It was hard to know where to be yesterday because there was so much going on at the same time. I began by testifying at the Education Committee at 7:30 am about the need to continue the work of the Children's Charter for the Church, particularly regarding the need to lift up stories of the ministry of children to transform the church. There was not debate about the merits of the resolution, but rather whether to put it forward with a request for additional funds, when we are looking at a $14 million deficit. The committee thought it would, knowing that raising awareness about the issue might be just as important as any additional funding. I've tried to make available copies of the budget for the next triennium for areas of the evangelism and congregational life that deal with children, youth and adult formation. The money available for children's ministries is really minuscule.
After some time listening to deliberation in the House of Deputies, it was time to staff the NAECED booth (National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors) and greet folks walking through the exhibit hall. Many good connections can be made by simply greeting people and offering them literature, buttons (and candy!) as they walk by. I got to spend some time chatting with Prior Aelred from St. Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, MI, which was a true delight.
The afternoon legislative sessions were moving - both in the House of Deputies and in the House of Bishops. The piece that hit the news was the passing of D025 (see Lisa's post), but many other pieces of legislation caused prayerful consideration as well. The House of Deputies had to deal with the consent to the election of the Bishop of Ecuador and could clearly sense deep pain and conflict even within the deputation from there. But in the end, they passed consent, with prayer before and after for all involved.
There were several receptions to attend in the early evening, including one for Young Adults that included a multi-media Eucharist, one with Michael Battle signing his book on Ubuntu, and one with international guests. Then it was back to the convention center at 8 pm for the last part of the Public Narrative project. Bungee Bynum, the Executive Director of Reading Camp in Kentucky, was the first to offer his story. He spoke movingly about how his childhood and recent time in South Africa has helped to shape his own sense of mission and how the same can happen for us. By 10 pm most of us were ready to have some food and drink together and I enjoyed the company of many young adults who have worked on the public narrative project in Boston and across the country.
Perhaps most fascinating is to watch how all the different threads seem to weave their way together - making new friends and greeting long time colleagues, prayerfully discerning the best course of action in difficult circumstances, telling our stories and sharing our faith and values, inspiring each other in ministry, celebrating our unity and our diversity, strengthening bonds of friendship and common mission, facing the realities of difficult times and choices. It makes me glad to be in this work with so many faithful fellow Episcopalians.
It takes fuel to keep Nancy Sherwin running at her amazing pace. Here she is at the Province V gathering Tuesday evening, enjoying fellowship and a small snack to keep her going. One night of Convention is set aside for provinces to gather for caucus and dinner.
