Our work is done! Thanks be to God! Even God rested on the 7th day. We had to wait for the 11th!
Frank Wade our chaplain evoked William White priest in Philadelphia in the early days of our church believed in the ministry of all the baptized, Priests , Deacons and Lay. It was the foundation of the polity of our church which is still unique in the AC.
We powered through a huge consent calender with 58 resolutions.
I will point out that Secretary Straub wore a different colorful Sport Coat every day. His outfits are all perfectly coordinated and he is unflappable and often very funny
Our Eucharist began with Jeremiah 1:4-10, the Gospel was John 21:15-17. 'feed my sheep"
The sermon was given by the PB. You have heard many words . Jeremiah put words in your mouth. She also invoked William White who modeled the gift of Anglicanism. The tension of disagreement keeps us alive. The choice between Inclusion and orthodoxy is a false one. Jesus says , if you love me, Feed my sheep. How will you feed the sheep you see every week?
We concurred in a vote by orders on C056 which authorized gathering liturgical resources ( changed in the HOB from liturgies) for same sex couples. One priest said we were covering the church with shame, but most agreed. One deputy with a lesbian mother said I am an episcopalian because the church accepted her. Prayers were offered before the vote. Tell the story of GC in ways that others can understand. Public narrative may help. Speak peace to a world that desperately needs it.
Our deputation met for lunch and we planned a meeting in August. We will decide how to present our report to the Diocesan Convention in October.
The afternoon session featured a dizzying array of legislation, such as
A099 recruit youth music leaders
C078 rites for loss of a companion animal
D006 amend canons in disagreement between rector and vestry
B029 consent to Episcopal elections
A064 addiction education for ministers.
A055 Tithe as minimum standard of giving. Deputies asked to sign pledge to do this.
D018 address global warming
C061 access to ministry for all amended by Bishops
Bonnie Anderson , our president reminded us that we were deputized to vote our own minds and to exercise leadership in our dioceses.
There were a round of thanks to the many volunteers who made this convention possible.
Frank Wade sent us off with a prayer from the NZ prayerbook.
Lord, it is night.

The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities.

In your name we pray. Amen.


Bottom to top pictures. Waiting to speak, Bonnie Anderson President HOD, Back of Secretary Straub's jacket. Top L. My chariot. (I am now walking normally)