Thursday, July 12 -- Have I really been here 10 days? (It only feels like 20!)

This morning I had one last 7:30 am Committee 13 during which we discharged the remaining resolutions assigned to us. In every case, the subject matter had already been addressed in alternative resolutions.

At 9:00 am we began the first of two long legislative sessions, lasting until about 6:00 pm with just over an hour for lunch.

The big news: we adopted a budget of just under $134 million. We also spent a great deal of time considering a number of resolutions regarding Israel and Palestine (I believe it was six in total). While the House of Deputies was hardly unanimous in our votes, Israel's policies regarding Palestinians was soundly criticized. While it seems to me that much of the criticism may well be justified, there was little acknowledgment of the dangers, risks, and threats Israel also faces.

In liturgical developments, we're going to get a new "Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2018" for trial use as well as a version of the Rite II Eucharist (including Eucharistic Prayers A, B, and D) rendered in more expansive language for trial use. Based heavily on the 1979 text, this option seems to strike a pretty good balance between the traditional cadence and rhythm of the '79 BCP and language that at times seems to try a little too hard to be gender-neutral. We'll see what happens with this tomorrow in the House of Bishops which has not yet considered it.

During the day the House of Deputies was joined by our Deputy Pigeon. After over a week with us, I'm sure by now he's an Episco-pigeon. If only we could get the bird baptized surely we could then find a bishop for his confirmation!

After a dinner break we gathered for the closing Eucharist. Tomorrow: the home stretch!