Convention Day 5

I’m wiped out.  Mentally.  Physically.  Emotionally.

I woke up tired.  The days are long.  Bed comes late.  Morning comes early.  And this post will ramble.

This being my first General Convention I had no idea what to expect.  I thought the days would be long.  I didn’t know the emotional toll exacted would be so significant.  The relentless engagement with challenges to the revealed and received understanding of the faith is often helpful and clarifying but it is also very wearying.   We operate in an atmosphere of disbelief that seems Hegelian in its pursuit of truth.  I’ve learned that nothing in the resolution is as it seems: “who is the author(s), what are they after, why did they choose that word, what’s the unstated – and unanticipated – consequence?”  

For instance, a number of resolutions directly challenge B033 (the moratorium on ordinations  to the Episcopate of non-celibate homosexual persons).  Fine.  Challenge it.  However, there are even more resolutions which seek to effectively overturn, or supersede, B033 while technically leaving it as the official practice of the church.  Here’s how it’s done: Several resolutions seek to ensure that “all the sacraments are available for all the baptized.”  Sounds great.  Who wouldn’t be for that?  Until one realizes that this definition would allow me to ordain, or marry, a dog if I baptized it.  Similarly, another resolution seeks to ensure that the ordination process is open to every baptized person.  Again, to the eye this looks great, until you realize that the application would in practice contradict B033.  

You know what I wish for?  Honesty.  A simple statement from the House of Deputies and House of Bishops outlining their beliefs and a willingness to address the implications of their honest convictions.  No hiding behind clever resolutions.  No shell games.  No Three-card Monte.  Simply say what you believe and let the chips fall where they may.  I’m surrounded by men and women afraid to state without qualification what they believe, why they believe, and then stand on that belief.

Ok.  Enough whining.

Anaheim is an amazing city.  I wake up every morning to this view from my room of Angels Stadium (on the left) and the Crystal Cathedral (on the right):

 
This morning, when I arrived at the House of Deputies I’d forgotten my name badge and the steward wouldn’t let me in.  The same guy I’ve brought coffee the past couple of days.  Rules are rules and I understand them.  Back to my hotel.

Most of the day was filled with resolutions drawn from the consent calendar and the daily calender.  Most are procedural in nature.  And, they are mind-numbing.  Hour after hour of minutia.  Sometimes, important minutia but minutia never the less.  Very occassionally a resolution will elicit a proceedural question, or an amendment.  On one such resolution I voted against establishing a partnership between TEC and the Episcopal Church in Brazil.  Why?  Because I have a very long association with the Diocese of Recife and the Brazilian national church has moved against Recife (the national church is liberal.  The diocese is conservative).  Recife is the diocese where The Rev’d Miguel Uchoa is from and the same place Jamie Ware will be leading a St. Andrew’s mission trip this summer to work with Patrick and Rachel Simonis at La Casa de Esperanza (“The House of Hope”).

The anticipated action of the day was discussion of B033 and the hour finally came.  Here’s a 9 minute video of some of the statmements expressed during the “conversation.”  Note: the video quality is better, however, due to the size of the hall, the audio lacks.  Headphones will help.  Also, Baby Blue has a breakdown of the speakers position.

I was more than ready for a night out.  A friend made it possible for me to attend the Yankees game at Angels Stadium.  I invited Daron Taylor from the Bishop’s staff to join me.  The seats were amazing.  We were in the Diamond Club.  This included an all you can eat buffet (lobster, shrimp curry, jambalaya, roast turkey, etc., etc.) in a posh, private resturant and seats behind and slightly on the Yankee side of home plate – about 10 rows back.  I’ll close with a few pictures – oh yeah, Greg Brady sang the National Anthem and “Take Me Out to the Ballpark.”

Thanks for your prayers, and even more for your notes of encouragement.  I have been very thankful to know that so many have been praying for the SC Deputation and me, particularly.

Good night from Anaheim.