Two things that the Presiding Bishop said has stuck with me. Early in convention, she said "Give us the grace to make our decisions with hope and speak the word of God to the world." The other occurred in the introduction to the budget "There is death in this budget--death of program and death of positions."
Clearly we are called to hope. Hope for the future of the church. Hope for the way we live out our mission. Hope for economic stability of our congregations and The Episcopal Church. And certainly we can empathize with The Episcopal Church mourning the loss of program as we struggle with our diocesan and congregational budgets. As one speaker, on the budget, said "we believe that in death life is changed but not ended. It is the same as our budgeting process--lots of potential for living creatively amid the grief over cuts in program.
On Thursday we debated a resolution submitted by Bishop Allen of Honduras. Like the situation in Honduras there was much disagreement over the details of the resolution. The final decision was to support Bishop Allen.
On Wednesday Stephen+ gave his comfort cross on a beaded necklace (that he had created) to a cashier at Starbucks in our hotel. Friday morning I saw her wearing it!
Now that convention is closed, what are we called to do? Participate in Domestic Violence Prevention training--participate in World AIDS Day--hold a healing service for wounded veterans--study the Anglican Covenant draft(s)--name a diocesan Day of Repentance and hold a service of repentance for slavery--take action consonant with the Earth Charter--recommit to anti-racism training--raise awareness of recovery issues --any more!
Our chaplain, the Rev. Frank Wade of Washington, asked "Did we combine our energy in a morally satisfying way? I hope so!
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