 At the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Columbus, Ohio, June 13-21, 2006 |
East Tennessee
perspectives: Bishop vonRosenberg, members of the East Tennessee deputation and East Tennessee visitors to the General Convention used these pages throughout the convention to share with the "folks back home" their impressions, activities and insights: Settling in •
Day One • Day Two • Day
Three • Day Four
• East Tennessee photo gallery at the convention |
 Other pages related to the convention:
• Episcopal News Service convention coverage |
|
The Rt. Rev. Charles vonRosenberg, bishop Received Sat 8:10 a.m. The initial days of General Convention have now passed, and the pace of activities, as well as the attention of the throngs, typically changes about at this point. A more intense focus on legislation will dominate from this point onward, especially as deputies and bishops consider the daunting piles of resolutions that require attention. Time's pressures can make people desparate. For instance, I myself am aware of some personal internal frustration that the Convention has not made greater progress in dealing with resolutions from the Special Committee on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, in response to the Windsor Report. We are not yet at the point of great concern that time will run out, but we do need to engage the process with greater intention and make progress toward results, in passing legislation. For me, this matter continues to be the highest priority at this General Convention, and I pray that we will do justice to it. Today's UTO Eucharist is a highlight in the liturgical life of General Convention, and I greatly anticipate that wonderful Ingathering of offerings, for the support of the church's mission domestically and internationally. Then tomorrow, I anticipate the experience of being part of the election of the next presiding bishop. I give thanks for the several nominees that I believe can respond to the challenges of this office. Each of them and their families are certainly much in my prayers.
|
|
The Rev. Peter Keese, deputy Received Sat 10:09 a.m. Paradoxes: - Well over 2000 people, mostly unknown to one another, gather at the daily Eucharist - the gatherings are surprisingly intimate, by reason of having tables of the same 10 people each day. We become friends and experience the reality of a spirit which can only be named holy. - This same body of people (plus many hundreds of exhibitors and many more hundreds of volunteers) are friendly, interesting and cordial with one another. And then ... we meet in "legislative committees" and in session as 800+ deputies, and we get about THE BUSINESS, much of which feels like minutia and procedural wrangling. This first-time deputy wonders where the spirit went. (My theology suggests that even in these dark pits, the spirit dwells - see the psalm which says, "if I go down into hell, Thou art there" - but I have to be deliberate in reminding myself of that.) And yet, even in the pit, the process - the interpersonal interplay of personalities and power - is fascinating to behold. There is some fear (others may characterize it as MUCH fear) that our church will split apart over various matters. But I maintain that (to paraphrase Paul) "neither death nor life, nor principalities, nor powers, nor height nor depth ... nor any thing else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God ..." There may be some who decide that they can't be members of The Episcopal Church, but they cannot cease to be embraced in the loving arms of God. Paradoxes: Strangers becoming friends |
|
The Rev. David Bateman, visitor Received Sun 1:37 a.m. Pam and I are excited to be at convention. We are finding it very energizing to see so much talent, creativity, commitment and diversity in our church. And a lot of the pleasure comes from the people we never imagined meeting. Last night several of us went to a special eucharistic celebration at which Bishop Gene Robinson was the preacher. You will remember that Bishop Robinson is the openly gay bishop about whom so much controversy has swirled for three last three years. The service was sponsored by Integrity, the church organization which advocates for lesbians and gays. Most of us had never been to an event such as this and we weren't sure quite what to expect. And of course we were anxious to get a glimpse of the man at the center of so many church arguments. The church was filled to overflowing, but we were able to get seats in the church basement, or "undercroft." An audio and video feed had been set up to let us experience the service upstairs. There were technical problems with the sound, but when it dropped out (frequently), someone among us would take it upon themselves to lead the missing prayers or get us started in singing a hymn. We kept up with the service and everyone took the problems in good humor. Fortunately the audio was working when it came time for Bishop Robinson to preach. It turns out he is a very good preacher. But what struck Pam and I so powerfully, even more than his skill, was the sense that we were listening to a true pastor, a solid and gifted man who loved God tremendously and who loved his people nearly as much. The bishop came across as a great and passionate human being. The icing on the cake came during communion when Bishop Robinson left the church upstairs and personally came down to administer communion to us "exiles." The whole experience, in that cramped and stuffy church basement, was extremely moving.
|
