Post Convention Report

Now that General Convention is over I find it difficult to describe either it or my feelings about it. Certainly, it is a huge event. Between the House of Deputies, the House of Bishops, the ECW Triennial and the exhibit hall, we covered around 15 acres of convention floor. Our largest Eucharist probably saw over 5,000 people. Every deputy received over 1,000 pages of legislation. I don’t have any idea of how much convention cost the church, but I don’t think $4 million is too high a guess. A hidden cost is that half of the deputies are lay people who have to take time away from work.

One of the good things coming out of this convention is a realization that GC is too big and too expensive. As a first step, the next convention in Indianapolis in 2012 will be shorter by 2 days. It will also generate much less paper, with a move towards electronic communications.
That was good news There was a lot of good news this convention. We voted to restore funding to the Millennium Development Goals to alleviate extreme poverty, eradicate preventable disease, provide universal education and other social issues identified by the UN.
We addressed the political and humanitarian crisis in Honduras, Pakistan, the Sudan and Palestine. We authorized funding for church based community development, starting with some of this countries poorest native people. We encouraged clergy to learn more about racism, domestic violence and human trafficking.

The convention modified the way names are added to our calendar and added several people for trial remembrances these next three years. We also approved several people who’s remembrances had been practiced these past 3 years. One of them was Harriet Bedell, a deaconess (that was the title back then) who worked with the Seminoles in what is now Lee, Collier and Monroe counties.

We shared in some incredible worship. I think the whole range of cultural, ethnic and traditional worship was experienced. We had outstanding preachers including Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefforts Schori, evangelist Brian McLaren, Native American bishop Steven Charleston and as a true high point for me, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
There were , of course, difficult issues discussed. I have to say, though, that these issues were discussed in a non-contentious, courteous manner. That hasn’t always been true in the church and I truly appreciated it.

We had agreed in 2006 (resolution B033) to “use restraint” in the consent process for the ordination of bishops “whose manner of life may be objectionable” to other members of the Anglican Communion and that we would refrain from developing rites for the blessing of same sex unions. The big question before and during convention was “what will we do with B033? The answer is, really nothing. B033 is still in effect, however we did pass a couple of resolutions that many find to be contradictory of it.

D025 was passed by a clear majority in both houses which says that the Episcopal Church is committed to staying in the Anglican Communion. It also says the Church is not of one mind on the consecration of bishops living in partnered relationships or the blessing of those partnerships. It reminds us that such things have happened and may continue in the future, especially in those states where same sex marriage is allowed by law. The bishops also called for “the collecting” of existing texts for the blessing of same sex unions to be delivered at the next convention.

We also passed a resolution calling on the Church to do a detailed, historical and theological study of marriage before the Church decides whether to officially recognize same sex unions as acceptable models of Christian relationships.

Sadly, we voted in a budget that realistically anticipates a reduction in funds received from dioceses. 30 employees (mostly in support and clerical staff positions) of the Church will lose their jobs. The departments responsible for coordinating church wide efforts to end racism and to support women’s ministry have been closed. We did authorize a program to double the number of missionaries, which is a point of light in a rather dark instrument.

General Convention is a time for the Church to gather in council, but also in bonds of friendship. I saw some old friends and made some new ones. My spirit was lifted to the point of tears several times. My heart was broken, spilling different tears when I had to decide which of my friends and parishioners I’d disappoint in the way I would vote.

I have often called my self a centrist, but that never seemed so clear as this convention. I voted with the conservatives some times and the liberals other times. There were a few resolutions where I couldn’t find a place of comfort at all.

We, as a convention, called upon God to send His Holy Spirit upon us before every gathering. I didn’t get everything I wanted and it is natural, I guess, to say that the convention didn’t listen to God’s voice.

But, maybe we did.

Friday, July 17

It is finished! In 6 hours I'm in a shuttle heading to the airport. In 20 hours, I'm at home. I have really been homesick. Lots of emotion. Lots of tension. Late nights and early mornings. And every where one turns, there's a crowd. It has been at least a little daunting.

I know when I get home, people are going to ask me what happened. Part of me wants to say "Beats the heck out of me", but that wouldn't be nice.

In 10 legislative days, we heard and acted on over 400 pieces of legislation. Some were as simple as thanking someone for work they had done to a complete rewrite of the canons for clergy discipline.

And of course, what would a General Convention be without talking about sex? Today we acted on a resolution that has gotten a lot of attention. Let me make this real clear. We did not allow the consecration of partnered gay men or lesbians as bishops. We did say that we are of different minds on the matter. While still being asked to use restraint in consenting to such consecrations, we recognize that it may happen. The same is true of same-sex unions whatever they may be called. This is a particular concern in those 6 states that allow same-sex marriage.

In southwest Florida, nothing will change. This is good news to some and bad news to others. I don't think anyone here thought themselves winners. Facing difficult issues while respecting those with whom you disagree is difficult.

I promise to post again when I can get home and process all that has happened. I have tried to link this blog to the resolutions I mentioned, but the web site is down. I'll try again in a couple of days.

Thanks for visiting. Good night.

Thursday, July 16

One more day! I'm ready.

We passed the budget today. We absolutely gutted the church-wide support staff. A bunch of people lost their jobs today. It wasn't the decision makers. It was program staff that helped dioceses with mission and ministry. There is no one to educate the church on racism, or women's issues. There was no joy.

I've avoided making this an editorial blog, but I need to change that.

I have heard for years that the only way to influence the "national church" is to withhold money. Yep, we showed them. Someone may have to get their own coffee because we just fired an entry level clerk. Now no one will waste our money on the liberal, pro-gay agenda by working with the poorest Americans on Native People's land. Protesting with money is short-sighted. It hurts the wrong people and doesn't make nearly the statement engagement does.

End of soap-box #1.

We recognized the deputations from the 4 dioceses that have been reformulated after their diocese left the church: Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, San Joaquin and Quincy. They're all a lot smaller than they were, but they are here and that made a powerful witness to those of us who will stay in the church that formed us. Good for them.

I've learned a lot these past 10 days. I miss my family and my church. I need to go on a fast for about a month. But, I wouldn't have wanted to miss this opportunity to see the wider church in action. It's not always pretty. Hard work seldom is. We have done good things. And, we've done somethings I wish had gone differently.

I truly believe that God has heard our prayers. We asked Him to direct us to do His will. Who am I to think He didn't, or that we didn't listen.

One more marathon day.

Good night.

Wednesday, July 15

Boy, an awful lot went on today.

We heard a presentation from the budget committee. Someone said that they saw "crisis and opportunity" in the budget. Well, I guess you can say that.

The budget does reflect a 1% per year reduction in what the church asks the dioceses to give. It also calls for reduction in staff programs. Once again, it is the work that directly effects people in need that get cut. We haven't passed it yet. That will probably be tomorrow.

Two big things made it through both houses today. The first is a church-wide pension plan for most lay employees. The other is a church-wide insurance plan for full-time lay employees. St. Hilary's currently offers these, but in a little different manner than now mandated. We'll be impacted, but not by much. I can't imagine anyone losing a benefit they already have.

Bishop Stephen Charleston of the diocese of California preached at the Eucharist. Some of the women reading this know him from the Believe in a Miracle retreat. Bishop Charleston is a Native American and brought his heritage into the sermon on ecological stewardship. He is one of the best preachers I have ever heard.

Tomorrow will be a long day. We will probably have to meet in session into the night to do all the business we've been given. So, I'll say good night.

Tuesday, July 14

We finished all of our committee work. That means that means we have reviewed, reworked, debated and sent on to the House of Bishops 33 resolutions all having to do with urban and social justice issues. A few have passed through both houses and are in effect. Some are still in either house. Some will never see the light of day. We have 3 legislative days left and probably around a hundred of resolutions to pass. Each committee has prioritized 5 resolutions that we felt needed to be heard this year.

The amount of work expected of the deputies and bishops is borderline ridiculous. some things flow through quickly. But, many of them require a lot of research and testimony and face amendment or substitution on the floor. Sometimes they go back to committee and the process starts again.

Although the media might disagree, one of the most important pieces of legislation passed through both houses today. The section of our canons (rules) that has to do with clergy misconduct has been completely rewritten. We have been working on this for 5 or 6 years.

We've recommitted the church to work with those with HIV/AIDS and to fight the spread of several life threatening diseases. We have recommitted the church to an exploration of the causes and effects of racism.

And, we have passed a resolution that recognizes the church's reality as it relates to gay and lesbian committed relationships and ordination. We did not authorize liturgies for same-sex blessings. We did say that we truly desire to remain in relationship with the Anglican Communion but must remain true to our structure and cultural reality.

We are not done hearing about this and related issues. I ask again to not base your view of the church's actions on the basis of the media, including church publications. When I read what a church owned media outlet said about one of the resolutions, I had to double check the number because it sure didn't sound like anything we worked on.

Your deputation has been working hard. And, we have stolen a moment here or there to have some fun. We try to eat dinner together and tend to get a tad rowdy. So far we haven't been kicked out of any restaurants, but we have a couple days to try.

My committee is done, so I get to sleep in til 8:00.

Good night.

Monday, July 13

Today was my day off. My colleague Gigi Connor sat on the floor in my stead. I read, slept and, that's about it.

I'll catch up tomorrow and post more tomorrow night. All I know is what I've read on the Episcopal News Service, and as I wrote to you, don't believe what you read. So I'll wait.

Good night

Sunday, July 12

Today started with the Eucharist for all the people involved with this convention. I would guess at 5,000 or so. It was a mass (pardon the pun) of bishops, priests, deacons and lay folk all praising God and sharing the moment with each other.

I can't put my finger on why this happened, but at the entrance and exit hymns, my eyes filled and I had to choke back sobs. The sound. the visuals. The power of people coming together to worship God through His Son. I noticed a lot of wet cheeks.

I don't know if the local press have gotten a hold of this yet, but the first of the resolutions dealing with how we continue to live in relationship with the broader Anglican Communion came to the House of Deputies today. It passed in our house, so now it goes to the bishops.

I don't want to try to explain the resolution we did pass. It is very long and detailed. It is available in an edited version at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_ENG_HTM.htm What ends up coming from the bishops may not look anything like what we passed.

Let me say that it was more an explanation of what the reality is on the ground now. It expresses our fervent desire to remain in relationship with the Anglican Communion while staying true to our structure and way of deciding difficult things.

Please, please don't believe everything you read (even this). What it means for our parishes is not yet clear. And remember, we are only half way through the convention.

Tomorrow, I won't be on the floor of the convention. Each of the elected deputies has agreed to give up two legislative sessions to allow our alternates to experience being a voting deputy. it's not a complete day off. I still have committee meetings, but I do get 6 hours to nap and read.

Now that we have passed the mid-point, coming home is just visible on the horizon. Thanks be to God.