Reflections on General Convention
I always come back from General Convention weary, but uplifted. I am uplifted again this convention by the experience of the church still learning how to be the church for our day and time, and for the future. This is such a Biblical enterprise, from the wandering Israelites through the early church at Pentecost. We [...]
Innovation in GC’s triennium budget.
A few days ago, PB&F sent a message to both houses warning us that the budget was being pared down and that almost every area of the budget would be affected. They even had a few ideas for us for ways to pare down the cost of 2012’s General Convention meeting.
They weren’t kidding.
The 2010-2012 budget [...]
Bishop’s Blog – July 16 – Compassionate Process
Again at this convention I have been reminded that the process for making decisions is as important as the decisions made.
In the midst of a much more positive tone and atmosphere in the House of Bishops it is clear that certain decisions toward being and open and inclusive church could pass without extended debate. For [...]
convention – benefits for all and blessing possibilities
We are almost done with the legislative sessions for Convention, the processing and living out the resolutions is still to come. Today the deputies spent most of the morning on elections, and at first I thought that would be the extent of the morning, but with 30 minutes or so to go, we moved to [...]
The future of our church…How will we fund it?
This week at The Episcopal Church’s (TEC) General Convention I have yet again been uplifted by the good work my church does at all levels. I’ve spent quite a bit of my time this week in hearings. I’ve listened to people testify for the continued support of ministries such as prison ministries, aid [...]
A glimpse at a bigger picture
The General Convention marathon is pushing toward the finish line — just three more days of legislation to complete our work. These long days of talking and listening are producing some good and thoughtful results. By this time in the life of a convention, the House of Deputies seems hopelessly behind in its [...]
Thoughts from a first time deputy
The concept of General Convention seems at first designed to wear us out! Many hearings start at 7:00 or 7:30 am, and events continue until 9:30 or 10:00 pm. Some days it seems almost impossible to find time for lunch or dinner, and the hotel meal prices are just short of outrageous. The real value [...]
Truth and Love
Love without truth is sentimentality; truth without love is brutality. This was a quote shared with us in prayer by Chaplain Frank Wade during our afternoon legislative session and I resonated with it deeply. Fr. Wade lead us in prayer with these words by special request prior to voting on resolution D025 “Commitment and Witness [...]
Browsing and legislating
Sunday was a more relaxing day at General Convention — the sabbath. That didn’t mean a complete day of rest, but it did mean a more leisurely pace. Church at 10, some time to sit down and enjoy lunch and then a shortened legislative session in the afternoon from 3 to 6. I will [...]
and they’re off!
after a full week of committee work perfecting our resolutions for vote on the floor, we’re ready now to start seeing the fruits of our hard work before us. the obligatory work associated with perfecting how we do our work has been done. the election to our key leadership positions has been done. and now [...]
