This is what it looked like when her name was read out:
Sunday, June 18
Jubilation in Columbus
People here are bouncing off the walls. As Caryl Frink, chair of our deputation, said to me just after the vote, "this is a vote for the future, for mission." Indeed. We are a church who will be led by a bishop, a scientist, a woman, and a person of deep faith.
This is what it looked like when her name was read out:
This is what it looked like when her name was read out:
Katharine Jefferts Schori is our next PB
The House of Deputies erupted in illicit applause as it was announced that the House of Bishops has elected Katharine Jefferts Schori on the fifth ballat. She has not appeared yet, but photos and more bio info will appear here shortly.
Thanks be to God!
No white smoke yet
A little bird just told me the bishops have completed their fourth ballat with no election yet.
By the way, the white smoke is metaphorical, not literal.
By the way, the white smoke is metaphorical, not literal.
PB election still going on...
Just before lunch, the HoD president said that the bishops had completed a third ballot with no election yet. The deputies cleared out for lunch, and they are about to reconvene. I'll post here as soon as there's an election or an update.
This was the scene a few minutes ago in the House of Deputies...
This was the scene a few minutes ago in the House of Deputies...
Scenes from Sunday Eucharist
Here are some pics from the Eucharist. Note that there a couple of Rhode Islanders at work, below.
As far as I could count, there were 2,500-3,000 people present.
The music was of a Latin flare. The words were Rite One. Talk about crossing the Ghostbuster streams...
The congregation enjoyed the music...
The Rev'd Jennifer Phillips, RI deputy, acting as a Eucharistic minister.
Rhode Islander Marty Ames is here, working on the altar guild for the Convention. She's a member of the National Altar Guild. I'm in awe of the altar guild in the parish I serve, so I cannot even imagine what it takes to run a service for 2,500 people...
As far as I could count, there were 2,500-3,000 people present.
The music was of a Latin flare. The words were Rite One. Talk about crossing the Ghostbuster streams...
The congregation enjoyed the music...
The Rev'd Jennifer Phillips, RI deputy, acting as a Eucharistic minister.
Rhode Islander Marty Ames is here, working on the altar guild for the Convention. She's a member of the National Altar Guild. I'm in awe of the altar guild in the parish I serve, so I cannot even imagine what it takes to run a service for 2,500 people...
PB's sermon this morning
This morning, the Presiding Bishop presided and preached at the Eucharist. Bishop Griswold preached about our will versus God's, about living in gratitude and awe.
I think of the natural gifts and abilities which have been planted deep
within each one of us. As they grow and mature they are intended to be
offered in thanksgiving to the larger purposes of the One who is their
source and point of origin. However, there is another possibility. How
easily we can cease to regard these things God has given us as gifts and see
them rather as possessions. Instead of being offered in the service of
others, they become a personal possession and a way in which we define
ourselves over and against others. Rather than offering these gifts, we
hoard them and deploy them according to our own self-serving ends.
The full text isn't online just yet. As soon as it appears on the web, I'll link to it.
UPDATE: Here is the full text.
I think of the natural gifts and abilities which have been planted deep
within each one of us. As they grow and mature they are intended to be
offered in thanksgiving to the larger purposes of the One who is their
source and point of origin. However, there is another possibility. How
easily we can cease to regard these things God has given us as gifts and see
them rather as possessions. Instead of being offered in the service of
others, they become a personal possession and a way in which we define
ourselves over and against others. Rather than offering these gifts, we
hoard them and deploy them according to our own self-serving ends.
The full text isn't online just yet. As soon as it appears on the web, I'll link to it.
UPDATE: Here is the full text.
Woof! Could pet ownership affect the PB choice?
The intrepid journalists at Center Aisle have succeeded in find an important way to distinguish the candidates for PB. As I write this, the bishops are choosing the next PB. How will they decide?
Theological perspective could be important. Ability to manage a complex organization. Diplomatic skills. Yes, all these things will count. But the Center Aisle has managed to learn what kind of pets each PB candidate has. I must say, I'm glad I'm not voting. One bishop has a cat named Flannery...just like me. Another has a black lab, just like me! I'd be torn.
Every candidate has a pet except for one, and SHE (that's the hint) has owned goats. Get the skinny in this article.
UPDATE: It has been pointed out to me that the Center Aisle website isn't working. When I posted this, it was working. I'll leave the links in place for now, hoping that their web server is healed soon.
Theological perspective could be important. Ability to manage a complex organization. Diplomatic skills. Yes, all these things will count. But the Center Aisle has managed to learn what kind of pets each PB candidate has. I must say, I'm glad I'm not voting. One bishop has a cat named Flannery...just like me. Another has a black lab, just like me! I'd be torn.
Every candidate has a pet except for one, and SHE (that's the hint) has owned goats. Get the skinny in this article.
UPDATE: It has been pointed out to me that the Center Aisle website isn't working. When I posted this, it was working. I'll leave the links in place for now, hoping that their web server is healed soon.
Fun photo of the day
Saturday, June 17
Church hears young adults
One of the best sources of thoughtful writing here at General Convention is a resource provided by the Diocese of Virginia, called Center Aisle. It's a printed newsletter, four pages in length, that is published every morning. It includes editorial writing from several perspectives.
Anyway, there's a bit in today's edition about the very visible presence of young adults here in Columbus. One name caught my eye:
Becky Gettel, who heads Children’s and Youth Ministries at St. John’s Episcopal Church (Barrington) in the Diocese of Rhode Island, broke the ice. “I was an observer in Denver at the 73rd General Convention. This time, in spite of all the worry about the Anglican Communion, it feels like there’s a spirit of calm at the center. It feels good."
There's more to the story of younger folks here, and you can read the rest of this particular story here.
Anyway, there's a bit in today's edition about the very visible presence of young adults here in Columbus. One name caught my eye:
Becky Gettel, who heads Children’s and Youth Ministries at St. John’s Episcopal Church (Barrington) in the Diocese of Rhode Island, broke the ice. “I was an observer in Denver at the 73rd General Convention. This time, in spite of all the worry about the Anglican Communion, it feels like there’s a spirit of calm at the center. It feels good."
There's more to the story of younger folks here, and you can read the rest of this particular story here.
Love them anyway
I know that Scott has already posted on this blog about Friday night's Integrity Eucharist, but I would like to add a comment. When Scott originally asked me to post, he asked me to simply share my view - being from a different lens then the rest of the deputation - with the readers back in the Diocese of Rhode Island.
After a long hard day of working in the House of Deputies as a page, Rev'd John Van Siclen, Rev'd Craig Burlington and I headed over to Trinity Church for the Integrity Eucharist. Once in the Church we headed up to the balcony, where we had front row seats, thanks to Addie Burlington.
As we awaited the start of the service I had butterflies in my stomach, from being so excited. You could feel the love and excitment that filled the Church. Before we knew it the processional started. In came dozens of clergy and at the end of the procession The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson - the evenings preacher. The four of us in the upper balcony became very excited to see the smile of Rev'd Al Barnaby, clergy alternate, as he vested and took part in the service.
The power in the voices of the congregation was over whelming. It was the voices of over 1000 Episcopalians gathering in love for one another. Finally the time came, what for me was the highlight of the service. The Bishop Robinson stepped into the pulpit to address this spirited congregation. After a touching tribute to his partner Mark, and the members of the LGBT community - to which he addressed his sermon - he called all "homosexually challenged" visitors to listen as well. His sermon held one main theme - "Love them anyways".
Bishop Robinson shared with us thoughts on "what makes Gene tick." After sharing a story with us he shared that he knew the moment in which everything changed for him. He shared with us that he knew it was not going to be easy and that he would be persecuted, but that is what we are all called to do. He spoke of this in the context of a conversation with God. After questioning what God was asking of him God simply (or not so simply) replied, "Love them anyways". The remaining duration of the sermon focused on this theme.
By the end of the sermon I was so moved to the point of tears. There has never been a time where I have more felt the power of the Holy Spirit, the peace of Christ, and the love of God. As the service continued the energy of the room grew. As the service progressed I found myself thanking God for being with Fr. John and the Burlingtons. It was my first Integrity service and it truly touched my heart. To have my friends at my side was wonderful - a true testament of love. Then when it came time for communion Rev'd Al Barnaby came up to our balcony with the chalice. Seeing him was the last straw for me. At that point my eyes felt like a running faucet.
It is after I have had time to reflect on the evening that I realize we are all called to "Love them anyways". It does not matter who or what you are, we are called to love those who presecute us. My only wish is that all of the Bishops and Deputies here at convention could have heard the powerful sermon, given by Bishop Robinson. There is some incredibly important legislation before the two houses at this year's General Convention. Yet, it is important for all making these important decision to keep in mind that consept of "Lov[ing] them anyways".
No matter what has happened in the past we, as a Christian peoples, are called to a life of reconciliation and of love.
After a long hard day of working in the House of Deputies as a page, Rev'd John Van Siclen, Rev'd Craig Burlington and I headed over to Trinity Church for the Integrity Eucharist. Once in the Church we headed up to the balcony, where we had front row seats, thanks to Addie Burlington.
As we awaited the start of the service I had butterflies in my stomach, from being so excited. You could feel the love and excitment that filled the Church. Before we knew it the processional started. In came dozens of clergy and at the end of the procession The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson - the evenings preacher. The four of us in the upper balcony became very excited to see the smile of Rev'd Al Barnaby, clergy alternate, as he vested and took part in the service.
The power in the voices of the congregation was over whelming. It was the voices of over 1000 Episcopalians gathering in love for one another. Finally the time came, what for me was the highlight of the service. The Bishop Robinson stepped into the pulpit to address this spirited congregation. After a touching tribute to his partner Mark, and the members of the LGBT community - to which he addressed his sermon - he called all "homosexually challenged" visitors to listen as well. His sermon held one main theme - "Love them anyways".
Bishop Robinson shared with us thoughts on "what makes Gene tick." After sharing a story with us he shared that he knew the moment in which everything changed for him. He shared with us that he knew it was not going to be easy and that he would be persecuted, but that is what we are all called to do. He spoke of this in the context of a conversation with God. After questioning what God was asking of him God simply (or not so simply) replied, "Love them anyways". The remaining duration of the sermon focused on this theme.
By the end of the sermon I was so moved to the point of tears. There has never been a time where I have more felt the power of the Holy Spirit, the peace of Christ, and the love of God. As the service continued the energy of the room grew. As the service progressed I found myself thanking God for being with Fr. John and the Burlingtons. It was my first Integrity service and it truly touched my heart. To have my friends at my side was wonderful - a true testament of love. Then when it came time for communion Rev'd Al Barnaby came up to our balcony with the chalice. Seeing him was the last straw for me. At that point my eyes felt like a running faucet.
It is after I have had time to reflect on the evening that I realize we are all called to "Love them anyways". It does not matter who or what you are, we are called to love those who presecute us. My only wish is that all of the Bishops and Deputies here at convention could have heard the powerful sermon, given by Bishop Robinson. There is some incredibly important legislation before the two houses at this year's General Convention. Yet, it is important for all making these important decision to keep in mind that consept of "Lov[ing] them anyways".
No matter what has happened in the past we, as a Christian peoples, are called to a life of reconciliation and of love.
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