Convention Day 1

Convention has begun, although it is still gearing up. My day started with the first Education Committee hearing at 8:00 this morning. The committee--as most committees are--is a cognate committee. Officially, there are two separate committees meeting in the room, one for the House of Bishops and one for the House of Deputies. However, they operate as one committee except when it comes to voting. The morning session was devoted to introductions, explanation of procedures and scheduling. Scott Evenbek, the Deputies Chair, asked the committee members and visitors to spend time in pairs discussing with each other the following question:

What was the most powerful event in your Christian Formation?

Each member of the pair introduced the other to the entire group, including we visitors. After introductions, John Rabb, the Bishops Chair, ran through the nuts and bolts of how things worked. That was followed by a discussion of the Resolutions assigned to the committee and developing a hearing schedule.

At one point during the meeting a runner came in with a message, which he handed to John, who handed it to Scott. Scott then read it to the committee. "Committees can ask for only one power strip."

The hearing schedule is as follows (as amended at this evening's hearing):

Tuesday July 7 - 7:00 p.m.

• A161: AIDS Education and Resources
• A182: Continue Forward Movement
• A163: AIDS Education Materials (I don't have the full name handy)

Wednesday July 8 - 11:00 a.m.

• A082: Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation
• A083: Directive for Dioceses to Formulate a Strategy for Lifelong Christian Formation in the Next Triennium
• B003: Camping Ministries

Wednesday July 8 - 2:00 p.m.

• C014: Theological Study of Christian Marriage (this could be a hot topic one)
• A068: Reconciliation Training

Thursday July 9 - 7:00 a.m.

• D014: Environmental Justice
• B013: Equipping the Baptized for Ministry in TEC

The hearing ended just before 11:30, about half an hour early. I headed up to the Church Center Staff Office to print some documents and make copies before going to the Discovery Center for the opening of the Exhibit Hall. The "opening act" as it were, was a troupe of young Korean Drumming Troupe. Korean Drumming, multicultural kids. Here are some pictures of them coming up an aisle near the Discovery Center.





And here is the Discovery Center fully together and just before the Native American Smudging Ceremony opening the Center. Pictures were not allowed during the sacred ceremony.

Ruth-Ann and I had to leave after the first portion of the ceremony to run upstairs to the Program, Budget, and Finance Committee hearing. This was an important hearing because it was the meeting where the committee asked for input regarding the priorities of the Episcopal Church for the next triennium. It was clear that the Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation were once again well organized to push for continuation of the Millennium Development Goals as a top priority. Two speakers did speak to the inclusion of Formation, but were far outnumbered. We can only wait and see what comes out of the committee later this week.

I had half an hour for lunch and decided to eat at the concession in the Exhibit Hall. The food was actually pretty good and not all that expensive. The short lunch period was due to my shift at the Church Center booth from 2:00 to 4:00. It wasn't very busy, because there was a legislative session.

I went from the booth to the Children's Program to check in and see how things were going. I also spent a few minutes with the toddlers who were having a grand time in their room.

And, of course, what would convention be without the collecting of STUFF. Here is my first day's accumulation of buttons:

Today shouldn't be as busy, but one never knows what can happen in committees or legislative sessions.

Peace,
Jeff