Wish you were here

One of the themes I hear repeatedly — on the convention floor, in the trade show, at meals, in committees — is regret for the absence of conservative voices at this year’s convention. There’s a split in the family, make no mistake. Those who have chosen to leave the Episcopal Church are missed.

“The church has lost a voice, a voice that was a part of who we are and who we were,” Assistant Bishop William Skilton of the Dominican Republic said at a committee hearing this week. “One of the fears I have is that it will be totally lost.”

The rancor is largely gone, as are divisive and hurtful actions like holding separate Eucharists, which happened at last General Convention. At a committee meeting Saturday morning to craft the wording of a resolution on same-sex blessings, the Very Rev. Sam Candler, dean of the cathedral in Atlanta, urged “appealing to voices from across the spectrum” and “inviting participation from around the Anglican
Communion.”

Friday morning, the head of our deputation, the Rev. Sharon Lewis of Holy Spirit, Osprey, spoke to the House of Deputies about  the need to stay in relationship with others. Comparing the church to an airplane, Pastor Lewis said, “If one wing is removed, the plane will spiral down.” Later she reported positive feedback and support from people on all sides of the issue.

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At Friday night’s Integrity Eucharist, the preacher, Barbara Harris — the first woman bishop in the Episcopal Church — was at her usual no-holds-barred best. “If you don’t want GLBT folks as bishops, don’t ordain them as deacons,” she said. “Better yet, be honest and say, ‘We don’t want you, you don’t belong here,’ and don’t bestow on them the sacrament of baptism to start with. How can you initiate someone and treat them like they are half-assed baptized?”

Saturday night, I accompanied Canon Gigi Conner of St. Peter’s Cathedral to the dinner given by Episcopal Divinity School, her seminary, where Bishop Harris was also present. We chatted with her, remarking on her comments the night before. “I’m so old, I can say whatever I want,” said Bishop Harris, 79, “and I don’t get called into somebody’s office to explain myself.”

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The heavy-duty legislation is starting to move. Title IV, on clergy discipline, likely will come to the House of Deputies on Sunday (yes, we work Sundays too), and the House of Bishops has approved a pension plan for lay employees. The language of the resolution on gay bishops is now out and will come before the Deputies on Sunday or Monday.

But there are moments of loopiness. The last two days a stray pigeon has found its way into the huge deputies’ hall, and we watch with amusement as it swoops and dives around. “Look, it’s a dove, the Holy Spirit,” someone shouted the first time it made an appearance.

Saturday afternoon deputies got a 10-minute break to read candidate bios before electing members of a trial court of a bishop. The hall’s piped-in music was turned on during the break, and it wasn’t long before the entire house broke into an enthusiastic chorus of “You Are My Sunshine.” It’s the little things that keep us sane.

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When we all go to Disney World in Orlando, we approach by car through several miles of beautifully landscaped grounds. Not so here. Disneyland is literally just across the street from the convention center, ringed by motels. You walk there. En route to breakfast every morning we encounter brigades of moms and dads and kids and strollers on their way to the original Magic Kingdom. You can see the rides and structures from the sidewalk.

We’ve quickly learned that the restaurants here don’t speak “sweet tea,” but they’re big on pomegranate and peach tea.

I want to thank all of you who have responded to these postings. I appreciate your feedback! And thanks to all of you who are keeping your deputation in prayer. We are strengthened by your prayers as we struggle to discern what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thank you for this opportunity to serve. — Judy Stark