This morning was my first official legislative session as a brand new deputy for Northern California. I want to share what stood out for me in Bonnie Anderson's opening remarks. She reminded us all that the Episcopal Church is not a national church. We are an international church. We have representatives from Liberia, South and Central American and Europe in attendance. We are very diverse, which is one of our gifts from God.
She also shared some statistics of interest. We have 847 clergy and lay deputies. We have 43% female deputies. Of note is the fact that in 1970, at the General Convention in Houston, the Episcopal Church had female deputies for the first time - 28 in total! That was almost 40 years ago! I don't know about you, but 1970 doesn't seem that long ago to me.
The General Convention also has 67 Senior Deputies, which are those that have represented the Church at 7 or more conventions. The Diocese of Northern California is blessed to have two such Senior Deputies - our very own Cookie Clark and Stephen Carpenter! Be sure to congratulate them on their special status when you see them!
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