Crazy Christians (Suzanne Foucault)

Words cannot do justice to the experience of worship at General Convention. Two days ago, we heard Bishop Michael Curry of North Carolina at the daily worship service, this one dedicated to Harriett Beecher Stowe. Curry took us from Harriet Beecher Stowe and the underground railroad and freeing slaves to Steve Jobs who told us to "Think Different" and changed our access to global communications. Curry's theme was about being able to envision change, and acting on it. He admonished us to be "Crazy Christians" who are crazy for peace, justice, and Jesus. He closed with a quote from Albert Schweitzer:

"the people who are crazy enough to think  they can change the world, are the ones who do."

I wish you all could have been there with me to hear Curry's spellbinding sermon.....and in my heart, you were.

Suzanne

Saturday: still toasty in Indy

Temps have been in the 100's the last couple of days; expected to reach 105 today and then a break tomorrow. The heat is dry (good), and without any breeze (not good). Indiana residents are taking great care, and using water sparsely. There are enclosed walkways between the major hotels downtown so that you do not have to venture outdoors, to get from one meeting to another.

Suzanne

Friday: the office is for sale

The last couple of days of committee hearings have produced a number of resolutions moving to the floors of the House of Deputies (clergy and lay members) or the House of Bishops. Eventually, all legislation must pass through both houses in order to be enacted.

Today, some significant legislation made it through the House of Deputies, and is now on its way to the House of Bishops. The first was a resolution which intends the sale of the building which houses The Episcopal Church offices in New York City. For many years, many have felt that the location is expensive to operate and maintain, and not easily accessible to the church members across the country. While the initial proposed resolution mandated sale by July 2015, discussion in open session of the House of Deputies resulted in it being amended without a date certain so that the sale could take advantage of a constantly changing real estate market.

The resolution moves next to the House of Bishops for concurrence.

Wow! Though there are a lot of unanswered questions right now, this is pretty exciting!!

Thanks for sending me here.

Suzanne

The Games Begin!

Tuesday:  

Gregory Straub, Secretary of House of Deputies,
calling Convention to order Weds.
Note the jacket honoring the Indianapolis 500.

Spent morning registering, collecting giant 4-inch binder of agenda materials, and touring exhibit hall.  The hall is filled with great exhibits and vendors:  lots of resource agencies for everything from stewardship to youth programming, lots of Episcopal church related agencies like the Church Foundation and Episcopal Services Corps (more about that later), and also "stuff" for sale such as religious art, jewelry, vestments, books, etc., etc.  

Spent afternoon at my desk in my hotel room.  The evening began with an important meeting of our Synod.  The Synod is the cluster of dioceses throughout the western states, and Guam.  The primary purpose is to collaborate on ministry.  New officer were elected for the next 3 years:  our own Bishop Mathes was elected President! 

 About 9:30, the entire deputation met in the Bishop's hotel room which serves as the team's hospitality suite.  Our tradition to to check in with everyone, share some end of day junk food and a glass of wine, and compare notes on the happenings of various committees and meetings, and prep for the next day - who will cover what, etc?   Tomorrow will be the first big all-convention meeting.  

Let the games begin!  Thanks everybody, for sending me!

--Suzanne Foucault

And away we go!

All packed up, checked in online....now all I have to do is try to get some sleep tonight.  Jacque and I are traveling together from San Diego, through Atlanta, to Indianapolis - a long day, but so exciting!  We'll arrive there about 11:30 p.m., so I've warned my roomie, Chancellor Polly Getz, that I might disturb her sleep!

--   Suzanne Foucault