General Convention Day 5

Dean Penny writes,
Happy Monday! And #GC79 day 5. Committee deliberations were back this morning and I returned to the Safeguarding committee where it was Groundhog Day, as they once again discussed the wording of the resolution about clergy dating.

At the morning legislative session we completed debate on the resolution extending trial use of the new marriage liturgies and adopted it with an amendment that returned control to bishops, thus robbing the resolution of most of its effect. It now goes to the house of bishops. Other votes on a variety of resolutions followed.

We were treated to a wonderful speech by a member of the youth presence - the church will be in good hands when they take over!

At lunchtime I switched roles with our alternate and I had a lunch meeting with some of the organizers of our New Camino workshop in May, to discuss followup plans. Then back to the house of deputies to sit in the alternate area and observe some of the debate on resolutions addressing investment policy and the Israel/Palestine conflict.

After a downtown walk it was time for worship - disappointing music this time but an engaging sermon by Prince Singh, Bishop of Rochester. Then the deans gathered for our traditional dinner: about 25 of us plus the Bishop of Texas and his wife. I was the only female dean present. It was fun to catch up with happenings in Omaha, Phoenix, Bethlehem, Eau Claire, Salina, Sacramento, Portland ME, Houston, and elsewhere. I missed friends including Miguelina Espinal Howell of Hartford CT and Randy Hollerith of Washington DC who had other commitments tonight.

Troy Mendez tells me there is a new resolution calling for TEC to embrace the Episcopal Diocese of Cuba without waiting for a constitutional amendment. I hope I get to vote for it!