Final Report of Deputy Jim Greer

76TH GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Anaheim, CA, July 2009

Final Report of Deputy Jim Greer, Diocese of San Diego

(These comments are the writers and do not necessarily represent other deputies or the Bishop)

Summary
Setting: We were 840ish deputies and 150 or so bishops huddled for nearly two weeks in the very secular Anaheim Convention Center. But in the midst of this world there was comfort in knowing that Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral was just a few blocks away – an edifice, come to think of it, not unlike the convention center. Historic: The inclusion decisions – gays again eligible to be elected bishops and local diocesan option for same gender relationship blessings are huge. Historians will be writing about the cause and effects of the convention’s decision for a very long time. It wasn’t just about sex: There were many other important accomplishments across the width of the church’s interest. The convention completed over 360 pieces of legislation and a lot of it is important. Well led: Occasionally defeated by the technology, the Houses were competently led, often with good humor and always with respect for all. Hard and Loving: Despite lopsided favorable votes, the results of the human sexuality actions will go down hard in some parts of the church and the communion. Bishops and Deputies in love and care took every step to create space for those who cannot agree. The language of the resolutions, the Anaheim Statement crafted by the dissenting bishops and the ‘live and let live’ implementation pattern that will surely follow are all attempts to keep as many as possible at the table. Doing more with less: With a triennial budget of $23 million in less revenue than the last budget, we must become leaner and meaner. I sensed a commitment to do so – still, the heart wants what the heart wants. Stay tuned on this one. Still no plan for growth: Disappointingly there was almost no discussion of growth for our shrinking church.

Significant Legislation
Check out this link for an update on all convention activity. Click on Legislation and then Resolution Status Report. The list below has been selected by the writer as the most significant. However there were hundreds more and others might well select different list.

1. Episcopal Ordination/sexual orientation not a deterrent to discernment - DO25
2. Same gender blessings/ local diocesan option - CO56
3. Title IV clergy disciplinary reforms –A185
4. Employee health and pension benefits –A138 &AO77
5. Hispanic ministries/$3.5million for parish planting and help to existing groups – DO38
6. MGDs recommit and increase to 1% – DO 19
7. Budget for the triennium – DO67

There were many additional mission proposals approved by the convention. When you access the site above you can sort by topic and committee. If mission interests you, the committee is World Mission, etc.

There were also numerous strong statements of position on a variety of important social justice issues. While most strongly supported many of them, unlike the list above, we have no control over their outcome. There was objection to those position statements that called for a specific result in a matter of public policy debate. So for example, demanding an end to human slave trafficking was universally endorsed, but siding in favor of a single payer national health plan enjoyed less unanimity because it seems to speak for all Episcopalians when we know some would not agree.

The wisdom of bicameralism was particularly apparent in the bishops’ defeat of a deputies’ lopsided, pro-Palestinian resolution that took no regard for Israel’s security concerns. The deputies tend to be more populist and the bishops less so.

Challenges for the Church As We Move Forward
While much good and even historic work was done by the convention, the discussions expose the many difficulties and challenges facing the church. Here is what seemed to be among the most significant.

Implementation of the sexuality initiatives while keeping space for those who don’t agree and maintaining integrity in the way we develop the process.

Mission and ministry in the face of leaner financial times/less reliance on staff and a return to more volunteerism/ looking for high impact-little cost efforts such as mosquito nets and food pantries/ new focus on what we ‘need’ to do vs. what is ‘nice’ to do.

A shrinking church with no real strategy for growth – lots of briefs and plans, but no strategy and no apparent leadership in this regard.

Underwriting Hispanic ministries knowing that it may take a long time for these efforts to be self-supporting. And in this connection, bringing new clergy and bishops ‘on line’ who are functionally bilingual.

The inevitable re-organization – perhaps combining of small parishes that will not be able to afford the new employee health and pension requirements

The almost certain reality that operating a headquarters in NYC and a convention that costs $3.2 million dollars not including what the dioceses spend to send their deputations, is beyond our means and perhaps beyond good stewardship.

The ugly attacks on the Episcopal Church by those who disagree with what we do and aim to hurt the church if they can.

Finding the will and the way to reform a cumbersome and very expensive, 20th century management structure that depends on lots of full time employees, physical fly in and stay over meetings of large and numerous Standing Commissions, printed booklets produced as programming and so on and so on.

Who were the deputies?
The stats: Total Deputies – 847; New Deputies 339 (40%) Of Color 142 (17%); Female 364 (43%); 25 yo and under 17 (2%); 25-35 yo 25 (3%); 35-45 yo 76 (9%); 55-65 yo 280 (33%): 65 yo and older 161 (19%)

The S.D. Deputation: we had one in the youngest category (indeed the youngest deputy present at 17) and one in the oldest category and the others spread across most of the range. We were 3 women and 5 men, one of color. 4 of our 8 were new deputies.

One cannot fault the work ethic of the church’s bishops and deputies. From early morning till well into the evening – day after day, the convention labored. If the product is not perfect or the results universally popular, it’s not due to any lack of sweat equity on the part of these committed folks.

Who's Better Dressed?
Of interest to some, the conservatives definitely dress better than the liberals. Episcopalian liberals, at least in the summertime, are largely turned out in the spirit of Matthew’s, ‘take no care about your clothes. . .’ and the corollary, ‘or how you look in what you wear.’ The S.D. women deputies were of course the exception to prove this rule. The conservatives, on the other hand were often dressed in good fitting summer slacks, attractive knit or sports shirts/blouses and some of the men were even in blazers and ties and the women in summery dresses. With the liberals in the majority, at least at this convention, one wonders if the Episcopal Church will maintain its long standing position as style leader among Americans.

The Chaplain
The Bible tells us that for the first 6 days of creation, it was all about God’s energy but the rest of the Bible tells us that after that, it’s all about God’s and humankind’s energy attempting to work together. That’s what we need to do as we leave this meeting, work with God to make the Kingdom come.

by Jim Greer

It's Just Begun

Friday the House of Deputies by a 2/3s margin in both orders concurred with the House of Bishops in resolution CO56 (click on it for the specific language) in providing, under the direction of diocesan bishops, local same gender blessing opportunities. The resolution also calls the church to continue to study, widely confer and gather liturgical resources for the possible development of church-wide Rites.

This action joins the momentous step taken earlier in the convention with the passage of DO25, which returns the church to its constitution and canons and their provisions for full access of all persons to all levels of ordination, including the order of bishop.

While both resolutions passed by huge margins in both Houses, many conservatives in the church will have a difficult time processing these moves when they return home. And conservatives in the worldwide Anglican Communion will be unhappy as well. No doubt some harsh statements will be made in the days ahead. However, the Episcopal Church of Scotland has already issued a statement applauding the actions of the Episcopal church.

Conservative parishes in our own diocese will probably have a difficultly working through these decisions. All of us owe our own bishop support and encouragement as he provides pastoral support and leadership to these faithful Episcopalians.

Integrity USA has issued a statement saying that with the passage of these two resolutions, the work has just begun - LGBT members are now freed to promote an Episcopal Church of full inclusion.

Returning to a theme I mentioned in an earlier report, despite the enormous emotional impact of these actions, on both sides of the issues, the debate has been respectful, the atmosphere collegial and there has been no triumphalism. Beginning now to heal or deeply hurt by the outcome, the decision-making process saw us at our best. If there are happy hearts this day, they want very much to honor and respect brothers and sisters who are sad.

As often happens in moments of great tension, someone does or says something that is comedic in part by the way the moment is played and in part because of the exaggeration of the trauma. Not long after the report on the vote for CO56 and while the static electricity in the hall was still quite high, a relatively minor item appeared on the agenda - some changes in the propers used on the day in the Calendar of Saints for 'Mary the Blessed Virgin.' Somehow and unintended, the phrase, "Blessed Virgin Mary" had been replaced in a couple of spots with just 'Mary' while the full expression continued in the title and in several other places. Given more time the House would have made the corrections and sent it back to the bishops, but there was no more time and any change at that point would have derailed the entire item for three more years. But that wasn't good enough for a grandmotherly priest from Albany (a very conservative pocket of the Church). She was another central casting figure - saintly face, stock of wonderful white hair and no doubt makes wonderful chocolate chip cookies, but at that moment and while still feeling the sting from CO56, she was a Christian scorned. So down the center aisle and out the door she marched barefoot while slapping her sandals above her head lest any dust from the place remain. No one laughed out loud - she was a person in pain. But while unintended, it was for the reasons noted above, high comedy disguised as drama. Some moments later I saw her back at the Albany table.

The Chaplain Gets the Last Word

Anything else I might say about the convention at this point would be anti-climatic. Well, except to pass on the report of the secretary that the convention completed over 360 items of legislation. If congress could work at that speed or the folks we call our state legislature, they would be able to adjourn by springtime.

The last word should come from the Chaplain. Here's what he said before he gave us a blessing -

"Nations and people who stop telling their founding story, lovers who stop telling their mates they love each other, friends and family who stop telling the life experiences and contributions of those who are now gone, soon forget how. And if we forget these things, we forget who we are." By remembering and telling, we know why and how we are in this place and the values that sustain us; we know and feel the depths of mutual love and we know that we are our parents' child and our friends' beneficiary. Remember and tell"

I wonder how we'll tell the story of this remarkable 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church?

by Jim Greer

Swinging low

You can hear the Deputies singing during a break in the morning's activities. We sang from time to time in order to refresh ourselves. You can hear them here.

We have just returned from lunch to hear that C056 initiating a look at liturgies and offering pastoral discretion in blessing relationships.

The Budget was the Main Event

We began the day with the budget and spent all morning on it and a bit of the afternoon session. As advertised it was often painful. For example, among the 30 Church Center staff positions eliminated were the Women's Program Officer and the Racism Officer. There were many attempts to amend the budget, but in the end, it was adopted as presented by the committee. The majority of deputies realized, I think, that it was just too complex to fiddle with and that the time to shape the budget is before it's prepared and the discussion is still on priorities. The final product calls for about $52 million dollars a year of spending for each of the next three years in the triennium. The total represent about a $23 million dollar reduction from the triennium just ending.

Some other significant legislation of the day included a resolution to ask Episcopalians to oppose Defense of Marriage Acts at the state level and work to overturn the federal law and in squeaker, a resolution to petition the government for a single-payer, national, all-inclusive health care plan - our deputation was divided on this one. There were of course dozens of other resolutions and for those interested in the details, go here. A lot of it deals with social action issues that are vitally important, but produced little disagreement among the deputies.

There is some disagreement among the deputies on whether the Church should advocate for public policy since it appears to speak for every member of the Church when we know that not every member agrees with the position approved.

The blessings resolution, CO56, is in the House of Deputies Friday morning at 9:30 am.

It takes a Particular Kind of Shepherd to be a Legislator

St. Paul famously taught us that some are called to teach, others to preach, etc. but having never experienced a working democratic assembly, he didn't know to add that some are also called to rise to a point of order. So many of the deputies just love it - 70% of the action is procedural - changing the schedules for things to happen; structural - recounting the number of deputes that dance on the heads of the countless Joint Standing Commissions; parliamentary minutia - points of privilege, information, clarification and common sense. Given the opportunity, many of these good folks would do it 24/7. And as if they don't get enough legislative process during the session, several rush the platform at the recess to tell the presiding officers what they did wrong or how they can do it better. Now, mind you, none of this will keep them out of heaven and if you're going to have a democratic 'parliament' then parliamentarians are required to make it work and if you're going to have a church parliament, then saints are needed to do what becomes the Lord's work. The good news is that we are not wanting in this vocation.

What I think I've come to realize is that for me, there is enormous satisfaction in participating in shaping the great issues - a small minority of the total agenda - but little pleasure in the required micro work of a legislative process that extends over two long weeks. I'm very glad to have been here and to have had the opportunity to vote on many things particular to this convention, but not because I'm a natural at this sort of thing. I'll have to re-reference Paul and see what else is available.

The Most Interesting Character of the Day

The Starbuck's line has been disappointing the last couple of days, but yesterday as I was waiting my turn, I realized the hotel itself was a character of some interest. Hiltons, Hyatts and Marriotts are not built for kings - there is not a bit of elegance about them. If you stand in the middle of one of their lobbies, or guest rooms or hallways and turn 360, you know at once that they are designed for herding, not promenading. In a given convention day thousands of tired feet trek across carpets and tile strong enough to carry a Roman Legion. The decor is mostly functional, monochromatic and again designed to withstand the living habits of the great and varied middle class.

What is wonderfully amazing about it all is that so unlike our churches, in general, it will all be replaced in accordance with a disciplined schedule - mattresses every 13 months, lobby furniture every 36 months, new T.V's every year and so on. And it's not limited to what one can see - the mechanical systems of the building, the elevators, etc. are also subject to the same rigorous process.

From a management point of view, it's easy to do - simply put away some money every year so that the maintenance and replacement schedule is funded. There are even several software programs to aid the procedure. By comparison, we often tend to manage our church plants as landlords do rental properties - put into the property as little as possible while continuing to collect the income. The landlord's advantage is that s/he sells when the place becomes exhausted. My 'Buildings and Grounds' editorial aside, a modern convention hotel is a marvel to observe. Grand residence no, rather the fast food version of out-of-town lodging, a notch above Motel 6.

by Jim Greer

LA Nights

We had a delightful evening of "Emergent Church" celebration provided for by the Diocese of Los Angeles. You can see it here It is just a tid bit, but a vastly exciting event.

A Day of Justice - Mostly

From the Chaplain

"Do you remember Hezekiah," the chaplain asks? Hezekiah was a fairly good king of Judea: built the water tunnel into the city that among other things allowed the revolts against Rome, centuries later, to last longer than they might have; he also repaired the temple and restored the Passover feast. Perhaps more importantly, he got on reasonably well with the prophet Isaiah -- no easy task. Despite a solid reign of 29 years, he is perhaps best known for a incredibly selfish act late in his life. Isaiah came to him and said that after his death, the country would fall to the Babylonians, his descendants and the people would be carried off and the country laid waste.

Hezekiah's response was, "the word of the Lord is good." As long as he enjoyed peace and prosperity and the comforts of his kingship while he lived, there was no need to be concerned about the future or to attempt any course of action that might change the prophesy. The chaplain continued, "we must not commit such a selfish act and refuse to do the hard work still ahead for this convention; we must not seek the comfort of a false peace and leave for others to do what God has placed in front of us to do now." The chaplain concludes, "Good Lord deliver us."

Wednesday's legislation

A very productive legislative day, very long, but with a heavy yield. Here's a sample:

• A177 - Health Plan: a phased in, mandatory health plan for church employees
• A138 - Lay Pension Plan: a mandatory pension plan for lay church employs (clergy have been covered for some time)

These two new requirements will be hard on smaller parishes and will almost certainly require significant reorganization, but the social justice demands of ensuring that our people are properly provided for require it.

• DO12 - Transgender equality in the church's discernment process for ordination - some of the most emotional testimony of the day
• AO167 - Human Trafficking- strong language denouncing the multi-billion dollar sex slave trade IN THIS COUNTRY. Church will pressure governments to do more. Nothing is more stomach turning than to hear the stories of human slave trading. Slave traders are said to get $250k+ per transaction.
• MDG - an effort to increase from the heretofore .07% to 1% of church revenues, at every level, for world mission programs in several targeted ways.
• Budget - joint session with the bishops to receive the budget and hear an initial presentation. Both Houses take up the budget in this morning's sessions.
• CO56 - and over in the House of Bishops, CO56 emerged in slightly different form than that submitted by committee. In traditional 'church-speak' it provides bishops with local option on same-sex blessings. The House of Deputies will take it up later today.
  

Not all the legislation was good

BO27 -- Palestinian-Israel Issue - a very lopsided, pro-Palestinian resolution was adopted. The preamble appears even-handed, but as the resolution works to its punch lines, it's clear that the Palestinian agenda is applauded without regard for Israel's security. When I asked a member of the committee how this could have happened, he replied, "we heard compelling testimony from Palestinian Christians."

"Did you hear from any Jews or representatives of the State of Israel?" I inquired.

"No," he said.

This resolution is not a just action on the part of the Episcopal Church and I spoke and voted against it.

And despite pages of budget details, very little on our most pressing problem - growth. It is really quite amazing when you think about it - days and days of serious legislative effort, weighty speeches on dozens of important issues facing the church and the planet and almost nothing about what everyone knows is the 'elephant in the room' a shrinking membership and a declining budget.

The old expression about re-arranging the deck chairs . . . comes to mind.

Be gentle with us on our re-entry

When our deputation returns to San Diego, don't be alarmed if you hear us respond to everything with letters and numbers - BO33, DO25, AO167, CO56, XOO9. We have simply lost the ability to process without connecting to the Dispatch of Business' coding system. And if in the middle of your sentence, we 'move the previous question' just reply with 'your motion is in order, Deputy' and then go on with what you were saying.

Abraham's Blessing

At the close of a presentation by several ecumenical visitors, three vested cantor's: a Jew, a Muslim and an Episcopal priest, approached the podium and each in the music idiom of his tradition pronounced/sang a blessing and then the three joined and while continuing to sing in the tradition of their separate faiths, they sang together the traditional Abrahamic blessing - "May God bless you and keep you . . ."

It was as moving a moment as any at the convention.

by Jim Greer

Conservative voices still heard

Many of our votes have seemed quite lopsided with more than two thirds of the Deputies and sometimes the Bishops in agreement on a variety of subjects. This is good in one way because large majorities eliminate the fussing about what we mean when votes are 51% to 49%.

At the same time I noted in the one vote where votes by orders were read for all divided dioceses that the reconstituted dioceses of Fort Worth and Pittsburgh voted "No" preserving their tradition of being strong conservative voices. This is a good thing.

So the change in voting composition is not about movements of peoples but of movements of hearts and convictions among those long faithful in TEC. But we continue to have the presence of ALL voices and they are being heard and this is a good thing.

Michael Russell

Good Things are Happening

While the House of Deputies anxiously waits for the House of Bishops to send us CO56, a resolution that attempts to consolidate the many original resolutions on same-sex blessings, and the while both deputies and bishops tremble some at the upcoming Joint Budget Hearing scheduled for later today, many good things are happening - here are a few:

• We approved a sweeping update of the our 'Lesser Feasts and Fasts' the Episcopal Church's calendar of saints and holy people. Notable additions for those of us in the 'new world' are Oscar Romano, the martyred archbishop of El Salvador and James Thomas Holly who brought Anglicanism to Haiti. There were many others.
• CO61 was adopted by the deputies which included 'gender identity and expression' in the list of those who will not be denied access to the ordination discernment process
• A constitutional change debated for over a decade that removes the vote from retired bishops and thereby simplifies the House of Bishops quorum requirements.
• Defeated an effort to force the national church to report on recent litigation costs in the wake of disaffiliating parishes and dioceses.

Convention Dangers Come in Many Forms

A word about the scooters (used by folks with disabilities). Notwithstanding their obvious blessing for many, they are a potential cause of injury to the innocent. A couple of days ago, I got on a full elevator, including a women and her scooter. When we reached her floor, she pressed whichever lever she thought was reverse in order to back out, but instead hit the forward at full speed. She slammed against the elevator wall and the jolt almost unseated her and it unnerved the rest of us. Now anxious and full of apologies to the others crowded in the small space, she tried again and again. She slammed into the wall and this time bounced back just missing another person. Well that was enough for most of the passengers - they started jumping ship and not stopping until they were well down the hallway. One other foolish gent and myself stayed with her, but from the safety of the hall just outside the elevator and with most of our bodies protected by the outside wall. We continued to hold the doors open and encouraged her to try again. At length and after a couple more wall crashes, she managed to exit the elevator. After checking to see if she was okay, my new colleague and I jumped back into the elevator and hit the down button.

A day later another lady, who knew well her directional gears, backed out so fast and without a look over her shoulder that she almost mowed down a couple of folks in the hallway. This all happened as a door on the bank of evaluators just across the hall was opening. At the speed she was going I thought for certain she would end up in that elevator, but at the last moment she made a critical turn and off she went with others nearby congratulating themselves on their good fortune not to be run over.

Weary, But Not Done Yet

I think most of us are tired and yet we know there is still very important work to be done in these last three days. The mood is a bit quieter - everyone must be thinking, regardless of their position on the issues, "how will I explain what has happened to the folks back home?" Some of us will go home excited and proud at what has been accomplished and some of us will go home defeated, hurt and angry. That's how big and emotional these issues remain. Those with a pastor's soul, will go home wondering how and if the pride can be tempered and the hurt can be healed. It is still too early to know how it will turn out - who will be happy and who will be sad.

by Jim Greer

Rules will tighten up as we move to the finish. Budget, Health Ins, Lay Pension, Blessings await.

Committee 13 has finished it's work on new business. We left 3 resolutions untouched. Exciting, scary issues coming today. - Andrew

Transformation in the House of Bishops

Something quite transformational has taken place in the House of Bishops. It had been generally rumored for a few weeks leading up to the convention and even while we have been here that regardless of what the House of Deputies did on the various sexuality issues, the bishops would not go along. And yet we have the stunning action of the HoB yesterday in adopting with slight modification, a resolution passed earlier by the HoD that moves the Church beyond the moratorium on the consecration of future gay bishops. What could have happened?

This is of course the question church historians will be pouring over for a while, but here are some early hints based on various comments picked up last evening:

• Bishop Singh of Rochester and a native of India spoke movingly of the destructive caste system in his native land - many were in tears;
• Bishop Henderson of Upper South Carolina, a heretofore right of center, well-regarded conservative, urged the adoption of the resolution saying it was time;
• the Archbishop of Canterbury's awkward attempt at instructing the Episcopal Church on what to do coupled with a move by the conservatives in the Church of England to withdraw recognition from the Episcopal Church in favor of the new break-away Anglican group, may have all backfired and annoyed our bishops more than anything else.
• And of course it's possible that the rumors were simply not accurate to begin with.

Other Business

There is much more on the agenda, all of which must now be jammed into the last four legislative days. We still have the budget to take up - a painful process and then there are the same sex blessings proposals. It will be a wild ride to the end sometime Friday late afternoon or evening.

The other major piece of business yesterday was the adoption of a new canon (really a sweeping change of the old) on the management of the disciplining of priests who do things they should not do.

We're looking forward to a bus load from St. Paul's Cathedral today. I would hope ya'll would spend some time in the galleries of both Houses and the Exhibit Hall. The community Eucharist is at 11:30 am in Hall D.

Interesting Stats on the House of Deputies

Total 847

Of Color 142 (17%)

Female 364 (43%)

Under 25 17 (2%)

25-35 25 (3%)

35-45 76 (9%)

45-55 212 (25%)

55-65 280 (33%)

65-+ 161 (9%)

Meditations in the House of Deputies

In an earlier message, I mentioned the convention secretary, the Rev Dr. Gregory Straub - a ham if there ever was one. Another platform personality is the House Chaplain, the Rev. Dr. Francis 'Frank' Wade of the Diocese of Washington. He has been a deputy forever and as Chaplain, the chair calls on him at the beginning and end of each session to lead the House in prayer.

At the beginning of the session, he shares a brief meditation and each one has been a jewel.

On the first day, appropriately highlighting the convention theme Ubuntu, 'I am because we are' Frank spoke of working himself into the Ubuntu idea of community during his long flight from Washington. But when he touched down at John Wayne airport, named in honor of the personification of individualism, he felt the very concourse walls were at war with Ubuntu. He illustrated the difficulty of grasping a cultural ideal so alien to our own as a metaphor for the tough days ahead at the convention.

Here are a few other jewels.

Remember the story of Peter and Jesus walking on the lake? Peter was fine so long has he kept his eyes on Jesus, but began to sink when he looked away - so let's keep on our eyes on Jesus and do the work. Liturgy and convention business sessions are the same - the work of the people - in liturgy we say amen and in business sessions we say yea. The Christian process is I Belong, I Believe, I Behave.

In the meantime, many are having great fun figuring out how to conjugate Ubuntu.

Secular Media Coverage

We made the NY Times this morning.

by Jim Greer

Bishop Mathes and Allisyn Thomas Speak in a Hearing

This is a brief video of Bishop Mathes and Allisyn Thomas speaking in a hearing about same-sex marriages. Take a look.

Bob Blessing Leads Prayers

The Rev. Bob Blessing led the Prayers of the People today at the
Convention Eucharist. Bob is the Rector of St. Andrews La Mesa, and an
Reserve Chaplain.

Bob made me proud.

--Andrew

It has been quite awhile since I posted on our Deputy Blog so I thought I had better get to it. What has struck me the most so far is how different it feels from when we were in Columbus three years ago. The mood seems lighter this time--not that we don't appreciate the seriousness of what we have to do, but for most part there is not the same degree of rancor.

Yesterday, we had the Sunday Eucharist/UTO Ingathering and it was wonderful. There were drummer, liturgical dancers (Richard Lief would have been in dancing heaven) with streamers, and great music. Andrew Green and I both helped with the distribution of communion which was really moving. The other things I loved about it was that we were sitting behind the rows reserved for people who need sign language translating and watching them "sign" to the hymns was quite beautiful.

Later in the afternoon, the House of Deputies passed DO25, a resolution affirming our commitment to the Anglican Communion, the listening process, and declaring Gay and Lesbian people in committed relationships can be, and are, called to all levels of ministry in the Episcopal Church. We also passed a resolution with strategic plan for Hispanic Ministry. All in all, a good day.

However I also realized today that I no longer know what day of the week it is, what the date is or what is going on in the world outside of our little piece of Anaheim. We went out to lunch and Target yesterday to pick up a few things and it felt like a major outing! It is 90 degrees outside and below freezing inside the Convention Center. But God is helping us all to find humor, spirit, hope, and anticipation for what is to come.

Fat in the Fire

Well, the fat is in the fire. The House of Deputies, by a wide margin, adopted DO25 a wordy resolution that in the end moves the church beyond BO33, the 2006 resolution that banned future gay bishops. DO25 leaves such future elections to the discernment of each diocese and the constitution and canons of the Episcopal Church which clearly do not set sexual orientation as a barrier to any level of ordination. It was a great moment on the floor of the deputies when the vote was announced.

But all hell is breaking loose with the conservatives: the General Synod of the Church of England (CofE) which is also in session, has received a motion to change its recognition from the Episcopal Church to the new break away Anglican Church of North America (ACNA), I understand that it cannot be acted on at this meeting of the Synod, but must wait until the next, whenever that is.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, of the CofE, has publicly regretted the action of the U.S. House of Deputies in adopting DO25 and the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has responded to the Archbishop by warning the CofE not to stir up schism, declaring it a non-Christian act.

In the meantime, it continues to be the popular belief that the U.S. House of Bishops will kill DO25. Even Bishop John Chane, liberal and pro-gay, has been quoted as saying that DO25 is not helpful and doubts it will pass the House of Bishops. In my humble opinion, such an act by the bishops would be a PR disaster for them and if not resulting in a public booing, a virtual booing just the same. They will lose great influence with the people. It will change everything.

I don't know if the bishops heard his message, but the Very Rev Rowan Smith, Dean of Cape Town, addressed the deputies and among other things told us of a Fresh Hell for lesbians in South Africa. It's called 'Curative Rape.' Parents detain their lesbian daughters and engage a man to repeatedly rape her over several days in the belief it will cure their daughter of her lesbianism. Dean Smith and the local Cathedral have created a safe house/sanctuary for lesbians in danger of Curative Rape. Just when you think you have heard of every cruel human act, we learn of something like this.

This may be an over-simplification to some, but it seems to me that the two Houses are in fundamentally different places: the HoD wants Justice (for gays and now) and the HoB wants Peace (at home in the world wide Anglican communion).

But there is other important news to report as well. The HoD also adopted a proposal to allocate $3,500,000 for Hispanic ministries- the creation of new parishes and assistance to existing ones (if this passes the HoB) we should jump on it and see if there will be any grant funds available. So far, at least at this convention, this is the only membership growth initiative. It's potential for the church and for the folks involved is very exciting.

Various resolutions on same sex blessings are still working their way through committees and it may well be a few more days before we receive anything on the floor.

Monday will be a busy legislative day - we'll be in session for six hours.

by Jim Greer

Photos

Hearings are Fun: The Rev. Mike Russell laughs during an open hearing. Anyone can sign up to speak at these hearings and many inject humor into their two-minute pleas on difficult topics. This one was about immigration.



Deputy Down Time: Prior to the start of the proceedings, deputies could actually be seen outside. From left - Suzanne Foucoult, Pauline Getz, the niece of Pauline Getz (not a deputy) and the Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas.

Photos

Camp is Mission Critical: Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers are hosting a booth at General Convention. Part of their mission is to encourage the Episcopal Church to use Episcopal camps and conference centers. Bill Slocumb (left) and Peter Bergstrom are staffing the booth, which is full of photos from our scenic camps and is one of the more visually pleasing booths in the hall.


House of Bishops: a view of the House of Bishops when in session. The House was open during hearings in the early part of the convention.

A Bishop Speaks: Bishop Mathes addresses the House of Bishops about a resolution he wrote.

Archbishop Up Close: Archbishop Rowan Williams addressed the crowd in a forum on global economics last week.

Photos

Happiest Place on Earth: a view of Disneyland from Bishop Mathes' hospitality suite.

Happenin' Booth: Karen Fast of St. James, La Jolla, stands ready to share the good news of the Diocese of San Diego with passers-by in the Exhibit Hall.

Welcome! The Episcopal Church welcome sign amid grand palm trees in the courtyard of the convention center.

San Diego is in the HOUSE

This is a photo of Will Hay setting up a beach umbrella over the San Diego deputation's table. (Many dioceses have creative representations of their area attached to the top of their sign.) Deputies Jim Greer, the Rev. Mike Russell and Suzanne Foucoult look on approvingly.

From Polly Getz

The spirit in the House of Deputies has been amazing and wonderful. There is a sense of calm, mutual respect and devotion to the job before them. From my seat on the platform, I see deputies engaged in very intentional listening and it makes me proud of our church and the House. Then I look down at the table in front of me and am yanked back to the reality that this process is a bit messy. Part of our job is to make it appear to not be messy. For example, when we jump around to handle special orders, or take resolutions out of order – yikes! Where are we? Who has a copy of that? Which microphone gets to speak next? How many minutes are left on the timer? Does that one take a majority vote or a two-thirds vote? You definitely have to be a multi-tasking juggler to do this job! The other part is to keep the process fair. Sometimes reading your gut instinct is more important than a rule and you strive to allow the voices to be heard.

Worship on Sunday was magnificent. It brings me to tears to share our Episcopal liturgy with several thousand other Episcopalians. In spite of the huge crowd, when it was time to exchange God’s peace, I discovered a cherished retired bishop and his wife sitting in front of me – I’ve known them since high school (mine, not theirs). What a treat. For me, General Convention has been like a giant coffee hour – this wonderful family called the Episcopal Church comes together in reunion and devotion and we get to reconnect with old friends and make a whole bunch of new ones. I found an old friend I graduated from high school with – she is now CEO of the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes. As we walked through the Exhibit Hall together it seemed as though, between the two of us, we know most of the Church.

Polly Getz

Convention Worship

In my previous post, I expressed my hope for a seat with a good view. On a couple of occasions I had been situated behind a post. At the Sunday Eucharist, Allisyn and I had good seats, but we were also assigined to Communion Station 1. Here was our view during the Offertory.

When we turned around, we were right in front of the Altar and were almost felt like part of the worship team. This next picture was of the ECW reps from Province VIII making their UTO Offering.

The Bp. Katharine did not disappoint me. Her sermon was wonderful, placing Jesus' admonition to the disciples to "travel light" in our current context. It was also great to hear that she had heard of the Verbosians. They are a group of frequent posters who include our own Mike Russell.

This was a good beginning to a day that would be difficult and fruitful.

--Andrew

1st Legislative Days Jam Packed! Wow!

Our days begin at 7:30 a.m. with legislative committee hearings and meetings and close about
9 p.m. when the last of the meetings and hearings close. Then the deputation meets in our diocesan hospitality suite to debrief and unwind. Lo-o-n-ng days to say the least.
Eucharist for 2000 people is held every day – with BIG color, BIG music, and BIG sermons! Each day the music is from around the globe, and from our various worship traditions yet somehow always familiar. The convention worship space is in a room the size of a football field. The altar has been created by projections onto three gigantic video screens creating a central cross and contemporary stained glass windows on each side. There is always a guest or volunteer choir that is quickly drowned out by the voices of everyone arriving as they join in the singing – so the collective voice of the congregation becomes louder and louder in the minutes before the service begins. Two things have particularly touched my heart during worship: on the first day, from time to time the video screens would change to huge images of bridges – but from the views underneath, the “underpinnings” of the bridge – suggesting the church’s “underpinnings” of worship and outreach allow us to bridge our own divides. And the second thing is that, there is usually one point in every service that the music stops and the verse is sung acappella – all those voices singing together without accompaniment brings tears to my eyes.
One late afternoon there was a general session was convened - for a panel discussion led by our Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schiori and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams on the issues of faith presented by the Global Economic Crisis. The discussion framed, from a Christian perspective, what changes must be sought in our relationship to economic forces. One central theme was the need for “truth-telling” in the very broadest sense. For example: there is some kind of cost for every profit that is created – are we honest , intentional, and open about what that cost is to ourselves and to each other. The issues and theology presented were profound…and almost too much to absorb in one sitting. I hope the remarks will be presented in writing for more thoughtful consideration.
Suzanne

Today is the hinge of the General Convention in my opinion. The hinge is our worship together as the Episcopal Church. I look forward to the liturgy, the visitors, the deputies, the procession of the bishops, and increasingly the sermon of the Presiding Bishop.

As a preacher, I have never heard a scripture about which I did not have thought for the sermon. I tend to rank others against what I would have done. With Bp. Katharine, I am regularly surprised, taken in a different direction, and blessed.

I will be a Communion Minister today. (Others from the Deputation will be doing this also.) My hope is that I am assigned to an area where I can see and hear well.

Your prayers are desired for the convention as we more clearly define ourselves and set our course. May we do so with Christian faith, love, and hope - and integrity.

--Andrew

Down To Work

We are getting to the place where the House of Deputies is organized, the committees are perfecting or discharging legislation and the daily legislative calendar is getting behind. We will generally be behind from now until the end of the convention. It will be a constant refrain.

President Anderson will become increasingly strict about tightening procedure. Nerve may begin to fray. That is when we begin to be productive as a legislature. Early on there is too little to do and we get lazy. You know things have changed when "I move the previous question" begins to appear frequently.

Yesterday, some 30 Deputies spoke during a rarely used "Committee of the Whole" session.

Mike Russell and I were selected spoke from our deputation. The speakers were chosen the previous evening when we drew numbers from 8 paper bags. The topic was the controversial resolution, B-033 from the last General Convention. We told our stories about how this legislation had affected us, our communities of faith, and what we hoped for the future. We each had 2 minutes. The speakers included a variety of perspectives and did not speak in the usual legislative style. Despite much anticipation, I found the experience helpful, and is was a peaceful time. I was honored to speak from a pastoral perspective about how this legislation had the effect of putting an un-welcome mat out for our church. From the back of the House, our deputation could oly see us on the big screens at the front.

McDougal is a personal mascot who has accompanied me on virtually all my travel for the last 15 years. He was purchased in Seattle on vacation with our kids. On one trip, when Susan (my wife) could not join me, I opened my luggage to find a card and McDougal. He has been with me ever since. He has been on the floor of the GC each triennium beginning with Philadelphia in 1997. He may not be a Senior Deputy, but he is approaching Venerable Mascot status.

In the picture at the right you will notice that he is pictured with the Archbishop of Canterbury (lower right - near his tie).

As you can see, McDougal is ready for the business of the House. His voting device is at hand and he is well caffenated. What Deputy could ask for more.

He looks forward to visiting with other mascots, within our deputation and around the convention.

-- Andrew

In the House of Deputies today we got to pass a resolution by Bp. Mathes.

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 76th General Convention direct the Youth Formation Area of the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center to assist dioceses with their camping ministries through the development and dissemination of curricula, resources, and training events, both in English and in Spanish, during the next triennium; and be it further

Resolved, that the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $60,000 during this triennium for the implementation of this resolution.

This is now with the House of Bishops and may be one of the first resolutions to be concurred in this convention. Now to find the money to fund it.

Several of us have proposed a resolution about congregations discerning themselves ready to bless the committed relationships of all the couples in the parish. We are excited that this might allow for the Church to move forward with respect for the consciences of congregations that are not ready. You can read resolution D 043 by following this link.

http://tinyurl.com/kuo9jr

Thursday will be a busy day. Committee 13 will have hearings on a variety of resolutions regarding same-gender relationships. We have booked an intimate room for 1600 people.

It is quite exciting to be working with this deputation. We work hard, have fun and look out for one another.

Suzanne rescued me from my club soda at the bar and invited me to join a group for dinner.

-- Andrew Green

The Archbishop of Canturbury is addressing the convention on the Global Economic Crisis. Very cool.

+++Rowan

My first “real” Convention day

Arrived late afternoon Sunday, spent Monday getting registered and gathering materials, mapping our hearing schedule, figuring out the georgraphy between 3 hotels and the convention center. More paper and a gigantic notebook (the pros all have pull-along wheelies in order to carry everything from place to place! But today was first day of actual meetings, hearings, and general sessions. First meeting started at 8 am and last meeting just ended at 8:45 p.m. Now on to the deputation’s hospitality room adjacent to the Bishop’s hotel room to review today and plan for tomorrow – probably another hour and a half.

The first of several budget hearings today – program priorities was the topic – was very enlightening. Most support was evident for the Millenium Development Goals which have invigorated the mission of the Church throughout the country – congregations of all sizes, polity, and resources. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next two weeks, given the impact of the recession on the economic resources of the Church – the same decline in giving experienced in almost all parishes and congregations. I’ll keep you posted as I am assigned to cover budget issues on behalf of the deputation. You are all in my prayers as I trust I am in yours.

Day One by Jim Greer

Getting settled: Much of the talk of this first full day, was where can one go for a decent breakfast without paying hotel prices. And here is what's crazy about at least the Hilton - Breakfast Buffet for $21, but if you want a custom made omelet, it's $24. Who knew there was that much extra effort in omelets? I ordered off the menu (I don't much like buffets) and paid $14 for a meal too large to finish. In the meantime, I spotted two Denny's within easy driving distance and what with my senior discount, I'll be the envy of the convention.

Legislation: When I registered for the convention today, I was given a large binder with perhaps another couple of hundred draft resolutions to read (this after the infamous Blue Book arrived about a month ago. The BB is the size of a San Diego phone directory and was stuffed with earlier proposals).) So I found a cool spot near the pool and began reading. The resolutions cover the wide interest of the church: structural matters, world mission, clergy education, etc, etc - but the reader is struck by what seems like a couple of dozen resolutions on the 'sexuality' issue. Each takes a different approach and they are submitted by a variety of dioceses and individual deputies. It would seem to make sense to combine them into one and leave their initial consideration to a single legislative committee. As of this reporting, however, it appears they have been assigned to at least two different committees and perhaps more. Integrity has not yet said which of the many it prefers and when pressed for a preference, the official response is "the resolution(s) that will pass."

Shopping: I announced to other S.D. folks that I needed to make a run to a Target store about a mile away. Howard Smith, the Bishop's money man, asked me to bring back plastic cups for the S.D. hospitality suite. Well, it was a trauma - the Episcopalians have hit town and finding plastic bar cups was no easy task. Target and two liquor stores later I managed to yield up enough supply that I felt I could go back to the hotel with honor.

Meeting people: On my morning walk, I met Lucy from Atlanta - a central casting version of a southern Christian lady. I don't know why, but we talked about living in the south before AC. And later while responding to a request to take a picture of two folks from North Carolina, Steve from Milwaukee came along and we became a production team of two while the poor couple from NC just kept moving about to our directions. Steve and I then reminisced about Milwaukee's famed Hotel Pfizter. In mid-afternoon I rode down the elevator with Sarah from western Kansas and we laughed about the drive west on I-70 from Manhattan through the prairie. Perhaps most interesting of all was the clerk in the liquor store who replied when I asked him if he had the big bottle of Dewar's, "no,no, too much money." It was clear from my further questioning that the even the 1 liter size was probably not sold often. I noticed he had lots of pints on the shelf.

Dinner with the Bishop: Bishop Mathes hosted the S.D, deputation to dinner, a noisy, happy affair. We then retired to his suite for more serious talk about the convention agenda. As with everything today, it's about the budget and money. The staff proposed budget is probably not creditable - what are we going to do about it? We certainly can't look to Sacramento for examples of fiscal leadership.

--Jim Greer

Convention has not officially begun. I have finished the first of 5 committee or plenary meetings. Most everyone is in the same boat. There is no actual time for lunch. Committee 13 has set our public hearings for all the resolutions we have, so far. 56 of them. Off to the first buget hearing. The speakers get 50 seconds each.

I, along with Mike and Kathleen Russell, got to Anaheim yesterday after a rather long, traffice filled, drive. Nothing like traveling on the day after the 4th of July . . . It felt great to finally get to the hotel and relax a bit. This morning we registered and I began to have a look around the exhibit hall. In looking at the scope of all the exhibitors, I realize how vast and far reaching ministries of the Episcopal Church are. It is really pretty exciting.

And, right now it feels a little bit like we are in the calm before the storm. Prayers are very much asked for and appreciated.

2 days to go

Prayers are flying: -for the organization of all this paper! -for the sense of community that has emerged among the deputation -that a similar sense of community will emerge among the deputations from other dioceses at convention -for family, friends, and colleagues here at home -but mostly that I will remain present with the Holy Spirit. I grew up in Orange County but the thought of conventioneering for two straight weeks in Anaheim seems "other-worldly."

The last part of getting ready is the same as the first - prayer. Regular, daily prayer is the grounding that gets us ready. Beyond that it is the reading. In addition to the Blue Book, the resolutions from other sources begin to pile up. Conceivably, every deputy and bishop could propose 2 or 3. (Potentially, 1,000-3,000 resolutions.) Lord save us!

Andrew

Tuning Up

Part of tuning up is getting the communication tools set up. I don't
know if there are more options this convention, or if I am just more
familiar with them.

Another part is meeting as a deputation and friends to divide up some of
the work. Different people will serve on committees and those that do
not will follow and report on legislation. This picture is a part of our GC Team reflecting on the material in the Blue Book.

Be prepared. I have one more tune up. To Post via text message.

Andrew Green

Preparation

As parliamentarian of the House of Deputies, I'm looking forward to this time with great anticipation. Early in Convention we will be using a procedure called the Committee of the Whole to facilitate discussion of B033, which should be a rewarding experience. All in all, I'm looking forward to being happily exhausted two weeks from now!

Countdown

I feel a little like the engineers at NASA might feel as they load the fuel into the Space Shuttle and get ready for launch. Everything is go, but lots more has to be accomplished before we begin.

San Diego is blessed to have a wonderful bishop and a range of excellent deputies. I am excited to be representing our diocese with them and look forward to doing work that will advance God's mission in the world and build a community of peace, justice and love.

This is a big calling and prayers are invited. Trust me, we will be praying non-stop, for all deputies and bishops, ourselves, and the church that has sent us. Please join in.

Andrew

General Convention 2009

Welcome to the blog for deputies from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.

Various members of the deputation will take a moment to post their thoughts about the Convention along with photos.

The purpose of this blog is to keep people in our diocese informed of the experiences of our deputies.

We hope you enjoy the efforts of our representatives and that this blog may serve as a reminder to keep them in your prayers as they speak where many listen and write what many read.