Fr. Chris at General Convention

African Response

2006-06-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

Well, the gavel had barely sounded on General Convention and the church in Africa has responded. I suspect that the statement copied below was written prior to the final actions by convention concerning the Windsor report.

A few things to note:

It is really up to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the provinces as a whole to respond to windsor, not to separate groups. That, of course, does not stop people from making such responses.

Also, Windsor was very clear that every province must respect the boundaries of other provinces, so the last paragraph of the statement by Akinola is itself a violation of Windsor.

CAPA - An Open Letter to the Episcopal Church USA

We, the Primates of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA),
meeting in Kampala on 21st - 22nd June, have followed with great
interest your meeting of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church
USA in Columbus. We have been especially concerned by the development of
your response to The Windsor Report, which has been reported to us quite
extensively. This is something for which we have earnestly prayed. We
are, however, saddened that the reports to date of your elections and
actions suggest that you are unable to embrace the essential
recommendations of the Windsor Report and the 2005 Primates Communiqué
necessary for the healing of our divisions. At the same time, we welcome
the various expressions of affection for the life and work of the
Anglican Communion.

We have been moved by your generosity as you have rededicated yourselves
to meet the needs of the poor throughout the world, especially through
your commitment to the Millennium Development Goals.

We have observed the commitment shown by your church to the full
participation of people in same gender sexual relationships in civic
life, church life and leadership. We have noted the many affirmations of
this throughout the Convention. As you know, our Churches cannot
reconcile this with the teaching on marriage set out in the Holy
Scriptures and repeatedly affirmed throughout the Anglican Communion.
All four Instruments of Unity in the Anglican Communion advised you
against taking and continuing these commitments and actions prior to
your General Convention in 2003.

At our meeting in Kampala we have committed ourselves to study very
carefully all of your various actions and statements. When we meet with
other Primates from the Global South in September, we shall present our
concerted pastoral and structural response.

We assure all those Scripturally faithful dioceses and congregations
alienated and marginalised within your Provincial structure that we have
heard their cries.

In Christ,

The Most Rev. Peter Akinola, on behalf of CAPA
Chairman, CAPA

Convention Closes

2006-06-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

I'm in the dallas fort worth airport waiting for my flight to SFO. Last night Bp. Andrus told us that the bishops desire to make some sort of statement affirming their commitment to the anglican communion. It is possible there will be an attemp at a joint, mind of the house resolution today, and possibly a joint session. When I learn more about what happened I'll let you know.

I met a bishop last night who said that the unConventional Times had been a way for folks from very different theological positions to laugh together and that it had helped build community. We feel great about that. If I can figure out how to post pdf files to the blog I'll put the issues up.

Chris

Windsor

2006-06-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in posting. Things have been very busy here in the wake of the PB election and consideration of resolutions relating to the Anglican Communion and response the windsor report.

The diocese of Fort Worth has appealed to the Archbisop of Canterbury for extra-pprimatial oversight because they do not accept the PB election.

We are debating weather to express regret for "straining the bonds of affection" in the AC with the actions of GC2003. This is not reget for the consent to Gene Robinson's election but for the strain it caused.

We are also debating a moratorium on consecrations of bishops whoes "manner of life is a challenge" to some. This has caused a tense delay in the vote to consent to the bishop-elect of Northern California because he is on his 3rd marriage. The number of marriages was not an issue in the election but has been made one here. The question is, in part, if all the Windsor conserns are just about gay people or not.

People on both "sides" want some of the resolutions on Windsor defeated but for different reasons. Some say they are to weak others too strong.

The house is days behind and seems to be a parlimentry nightmere. The house of deputies has a special session tonight to deal with Windsor resolutions. The house of bishops are pretty much waiting for us to get our act together so they can consider the resolutions.

On a lighter note, lots of people are walking around with pink buttons that say, "It's a girl."

We put out a final unConventional Times today--it has been very popular and fun to work on.

Tonight we have our diocesan dinner with the whole deputation and bishops.

I fly home early tomorrow to be back in time for the vestry meeting. Mondy was my 13th wedding anniversary so I'm looking forward to seeing Amy and the kids. I look forward to being back at St. John's as well. I am thankful for this opportunity to be here, but miss you all.

I'll try to post a wrap-up when I can. If you want to hear more I'll be doing a forum on General Convention on Sunday the 25th.

Peace,
Chris

Historic Day

2006-06-19T05:21:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was just amazing. When the election was announced the House of Deputies erupted in cheers. During the consent process in the house of deputies several women spoke about the meaning of this election for the church. Several spoke to the PB-elects qualifications and a man got up to urge male deputies to support the election. The most moving expression of support came from the wife of one of the other candidates for PB. She was from Colombia and her comments were translated from Spanish to the house. She celebrated the election of a woman. Deputies overwhelmingly consented to the election.

Shortly after the consent the new PB was introduced to the house by current PB Frank Griswold. The place went wild!

I spoke with several bishops later in the day and they were thrilled. There was a palpable sense that the Holy Spirit was breathing a new life into the church. People are talking about the evangelism opportunity of this election.

It should be said that the election was close. Bishop Parsley of Alabama had 82 votes on the 5th ballot and Bp. Jeffert Schori had 95 (the number needed to elect). Parsley is more conservative, although Bp. Andrus (our new bishop) has said that some very conservative bishops have said that even Parsley was too liberal. I do want to acknowledge that many of us feel these "liberal" and "conservative" labels are not the most helpful or even accurate.

The mainstream media is reporting the election as controversial and that the new PB inherits a frectured and declining church. That is just not the sense you get here. There is great excitement about the church and about being part of history.

How the few bishops who are opposed to the ordination of women will respond remains to be seen. I spoke to a couple bishops who felt this might be used by members of the Network (a collection of the groups threatening to break away) to leave the church. One of the leaders of these groups was reported as saying "the theology that she [the new PB] represents is one the Anglican Communion has commanded us to stop." The thing is, the whole debate here is over whether or not the Anglican Communion can actually tell us or any other provice of the Anglican Communion what to do. We do not have a magesterium of primates like the Roman church does.

The other highlight of the day for me was getting to talk to Bp. Gene Robinson. I saw him reading the latest unConventional Times and asked him if he liked it. He said he thought it was great. I asked him what it was like to be out of the spotlight for the day and he said, "I love it. I'm so yesterday!" We then had a chance to talk about the windsor report and upcoming legislation. He was hopeful that we would stand firm as a church but also do what needed to be done to stay in communion with the other provinces of the church. It is a real balancing act. I must say, Bp. Robinson is very gracious and articulate. For someone who has been blamed for church-wide strife and has had to bear the weight of the communion, his concern for inclusing is very impressive.

Today could be the big day for legislation on the windsor report. The resolutions are still in the Special Committee bu they may be called out for consideration. There will be a lot of legislative manuvering today and there will likely be a special legislative session called for this evening.

Peace,
Chris

Historic Day

2006-06-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

New PB

2006-06-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

The new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is Katherine Jefferts Schori, Bp. of Nevada, on the 5th ballot. The house of deputies has consented to the election in a vote by orders (clergy and lay voting seperately and a majority required in both orders).

Early reports say the Archbishop of Canerbury has requested sedatives. (this is a joke. As is rumor that the new motto of the Episcopal Church is "what happens here stays here.)

This is an historic day for the church and full inclusion of women in leadership and ministry.

PB Election

2006-06-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

The house of bishops has elected Katherine Jefferts Schori as the next PB.

Now the house of deputies must consent.

Griswold part II

2006-06-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

The celebration last night was amazing. It ended with a play about a conversation between PB Griswold and the Holy Spirit manifest in the form of a homeless bag lady. Very powerful and hopeful message. There was a great line where the Holy Spirit said something like "I am always working in the church, it just gets a bit messy sometimes." How true that is.

This morning there are purple shirts everywhere. A bishop in the elevator joked that they were going to burn their socks to announce the election.

It is getting hot and muggy here.

The second issue of unConventional Times comes out today. Everyone keeps asking for it. The feature is a cast list for General Convention: The Movie.

Griswold

2006-06-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

This is my first attempt at a mobile blog from my phone. I'm at the celebration for PB Frank Griswold. We just heard a taped message from Desmond Tutu.

Griswold's 9 year term ends in November. Speakers are paying tribute for leadership at a time of great upheaval in the church (the debate over sexuality) and the country (911 & the war).

My advisor from seminary gave a great tribute to his mission work.
It is all very moving. I can't imagine the pressures of that job.

Tomorrow we should have a new PB.

They are starting a special tribute to Frank's wife Phoebe. She has done incredible international work.

Peace,
Chris

Of Bishops and Patriotism

2006-06-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today was the joint session to put people into nominations for presiding bishop. We all knew who would be nominated, but it's a parlementary formality.

We were supposed to gather on the dias with Bp. Andrus but he was in the house of bishops when they presented the new bishops.

Today was a crucial game for the USA soccer team against Italy in the World Cup. It was almost sad to see thousands of people going through a long and tedious consent calendar while a small group gathered around a TV in the convention hall. I sat in the house of bishops for awhile watching committee reports and resolutions and followed the action on my phone. With nothing major happening in either house I went to the hotel to watch the game on a bigscreen. I sat with a priest from Virginia who lamented the Episcopal Church's patriotism and self-focus. In almost any other country, he noted, everything would be suspended to watch the nation's team play the beautiful game. But not here. Eddie Pope was getting a red card while deputies were correcting a spelling mistake in a resolution. Oh well.

Tonight there are events honoring Bp. Griswold and House of Deputies President George Werner.

The big excitement of the day for me was running into Nedi Rivera. It was great to talk to her. She says Bob is doing great.

I'll update tomorrow after we know who the next PB will be.

Feel free to ask any questions.

Peace,
Chris

sabbath

2006-06-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

The convention finally takes a break for Saturday morning. Other than a eucharist for United Thank Offering, nothing is really scheduled until 2pm. Even the exhibit hall doesn't open until noon.

I took advantage of this to sleep in a bit. I've spent the rest of the morning reading through some of the piles of paper you get at convention (I have two 5" binders almost full) and working on a story for unConventional Times. We are doing a cast list of what actors would play which people in the church if there was a feature movie about general convention. All 1,000 copies of unConventional Times are gone and people keep asking for more.

I've been following some of the resolutions in the Prayerbook, Liturgy and Music committee. A friend of mine from Utah submitted a resolution with a rite for the death of a companion animal. My grandmother just lost her dog after 14 years and it has been really tough on her. It's great to see the church responding to the real needs of people's lives. Unfortunately, my friend overheard someone from Virginia say of his resolution: "Don't people understand we are at war over the church? Why are we wasting time over services for animals?" It feels like so many people are caught up in the issues. My prayer is that as a church we really focus on the people sitting in the pews. I may be totally wrong on this, but I think most people who come to church are much more impacted by the death of the family pet than by the results of highly nuanced theological debates. Not that those debates are not important, but that we can't stop doing the pastoral work of the church while we also discuss how to live together as a church.

According to the convention rules, a resolution like this gets past as a request to approve a rite at the next General Convention before it can become an official liturgy of the church. Of course, many of us will start using the materials that come out of convention right away instead of waiting them to become "official." There is a whole collection of prayers being proposed for rites of passage. Some of my favorites are:learning to ride a bike, obtaining a drivers licence and going away to camp.

This afternoon is a joint session of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies to discuss the Presiding Bishop election. Tomorrow all the bishops will go to the Cathedral to vote in closed session on the next presiding bishop (PB). It's very much a white smoke affair. After the election the new PB will be pressented to the house of deputies for consent.

The joint session is at the same time as the USA v Italy in the World Cup. I'm hoping I can follow the action on my phone.

The great news is that our Bishop-elect, Marc Andrus, was approved by the house of bishops so he is official now. He will be installed as our bishop on July 22nd at Grace Cathedral.

I'm missing my family and all of you. You will be in my prayers during church tomorrow and I ask you to keep me and all of us here in your prayers as we discern God's will for the church.

Peace,
Chris

Friday

2006-06-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

This morning we put out our first edition of unConventional Times. It is a light-hearted spoof of Convention with a bunch of made up stories. It has been wildly popular across the whole spectrum of the church--even a number of bishops have said they love it. Bp. Swing asked for a stack to give to bishops who don't have it. People are asking when our next edition will come out.

I spent part of the day in the exhibit hall handing out copies of the times and visiting various booths to get ideas for St. John's. I signed us up as a pilot parish to test a brand new confirmation program called Confirm Not Conform that has been developed by a church in Oakland. The materials are very impressive and really speak todays youth. It will work very well in conjunction with Godly Play and Rite-13.

I also visited a booth for Episcopal Health Ministries that has a program that would be a great compliment/extension of our pastoral care ministry.

I spent time talking with the dean of the cathedral in Cleveland about the 9am intergenerational service they have started. She was doing a book signing and her new book has some great info about what they are doing.

Important legislative events today:
Joan of Arc will be added to the calendar of lesser feast and fasts (i.e. calendar of saints). At our deputation briefing Bp. Swing said, "there's a lot at stake with Joan D'Arc."

A resolution on funding church plants that came out of our diocese was passed.

The Revised Common Lectionary (which is used by most mainline churches and some Roman churches) will become the official lectionary of the Episcopal Church on the First Sunday of Advent, 2007. I'm very excited about this because the RCL, as it's known, provides a much fuller use of scripture than the BCP lectionary, including the role of women in the bible. Also, most preaching resources focus on the RCL readings for a Sunday, not the BCP readings so this will be a blessing for Episcopal Clergy.

More later.

Peace,
Chris

Time warp

2006-06-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

It's thursday night. Folks are starting too tired. For a people who are in the sabbath business the schedule here sure doesn't allow for it. It's much easier for alternates like me who don't have to sit the legislative sessions or serve on committees. Convention has been shortened from what it used to be and it seems like the days are just more packed.

I walked outside today and realized it was the first time I had been outside in almost 48 hours. Since our hotel is connected to the convention center you could spend the whole convention here without ever going outside. It felt so good to breath fresh air.

The exciting news of the day is that the House of Deputies voted to consent to the election of Bp. Andrus. Now it goes to the House of Bishops.

The big item in the House of Bishops is removing the right of retired bishops to vote at convention. There seems to be much support for this. Bp. Swing said five retired bishops got up and spoke in favor of the resolution. In the past, the House of Deputies has voted down this resolution. Bp. Swing and many others hope it will pass this time.

I spent a bit of time in the exhibit hall today. It's amazing how many organizations and retailers are present. I picked up some good books including a new hymnal for intergenerational singing. It is not a children's hymnal but a hymnal inted for use when children will be present at worship. I hope to try some of the music for the 9am service when that starts and maybe even for after communion at the 10am service. I need to show it to Jim first and get his impression.

There is a great display of all the printed and cd materials for Godly Play. I also spoke with two different reps for companies that make church management software. We have had some issues with our database and the options it allows us and are looking at various options and what they cost.

Apparently, the Presiding Bishop was on Larry King tonight. I'm told he was very eloquent and thoughtful about the issue of gay people in the church. I can't imagine how hard it is to be both prophetic and try to keep everyone at the table at the same time.

Despite the political machine of Convention and the massive infrastructure that makes it run, you do get a sense of it all being undergirded by prayer and faith and the Holy Spirit.

Time for some sleep.

Chris

Posting etc.

2006-06-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

I have changed the settings for the blog so that anyone can post comments. You don't have to have a blogger account now.

I just got off the phone with clergy stewardship training program that is on retreat at the Bishop's Ranch. I would be there if I wasn't here. I gave them an update on events at convention, most of which I have reported here.

Now for some really important business. England v Trinidad in the World Cup. Fortunately the game is on during a break in convention business.

Chris

Budget Priorities

2006-06-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

Here are the budget priorities for the Episcopal Church that have been proposed by the commitee on Program, Budget and Finance (to me this is much more exciting than listenign to everyone argue about sexuality):

1. JUSTICE AND PEACE: Promoting justice and peace for all of God’s creation and continuing and accelerating the leadership role and programs of the Episcopal Church, which support the eight (8) Millennium Development Goals* in the dioceses of the Episcopal Church and in the world.
2. YOUNG ADULTS, YOUTH AND CHILDREN: Reaching out to young adults, youth and children through intentional inclusion and full incorporation in the thinking, work, worship and structure of the Church.
3. RECONCILIATION AND EVANGELISM: Reconciling and engaging those who do not know Christ by participating in God’s mission of reconciling all things to Christ and proclaiming the Gospel to those who are not yet members of the church.
4. CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: Revitalizing and transforming congregations through commitment to leadership development, spiritual growth, lifelong learning, dynamic and inclusive worship, greater diversity, and mission.
5. PARTNERSHIPS: Reaffirming the importance of our partnerships with provinces of the Anglican Communion and beyond and our relationships with ecumenical and interfaith partners.

* The Millennium Development Goals

v Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

v Achieve universal primary education

v Promote gender equality and empower women

v Reduce child Mortality

v Improve maternal health

v Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

v Ensure environmental sustainability

v Develop a global partnership for development

Windsor Report

2006-06-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

I have just come from a hearing for the Special Legislative Committee. This committee is hearing all resolutions concerning sexuality or responding to the Windsor Report.

You can find all the resolutions at: http://gc2006.org/legislation/

Tonight was focused on A160-162. These resolutions deal with an expression for regret for tension caused in the worldwide Anglican Communion by the Episcopal Church's consent to the consecration of a gay bishop; responding to the Windsor reports call for a moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops; and the blessing of same sex unions.

Resolution A161 states that the church should exercise "very considerable caution" in considering the consecration of a partnered gay bishop.

The hearing was held in huge ballroom that must have seated 1,500 people. It was filled to capacity and they had to set up an audio feed to the lobby.

At our deputation meeting tonight Bp. Swing said he thought this General Convention would really be focused around the Windsor Report. The Report was written by a committee called together by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in conjunction with the Primates of the Anglican Communcion, in response consecration of a partnered gay bishop.

The basic issue at hand is if the Episcopal Church is bound by the Windsor Report. Each province of the Anglican Communion is autonomous. The deputation had the opportunity to hear from a bishop from Canada who said he was surprised how the Episcopal Church just accepted the report without really challenging if it had any authority over us.

The blessing of being Anglican, in my view, is that while we are interdependent we honor our diversity. We live in unity, not unanimity. Kind of like the Holy Trinity. It is the nature of Anglican compromise.

The Anglican Communion as we know it today was formed in 1930. The Archbishop of Canterbury has been considered the spiritual leader of the churches since the late 19th century. However, he has no political or legislative authority over any of the provinces. The selection of an Archbishop of Canterbury requires the confirmation of the Queen or King of England

The issues are very complex and the debate is highly nuanced. The Anglican Communion made a committment over 20 years ago to enter into a dialogue with gay and lesbian people. That has not happened.

How do we honor where the Episcopal Church feels it is being called and at the same time wor thoughout the communion on issues of justice and peace?

I suppose the real issue for this convention isn't just our relationship with the Anglican Communion but whether or not there will be a split in the Episcopal Church based on how the convention responds to the windsor report.

What does all this have to do with St. John's? Hard to say. I imagine some of you reading this could really care less about all these debate about who is in or out of the Anglican Communion. Regardless of what this convention does, St. John's will remain an Episcopal Church committed to fulfilling our mission in our congregation and community. I am an Episcopalian from birth and St. John's will always be an Episcopal church, but I believe our mission as a congregation is to nurture faithful Christians, not make people into good Episcoplains. As long as we worship as Episcopalains that will form how we express our Christian faith.

For those of you who do follow events in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, late this week and early next week are when we should see what happens with many of these resolutions once they come out of committee and go to the houses.

If you have any thoughts or comments please feel free to post them.

Peace,
Chris

Following the News

2006-06-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

For those of you interested in following events at General Convention I would recommend the site: http://episcopalchurch.org/gc2006news.htm

You can also sign up for emails from Episcopal News Service.

There is a special committee that holds hearings on any and all resolutions related to the Windsor Report or anything pretaining to human sexuality. The hearings are so popular that each deputation now gets a number of tickets to hand out for seating.

One of the things that has suprised me about convention is how unscheduled the flow of resolutions seems to be. One of our clergy deputies said that you really have to pay attention when you are on the floor otherwise the house can pass something before it really realizes what it has done. All resolutions come out of committee before they go to one of the houses for action, but it seems that at the beginning of a legistlative session folks are not entirely clear on what they will be considering and voting on.

Tomorrow I plan to spend more time visiting both houses instead of tracking legislation through committees so I can get a sense of how things run.

Chris

This place is rockin'

2006-06-14T11:32:00.000-07:00

Last night I attended the U2charist sponsored by Episcoplains for Global Reconciliation (EGR). EGR is dedicated to promoting the Millenium Development Goals in the Episcopal Church and also supports the One Campaign (for more info see www.e4gr.org and episcopalchurch.org/one). EGR is run by a good friend of mine who is in my clergy group. They expected around 400 people but almost 900 showed up! The service used music from the group U2. The lead singer of U2, Bono, has been active in promoting an end to world poverty.

Bp. Michael Curry of North Carolina preached one of the best and most powerful sermons I've heard.

The Episcopal Church has called on all congregations to contribute 0.7% of their budget to programs and organizations that support international aid and development. GAIA, where my wife and father-in-law work, is an example of just such an organization.

At St. John's, 10% of the money we give for outreach each year is designated for international aid and development organizations. I hope as a congregation we will continue to explore and expand the role we can play as a Christian community in ending extreme poverty. A child dies as a the result of extreme poverty every three seconds. As the preacher said last night, we can't live with that as Christians.

This morning our entire deputation gathered for the hearing for the consent to the election of our Bp. Marc Andrus. The room was packed by people from California and Alabama to support Marc. Bp. Andrus spoke very elloquently and powerfully about the work he hopes to do as our bishop. A number of people from the deputation, including Bp. Swing testified on his behalf.

The committee voted in favor of consent so now a vote goes before the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops.

Chris

Convention Begins

2006-06-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Columbus last night. My mother is from Akron but I have never been to Columbus before. The convention center is huge! The deputation from California is staying at a hotel attached to the convention center.

Last night I got in just in time to attend the nightly deputation meeting. Bp. Swing briefed us an a variety of issues facing general convention and the diocese. He gave us an update on the situation with John Bennison, the priest who had been invovled in an affair with a minor in the 70s while at a parish in Los Angeles. It's been in the news quite a bit.

One of the great things about convention is running into all these people I haven't seen in years or whom I only know via email. It's been great to see old friends.

Everywhere I went people kept telling me they really liked my quote. I had no clue what they were talking about. Turns out that one of the opening sessions of convention yesterday was led by the guy who had been the interim rector in Santa Barbara. He did a powerpoint with a quote from a sermon I preached right after 9/11 about the challenge of life not being to stay alive but to stay in love. The funny thing is everyone that comes up to me says "I really liked your quote. I can't remember what it was, but I liked it." Keeps me humble.

Later in the evening I attended an event for young adults put on by a friend of mine. I arrived with some other friends my age and we realized that none of us are young adults any more. The place was full of college students and young seminarians. It gave me great hope for the future of the church, by my days of being in the young vanguard of the church are over.

The buzz at convention is focused on two things. One, who will be the next Presiding Bishop and two, will there be a break in the church. There are some rumors of a walk-out by a few conservative bishops, but it's just a rumor.

Today I will be registering and tracking resolutions that came from the Diocese of California. The schedules for when specific resolutions will go to a hearing or to the floor is often only published four hours before the event so it gets a bit crazy.

I will also be working with a group of friends on getting unConventional Times up and running. We will be doing a website and a print version.

I pray you are all well. I'll check in again later today or tomorrow.

Peace,
Chris

Getting Ready for General Convention

2006-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

I am C7. Each Diocese gets 8 clergy and 8 lay deputies to General Convention (which is held every three years). The first 4 in each order (clergy and lay) are the official deputies and the rest are alternates. As C7 I am an alternate deputy for General Convention. My role as an alternate will be to track events and legislation in the House of Bishops and in the verious committee meetings and then report back to the deputies on the floor as to what is happening. I will also serve on the floor for legislative sessions when one of the deputies wants a break or needs to attend a committee meeting.

The amount of reading and materials for convnetion is unbelieveable. I already have a 5" binder full of reports and resolutions and am told I will get another one when I arrive.

I will do my best to post daily to let you all know what is happening here.

I will also be spening a good amount of my time as editor of the unConventional Times, a spoof/satyrical newspaper about General Convention and the Episcopal Church. The basic idea is to make fun of everyone and bring a lighthearted flavor to what can be an overly serious event. Convention is full of people taking themselves and the church way too seriously--as if the fate of the Kingdom of God depends on what a denomination of only 2.3 million people do. We'll have a bit of fun with that.

You will be in my prayers while I am at convention and I thank all of you at St. John's in supporting me to do this work in the wider church.

Peace,
Chris