Loading...The days are flying by and I find myself asking my fellow deputies "What day is it?" Well, this I know: yesterday was Sunday because I was able to sleep in a bit and because we all attended a Festival Eucharist at 9:30 am. I am guessing about 1,500 were in attendance, if not more. The PB preached a wonderful sermon, but I have to tell you, even her stirring and often humorous sermon was eclipsed by the music. The choir and orchestra rendered me speechless by their power and beauty. The service Sunday morning will be one of the highlights of convention for me.
Saturday was the first of what will be long, long afternoon legislative sessions until the end of convention. Legislative hearings continue in several of the committees. Some of the most impassioned testimony was given about a block of 14 resolutions dealing with the Israel-Palestine conflict. Over 40 people testified over 2 hours.
I attended the hearing on resolution AO49 concerning Same Gender Blessings. Testimony went on for quite some time with deputies from both sides of the issue giving heartfelt statements, with those supporting the resolution outnumbering those against. The Diocese of Central Florida sent 5 of their deputies to the microphone to speak against the blessing of same gender relationships.
Here are a few of the highlights of the many votes taken thus far on the floor of the House of deputies:
--- Deputies voted to approve a resolution to allow the Presiding Bishop to retain his/her diocesan seat.
--- Deputies approved ending Bishop consent at General Convention.
--- The Bishops agreed that gender identity should not be a basis for exclusion.
--- A resolution to approve the addition of new translations of the Bibles was kicked back to committee for more work when an amendment to add a particular Bible (which the committee was not able to review prior to the introduction of the amendment) was introduced.
Resolutions on the bigger issues and topics will come before us in the next few days.
More to come.
Peace and prayers,
Jennifer Dunn
