Tuesday, July 10 -- An imperfect process, and Gary plays tourist

Another day, another Committee 13 meeting. We started by hearing testimony on A227, "Communion Across Difference." This was the resolution we took pretty much wholesale from the original version of B012 regarding expanded marriage rites. This new resolution calls for the establishment of a task force of diverse members and requiring a 50/50 split between those who hold to a more traditional view and those with a more progressive view. Only six showed up at 7:30 to testify, but all of our witnesses commended our continuing need to talk to each other and to ensure there remains a place for "the theological minority" in The Episcopal Church. Our committee approved the resolution and it now goes to the House of Deputies for consideration.

We then revisited A086, "Authorize Rites to Bless Relationships." Two members of the committee (both lawyers) noted fatal defects which we discussed at length and have yet to resolve fully. This resolution was offered as a pastoral response to couples who cannot or should not legally marry yet wish to have the church's blessing on their relationship. At least one of the bishops noted that not every pastoral need requires an answer in the canons of the church. 

In the morning -- and again following the afternoon legislative session -- we discussed the path of A068, regarding Prayer Book revision, through the House of Bishops. Today the HOB debated the resolve and adopted (nearly unanimously, I'm told) a substitute. So, now it will return to the House of Deputies to be considered in its new form. Along the way, it looks like a committee of both bishops and deputies will be appointed to craft a measure that can (I hope) pass both houses. We'll see!

We also had our third and final TEConversation with speakers (and more) to inspire to consider us to consider our responsibility and opportunities for us to be better stewards of God's creation. 

In the afternoon I played tourist. This included a little time at the hotel pool as well as a visit to the Texas Capitol. This is an impressive building! To the left is a view of the etched glass seen in many of the office doors. Every you look you see the familiar five-pointed Texas star. And I do mean everywhere! From light fixtures to door knobs to chair backs to the floor there are what seem light thousands of stars. And, of course, I couldn't resist taking a picture looking straight up in the rotunda.

Finally, I had dinner with Mary Beth and Jean, two members of the West Tennessee deputation. Too bad this photo isn't from tonight! It's actually from two nights ago, and I forgot it was still in the camera. I include this because I liked the way the light refracted through the glass of port onto the white tablecloth.