized to "sign off" on certain legal matters that will move the legislation of Convention along to its Spirit-inspired conclusion. I am confident that Brad will represent the Episcopal Church quite well in this newest assignment.
Toward the end of the evening, your deputation gathered in our hospitality suite (hosted quite effectively by Reynolds and Stephanie Cheney.) To date the members of our deputation who have arrived include the Johnsons, the Cheneys, the Somodevillas, John Leach, Andy Cobb, Brad Foster, Candace Welch, and Kevin Brown. We are looking forward to Patti and James Newsom and to Colenzo and LaVerne Hubbard joining us. We also are looking forward to our Episcopal Church Women representatives, to Ann McCormick and to the Rev. Ron DelBene joining us as well. These last listed folks have been invited to join your deputation for our evening gatherings and for other ways of being part of our West Tennessee presence as best they are able. If you happen to be traveling through this part of the country and the Convention is still going on, come visit us in the Cheney Hospitality Suite, Anaheim Hilton room 151. There is room in the inn for you.
At the end of the evening, Jeannie and I set out in different directions. Jeannie went with her friends from Education for Ministry (EFM). They were completing last minute plans for the EFM presentation to the spouses of the bishops, The House of Spouse as they are lovingly known. For my part, I had a meeting to attend that had to do with my responsibilities as one of the members of the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop. This group has only met twice since it was established to consider matters referred to us. For now, we have taken the time as a Court to review the status of a current matter on our agenda. At the end of the evening, our part is to wait expectantly.
So the evening draws to a close. We move up to the cusp of the Convention's official opening session. Tomorrow the various legislative committees will meet for the first time to organize and begin preparing for the legislation that will be handled by their respective groups of bishop and lay/clergy representatives. In the meantime, know that the work that is beginning to unfold tomorrow is part of our "situation right now" and that this is a good thing. Our Episcopal deputies are a committed lot, and the work that General Convention is about to accomplish will undoubtedly reflect this situation in a way that will ultimately prove to be faithful.
In Cussler's book, the key to understanding what is going on is to understand "the situation right now..." General Convention is not much different than this summing up of the process that brings us together every three years to determine the thrust and vision for ministry that our Church is embracing. The situation right now is that we are starting on solid ground and we are beginning to walk toward what Jesus would have us do. We all stay tuned in to what ever this will ultimately mean in real time and concrete terms. However, it is not a vision that is born in a vacuum.
We are getting ready for God to speak to and through General Convention. Truth be told, we are holding out for this gift. This is not a decision by our Church to let "majority rule." This is an attempt on behalf of our Church to say, "Here's the situation right now..." To be part of this unfolding message of God's promised Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth is a privilege to encounter and a calling to embrace. I hope you will keep us in your prayers as we seek to follow the Spirit's moving. If we can do this, there is no decision coming out of General Convention that will undermine our faith in Christ and our desire to serve God in ways that might challenge our limits while at the same time directing our energies. In fact, given this context for the decisions we will make together, there is little that we can do that will not speak to God's own plan for "the situation right now." Pray that our hearts, minds and souls will be open to God's plan. Blessings, +Don
Anaheim -- Monday, July 6th
Greetings from Anaheim! Reynolds, Brad Foster and I arrived on Sunday and actually drove from the airport in Los Angeles to the Anaheim Marriott on the freeways without getting lost! Brad and I went grocery shopping yesterday afternoon in aniticipation of the whole deputution arriving today. (Reynolds and I have a room adjoining ours, and we will play host to the every evening meeting of the deputies to talk about the day, review legislation and plan for the next day.) Last night, Bishop Johnson, Brad, Reynolds and I had dinner together while Jeannie attended a meeting of the Bishops' Spouses Planning Group.
The weather here is a far cry from West Tennessee. I sat out on a lounge chair outside our room this morning to answer e-mails and actually got chilly! Later today, Reynolds and I will go to the Convention Center, which is adjacent to our hotel, to register. Deputations from around the Church are arriving today, as yesterday, and we are seeing many old friends we have grown to know over the years. It continues to be a time of reconnecting with them as well as making new friends along the way.
Things begin in earnest tomorrow with ongoing deputy certification, orientation meetings, etc. For today, we are enjoying our last bit of down time. Reynolds joins me in sending our best wishes back to each of you in West Tennessee. We'll do our best over the next two weeks to keep you informed of what's going on.
Stephanie
The weather
The weather here is a far cry from West Tennessee. I sat out on a lounge chair outside our room this morning to answer e-mails and actually got chilly! Later today, Reynolds and I will go to the Convention Center, which is adjacent to our hotel, to register. Deputations from around the Church are arriving today, as yesterday, and we are seeing many old friends we have grown to know over the years. It continues to be a time of reconnecting with them as well as making new friends along the way.
Things begin in earnest tomorrow with ongoing deputy certification, orientation meetings, etc. For today, we are enjoying our last bit of down time. Reynolds joins me in sending our best wishes back to each of you in West Tennessee. We'll do our best over the next two weeks to keep you informed of what's going on.
Stephanie
The weather
It ain't no Mickey Mouse operation...
I was very impressed yesterday with the computer savvy people working behind the scenes to keep the legislative information flowing when all the messages, amendments and actions are recorded in all their glorious detail. Those of us who will be working with this information were given a hands-on tutorial yesterday morning as part of our orientation for the Convention. In the afternoon, Jeannie and I took a long walk through the area surrounding the Convention Center. This entailed a walk through Downtown Disney, a shopping tour for those who just can't go home without their own armload of souvenirs. Managing to resist the temptation, we still enjoyed a beautiful day together in the California sun. In the evening, Jeannie had a meeting with the Spouses Planning Group. This is the group of bishops' spouses who are coordinating the program and facilities for their various activites at Convention. I joined Stephanie and Reynolds Cheney and Brad Foster for dinner and converstation. Today I anticipate more meetings and a growing sense of anticipation as the vast machinery of the Convention begins to roll into action. It is impressive to see, and I look forward to sharing a glimpse of the events as they unfold. Until then, know you are in my prayers. +Don
Sunday, July 5, 2009
General Convention - And so it begins...
7-5-09: Jeannie and I arrived on July 4 in Anaheim and had an early dinner (even by Memphis timezone standards.) By 8:30 p.m. we were back in our Marriott Hotel room. Standing on our 10th floor balcony, I looked to the East as fireworks lit up the wide horizon of the California skyline. This morning I went to work out in the hotel's fitness center and luxuriated in the realization that few of the total number of deputies from around the Church had yet arrived. All that is to say, I found it relatively easy this morning to get an exercise bike. So we arrived to fireworks, began with a good workout, and I now look forward to lighting up the sky with what I hope is the light of another kind in the days ahead. Others in the past have looked to the East for light to guide them. I anticipate that we will join in this same spirit and look for the light that will point us to where Jesus will be found again, a light to enlighten the nations. Keep us in your prayers as we will be holding you there as well. Blessings, +Don
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