Yesterday (Monday--6/29/15) the House of Bishops took up the resolutions on marriage.  After much debate, the bishops voted to authorized  several trial liturgies for same sex couples to be married.  As you know, we have had trial liturgies for blessings of unions for the past three years.  This is the way the Church changes. It takes six years to change the Book of Common Prayer. The Church will see how these new liturgies work until the next Convention.  The liturgies are in keeping with our Episcopal ethos and they continue what has been going on in our diocese since same sex couples could get married.  They are also more suitable than the Blessing liturgies we already have been using.  The vote was overwhelming.

In order to get our practice in line with our Canons, the House of Bishops also passed a resolution to take out "man and woman" in the marriage canon and replace it with "the couple."  This debate was intense but respectful.  We took a role call vote and the final tally was YES 129 NO 26
ABSTAIN 5. I voted YES on both resolutions.

I think these resolutions allow our Church to continue being a big tent. They don't force anyone to disobey their conscience, but they also insure

that everyone can get married in the Church--- "Bishops... will make provisions for all couples asking to be married in this Church to have access to these liturgies."  We don't spell out how that happens because we are seeking to find a way to remain a Big Tent Church and yet be true to where we are as a Church and a culture. I think the vote indicates the rightness of this move.

Last night the bishops had a dinner and said goodbye to Katharine Jefferts Schori. She has been a remarkable leader and visionary and kind soul. I will miss her very much.

And--yesterday morning High Garst our youth representative read the Old Testament in the Eucharist.

The only bad news is that yesterday it was 103 in Salt Lake----I know, "It's a dry heat."
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A long but very rich day!
We started with a march early in the morning to end Gun Violence.  There were some moving speeches from victims of gun violence and a stirring speech by Bishop Michael Curry.

Then we went to the Eucharist. Bishop Katharine gave a stirring sermon--calling for the Church to reach out to Jesus, be healed and make the world new.  Margaret King came on the stage to give the WNC ECW funds for the United Thank Offering.

In the afternoon the Bishops began the conversation on marriage proposals but did not have time  to conclude that.

Tonight we have our diocesan dinner which will be a time when the diocesan deputation can get with the ECW.

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The photos are the bishops from African descent.
The women bishops.
Two photos from the rally against gun violence.
and Margaret King on the stage.

T

This is the day the Lord has made. I certainly rejoiced and am still glad in it.

Today--Saturday, June 27 2015 the Bishops elected a new Presiding Bishop. We gathered with the rest of Convention for the Eucharist and heard a stirring sermon from a Deacon from South Dakota. She is a Native American and preached of bridging Christianity with her Native American religion.

The bishops then exited and got on buses to go to St. Mark's Cathedral.  We prayed and sang hymns. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, explained that there were 176 bishops present and therefore the candidates would need 89 votes to be elected.

We all voted---active and retired  bishops. Then five of the bishops went out to count the ballots.
We sang hymns, prayed and then took about a twenty minute break.

The tellers came back in. There was a stillness that happens with the world turns. Bishop Katharine read the results:
Breidenthal 19
Curry 121
Douglas 13
Smith 21

Then the church erupted. I admit tears ran down ,my face. When I hugged Nedi Rivera who was standing next to me, tears were running down our face. We clapped and clapped. Bishop Curry came down and embraced Bishop Katharine. All the bishops of African descent came down. We were laughing and shouting and crying. The earth moved.

I think all four candidates were more than qualified, but this was the time for Michael Curry to lead the Episcopal Church. He brings a prophetic voice with a warm heart. He loves people and loves this Church. He is a leader and a visionary. I am happy and proud to follow him and think you will be too.

Tomorrow we will have our Eucharist and continue but I won't forget this day tomorrow or any day. It was filled with grace and lifted all our spirits.

This is the day the Lord has made. I am rejoice and am very glad in it.
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Friday.
Another long day. Started with committee meeting at 7:30. At the House of Bishop's we met all the other bishops from outside the Episcopal Church--Brazil, Panama, Cuba, Sweden, Scotland and on and on.

Kristi Neal was one of the deacons in the Eucharist which was fun.

We met with the Deputies to talk about Structure which was fun and interesting. It's new for the two houses to talk to each other and a good thing.

Then more committee meetings. I did get to see all the youth during a break.
Of course, tomorrow is the day to elect the new Presiding Bishop---we bishops go to the Cathedral in the morning to vote and then the name of the one selected goes to the Deputies for confirmation.

The work of my committee--on policies around the use of alcohol---is almost done. Once our resolutions are finished, then we can maybe sleep later in the morning.

Today (Thursday) was mostly a legislative committee day. The Alcohol Committee worked on several resolutions---insuring that discernment process inquire about addiction issues and forming a task force to revise and update the policies around alcohol and the Church. More hearings tomorrow.

Each day starts with Eucharist. Bishop Katharine gave a stirring sermon about  building a road so that all God's children might find their way.  It's a wonder to worship with over 1500 people.

Another highlight was to have the youth presence with us--especially since one of them is from WNC--High Garst ( He's the tall one on the right edge of the white middle sign).

I was asked to be part of the media team and was interviewed at the end of the day. You can see this on the General Convention website under Media--although because it was the first day, there wasn't a lot to talk about.

Tomorrow we will move into more action on legislation. We have a joint meeting of the House of Deputies and House of Bishops to talk about structure.
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I am now happy that our hotel is a distance from the Convention Center because since we sit all day, without the walking I'd be totally stiff. Sitting in a chair all day is not good for anyone over sixty.

At the beginning of Convention we spend a lot of time in our Committees working on resolutions and having hearings where any deputy or bishop can speak. I am on the Alcohol committee. We have been updating the policies around alcohol at church events as well as insuring that aspirants for ordination--deacon, priest, bishop--are asked about addiction issues. We have a great group of people but it's hard for twenty five people to compose a masterpiece.

Wednesday we heard from the four candidates for Presiding Bishop. They were all impressive. I was in awe of their ability to answer questions in front of 1,000 people for three hours. The vote is Saturday.

I am grateful for the collegiality of our deputation. We gathered at the end of the day to share notes.
Keep us in your prayers. Believe it or not, today is Day One on the official calendar (it's a very slow moving process).
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A very long day of travel. Salt Lake is beautiful but surprisingly hot. Attended the first committee meeting--on Policies around Alcohol and the Church.  Went to a dinner hosted by the Union of Black Episcopalians honoring Michael Curry, Gay Jennings, Byron Rushing, and Katharine Jefferts Schori. Tomorrow begins with a 7:00 am Committee meeting and then an introduction to the candidates for Presiding Bishop.   I admit their mountains are bigger but ours win out on beauty.

On my way to Salt Lake City tomorrow.  How do you pack for 11 days? I am looking forward to seeing old friends and seeing how much change the Church can tolerate.  Of course, next Saturday we elect a new Presiding Bishop.  Nine years ago I remember what it was like to be part of changing history. Please keep the Church in your prayers during this time. Pray for wisdom and charity and vision and rest--especially rest. The forecast is for 106 temperature in Salt Lake, yet I am taking a vest to avoid freezing in the meeting auditorium.
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