Saturday, July 7 -- BCP, BBQ, and Bats

Enough of getting up before dawn! This was the view from my hotel room as I was getting ready today.

Another early morning with Committee 13. (Thanks to Chuck McMillen for the above photo.) We started at 7:30 with a hearing to receive testimony regarding resolution D078, which offers an expansive language version of the Holy Eucharist, Rite II. We heard a lot of people speak in favor, though we've not yet discussed this in our committee. While the idea of having an expansive language liturgy has merits, I'm actually a bit on the fence on this liturgy. There are good reasons both to approve and to reject this proposal. I'm looking forward to our conversation. (And if it weren't already past 11 pm, I'd probably write more on this. Maybe later!)

We approved a resolution calling for much better translations of the BCP into Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole. We also amended a second resolution asking the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to provide a process to provide further translations of other needed liturgical resources.

Speaking of liturgy, once we resumed our Legislative Session in the House of Deputies debate continued on A068, the resolution approving a process that will lead to a revised Prayer Book. After a few amendments and more than a few folks rising "for a point of order or to make a parliamentary inquiry," we observed a moment of silence, the chaplain offered a prayer, and we voted.

We voted by orders, which simply means that within each deputation the lay people and clergy each voted separately. A tie vote by any order within a deputation is counted as "divided" which is essentially a "no" vote. This is about as complicated as it sounds, but the short version is that the resolution was adopted by the House of Deputies. Now it moves to the House of Bishops for consideration. Even if they also adopt, I expect they will also offer an amendment of two, meaning we on that Committee 13 and the House of Deputies will get to revisit A068.

After lunch we the second of three TEConversations, this one on evangelism. We heard from some dynamic speakers, saw an intriguing video, heard a great band with a good message, and had conversations with our deputation and our bishop.

The afternoon ended with an Episcopal Revival at the Palmer Center with rocking music and a rousing sermon from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. This was followed by dinner (including a bit of good Texas BBQ) and more great music.

I left a bit early to walk back the hotel via the bridge on Congress, from which bats emerge every day shortly after sundown. Given the hour, the light is dim and the bats are a bit blurry. Still, it was pretty cool to see this.