Meeting New People

Posted By: Mrs. Ann Bustard

As a deputy to General Convention 2009, we have had wonderful opportunities to meet other deputies in legislative committees, legislation sessions, and chance meetings!  For me, it is very important that I am intentional about meeting others whom I have never met before.  As I have listened to the stories of others, and heard their prayers and concerns, my life has been enriched to the point that I shall remember these stories in the days ahead with thanksgiving.

The text of the Archbishop’s comments to Convention on July 9th

The Most Rev’d Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

The 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church

July 9, 2009

Meditation at the Eucharist

One thing you learn very quickly as Archbishop of Canterbury is that everything you say is scrutinised and interpreted and picked over for hidden meanings and agendas. Something tells me today will be no exception…

But because I don’t actually like coded messages or hidden agendas, and because I believe they’re an aspect of a whole rather unhealthy culture of suspicion – not to mention conspiracy theories – I’m going to begin by saying two things as simply and directly as I can, so that we can get on to the more important matter of reflecting together on the Scripture passages we have been given in this Eucharist.

Telling Stories

Posted By: The Rev. Canon Matthew Stockard

This Thursday morning offered all present for The General Convention a time of mission conversation prior to the celebration of The Holy Eucharist, at which The Most Rev’d The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury preached. The conversation was a moment of hearing one another. All deputies, visitors, exhibitors, and bishops are invited to participate in this work, which is one aspect of an extensive ‘Public Narrative’ experience in which ultimately all Episcopalians are invited to participate and to share.

So what is this grand thing? It’s a short time for the disciplined practice of what may be a long lost art. Telling personal stories which provide clear articulation of personal motivations, so that others are invited more deeply into an understanding and potential participation of God’s call to ‘love one another’ and the ways that call is lived out in mission and ministry. That’s a mighty big sentence. Let me try a smaller one. When we share stories that have inspired us to action, we invite others to join us in this work.

Packing for the family reunion

Posted By: Canon Stockard

Some years ago, at a dinner party with a mix of old and new friends, a young gentleman seated directly across from me found himself speaking of his unease with organized religion. “I am a Christian,” he announced, “I just think organized religion is a bit stale – too fraught with institutional difficulties.” A pause came and my new friend looked up, ready for a new topic. “Matt, what do you do?” It didn’t take me a second to reply, “I organize religion.”

I can feel the excitement and anticipation building.

Posted By: Mrs. Joan Geiszler-Ludlum

I have several lists going in my head as I prepare to travel to General Convention.  The personal list:  stop the newspaper, arrange for cat/house sitter, pick up the dry cleaning, where is my favorite dress, what else do I need to remember to pack?  Then there is the work list:  how do I anticipate every possibility of what may come up while I am gone for two weeks so that I can instruct the staff on how to respond?  Or maybe, what is most likely to arise, and we’ll leave the rest for e-mail and voice mail.  And then there is the General Convention list:  read Bluebook, review Rules of Order, review legislation scheduled for the Cognate Committees on Structure and Church Pension.  I learned this week that I am Legislative Liaison for the Chancellor to the President of the House of Deputies to these two Committees, so I have some proposed legislation to review.