Jennie Lou Reid’s Report on the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church
Columbus, Ohio – 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006:

This morning I went early to the Convention Hall where we gathered each morning for Holy Eucharist so that I could sign up to serve as a Eucharistic minister.  You will be amazed to learn that I arrived even before the liturgy team was ready to hand out assignments.  (I do not tend to be early.)

I was delighted to be assigned to a chalice at a station near where my assigned table for worship was located.  The organization of these worship leaders was terrific.  I received all my information about service at the “blue” station on a blue slip of paper.  Each of the communion stations had a table draped in a different color tablecloth, which helped us find our station easily and confidently.  All the Eucharistic ministers gathered thirty minutes before worship for a ten-minute orientation, after which we went to our stations so that the leaders could confirm that they had complete coverage.  The team’s preparation was very impressive.

At the Eucharist Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold our Celebrant led us in a celebration using Enriching Our Worship, including the Eucharistic Prayer we at St. Thomas are using at our Contemporary service periodically on Sunday evenings.  Our preacher was Presiding Bishop-elect Katharine Jefferts Schori.  The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and an Episcopal parish choir led our music, some of which came from our African and Gospel roots.  The first lesson, Colossians 1:11-20, was read by Noah Stuard, an elementary school-aged boy.  The careful and deliberate reader navigated challenging vocabulary with grace.  The gospel lesson came from Jesus’ trial before Pilate in John’s Passion Narrative.

Bishop Jefferts Schori began by describing her morning jog, noting each of the people she passed: two hotel workers outside a back door, a convention goer, a man in an orange vest near orange cones, a bleary-eyed man with bags arising from sleeping rough, a rabbit, a woman with newspapers, and two men on their way to work.  As she passed each one, they greeted each other (even the rabbit gave her an intentional look), but they shared no clear relationship.  The preacher asked, “Can we dream of a world where we can greet each other without a tinge of fear?”  She asserted, “Willingness to go to the cross means fear has no impact.  King Jesus’ followers don’t fight back when the world threatens.  If we are going to grow up fully into Christ, our soul must be rooted in the soil of inner peace….There is no room for fear here – no room for ‘That’s mine and you can’t have it: my bank account, my theological framework, my power.’”  She continued, “Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation, and you and I are his children.  Do not be afraid.  God is with you and is pleased with you.”  She left us with the challenge to “see God in a homeless man or a theological opponent or a child reading.  Share our name and inheritance as God’s Beloved with the whole world.”  Bishop Jefferts Schori delivered her well-designed sermon in clear tones with poise and confidence.  I was thrilled to hear her and felt moved by her message and by her calm center.

At the offertory children and adults who had participated in the Convention Children’s Program at Narnia (a. k. a Trinity Episcopal Church, down the street) came forward to present the gifts.  I spotted Aslan in full mane, Beaver in coat and tail (with Bermuda shorts peeking out below), and a hosts of young and old royalty wearing golden crowns.  Were we glimpsing God’s Kingdom?

With an overall theme of mission our hymns included the African “We are marching in the light of God” (in English, South African, and Spanish), “Will you come and follow me?” (from Iona), “Lord, you give the great commission” (whose author Jeffery Rowthorn was a participant in this General Convention) and “Go forth for God” (a selection from our regular hymnal which I learned and enjoyed in seminary but until that morning had not sung since).

After our worship we moved quickly to the House of Deputies for a joint meeting with the House of Bishops.  Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold addressed the joint session to ask that the houses pass a new resolution in response to the Windsor Report.  This came as a response to the House of Deputies’ strong rejection yesterday of a resolution to place a moratorium on the election of another openly gay or lesbian person to the office of Bishop.  Bishop Griswold expressed concern that without this action, the Episcopal Church may not be able to participate in conversations with the broader Anglican Communion as we go forward, and furthermore he declared that in his experience “conversation works.”  At issue now is not so much hostility and anger but confusion abroad about actions the Episcopal Church has taken.  The new Resolution B033 took this form: “that this Convention…call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction [that is, the Diocesan Bishop, for us Bishop Leo Frade] to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.”  There was no specific reference to gay and lesbian members and there were no other sections in the resolution.  Bishop Griswold offered this challenge: “We must now act with generosity and imagination so that our actions are a clearer reflection of the willingness of the majority of us to relinquish something in order to serve a larger purpose.”  Then the bishops returned to their House to deliberate on the new resolution.

The President announced that the 76th General Convention will be held July 8-17, 2009, in Anaheim, California.  The convention considered a variety of legislation, much of which was discharged because the matter had already been acted on.  Soon a messenger from the House of Bishops brought in Resolution B033 adopted by the House of Bishops.  Presiding Bishop-elect Jefferts Schori asked to address the House of Deputies, and this request was granted.  While waiting for her arrival, the House debated whether the resolution could be considered because a similar resolution had already been acted on.  The Parliamentarian ruled that B033 was sufficiently revised to be considered a new proposal.  Bishop Jefferts Schori urged the House of Deputies to approve the proposal so that the Episcopal Church would have a chance to be involved in the international discussions concerning homosexual members of our Church.  She said that she was personally committed to full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons in the Church.  Soon debate was ended, and Resolution B033 was approved by over 70% in a vote by orders.

We revised a number of items in our Constitution and Canons.  The Church made a commitment to developing a comprehensive plan for lifelong Christian Education and Formation.  (Sunday School – it’s not just for children any more!)  In a hope to express a commitment to standards of Christian behavior, one canon added this statement: “By virtue of our Baptismal Covenant, all members of this Church are called to holiness of life and accountability to one another.  The Church and each Diocese shall support their members in their life in Christ and shall hold one another accountable…”  In terms of Evangelism and Mission, the General Convention authorized a special initiative of the Church in response to the severe need for help in rebuilding in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina; encouraged the planting of new missions and campus ministries; and directed the Church to enter into dialogue at the local level to articulate the mission of the church and to use local feedback in articulating a statement for the Episcopal Church as a whole, to be endorsed at the next General Convention.  We also commended the dialogue that has begun with the United Methodist Church and expressed the hope that our two churches would move toward full communion, such as we now have with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.  Several other actions affirmed our Church’s theology.  The Convention reaffirmed the position that only the Baptized may receive Holy Communion.  (This is not my thinking, but the Church in council has spoken.  I would prefer to welcome all to God’s Table, and let God do the sorting later.)  We also affirmed that God created everything, but that the scientific Theory of Evolution offers a valid explanation of how God worked with creation in this process.  The Church opposes any civil action that diminishes the teaching of science in science classrooms.  I was surprised to hear a deputy from Texas ask the House to reject this resolution because Episcopalians are not of one mind about this.  I just did not expect an Episcopalian to embrace what has been called “Creationism.”  Live and learn!

A number of resolutions concerned matters that seem somewhat political.  The Convention called for an end to the war in Iraq, directed us to take active steps to combat global warming, and committed to action supporting workers’ rights to unionize and to earn a living wage.  The Convention also vowed to eliminate the stigma of HIV/AIDS, both because this can be a barrier to treatment and because Jesus taught that there is no link between sin and disease.  (Note: This latter conclusion is based on the assumption that this conversation is about sin rather than about one’s created nature.)  In addition, we recognize Gay and Lesbian persons as God’s children and support their receiving full civil rights and protections; furthermore, the Church opposes any state or federal amendment prohibiting same-sex unions and any statute declaring homosexual activity to be criminal.  We also urged Episcopalians to ensure that governments provide for the health and safety of all children, and we endorsed the vision and goals concerning child welfare developed by the National Council of Churches.  The Convention also directed the church to develop summer camp programs for children of persons in prison, with a goal of ten new camps each year for the next three years.

The Convention reached out to three other groups.  In a series of resolutions we acknowledged participation in the sin of slavery, repented, and asked God’s forgiveness.  We directed the Church at the local level to enter into dialogue and story telling about privilege and under-privilege by virtue of race in our life together, and to hold up the vision of a Church without Racism.  We also committed to seek reparations for the victims of slavery.  In addition, through the Jamestown Covenant the Church is reaching out to welcome and celebrate Native Americans among us.  Finally, the Convention committed to increase the participation of women on the committees, commissions, agencies, and boards of our Church.

The Lord and I have shared some amusing dialogue from time to time.  Before I went to the General Convention, I (smiling) whispered a simple prayer, “Lord, if I have a turn voting in the House of Deputies, please spare me from those controversial topics that challenge us mightily.  Just let me be there to vote when we add Harriet Bedell to the calendar!”  St. Stephen’s Church in Coconut Grove originally proposed the addition of Harriet Bedell, a Deacon who ministered to the Native Americans in Dade County during the 20th century.  We have a picture of her in the foyer outside Rantz Hall, and one of St. Thomas’ meeting rooms is named for her.  I must confess that I had to suppress a giggle and a glance heavenward when two resolutions regarding additions to the Church Calendar Commemorations came up for vote during the final afternoon session, during which I served as a Deputy with power to vote.  Among the new persons approved were Deaconess Bedell and James Theodore Holly, Bishop of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, the first African American bishop in the Episcopal Church.  I find it a bit spooky to realize how much God pays attention.

Among our “Courtesy” Resolutions, thanking folks for their service to the Convention, were recognitions for Lay Deputy Charles Crump here from Tennessee for the 17th time; for our chaplains and those who designed and led worship services; and for our leaders at the Podium of the House of Deputies.  I give you the text of this last Courtesy Resolution in order to share the congenial spirit of the House of Deputies in its deliberations:
Whereas, the Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Straub elected Secretary…and trendsetter with his bow ties and wild sports coats, has kept us on track with his wit and occasional song; and
Whereas, J. P. Causey, Chair of Dispatch of Business, deftly moved resolutions around on the calendar; and
Whereas, Polly Getz, Parliamentarian, despite her broken foot, was among the most active on the podium; and
Whereas, Saundra Richardson, Voting Secretary, time and time again had us wake up our “doohickeys” [electronic voting pads] only to slowly and patiently instruct us on how to vote “1 or 2”; and
Whereas, all the Podium Staff were superb in advising all the above people as to what to do and when to do it; now therefore be it
Resolved, That the House of Deputies of the 75th General Convention highly commend all of the aforementioned people, and send a big “thank you” their way, for trying to keep us on schedule and for being so considerate of all of us when we really wanted to run the place. 
The passing of this resolution was followed by a standing ovation. 

We accomplished even more on this very busy day, but I feel as if you’re already swamped by this tsunami of information!  Learn more by going to the official website of the General Convention, http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/53785_ENG_HTM.htm .  A few minutes after 6:00 P.M. the House of Deputies President George Werner handed over the gavel to the new President Bonnie Anderson.  Then the meeting and convention were adjourned sine die.

That evening our bishops and our deputation enjoyed dinner together as we celebrated our wonderful week and the birthday of a deputy spouse. 

Addendum:
The next morning at the airport a distraught young traveler on her way to see a dying loved one gave me the privilege of listening to her story and praying for her, and by God’s grace I saw a network of comforters appear to give her company on this sad journey.  She reminded me that while our General Convention offers direction and sometimes clarity for the worship and witness of Episcopal Christians, the work of the Church flows out into the world where we live the Gospel of Jesus Christ day by day.  It is nice to be home again sharing the Christian walk and ministry with my fellow parishioners at St. Thomas.