July 6 at General Convention

Serving at Holy Eucharist 

After a legislative hearing I was attended went into Executive Session (meaning they kindly kicked all of us out of the room), I arrived early for the daily Eucharist. When asked, I gladly accepted the offer to be one of many folks to distribute Holy Communion. I ended up at the station right in front of the massive altar they've set up in a hotel ballroom, allowing me to sneak a couple of photos. Great experience sharing the Body of Christ with Deputies and Bishops of the church!

The view from near the front of the alter. The folks in the front row are using sign language as we offered the Sanctus.

They asked Eucharistic ministers to stand near their stations during the Eucharistic prayer. Best view I'll probably ever have of Holy Eucharist during General Convention. I have no idea who the Bishop is who celebrated the service.

Lay Health Plans

Attended two more committee meetings on the Church Pension Group during which the committee took up the issue of ensuring that lay employees have access to health plans consistent with the benefits enjoyed by clergy. We'll see if the Convention adopts the resolution drafted and crafted and polished by this committee, but we should. Lay employees in the church deserve no less care than the clergy.

Legislative Sessions

We had two of them today. Among the actions taken today are three that struck me as particularly significant:

The House of Deputies voted to:

• Endorse statehood for the District of Columbia (whose citizens are denied right to vote for representation in the Senate and House of Representatives);
• Affirm the compatibility of science and the Christian faith; and
• Sell the property at 815 2nd Avenue, New York (which currently houses the Church Center offices, including those of the Presiding Bishop).

These resolutions will be passed along to the House of Bishops. If adopted in the same form then these will have the force of law. We shall see!

Some Reflections

I am loving sharing in worship with hundreds of Episcopalians and sharing with other folks here one-on-one as stand in line for drinks, as we meet each other in the Exhibit Hall, and as we visit while walking from one place to another (and we do a lot of walking!). 

I love running into old friends, some of whom I haven't seen in over a decade. What a community we have in The Episcopal Church: large enough to extend well beyond our national borders yet small enough to reconnect with old friends.

I love seeing how the legislative process unfolds from taking testimony in committee meetings, to discussions and votes in those committees, to the process of debating and amending and deciding these matters on the floor of the House of Deputies. 

I love getting back to my hotel room after 12 hours (or more) and enjoying a little peace and quiet. And on that note -- good night!