General Convention Day 4

Dean Penny writes,
#GC79 Day 4: being Sunday, the day didn’t begin with committee hearings, but with  a prayer service by Bishops Against Gun Violence, attended by about 500 people. We heard from the parents of Carmen Schentrup and from a remarkable 14-yr-old from Waco called Abigail.

Then we piled on to 12 buses and out to the Hutto “residential center” - actually a prison holding about 500 women. When I saw it my first thought was “Orange is the new black.” About 1200 of us gathered in the hot sun to sing, pray, and hear inspiring words. The inmates could hear us and sent messages of appreciation.

 In the afternoon we had a long legislative session, mostly doing elections to various boards but also starting debate on the resolution that calls us to continue trial use of the same-sex marriage liturgies. To be continued in the morning.

 There were several competing events this evening. After supper I took in a portion of Carly Hughes’ sermon at the Integrity Eucharist, staying long enough to hear the announcement that the organization will now be known as The Episcopal Rainbow. I was sorry to miss the Latin Fiesta, but I ran out of steam. Tomorrow is Camp Shirt Day.