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