The race is on… GC 2009 is almost over and there are hundreds of resolutions (many are important to one group or another) that have yet to receive action or even come to the floor.
Today we have dealt with the Budget which is a complicated and multi-multi-lined document (an expense line over three years of $140,856,531.00). Like diocese and individual church budgets, this one is underfunded by depending upon which speaker is defining $14 – 24,000,000.00 over the next three years. Like diocese and churches, this budget expects job losses and cuts among the 600+ line items.
Resolutions here have run the gamut from Budgetary items to Evangelism efforts to Consent to Election of Bishops (elected within the last 120 days prior to this Convention) to Mission Priorities to be expressed in a budget that is $14 – $24,000,000 under-funded to a mandatory Denominational Health Plan and Lay Pension availability through the Church Pension Fund to the more controversial around issues of same sex unions, ordinations and acceptance in the Episcopal Church (full inclusion in the sacraments of the church) and changes in the liturgy of the Church. Some decisions come very easy and others are fraught with painful reminders for someone for this House is not of one mind or spirit.
Your deputation has accorded itself in a manner in which you would be pleased. They have voted their hearts and minds about the resolutions on the floor. We have represented the Diocese of Tennessee (even though we have been instructed from the beginning that we are not to represent but to vote the “Holy Spirit moving in our hearts and minds” as we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit – President of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson and Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori in their opening remarks).
We have often found ourselves voting with the minority. However, Ray Suarez (Senior Correspondent for The News Hour with Jim Leher on PBS), the preacher in Saturday’s Holy Communion stated that the Episcopal Church is a church of minorities. So, we are in good company!
Some of my perceptions have been and are (remember my perceptions alone):
- Patience is getting a bit shorter than when we started.
- People are tired and tired of the “Disney area” up-charge on food and services.
- And most folks are ready to go home!
- The Exhibition Hall is running on a “skeleton staff” as exhibitors are packing their wares to leave.
- Having 45% of the House of Deputies first time folks has made for a slow start to the Convention and if the same is true for the 2012 GC which is proposed to be 2 days shorter – that should be an interesting event!). The scope of General Convention is huge and takes more than a few minutes to understand.
- There is some bit of anxiety about the nature of and the future of the Church in connection to the full Anglican Communion in response to resolutions around human sexuality and the likelihood of a resolution of the House of Deputies concurring with the House of Bishops concerning a resolution to collect resources for same sex blessings and consider designs to be presented for further conversation and reported to the 2012 77th General Convention. It should be note that it is collecting – not endorsing use of any such rites or liturgies. Bishop Andy Doyle of Texas was quoted in the Convention Dailey [July 16, 2009, page 3] as saying that the majority of people here at GC represent a broad spectrum of the church that is interested in moving forward toward these rites.
- But there are differences in people gathered here in that TEC is not of one mind, one color, one language nor agreement of direction or mission of the church. Seldom is there a unanimous vote on any resolution or issue of the 500 or so presented at this convention.
- Our worship reflects those differences in music, prayers, and liturgies. The Episcopal is more than a National Church as most understand but is an International Church with diocese from outside the boundaries of the United States. We have heard readings in worship in Spanish, Lakota Sioux, Korean, French that I recognized – and I am sure there were others! My perception is that this is an important aspect of presentation at this Convention – that The Episcopal Church is by itself an international Church.
- This General Convention is my fourth. It appears to me that words such as invite, encourage, endorse, support and urge have been replaced with words like direct, must, shall, will and create. The “order of the day” at this Convention seems to be control issued from the headquarters of the Church.
- A typical day at General Convention for your Deputies begins with breakfast followed by Committee Meetings and Open Hearings. Our first session in legislative gathering is at 9:45 breaking for Community Worship at 11:30. Committee Meetings gather again at 1 pm with Legislative Session meeting again at 2 lasting generally at 6. Many Committees and special gatherings come together at 7 pm. Tonight, Thursday, we have reserved 8 – 10 pm for another Legislative Session.
It has been an honor to be here for you and all of our deputation is of one mind in that respect. Continue to pray for us and for our church.
