Across the high plains of South Dakota, I marvelled at the clarity with which one could see the hills rising in the distance.

The sacred Black Hills were our destination for the 131st Niobrara Convocation, the annual gathering of native Episcopal congregations. Nearly 20 East Tennesseans traveled to Thunderhead Episcopal Center at the end of June for this event of our companion diocese.

Rolling the car windows down, we caught the wonderful smell of sweet grass carried on the ever-present wind. Only days before, this purifying wind had delivered several inches of snow. The freshness of the air cleansed our lungs of the polluted humidity we’d left behind in Knoxville.

We arrived at TEC, which has served the Diocese of South Dakota for many years. It is undergoing a renaissance under the dynamic leadership of Ike Swan, its director. Teenagers, youth, young adults – both Lakota and Anglo – seemed to follow Ike everywhere he went; his spirit, energy and enthusiasm are infectious. However, because the convocation did not take place on a reservation as is traditional, the number of Lakota people was not as great as last year. Indeed, it appeared that Anglos often outnumbered the Lakota. That said, the hospitality for which the Lakota people are famous was generous.

The business and discussion of convocation revolved around the same national issues we face in East Tennessee. Two major topics were the election of Gene Robinson as bishop in New Hamp-shire and the development of a liturgy to bless same-sex unions. The conversation was brought to conclusion by Bishop Creighton Robertson’s powerful address, during which he informed his clergy on how he intended to vote on both issues.