JUNE 13, LEGISLATIVE DAY 1

SHOT OF THE DAY:
The vast House of Deputies is waiting for the deputies.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:
“It is dangerous to invoke the Holy Spirit. What if we were taken seriously?” – Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold in morning sermon.

DISCOVERY OF THE DAY:
Starbucks almost on the walking route to convention.

DISASTER OF THE DAY:
I’ll be needing that coffee. I learned today that my appointed committee will meet every morning at 7:30. Ugh.

Also: Flags from all member nations of the Episcopal Church are displayed behind the main podium. The convention leaders were made aware that they had displayed the wrong flag from Haiti. The flag displayed will soon be replaced by what is hopefully the current Haitian flag.

REPORT OF THE DAY:
This morning I began to remember why I love General Convention. It starts with the daily Eucharist. This is not the quiet brief 12:05 Eucharist in St. George’s Chapel. Communion begins with the crucifer leading a host of oblation bearers with enough wine and bread for 2,000. They are followed by the usual cast of preacher and celebrant. During hymns the big ugly convention space is filled from its concrete floor to its black overhead ductwork and neon lights with the swell of familiar hymns. Today during communion at the 12 stations around the room we were surrounded by the sounds of a single fiddle. A stately mountain melody guided us to the body of Christ and evolved into a rousing jig by the time we were through. It was fabulous and made me think of Tennessee.
Appropriate dress for convention includes dresses and shorts, hats and headbands, Native American feathers and Hawaiian leis, seersuckers suits and cargo pants. We are a motley
crew and I love being a part of the larger Church. Tomorrow is Legislative Day 2.