Wednesday, July 4 -- First Hearings and Getting Organized

While the first legislative day isn't until tomorrow, today was still a full day here at General Convention. The legislative committee I'm on heard testimony on issues related to possible revisions of the Book of Common Prayer. We had a large room to accommodate loads of people. We had strategized about how to manage potentially huge numbers of witnesses wishing to speak to the various resolutions under consideration.

We had 14. Yep, only 14 people spoke, and the vast majority spoke in favor of a process to lead to a significant revision to address issues such as inclusive language and a greater acknowledgement of our need to be good stewards of God's creation.

Our sample was likely not entirely representative of the various perspectives of communicants in The Episcopal Church. That being said, we did have plenty of time to move back to our smaller room for committee discussion and deliberation (see above). We haven't concluded our discussion on Prayer Book revisions, and I'll keep you posted on what develops.

After lunch we had a joint session with both Deputies and Bishops gathered for opening remarks from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, President of the House of Deputies Gay Jennings, and others. Above you can see Bishop Johnson and some of our deputation.

Above Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is shown offering what he said wasn't a sermon. Well, no matter what he called it, he preached up a storm, urging and encouraging us. "We must reclaim a Christianity that actually looks like Jesus of Nazareth," he said.

Gay Jennings also had a compelling message to share, calling us to speak as one against racism, poverty, and injustice. "We are embarking on hard and holy work," she told us.

Following a break, the House of Deputies met for a couple of hours of orientation on procedures on deliberation, voting, and more. I could say more, but you're probably not that interested. Right?

The day ended with a liturgy offered by the Bishops in response to #MeToo concerns. In the context of a service of penitence and reconciliation, they shared stories they had gathered from people who had been subjected to sexual harassment and abuse in churches and at the hands of those whom they should have been able to trust. After each somber reading, we observed an extended period of silence, then we sang "Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison" ("Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy").

This was a sobering, humbling, touching event. It was tough to be confronted by such sins and deep harm experienced in church, harm which has damaged too many and in so many profound ways. It was tough to be reminded that our own church leaders have been authors of such pain. It was necessary to be reminded not only of our corporate guilt in these matters but also of our shared responsibility to listen, to understand, to respect the dignity of all, to strive for justice and peace, and to call all to healing and reconciliation.