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
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