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.