Seeking Authentic Voice

Although I moved fifty years ago, this summer I will return to the city of my birth, where I will stay for three weeks. I’ve come back many times, but this will be the longest visit I’ve ever made.  No doubt the contrast of how I began my life and how I live it now will be prominent in my thoughts. True, I think about this every time I return to Salt Lake City. However this summer, when the Episcopal Church holds its triennial General Convention in Salt Lake City, the past and the present will merge in new ways. More specifically, on Sunday, June 28, when the Episcopal Women’s Caucus hosts its ever popular General Convention breakfast, I will celebrate my fifteenth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. I’ve come a long way from the little Mormon girl I was when my family moved away in 1966. My mother loved to tell the story of my birth. On February 14, 1957, she walked outside on a snowy night, hoping to induce labor, yearning for her ...

This morning I am watching Jenna Bush Hager describe her road trip along highway 12 in Southern Utah, part of her "America the Beautiful" report on the Today Show. I made that trip a couple of years ago, although unlike JBH I was not in a classic caddie convertible. I was driving my old VW Passat Wagon with the new engine. (The engine in this car "blew" in Dec. 2009, part of the engine sludge build up that was unfortunately all too common in Passats...It cost us $5000.00 and many months of scrimping and saving to replace the engine)....  Highway 12 truly is one of the wonders of this country, a spectacular drive through Bryce Canyon and the Escalante Staircase (or in this case, my dad's backyard from his house off of Highway 12)  and Calf Creek.... That road trip will always be one of my favorite trips, in large part because it was taken with my son and his dog, Emmy: Although I am on vacation this week, I will n...

What a fast week! But oh, I am sooo very grateful that I went to General Convention. Even if I went back to my room instead of crashing the cocktail and dinner event held in Ballroom B for the folks from Chicago, many of whom I know. No, I went back to my room, following a day of being a Page in the House of Bishops, and rested. Like I was supposed too. Even if I missed the L.A. night at the Arena with rocking music and Brian McLaren as the Keynote speaker. After a day of being a Page in the House of Bishops, I went back to my room and rested. Regardless of what I missed I was able to be present for some awesome happenings: the HofB passing resolutions C056 (creating liturgies to bless same gendered unions). Discussions on the budget and youth representation in the House of Deputies. And worship services that reminded me of why I love this church. Fabulous music! Great preachers (Abagail Nelson, Brian McLaren, Bishop Katharine). Fine liturgy in English, French, and Spanish. (COOL). I g...

(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 cen...

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 sl...