5 "Marks" of Mission (with video!)

From left to right: Mark Lattime ( Alaska), Mark Sisk  (New York), Marc Andrus (California), Mark Beckwith (Newark), and Mark Hollingsworth (Ohio),   who presented themselves as the "Five Marks of Mission" including a wonderful funny piece of hymnody. 

-Bishop Mathes

Verging on chocolate

Someone tweeted this photograph, with the comment ""trust the vergers not only to be handing out chocolate but DARK chocolate!"

Sartorial Splendor

Gregory Straub, Secretary of the House of Deputies, is known for his sartorial splendor (like the checked jacket we showed you earlier).  To celebrate "Dress like Geoffrey Straub" the San Diego Delegation donned paper bow ties.

Happy Birthday Polly!

Jackie tells us, 

Yesterday was Polly's birthday so we threw her a surprise birthday party in the bishop's suite!

In the Exhibit Hall

Here's San Diego Deputy Jacqueline Bray, taking a break in the Exhibit Hall!

"As good as it Getz..."

Deputy Jacqueline Bray nominates Polly Getz to be Vice President of the House of Deputies.

Photos from GC day 6: about and around

Hannah Wilder sends these on to us:

Canon Peter Bergstrom and Mr. Bill Slocumb 

in the Episcopal Camps and Conference Center booth in the Exhibit Hall.

The Rev. Gay Jennings, just after being elected to serve as the president of the House of Deputies

What the room looks like

The House of Deputies is said to be the largest deliberative legislative body in the world.

The Cool Kids Wear Shades

Is that the San Diego Deputation in those sunglasses?

Mike Russell in action

Mike Russell in action, speaking about C057.

Mascots

MacDougal has accompanied Andrew Green to every single General Convention he has attended. Deputy Dog is experiencing his second convention with Allisyn Thomas. In 2009 in the lovely city of Anaheim, MacDougal and Deputy Dog met, and it was love at first sight. They have been pursuing a long distance relationship since 2009 and are so excited to be reunited today.

--Jacqueline Bray

Bishop Mathes on the Marks of Mission Budget

Things got rolling today. My committee, Program Budget and Finance, was organized this morning and made a critical decision to not use the budget submitted to us by the Executive Council as the foundation of our work. Rather we are going to use a budget that was subsequently developed, which we are calling the Five Marks of Mission Budget. The Episcopal News Service story is linked here: Alternative ‘template’ will guide budget work at General Convention . I am pleased with this decision. While the final budget will surely look different, our starting place has items previously and unintentionally omitted, is balanced, and corrects some incorrect assumptions about income and debt service.

Gregory Straub, secretary of the General 

Convention, sporting his Indianapolis jacket.

In anticipation of the first day of official business tomorrow, bishops and deputies gathered to hear words of welcome from the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, after which both Houses met separately for orientation.  Our San Diego deputation has front row seating.  My table in the House of Bishops is in the back…hmmm.  I am off to an evening working session of Program Budget and Finance.  Stay tuned.

--Bishop Mathes

Meanwhile, within the Deputation....

Andrew Green groveling before Deputation Chair Allisyn Thomas 

who has sole.control of a special voting machine. 

The San Diego Deputation