An Absolutely Amazing, Spirit-filled Day

(from flickrfoto, July 13)


I rose early this morning in order to attend the Province VIII breakfast and installation of officers for 2009. We gathered from 7:00am to 8:30am for prayer, some refreshing food, and delightful conversation. Laura Smith, wife of our Diocesan Bishop was there along with Marilyn Hedges, myself, and about 50 other ECW members from this province (Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, California, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and Taiwan).

Following the breakfast I wandered over to the Exhibition Hall and walked the exhibits. The room was filled with booths of all sorts: artwork from Haiti and Jerusalem, Chasubles and Albs from Whipple, Almy, and independant sources, Episcopal Relief and Development and Heifer International, Church Publishing and Leader Resources, and more. I walked the hall for about half an hour and then returned to my hotel room for some rest before my big afternoon as a Page in the House of Bishops.

I returned to the convention center at 1:15 in preparation for my shift as Page. Today the two houses, House of Bishops and House of Deputies, met for about an hour in joint session, to discuss the budget for 2009-2012. The budget presentation, filled with significant cuts of program and resources, was beautifully done, focusing on what makes us strong (our mission work) and not what wears us down – choosing to see this as an opportunity for resurrection instead of despair. Both Houses will consider the budget in legislation Thursday morning.

Following the budget presentation the House of Bishops convened for about 40 minutes in private session, which is the usual way they prepare for an open hearing. The Pages, media, and general public joined the House of Bishops at 4:40. The legislation under discussion today dealt with a resolution asking the Standing Committee on Liturgics, in relationship with the House of Bishops, to create liturgies and resources for the blessing of same-gendered relationships. (I’m not sure the resolution used the word Marriage, I think it was “relationship”). The House of Bishops discussed and amended, and voted down a few amendments, to the original resolution for over an hour. As Pages we were busy bringing bishops the official form for making amendments, transporting notes between House of Bishops and House of Deputies, as well as any other messages that needed to be delivered to an individual bishop. At one point there was a long discussion about “dispatching” the entire resolution, which I gathered to mean they would table the discussion, and perhaps address it in another form next convention. The intent all around was too begin the process of creating, for Bishops and clergy who reside in states that have legalized same gendered marriage, a liturgy to bless that marriage, with the hope of having some materials ready for presentation at the next General Convention in 2012.

As a Page I was awestruck by the degree of compassion, respect, and generosity exhibited in the House of Bishops as they undertook this very difficult task. I am deeply moved and hold in high regard all of the Bishops who have worked so hard these last two weeks. It was amazing to witness the proceedings around this topic and the overwhelming support given to it by more than 2/3 of the Bishops. And, although I was not a Page in the House of Deputies, I am sure they were working just as hard and with the same degree of graciousness, on whatever topic was before them.

The day ended with a prayer, offered by the Chaplain, and a chant led by a musician and sung by all, followed by 10 minutes of silent prayer. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Schori closed the session with a simple, “Shalom, Go in peace.”

Regardless of what each of may think about the ultimate decisions made at convention I think we all should be honored to be lead by two fine houses, Bishops and Deputies, and the amazing, prayerful, Spirit-filled work they have done.

Today was one of those days when I really love the Episcopal Church.

Tomorrow: a more restful day? We’ll see….

An Excellent Second Day

Yesterday I walked more than I had walked in 8 days. A lot more. Which means that this morning I was tired. Not sleepy, just tired. So I stayed in my hotel room, in bed, in my pj's until 10am. I ordered room service and drank a pot of coffee (OK, a pot was only 4 cups). I read blogs. Finally I showered and got dressed. I wanted to attend the General Convention Eucharist built around the theme of the Millennium Development Goals. I am so glad I went. I got to hear a fabulous keynote (sermon) address, which you can read here. I got to sit next to my former, and now retired Bishop. I got to see some folks I have cared about and known for years. It was great.

After the Eucharist I grabbed a quick lunch (Turkey sandwich and iced Tea) and then went to wait for my assignment as a page for the House of Bishops. Thankfully I brought my knitting, because I waited awhile. My assignment (When they asked if anyone had any issues with walking or hearing, I raised my hand - note to self, walk slow, even if you feel well) was to sit in the back of the House of Bishops, a less busy page position than the front of the House. There were three of us back there and we rotated monitoring who could walk in to the Bishop's space and who needed messages delivered.

The meeting began with a presentation of the invited, inter-religious guests. A rabbi and a Cantor opened us with prayer - a beautiful chant in Hebrew - oh my! Then someone joined them chanting in English: "May the May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He cause His face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance and grant you peace."

A short amount of time was busy, then we sat for 2 hours and just listened to the proceedings. It was an easy job. We were supposed to work from 1:30-6:00pm, but we didn't actually start to work until three and we ended at 5:30. Not bad. The resolutions being addressed by the House of Bishops were basic things, nothing controversial, and most passed without a hitch. A few were actually recommended by the presenter as resolutions that should be rejected - and they were.

Following my work as a Page in the H of B I returned to my room, made a few phone calls, took a shower, ordered room service, and called it a night. Now, instead of being tired I am actually beginning to feel sleepy. As soon as the sun goes down I will too!

More tomorrow on the General Convention.

I'm Not Crazy, I Just Love What I Do

Huntington Beach, Californai

Yes. I had surgery 5 days ago. And yet, here I am, in Anaheim, California, at the General Convention for the Episcopal Church. Actually, I am doing quite well, from the surgery (the one, that as someone said to me "Every woman wants at some point in her life"...). Actually it may be that I am here because I feel better than I have felt in awhile - so it is all relative.

Anyway. Day one of my trip to the convention. The 2009 Triennial Convention for the Episcopal Church actually began last week, July 8 (coincidentally the day of surgery). But this is my first day here. I had an easy flight in, on a commuter plane out of Tucson, a 90 minute flight. Small plane, tiny seat space. But otherwise no problems. I took the Super Shuttle from LAX (piece of cake finding the pick up location) and was the first stop on the drop off points for 5 people in the van.

Some things I observed, but have forgotten about, because I live in a small town: people who work, even on a hot summer day, in a knit winter hat while "snapping" gum. I haven't heard someone so skillful at snapping gum, like this tiny young woman at the "Shared Ride" location at LAX, since I left Chicago 16 months ago. This woman was a real pro. Granted 40 minutes of waiting to the tune of snapping gum was wearing a bit on my patience....

Another thing: one man on the shared ride van who could not tolerate a single moment of silence. He was on his cell phone non-stop. From some of the overheard conversation (it couldn't be helped, sadly, sigh) even the people he called were tired of his pursuit of conversation. Thankfully it only took me 45 minutes to get to my hotel from LAX. Nonetheless I know a lot about this man and his business, and the recently hired person he has heard both "good" and " not so good" reports on...sigh...(oh and he was some big who-ha person, in charge of ALL the people)....

My hotel is nice and comfortable, in the convention center area of Anaheim, across the way from Disneyland. After my arrival I rested for about 90 minutes. Then my brother and sister-in-law picked me up and we went to lunch at Savannah's in Huntington Beach. I had to laugh. My daughter worked for three years at Hollister, a stylish jean and T-shirt chain store (part of the Abercromie family). The Hollister stores have a live feed webcam focused on Huntington Beach - so for years I could go to her store and see this beach - year in year out. It always posted not only the live feed, but the temperature and time as well. Chicago (minus 10 degrees), Huntington sunny and 70 degrees. (Or today, 90 - still a lot cooler than the 105 in Tucson, where I now live).

Lunch was delightful. The day was pleasant. Some think I am crazy for making this trip so soon after the surgery. I would not have come if I were not feeling well and up to it. And really, the sensation of excitment I felt walking off the shuttle and into the hotel, knowing I was here, in the midst of this convention, made my heart leap with joy! My only hope is that the kids running off steam in the courtyard below my window quiet down soon - I'm tired and want to go to sleep. They obviously want to swim, ("Marco" - "Polo"...in the pool) scream, play, and be kids. Sigh. I must be getting old.

Bobcat Family

Here is a short video of the bobcat family that has decided to live on the roof of the house across the street. Good thing no one is living in that house....