Loading...Worship is a very important part of General Convention. It helps to center the deputies, builds community and helps remind us exactly why we are here: We love God. We love this church. We want the Episcopal Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world.
Each of us at convention wants what is best for our beloved Episcopal Church but it is obvious that we don't always see eye to eye on how to carry out the mission of our church. But make no mistake, every one of us will leave Indianapolis on Friday having worked diligently to build up the Body of Christ within the bounds of The Episcopal Church and outside the bounds of The Episcopal Church . I know my life is being enriched by this process we call General Convention.
Holy Eucharist yesterday morning was a wonderful celebration that honored indigenous ministries on the feast day of Samson Occum, the the first Native American to be ordained a Christian (Presbyterian) minister.
The Preacher was Mary Crist of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the celebrant was Bishop David Bailey of Navajoland. Copy and paste this URL into your browser to read more about today's Eucharist.
//episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/09/mary-crist-preaches-at-july-9-general-convention-eucharist/
No one can say that the deputies at General Convention don't move heaven and earth to follow the letter of the law when it comes to the Constitution and Cannons of the Episcopal Church...and Roberts Rules of Order...and all other procedural rules that govern The House of Deputies. I am sure the same can be said for The House of Bishops. I can only assume (and pray) that we get through all the resolutions that come out of the various committees before the close of convention late Thursday afternoon.
Some of the highlights from the legislative sessions today:
--- The House of Bishops (HoB) passed the amended resolution AO49 which would authorize a provisional rite and accompanying resources for blessing same-sex relationships. The vote was 111 - 41. The House of Deputies (HoD) will likely receive this same amended resolution from the HoB today. To read more on this breaking story, copy and paste the following URL in your browser.
//episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/07/09/bishops-vote-to-approve-resources-for-same-gender-blessings/
--- By passing Resolutions BO19 and CO60, The House of Deputies has overwhelmingly supported a call for the church to engage in positive investment and engagement in the Palestinian Territories.
--- Resolution DO26, United States Commission on Criminal Justice, authored by Rev. Charles Fels from the Diocese of East Tennessee and proposed to General Convention by Rev. Cal Calhoun passed the HoD. It now goes on to the HoB.
A sampling of other action taken today in the HoD:
--- Passed: Resolution A125: Recommit to the Work on Anti-Racism.
--- Passed: Resolution B004: Camps for Children of the Incarcerated
--- Passed: Resolution AO50: Create Task Force on the Study of Marriage
More tomorrow.
Peace and Prayers,
Jennifer Dunn
Church of the Good Saqmaritan
