The Advocate July - August 2006
General Convention 2006 - Lexington's deputies speak...
By
Jul 28, 2006, 12:45

The Rev. Bob Sessum

This was my eighth General Convention and seventh as a deputy (I served as a legislative aide the year I came to Lexington for the same committee I have been on for six years – National and International Concerns).

I was amazed at the congeniality of everyone upon arriving; everyone seemed open and available and willing to engage in conversation. It was not what I had envisioned. But soon I became aware that the small number of the days we were meeting also meant that the hours were going to be much longer. That is, we would be in meetings/hearings at 7 a.m. and going strong until 12:30 p.m. with maybe an hour or so for lunch and then back in session until 6 p.m. followed by diocesan caucus and back into hearings/meetings until 10 p.m. or later. This would go on for 10 straight days. Toward the middle of the convention and at the last, the mood became tense not only over the issues but also the lack of sleep.

In my committee mentioned above we received 59 resolutions to be dealt with over the period of the convention. Although all of them were sent out of committee, very few were handled by both houses due to technical difficulties, which was most discouraging. The most important one dealing with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, an eight pronged declaration that promotes the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by the year 2015, did pass both houses and it had been addressed in the Windsor Report. I would say that was one of our greatest achievements.

In addition to my committee, I spent much time lobbying for retaining our financial support of the Anglican Consultative Council and the requested 10 percent increase over the past triennium. The lobbying and addressing committees and the program and budget committee paid off. We did agree to support our Anglican Communion financially.

With the tension between the extreme liberals and the extreme conservatives, I feel we did our best to address the questions asked of us by the Windsor Report and the Primates. The answers may not have been as direct as many (including myself) would have wished, but we did address them in theory and intention. As I recently shared with my congregation, I was shocked to see the extreme conservatives and liberals voting together – the same way – to kill legislation that would have helped to hold us closer together. They voted the same but for opposite reasons. It was refreshing on the last day to see, albeit a little late, the center community of the church come together and begin to take control of our church as so many of us want to see it operate and minister. Alas, it was a little too late for this convention. I also admire and hold up those who sacrificially gave up their own agenda for this to happen. We passed many other vital and good resolutions that I hope will be made public soon. When possible, I will try to make myself available to any congregation for post convention follow-up.

I was shocked, never thinking that Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori would be elected our Presiding Bishop, but I am very pleased. I truly believe that she is the one for The Episcopal Church at this time. If I ever thought the Holy Spirit was moving and directing us, this certainly would be one of the times in my life and the convention. I thank our Bishop for being vulnerable in allowing his name to be considered. He has many gifts and talents for this diocese and the national church that I know will continue to be used.

In closing, I will repeat what I said at the end of the 2003 General Convention, not knowing at the time how true it would be: “I feel we have many years ahead of us before these issues will be resolved. In the meantime, we need to create room where our differences can be honored and respected. I pray for my brothers and sisters in our churches in the United States, as well as those with whom I have worked in the 37 other Anglican Provinces, that we may be able to affirm our loving unity even as we express our disagreements.”

The Very Rev. Morris Thompson

It was during one of our caucuses that Kay asked the deputies to be thinking about writing an article of our experiences at General Convention. It seemed easy at the time. Now I’m not so sure. For an introvert like me 10 days of work surrounded by a couple of thousand of your closest friends is mind-boggling. It will take some time to desensitize being over stimulated and ponder the possibilities of our work.

In many ways it is difficult to speak of the work that takes place. There is so much that goes on from committee meetings, caucuses of dioceses, prayer, worship, private gatherings to talk through resolutions, reunion of seminary classes, old friends of other dioceses and finding down time to sort through every thing. For example, I was not officially assigned a committee but was unofficially present at some meetings. I attended meetings of Ministry and Windsor. The Ministry Committee dealt with rewriting some of the ordination canons for deacons, priest and bishops. The Windsor Committee, or Committee 26, obviously dealt with our response to the Windsor Report. Both committees had hearings open to the public. This allowed deputies and visitors to witness the prayers, devotionals and work that helped shape the daily work of these committees. In both committees the art of listening was solemnly reverenced. The value of everyone was sacred. There were times I was more interested in this expression of the meetings than I was with the work of the moment. This is the church I know.

Before convention I mentioned there were two known facts — we would elect a new Presiding Bishop and secondly we would address the Windsor Report. Indeed we did both. The bishops elected Katharine Jefferts Schori the first female Presiding Bishop and the House of Deputy concurred to their actions. My initial response was total surprise. I didn’t see that coming. I do recall, however, that many people saw her as a viable candidate who is incredibly talented. To have the privilege of being on the floor of the House when Bishop Jefferts Schori was elected was truly extraordinary. But there was another side to this election. The election of Bishop Jefferts Schori meant that our Bishop, Stacy Sauls, was not elected. Without knowing what was going on in Bishop Sauls’ mind after the election, I do recall selfishly thinking our diocese gets to keep a bishop who is a strong leader, visionary and articulate. For me it was a good day.

Before the election of the Presiding Bishop we had already dealt with the Windsor Report in a few resolutions. I felt as though we were heading in a direction that was honest, open, and conciliatory. We had passed resolutions that spoke to listening, regret and a desire to be in relationship with the larger Anglican Communion. This mood, however, began to shift when we failed to pass resolution A161 that addressed consecrating openly gay bishops and creating rites for blessing same sex relationships. In my opinion this resolution failed because of the extremists of both the left and the right. The extremists failed to see a broader picture. While it saddened me to witness this happening and watch how they used the defeat of this resolution to propagate their own eschewed agenda, it opened my eyes. The middle voices had been shut out, but not for long. The following day another resolution was presented and passed, much to the consternation of some. Those who desired to find a way through these very difficult circumstances found their voice. In the end, part of what makes us who we are rose to the top. We are a people of the middle way.

Considering all things, I left Columbus feeling upbeat. Jesus warns us not to fear. We have much to be grateful for and plenty of work to do for the poor, the broken and the lost. The great commission continues to be placed in front of us. General Convention reminded me once again that we may not agree on everything but the communion doesn’t hinge on our agreeing. It hinges on Jesus Christ who calls us into community and to live out the great commission.

David Davidson

1. I was on the Canons Committee.

2 and 3. I worked really hard at this convention. The Canons Committee considers all resolutions that relate directly to the law of the church and reviews any resolutions that deal with the canons of the church that are proposed by other committees. Our committee was assigned the proposed revisions to Title IV of the canons related to the proposed changes for discipline. We also reviewed the resolutions made by the Ministry Committee related to the Title III revisions. So, we had a lot on our plate and then I ended up on a sub-committee trying to work out a compromise on the proposed Title IV revisions. After over 10 hours of sub-committee work, it was obvious that there would be no compromise on the Title IV matters that could be drafted at convention. With all of this, it was still a very rewarding and exciting experience. The spiritual nature of the Convention was seen in every person and event that I participated in. It may seem unlikely in the midst of working on legal intricacies that such things could be experienced, but it was there. I should also note that I am beginning to get to know people throughout the church, because of the work as deputy and because of the work I do as Chancellor of the Diocese and I enjoy seeing people that I know and working with them on important issues.

4. I think the Episcopal Church made clear just how far we are willing to go in trying to remain in and be a vital part of the Anglican Communion. We expressed our regret that we did not consult with and notify the rest of the Anglican Communion about what we were planning to do, but we did not apologize for consecrating Gene Robinson. We acknowledged the need to be a better partner with our Anglican counterparts, but we did not apologize for the actions that most deputies seemed to be committed to and seemed to think were Spirit led. We expressed our desire to remain part of the Anglican Communion, but we did not say that we would simply bow and accept all of the demands of the other parts of the Communion. In my view, the most enduring action that we took was to express our willingness to engage in a process that might lead to an “Anglican Covenant,” an agreement that might end up setting out in detail the relationships between this Church and the Archbishop of Canterbury, this Church and the other bodies of the Anglican Communion (the so-called Instruments of Unity), and this Church and all of the other churches in the Anglican Communion. That kind of work could take many years to complete and will lead us into very difficult waters.

5. I have always said that the strengths that Stacy has are strengths that our Presiding Bishop needs to have. Only time will tell whether Katharine Jefferts Schori has those kinds of skills, but she begins her term with great hope and expectations. She is a scientist and I appreciate the perspective that she brings to the job, but she would do well to consult with Stacy and others about the nature of negotiating and drafting agreements with difficult partners. She must also find good advisors who can help her walk the difficult lines that are before her in the emotionally charged differences between the different wings of the Episcopal Church. She has become our Presiding Bishop in extremely challenging times and she will need our prayers.

Juanita Betz Peterson

The 75TH General Convention held in Columbus, Ohio, was shorter in length than the Convention held three years ago in Minneapolis, Minn., but for me, it was greater in intensity, in its daily legislative agendas, its committee meetings, its resolutions to be adopted, the election of a new Presiding Bishop and elections of a new President and Vice-President of the House of Deputies. We hit the ground running and never stopped until adjournment of the Convention.

Members of the Education Committee were expected to be present at all committee meetings and subcommittee meetings and be prepared to fully participate at all times. The goal of the Education Committee was to be strategic in its organization of legislation to be considered and in its crafting of resolutions that result in funding by the Joint Committee on Program Budget and Finance Committee (P B and F). The committee consisted of Bishops, Clergy and laity.

There were 18 resolutions to be considered. Scott Evenbeck, co-chair, led the charge to forge ahead and the Education Committee was relentless in its pursuit of organizing the legislation and skillfully wording the resolutions. High priority was given to reading the resolutions and scheduling hearings on the evening of the first day that we met. Thereafter, hearings were scheduled every day for the next week, and the momentum was maintained prayerfully and thoughtfully. Each meeting and/or hearing began with a prayer and spiritual reflection by a volunteer leader. At the end of each session a closing prayer was recited or read. The group was very responsive and appreciative of the time and thoughtfulness in preparation of the prayer leaders. We were fortunate to be blessed with music, poetry readings, a DVD, and other personal spiritual experiences that inspired us all. It was a pleasure to work with this dedicated body.

Below is a summary of resolutions considered by the committee, and adopted by the Convention:

Development of innovative ways to develop young adult leaders; training curriculum for HIV/AIDS; support of efforts to foster methods of Biblical interpretation which do not lend support to oppressive systems; support of historically black colleges; affirmation of creation and evolution; reconciliation training; planning for holistic, integrated education in the church; elimination of the stigma of HIV/AIDS; foster dialogue on difficult issues; continuation of Theological Education Sunday.

Austin Tuning

So much happened during the 10 days of General Convention, I am at a loss to find words that frame the experience. For me, a first-time deputy, the experience was an explosion of joy and hope fortified by moments of prayer, reflection and a sense of God’s presence.

Prior to the convention, I accepted an invitation to serve on the Legislative Committee for Social and Urban Affairs. Having the opportunity to deliberate on such issues as Restorative Justice, Anti-Racism, Sexual Exploitation, Economic Justice, Slavery and Racial Reconciliation, Health Care and the Church’s responsibility in Reparations proved to be a challenging and rewarding experience. Recommendations emanating from the work of the committee found favor and acceptance in both Houses of the Convention.

While engaged in the work of the Convention, I had an opportunity to meet and talk with Katrina Browne, producer of Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North. The documentary, under development, follows descendants of the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history (also with a long history in the Episcopal Church) as they retrace New England’s Triangle Trade and grapple with complex issues of atonement and repair. Two preview screenings were held during the Convention.

Another special activity of importance was the emphasis and attention given to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Coupled with the 2006 Diocesan Convention’s support for Resolution 1: Global and Local Mission Support, the General Convention’s sanctioning of including MDGs as first among the Church’s mission priorities, it would appear that we are beginning to focus meaningful attention to the global community of which we belong. I am persuaded that we will come closer to the realization of our Baptismal Covenant should we accept Presiding Bishop Elect Katharine Jefferts Schori’s invitation to: “… seek out the image of God’s beloved in the people we find it the hardest to love. Lay down your narrow self-interest, and heal the hurting and fill the hungry and set the prisoners free.”

In summary, General Convention was a glorious experience. The promise of continuing youth participation, the election of a female president of the House of Deputies, the daily Eucharist with time for reflection, the cultural diversity of the music, the collaboration among Asians, Native Americans, Latinos, African Americans and all the other wonderful people at General Convention, the election of the first female presiding bishop heightened the imagination of the Pentecost experience. Thus, the Windsor Report and the resulting response, while important, seem to pale in significance among a plethora of issues, all having to do with the measure of love we manifest for our neighbors.

Mary Ann Weiss

The overall rhythm of this convention seemed more pronounced than in the previous seven conventions I have attended.

The first several days focused on committee work. Committees are where all legislation is considered before going to the full houses of Bishops or Deputies. We held hearings on all of the 27 resolutions assigned to us, reviewed and discussed each piece and in some cases, reworked them or wrote substitutes. Hearings began at 7:30 a.m. until Eucharist at 9:30, continued in the afternoon, and resumed again in the early evening. A few days ended with a rewriting session over a late dinner.

As the committee work was winding down, the legislative sessions in the House of Deputies began slowly. Indeed, during the first legislative session one resolution our committee had thought would be a slam dunk, received several proposed amendments and long discussion in the house of about 840 deputies. It finally passed as originally written. Voting machines meant to speed up proceedings seemed to slow us down as we fumbled to use them correctly. I must admit the deliberate pace of those early sessions was a challenge for me. I kept thinking about the 300 or more resolutions we still needed to address.

Then at the end of the first week into the weekend, we turned to an intense listening process. Fifteen hundred people attended the Windsor Report hearings. As many listened carefully to the panel of speakers at the Presiding Bishop’s forum, Toward a Reconciled World. The Saturday Eucharist and the sermon by Jenny Te Paa, a New Zealander on the Eames Commission, greatly touched us all. The key words throughout this time seemed to be: reconcile, unity, and inclusion.

This spiritually uplifting weekend’s highlight, however, was the unexpected but thrilling election of Katharine Jefferts Schori’s election as Presiding Bishop. To me she personifies grace, gentleness, inner strength, and intelligence. It is readily apparent that she is deeply committed to mission and to the diversity of the church as well as to the unity of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The election of Katharine Jefferts Schori was a peak moment for me, and I think for us all. I especially appreciate the immediate gracious, positive response of Bishop Sauls, inviting us all to revel in this historic moment.

All along, the House of Deputies pecked away at the backlog of legislation but not making a great deal of headway. Monday of the second week, however, we began to prayerfully address the bulk of the Windsor Report responses coming out of Committee #26. Some went more easily than others, but none were taken lightly. Throughout the convention I never heard anyone suggest retreating from the actions of the 2003 convention. Instead, focus was simply on how we could live respectfully and faithfully in communion with other Anglicans throughout the world.

And then, wham-oh, we dealt with the backlog of legislation that we had prepared earlier in our committees. Serious matters like race relations, lectionary additions, ministry canons, the budget, a proposed covenant with the Methodist church, a new Standing Commission for Christian formation and lifelong learning zipped through the House expeditiously. Hopefully the work in committees had been done wisely.

There was less time at this General Convention, it seemed to me, for renewing old friendships and checking out new ministries in the exhibit hall. However, I think we did what we needed to accomplish and I look forward to seeing how it all unfolds in the future of our church.

J.P. Brantley

As an alternate I had no official committee assignment, but I observed several meetings of the Prayer Book, Liturgy, and Music Committee. They considered 45 resolutions. One that will have a direct effect on all of us makes the Revised Common Lectionary our official one, effective the First Sunday of Advent, 2007 (with continued use of the current lectionary possible until the First Sunday of Advent, 2010). There were several additions to Lesser Feasts and Fasts, including final approval of five (including C. S. Lewis); approval for trial use of seven (including Oscar Romero); and five additions referred to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (including Joan of Arc and Thurgood Marshall). The use of Enriching Our Worship for Sunday worship was encouraged, as appropriate, and the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music were asked to provide a pastoral and theological understanding of the relationship between Holy Baptism and Eucharistic practice, recognizing our official position that only those who have been baptized are eligible to receive Holy Communion.

For me the highlights of Convention were the opportunities for worship and building community through reflection together. Eucharist was celebrated each morning, Noonday prayers were said daily, and at crucial moments in the legislative proceedings, we paused for silence and prayer. Most daily Eucharists also included time for reflection and sharing on the homily and a question based on the Convention’s theme, Come and Grow. Sitting at the same tables for most of the Eucharists, we came to know and love a small group of people from many parts of the Church. My table included deputies and Episcopal Church Women from the Dioceses of East Carolina, Maine, Olympia, Puerto Rico(luckily, one member of our group was bilingual and could translate), San Diego, Southwest Florida, and Western New York.

The Eucharists themselves were wonderful and quite varied. Each morning featured a “Visual Prelude” of art by Episcopalians from all over the church. These slide shows focused our attention and helped make the cavernous convention hall a worship space. Singing was led by choirs from around the host Diocese of Southern Ohio, a powerful virtual pipe organ, a brass ensemble, a woodwind trio, a guitar-cello duo, a jazz combo, a rock band, and solo voices as cantors. We sang, heard scripture, and prayed, in at least eight languages, including one homily entirely in Spanish (with an English translation provided). When the Presiding Bishop was the celebrant, we never knew whether the Peace or the Blessing was going to be in English, Spanish, or French.

I attended two other Eucharists during Convention. Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation sponsored a “U2charist” in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The liturgy was Rite 2; the music was songs by U2; the sermon was by the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of North Carolina, a fiery, inspiring preacher; and there was a video appeal by Bono for the international “One Campaign” to rid the world of extreme poverty. People of all ages packed the hotel ballroom to overflowing, dancing, laughing, and crying together. On Friday more than 1,000 people attended the Integrity Eucharist. That service was, in some ways, the most traditional of the entire Convention, with a choir and pipe organ, but in other ways was the most unusual, with a procession of upwards of 100 “out” gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered priests and deacons and an intensely moving sermon by the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire. The theme of the sermon was one that we all should follow: “Love ’em, anyway.”

My reactions at the announcement of the election of the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop was first great surprise, then concern for how our own bishop and his family were taking the news, then relief to know that they were delighted (and a little relieved) by the results, and now growing respect for the wisdom and spirituality of our new Presiding Bishop and wonder at the workings of the Holy Spirit. She will, I believe, be a loving and effective leader who will be able to continue and broaden the listening process in our church and the Anglican Communion. Meanwhile, we will have Stacy with us to lead our work in the Diocese of Lexington, and he will continue to be a respected, trusted member of the House of Bishops whose wisdom and negotiating skills are very helpful to that community.

The Rev. Dr. Jan Dunnavant

If I were to write a “My Summer Vacation” type story in relationship to General Convention, I doubt if I would take the time to write about what most have already read about in local newspapers. Most of that was related to the three important resolutions regarding the Windsor process. I agree that those are very important, but they (in my humble opinion) were not the heartbeat of General Convention 2006, nor are they the heartbeat of the Episcopal Church. Our heart and soul was focused on the mission and ministry of loving our neighbors and finding the way to tend to those in need -- particularly in extreme need.

My most vivid and poignant memory (next to watching everyone’s mouth drop wide open when it was announced that Katharine Jefferts Schori would be our next Presiding Bishop!) was listening to the House of Deputies snap their fingers together every three seconds in unison for the child that dies on this planet every three seconds because of conditions related to extreme poverty. Snapping our fingers connected us to massive amounts of prayerful legislation, activity, and conversation related to the internationally supported Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). If someone out there hasn’t read about them or studied them, know that it is time for you to get busy doing that. General Convention 2006 said that these goals are absolutely central to our identity and mission.

The Millennium Development Goals were named the top mission priority of the Episcopal Church and we passed a budget that included

• a line item representing more than 0.7 percent of the budget dedicated to supporting the MDGs.
• an additional $1,326,000 in new and increased mission funds that support the MDGs throughout all budget mission priorities.
• a challenge to every department and funded mission and ministry of the Church to give 0.7 percent of their money toward the MDGs.
• a pledge by all members of Program, Budget and Finance to pledge 0.7 percent of their personal incomes toward the MDGs and a challenge to all bishops and deputies to do the same. Further, Convention passed legislation celebrating the 71 dioceses that have embraced the MDGs and 0.7 percent giving and challenged all dioceses to be on board by July 7, 2007— the halfway point to the MDG target date of 2015.

Early in Convention, after a long legislative day, over 800 people gathered for the Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation U2charist where the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry preached a powerful sermon to lift up and celebrate the Episcopal Church’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. The offering at that Eucharist generated thousands of dollars for Episcopal Relief and Development, Five Talents and the Millennium Villages Project.

On several days and evenings, after and in the midst of exhausting legislative days, thousands of Episcopalians prayerfully walked through the Friends (Quaker) exhibit “Eyes Wide Open.” This “traveling” exhibit of over 2500 pairs of military boots, and personal effects of the US troops who have died as a result of the war in Iraq came to Convention for three days.

On another evening at the Women’s Caucus, hundreds of women gathered to pay tribute to the 500,000 women who die from complications from childbirth and pregnancy(MDG #5) and raise awareness about “What one can do about it.”

All this energy and focus was topped off by electing a Presiding Bishop who when asked after her election what her passion was, said: “My passion is for mission. Because I think that’s how we build the reign of God. The Millennium Development Goals give us an image, an icon or a lens, if you will, for how we can build the reign of God in our own day. They’re achievable. They’re achievable in less than 10 years if we can commit as nations and communities and individuals across the world to do it. That is remarkable! It’s the first time in history when we have been able to say that it’s possible to make poverty history. I think that’s a great and glorious and incredibly engaging model for what it means to be the church.”

So much more was done at General Convention in relation to the mission and ministry of Christ, more than I am permitted to contribute here but the above is a glimpse of things that reminded me of who we are as Episcopalians and Anglicans. All this is a strong and sober reminder that despite any human pettiness, God is working to make this church a very amazing part of Christ’s body. I am very thankful to be part of that!

The Rev. Canon Johnnie Ross

I was not assigned to a specific committee this time, which freed me to attend other committee meetings and hearings – I followed Structure of the Church, Education, and Windsor. The toughest Windsor resolution was B033 on the Election of Bishops which in part reads, “That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.”

While I believe we have given the Anglican Communion precisely what some wanted, for me the resolution lacked integrity. I voted for it, although I would have rather seen a resolution that called upon the Church to not consent to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate over the next triennium. Not only would such a resolution have integrity, but it would have recognized in a sacramental way what the liturgy in The Book of Common Prayer seems to assume. But what is done is done and I trust the Spirit to have spoken through us and await the healing that will occur in our communion, our Church, and between individual members of our Episcopal family.

Resolution A-160 stated that being “mindful of the repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation enjoined on us by Christ” and we offer “regret for straining the bonds of affection in the events surrounding the General Convention of 2003” and we began to study the idea of an Anglican Covenant. From my perspective the future of the Church and the communion looks bright, but let us not take our eye off the mark of whether we pleased God, for that is paramount regardless of where we end up God will love us no less.

I was involved in preparation for Resolution A-129. This resolution was prepared by Science, Technology and Faith to Affirm Creation and Evolution. Following this resolution through the process and offering testimony and support to it was exciting, professionally fulfilling, and a wonderful learning experience. In its final form the resolution states that “the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith.” What a wonderful gift to our children, particularly during this time of “Intelligent” Design Theory and I commend to you the booklet, A Catechism of Creation; An Episcopal Understanding.

As you might imagine, the presiding bishop’s election was often on my mind, in my prayers, and never far from my heart. I obviously had someone in mind that I thought would make a wonderful Presiding Bishop, but as often it the case, my thoughts were not God’s thoughts. The announcement of Katharine Jefferts Schori as our presiding bishop-elect brought great joy to my heart, for I had met Katharine in her diocese about four years ago when the Executive Council’s Committee on Science, Technology and Faith met in Nevada. At EYE I saw her again got to speak with her then once more at General Convention before the election. She most graciously accepted an invitation from the House of Deputies to speak with us and the leadership she demonstrated on that one appearance was superb! Whether you agree with her or not, her theological positions are sound, pastorally sensitive, and demonstrate the highest degree of leadership. Once again the prophetic voice spoke, the Church will no doubt be blessed, and I am thankful to have been present as a deputy from the Diocese of Lexington.

This is my Fourth General Convention, and the fourth time I have known a significant spiritual experience during the meeting. This time it was a “walk through the shoes.” On the lawn in front of the state capitol in Columbus sat thousands of pairs of shoes. The human cost of the Iraq War was vividly displayed by some 500 pairs of boots honoring each U.S. military casualty and a field of shoes to honor the 11,000 Iraqi civilians– the shoes of women and children lined the sidewalk entrance of the exhibit. I watched as people prayed, brought flowers, left tokens, photos, notes and one lady who picked up a pair of boots to kiss them. As I walked through the shoes I began to notice familiar community names, for I had stumbled upon those boots representing the Kentucky fallen. Never in my life has a single exhibit stirred such deep emotion, profound connection, and personal prayer. The exhibit is called, Eyes Wide Open, watch for it and make your own visit.

For me, the most profound words (of many profound words) that I heard during General Convention was a statement made on the floor of the House of Deputies. I wrote it down as quickly as I could and now share it with you. “At some point, spiritually mature people must stop demanding what they want and ask themselves the question, ‘what can I give.’” My prayer is for God to make me more spiritually mature.