In just over two weeks--on July 4th, to be exact--I fly to the Orange County John Wayne Airport to spend two weeks in Anaheim, California. No, I will not be spending two weeks at Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, or any of the other tourist attractions. I will be spending two weeks ensconced in the Anaheim Convention Center, the Anaheim Hilton, and the Anaheim Hyatt. Why? The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church takes place in Anaheim July 8–17.
Why am I flying out on July 4th, four days early? As the Associate Program Officer for Children's Formation, I will be participating in the set up of the Children's and Infants' & Toddler's Programs in the Hyatt as well as the Discovery Center in the Convention Exhibit Hall. For the first time since we began the Children's program, it will actually be located on site, rather than in a local church six blocks or a mile away from the convention center. Of course, this poses new issues and challenges, including coping with hotel catering prices and policies regarding the bringing in of outside food and beverages.
This is the third General Convention I will attend, and it will be the first I attend as program staff. That means attending the meetings of the Education Legislative Committee as a resource for the committee members and tracking pieces of legislation (resolutions) affecting the Formation offices of the Church Center as they make their way through the legislative process. Along with resolutions pertaining to education and formation issues, I will also be tracking resolutions that affect lbgtq people, because we have no official office at the Church Center. There are over a dozen dealing with Resolution 2006-B003 (the infamous "Manner of Life" resolution) and an almost equal number dealing with same sex marriage.
And why am I staying an extra day? Because on the 18th the Diocese of Los Angeles committee that is doing most of the work on the Children's Program is planning a day at Disneyland.
Peace,
Jeff
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