Report from general convention

Dean Penny writes,

Day 1 of #GC79: 822 deputies from 107 dioceses in the House. All the deputies named Michael were dispatched to the House of Bishops to convey our greetings, along with baseball caps embroidered with “Michael”. In return, two bishops adorned with tiaras returned the greetings. We had a wonderful opening Eucharist service with another knock-em-dead sermon from ++ Michael. I sat in on the Prayer Book committee hearing on the revised Book of Occasional Services. Lunch courtesy of the Church Pension Group with a presentation on changing demographics. A significant factor in our declining numbers is that Episcopalians don’t have enough babies. Transportation to church is a significant challenge for our parishioners of color. In some (all?) diocese an immigrant may not enter the ordination process without a green card.

After lunch, more committee hearings: on the proposed restoration of the Diocese of Cuba to full membership in the Episcopal Church, with impassioned testimony from Bishop Griselda and el muy reverendo José Angel Gutiérrez, Dean of the cathedral in Havana. They are anticipating that, although they have done everything the Episcopal Church has asked them to do, we will delay accepting them once again. Then on to the hearing on non-discrimination in hiring and deployment, before returning to the floor for another legislative session. We spent time on resolutions to allow joint deliberative sessions of the Houses of zdeputies and Bishops, and on compensating the Preaident of the House of Deputies for her hard work (both passed). Dinner at a local BBQ joint with Holly and Darren Herring, and a conversation about choir tours (which Darren organizes).