DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009

This is a snippet report – snippets from the day of an alternate deputy. 

1.   One of my opportunities is to help organize the 10 deacons serving at each of the communion stations for the daily Eucharist – along with a much more experienced deacon from Alabama.  There are 12 volunteer eucharistic ministers at each station, a table host and then the deacon who makes sure the ministers have enough bread and wine.  All went well today and the procession bringing the elements up to the altar during the offeratory was led by a deacon – and Emily, her leader dog in training.  Emily was liturgically skilled in her ministry of the day and certainly diaconal in witnessing to the 3,000 gathered, her preparation for ministry in the community beyond.

 

2.  This is the first General Convention with both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops chaired and guided by women.  While there has been a laywoman as President of the House of Deputies before, there has not been one from Michigan and this is the first to have a female Presiding Bishop.  It has not been mentioned, at least that I’ve heard, and it feels absolutely natural, appropriate, and nothing out of the ordinary.  And yet having attended 26 diocesan conventions and either all or parts of 6 general conventions now since 1985 it is incredibly significant to me.  Change does happen, the gifts and acquired skills of another half of humanity are being used, and it gives more hope that Transgender,Bisexual,Lesbian and Gay Episcopalians will have full access to all the sacraments before another 30 years pass.

 

3.  Herb Gunn has provided a virtual opportunity for your deputation to be in the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the photo at the top of this blog.  He did the same thing several years ago enabling the Archbishop to attend a wild game dinner at St. Michael and All Angels, .Cambridge Junction.  Tonight we all had the opportunity to see and hear the Archbishop in person.at a Forum on the world economic crisis.  He spoke of the need for transparency, truthfulness and trustworthiness in a world where there is nothing that is “normal” in finances anymore.  He had several key points that will be covered by Episcopal Life and other news sources.  His presentation was marvelously enhanced by the stories of three people in ministry at grass roots levels.  One was a young woman from a Lakota reservation here in the US, one was a young man working in his home area dealing with severe pollution issues, and the third was a young doctor from Africa who now directs the Episcopal Nets for Life program helping to eradicate Malaria.  President Bonnie Anderson skillfully moderated the panel and Presiding Bishop Katherine spoke eloquently introducing Archbishop Williams.  Response to his presence among us was warm and enthusiastic.

There are other snippets and yet these three reflect the diversity, breadth and depth of the experience here so far.  Alleluias abound.

Thalia Johnson, Deacon – clergy alternate

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