From the National Cathedral…

My name is Jason Roberson, I am a postulant for Holy Orders from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (my home parish is Grace Church in Charleston), and this past September I began my middler year of seminary at The Virginia Theological Seminary.  It was an honor to be able to attend today’s Holy Eucharist and Installation of the Most Rev. Michael Curry as our 27^th Presiding Bishop.  A group of several seminarians from VTS made the short trip across the Potomac from Alexandria this morning, and as we drove into Washington, we talked about how lucky we were to have tickets for this historic service (thank you, Annie and Bishop vonRosenberg, for my ticket!).

With over 2,500 people in attendance, the entrance line was long, and the seats in the central nave of the cathedral were already full (even though we arrived one hour before the service).  But we were lucky again…we were able to sit upstairs in the West Balcony with an amazing view of the entire nave.  As we took our seats, I realized I was sitting in the same row with the rector of St. Stephen’s in North Myrtle Beach and president of the diocesan Standing Committee, the Rev. Dr. Wilmot Merchant … it's a small world!

It was also great to see others from our diocese - Ginga and John Wilder from the Church of the Good Shepherd in Summerville were there, and the Rev. Jean McGraw and a group of parishioners from St. Francis in Charleston also made the trip.  Ginga took these great shots...

The liturgy was a wonderful celebration of the diversity of The Episcopal Church.  A Native American drumming band from the Piscataway Indians of Maryland provided music during the prelude and the Gospel procession.  Music of praise and worship was provided by the St. Thomas African Episcopal Church Gospel Choir and by soloists from the Latino/Hispanic Ministries of the Episcopal Church.  Prayers and readings were offered in Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and Dakota.

Today was a celebration of love and ministry: of Bishop Curry’s love for and dedication to this Church and of this new phase of his ministry.  It was also a reminder of our own baptismal covenant and of our Christian responsibility to love and minister to others.  The Great Commandment that Jesus teaches in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark could not have been made clearer:  love God and love neighbor.  Near the end of his sermon, Bishop Curry said these words, “The Holy Spirit has done evangelism and racial reconciliation before in The Episcopal Church…we are God’s children, all of us, no matter our race, no matter our religion, no matter our class, our stripe, or our type.  We’re God’s children, and we are God’s baptized children who are part of Jesus’s movement to change this world by the power of love.”  Thanks be to God!

The full, recorded webcast of today's service along with the service leaflet can be viewed here: http://www.generalconvention.org/pb-installation

Installation of Bishop Michael Curry as Presiding Bishop is this Sunday!

The Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry will be installed as the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church on November 1, 2015. He was elected and confirmed at the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City, UT, on June 27, 2015. He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society and chair of the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church.

Installation

The Holy Eucharist with the Installation of the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate will occur on Sunday, November 1 at noon Eastern at Washington National Cathedral.

The service will be reflective of the comprehensiveness of the Episcopal tradition and community. Bishop Curry will preach at the service.

The Holy Eucharist will be live webcast available here(link is external). The live webcast will be closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired. Pre-registration is not required.

The webcast will also be available here(link is external)

On demand video of the Eucharist will be available here(link is external)

The worship bulletin will be available for downloading beginning October 23 here (link is external) .

Episcopal, Anglican, ecumenical, and interreligious guests are expected to join bishops, General Convention deputies, Executive Council members, and other leaders, members and guests of The Episcopal Church for the celebration.

Media Coverage

PBS: New Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

Religion News Service: Bishop Michael Curry’s vision: A world transformed by the love of God

The Washington Post: The Episcopal Church’s first black leader — and its ‘tortuous’ path toward integration

Follow-up meetings and information

Tonight at 7:00 p.m. is the Peninsular Charleston Deanery's post-General Convention follow-up meeting. Everyone is welcome – it's at Calvary Episcopal Church, 106 Line St. in Charleston. You don't have to live in the deanery to attend.

The final GC follow-up meeting will be on August 19 at 10:30 p.m. at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170. The Southern Deanery is having a barbecue lunch afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.

Summary of General Convention actions

The General Convention website has posted a comprehensive Summary of Actions of the 78th General Convention. If you're looking for a good overview, click on this link and download the report.

A Message from the Bishop

Dear Friends,

Some time now has passed since General Convention, and perhaps some further reflection on that event will be helpful now. I am so very grateful to the deputies from our diocese and to Holly Behre for the helpful ways that information from Salt Lake City was shared “back home.” In fact, if you took advantage of such resources, you were kept quite up-to-date about news from the General Convention of The Episcopal Church. Nevertheless, I do want to add a few current words and reflections about subjects that have been raised since Convention’s adjournment.
 
Of course, the marriage canon and liturgies received a good deal of attention, and they will continue to do so. I call your attention to what I wrote soon after the Convention took action. (The Bishop's Message of July 2 can be found here.)  I will ask the diocesan Liturgical Commission to spend some time and energy in studying the rites and in helping me formulate policies for our diocese, in response to Convention action. Corresponding to understandings from Convention, our current policy involving “blessings” remains in place until Advent I (November 29, 2015). At that point, the liturgies for marriage will be appropriate to use, as authorized rites of the Church.
 
Discussion about formulating a policy on alcohol use in churches has been ongoing in Diocesan Council meetings for several months. There was a resolution passed on such policies at General Convention. Therefore, that resolution will become part of the considerations at our next Council meeting, in September. I imagine that we will be prepared to publish and publicize a diocesan policy soon after that time.
 
Anti-racism training for clergy has been mandated by General Church canons for a number of years, and such training also has been directed for those laity in positions of church leadership as well. Once again, training in anti-racism was a matter of discussion and support at this General Convention. This is a timely topic for us in South Carolina for many reasons, and it represents an appropriate subject for special training. Prior to General Convention, we had arranged for Dain and Constance Perry to offer initial training here, in September. Information about those opportunities is available on our website, and I encourage your attention to this matter. In this regard, though, we all need to be aware that such training will not complete our responsibility to deal with personal and systemic racism in our world. Indeed, this is a life-long journey.
 
Finally, a matter of local interest involves a new canon dealing with a process of reinstating clergy who previously had left The Episcopal Church. We had a particular interest in this matter, because of our experiences in this regard while there was no canon yet in existence. The canon that finally came out of committee for consideration was greatly influenced by experiences in South Carolina. Indeed, the process which we formulated and put into practice here is now followed pretty closely in the canons for the whole Church.
 
Much of the work of General Convention – requiring a great deal of the time of many people – may seem remote and somehow removed from the experiences of the local church. Indeed, a concern I always have at General Convention is the need for links and connections between the work done in such a large setting and the people in the pews on Sunday mornings. General Convention, at its best, meets, prays, deliberates, and makes decisions on the part of the whole Church … and in service to the Church.
 
As I look over the topics I have mentioned in this communication, I certainly am aware that each one of them has particular, local interest and application – not just the final one listed. The General Convention has the responsibility to consider matters of local interest and concern and to formulate policy – or decide not to formulate policy – that makes sense for the Church at large. This particular Convention, perhaps more than any other I have attended, did an excellent job in valuing the local experience, while also appreciating the distinctions among us. For this reason and for many others, it was an honor to attend the Convention, representing Episcopalians from South Carolina!
 
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg

Following up on GC78

The convention is over, but the blog continues

Thanks to all who have followed this weblog through General Convention. We'll be continuing to post here periodically with reflections and information.

Want an overview?

Follow this link for an Episcopal News Service article that provides an excellent overview of the major business that was completed at General Convention. Within each section is a link you can follow for more details.

Post-General Convention deanery meetings

Each deanery in the diocese is organizing a get-together with deputies to offer information and answer questions about General Convention. Here are the ones that have been set up so far; a date for the Peninsular Charleston deanery will be announced later.

July 23, 1:00 pm
Pee Dee/Waccamaw Deanery (location TBD)
July 26, 2:00 pm
West Charleston Deanery, at St. Thomas, North Charleston
August 19, 10:30 am
Southern Deanery, at the Episcopal Church in Okatie on Highway 170, with Deputies Rick Lindsey and Mary Ann Foy. A barbecue lunch is being served afterward, so participants are asked to RSVP by August 12: stmarksc@gmail.com or (843) 379-1020.

On the op-ed page

The election of our first African American Presiding Bishop is evidence of a revival in The Episcopal Church, according to this article by the Rev. Donald Fishburne

Deputy Diary: Our next Presiding Bishop

Lonnie Hamilton:

In February 2014, Bishop Michael Curry came to preach at the Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina at All Saints', Hilton Head Island. I remember shaking Bishop Curry's hand and saying to him, "Bishop, if the opportunity should present itself, I hope you would consider running as a candidate for Presiding Bishop." 

Bishop Curry said, "I will pray on that."

On June 27, 2015, I received a powerful lesson on the power of prayer when Bishop Curry was elected as the first African American Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.

The margin of the votes he received was an indication of what a superior candidate he was for the office.

All of us should put on our Jesus garments and get ready for an exciting new religious journey.

- Lonnie Hamilton

Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry preaching at the final Eucharist
of General Convention on July 3, 2015

Deputy Diary: Daily Eucharists

From Charles Geer:

As an Episcopalian in the Anglocatholic tradition I am naturally drawn to the daily Eucharists. It has been invigorating to go to mass daily and see and hear the different presentations. Psalmody in its various chants, hymns of praise (many old favorites) for the Gloria, multiple settings for the Sanctus, and the different Eucharistic prayers which are robust in meaning and wording.

It was particularly thrilling to go the service on Thursday morning where the Bishop of the Dominican Republic presided and the music of the DR accompanied. I can't imagine what today's service will bring!

All of this in the setting of traditional ceremonial and vestments (including mitres). I missed the bells and incense, but that is acceptable for a daily mass given the excitement of the variety.

Sermons were centered in one way or another on the Five Marks of Mission in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition. If you don't know the Five Marks of Mission, look them up.

Preludes, communion music, and postludes included: gospel music by the Voorhees and St. Augustine college choirs, the Kenshin Taiko Drummers, Lux Singers singing a capella, native American drumming and flute, and a jazz ensemble which, with organ, presented and unforgetable Widor postlude following a jazz mass.

All of this, and communion served to over a thousand in less than an hour.

Thanks be to God,

Charles

Charles Geer at the June 26 daily Eucharist at General Convention.

A Tale of Two Perspectives - The Rev. Dr. Jim Taylor

For the past twelve years, specifically since coming to South Carolina, I have heard how awful General Convention was to attend. As I get ready to depart the 78^th General Convention, I want to say this has NOT been my experience.  Attendees from other dioceses have been courteous, encouraging and welcoming to our deputation.  They have wanted to hear our stories, and learn about the ministries we are performing in the diocese. The one comment, I have heard from other deputies the most, “We in the Church have much to learn from South Carolina.” When individuals have made this statement, I believe they are genuine, and are ready to stand in unity and partnership with us.  For me, it has been good to see the larger Church at work.  Certainly not everyone agreed on all resolutions that were proposed but the House of Deputies discussed these resolutions with respect and Godly graciousness, so the work of the House could be performed. For this experience in Salt Lake City, I am grateful, blessed and renewed. 

The Legislative Committee that I served on was Stewardship and Development.  The Chairs of the Committee were the Rev. Andrew Green, Palm Springs, CA and the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, West Texas.  I served as Vice-Chair.  We had numerous resolutions before our committee. Specifically, we discussed Donors Bill of Rights, Rates for Diocesan Apportionment Asking, Encourage the Ministry of the Development Office in the Episcopal Church, Worship Offering at General Convention and Non-Participation Pertaining to Stock Purchase of For-Profit Prisons. Once again, Committee members respected differing opinions, and edited resolutions that we believed would be good for the House of Deputies. Not all of the resolutions passed once presented, which was fine, but the work of the Committee was faithful and dutiful. 

"We are not leaving!"

The House of Deputies rises to applaud for the South Carolina deputation.

(Watch this on streaming video here... the presentation starts at about 24:00 minutes in the video titled "HOD 07-02-15 Morning")

South Carolina experienced a wonderful moment in the House of Deputies during this morning's legislative session after Deputy Wilmot Merchant, who is president of our Standing Committee, rose for a point of personal privilege.

"Please allow me to invite the Deputation of South Carolina to please stand," he said... and then added quickly: "We are not leaving!" That drew some laughter, as well as applause that became a standing ovation for our deputies. Fr. Merchant went on to explain that in 2012, nearly all of the South Carolina deputation left General Convention.

He then thanked The Episcopal Church, the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies for their continuing support of our diocese in its reorganization. "We appreciate your support and prayers as we continue our journey," Fr. Merchant said. "We know that the road is long ahead, but with God's help, we will continue to be present" at General Conventions.

The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, recognized both Lonnie Hamilton (our one South Carolina deputy who stayed at GC in 2012) and Tom Tisdale, who is here this year after a hiatus for his fifth General Convention.

"We commend you for your courage, your perseverance, your faithfulness and your love for The Episcopal Church and the prayers of this House are with you every day," she said.

Fr. Merchant holds up a TECSC tote bag and pins as a thank-you gift
for the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop.

Lift ev'ry voice

Voorhees and St. Augustine's singers

Each of the daily Eucharists at General Convention has been a high point in its own way, but Tuesday's had a special South Carolina connection as we gathered near the piano and choir area to hear musicians from Voorhees College combine with those from St. Augustine's in Raleigh, NC to sing for the service. 

An estimated 2,000 people were there to hear their beautiful singing, and to hear the sermon by the Reverend Kimberly Jackson of Atlanta. We were celebrating the feast day of James Weldon Johnson, who wrote the text of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing" – and that was our opening hymn on Tuesday.

Voorhees choir director Rosemary Griffin, right, sings arm in arm
with singers from Voorhees and St. Augustine's at the conclusion
of their postlude on Tuesday.

From the moment the choirs began to sing, hands were clapping or raised in the air as their beautiful and powerful voices rang out in the giant worship hall. But for many of us from South Carolina, the most moving moment came at the end, when the choirs and the crowd that remained to hear them all linked arms and sang "Amazing Grace" together. 

See a photo album from the service here.

A Message from the Bishop

Note: The House of Deputies on Wednesday concurred with the House of Bishops on two resolutions that provide two new marriage liturgies for trial use, and change the canon regarding marriage. An Episcopal News Service article on these changes can be found here. Bishop vonRosenberg voted in favor of these resolutions, A054 and A036, and the South Carolina deputation was unanimous in voting for them.

From Bishop vonRosenberg:

One of the actions of General Convention, meeting in Salt Lake City, includes changes made to our church canon on marriage. In terms of timing, this change will take effect on Advent I (November 29, 2015). Therefore, we have some time to prepare for this change and to anticipate its effects. This, then, is my initial communication to our diocese about the matter, but as we continue to pray, confer, and plan, it surely will not be the last one.

At the outset, we clearly affirm the presence and participation of faithful gay and lesbian Episcopalians who have been important participants in the mission and ministry of our church through the years. Of course, that affirmation has not always been the case. By this action at General Convention, we repent of previous exclusion, and we indicate our intention to practice full inclusion in the future.

In addition, this canonical change renews our commitment to continue to engage the society into which God has called us. The Episcopal/Anglican tradition calls us into such dialogue with our world and with the particular context in which we are blessed to live. As we know, the law of the land has changed in terms of marriage. This canonical modification keeps The Episcopal Church in the conversation about marriage in our society, and it indicates our intention to position ourselves within the flow of history on this matter.

As has always been the case, a clergy person may choose to decline to officiate at any marriage. Thus, it is important to understand that this canonical change gives permission to officiate at same-sex marriages, but it does not indicate that clergy must do so. In other words, the change in canons is permissive but not directive in nature.

Another aspect of this canonical change – one that is frankly unpredictable – involves the effect it may have on our church's relationship with other bodies. As we know, The Episcopal Church itself includes dioceses outside this country, and in some of those places, same-sex marriage is not the law of the land. In those cases, the liturgy for blessings will continue to be available, but the liturgies for same-sex marriage will not be applicable.

Further challenges will emerge in our ecumenical relationships, and in those within the Anglican Communion. Once again in the United States – our context in the Christian journey – we find ourselves in the forefront of social change. This position can be exciting, or it can be lonely and uncomfortable. Sometimes it is all of those things. Our call as The Episcopal Church is to be faithful – faithful, first of all, to God as revealed in Christ and as known through the Holy Spirit; faithful to the Spirit’s movement in our particular time and place; and faithful to the commandment of our Lord to love God, neighbor and self, with the open heart of Jesus himself.

- The Right Reverend Charles G. vonRosenberg

Trellis and Vine

They told me that it would be about day 7 that I would be ready to come home.  I do miss home, we all do.  We miss that wonderful corner of the Kingdom of God that we call the Lowcountry.  We miss our families, our parishes, our beds and some of us miss our cars with all of the walking we have done this past week and a half!

General Convention is hard work.  Not the kind that builds muscle or increases our fitness, although we do have sore muscles—at least ones we have sat on so often.  How shall we describe the General Convention, or with what parable shall we use to speak of it?  The best metaphor I have heard so far is this:  “General Convention builds the trellis of structure on which the vine of mission grows.”  However, do not think the “trellis” mentioned is not the kind found in the Do It Yourself magazines advertised as something a beginner can build over the course of a weekend.  Think more along the lines of the Eiffel Tower.

This may seem unnecessarily complex and unapproachable by uninitiated. However, something my childhood rector used to say keeps me coming back for more.  “God reveals himself to man as man is able to understand Him.”  (Now, to be clear, inclusive language was neither as accepted back then, nor was he inclined to use it.)  Whether or not God has revealed God’s Church to Episcopalians in this way, looking around on the floor of the House of Deputies it seems that this is at least how we have been  able to understand it.

But that may be changing.  The Taskforce for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC) was called together by the General Convention of 2012 to look closely at our “trellis” and discern new ways of understanding our governance, structure and polity.  As I write this, the House of Deputies is debating resolutions that focus on these changes.  Another metaphor is to think of the church as an oceanliner undergoing refit and we must discern what about our church is barnacle to be removed and rivet to be replaced. I must admit, I would prefer to write this post before and during the debate and not try to explain the potential changes that might be made.

It must be remembered throughout all of this that it is not God who evolves and changes, but our understanding of God that changes—it grows as we grow closer to one another and deeper in the knowledge and love of God and it probably shrinks as we build tombs around our hearts and demand proof and certainty instead of relying on the faith that God gives to us.

May we seek to be open to the Spirit as we continue to seek after a better understanding of God and all that God has given us, building our trellis of structure as best we can, all the while giving thanks for the most precious gift of all, the vine of God's mission in the world and our invitation to take our part in it.

Deputy Diary: Budget Matters

The budget came out late yesterday from Program Budget & Finance (known as PB&F) and we will discuss it at the beginning of the afternoon session today.

The budget is remarkably large, over $27 million, and is split up among the five Marks of Mission. Being a formation person, Mark 2, to teach, baptize, and nurture new believers, is the one that I have been following the most closely. It is the only Mark that was cut this triennium and I spoke to the Deputy News with some others about it yesterday. You can hear the whole podcast here. But the article in the Deputy News, says it much more clearly than I ever could:

"The budget uses the Anglican Communion’s five Marks of Mission as its organizing principle, and raises funding in four of the five areas, while cutting some $200,000 from the section devoted primarily Christian formation. Christian formation professionals say that the significant increases proposed for church planting and evangelism will be ineffective if the church does not invest in education and formation." Read more here.

The big take-away for me, though, is that we have been passing some incredible legislation with rather large price tags. It feels so good to say "Yes, I want to allocate $5 million dollars to build new churches!" but unless it makes it into the budget, it won't come true. I am very happy to see there is $2 million in the budget for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, $100,000 for Forma which is a group of which I am a member and whole-heartedly support, $3 million for starting new congregations, $1.2 million less for legal expenses than last triennium, and approximately $800,000 (depends on some grants) for Voorhees. So we are definitely doing some good work for the kingdom.

Off to a big day to discuss structure, budget, and marriage! Hope we will have some exciting updates this evening.

Andrea (right) gets ready to record a podcast hosted by the Rev. Emily Mellott about the structure debates taking place during General Convention. With them are Randall Curtis, president of Forma (left) and Lisa Kimball, Professor of Christian Formation and Congregational Leadership and Director of the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Deputy Diary: Wilmot's General Convention Experience

Wilmot Merchant:

As a first time Clergy Deputy to General Convention, representing The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, I am amazed by the schedule and the speed with which things are being done. My first reaction was, this is like a very large family reunion, and you are meeting people that you having seen for many years and some for a few months; thank God for name tags. There seems to be is true joy in the meeting and greeting that is taking place. Because of the schedule, many things are overlapping and so you have to make decision of where you will be, while at the same time, at least in mine case, you are on a Legislative Committee and you are expected to be there. Believe it or not, some of us we keep running and being at the places we have decided to be. For me it was Saturday night, I did not attend my Legislative Committee Hearing, because I when to the Program Budget and Finance hearing.

With Dr. Charles V. Willie, former Vice President of the House of Deputies.

After the hearing, the Union of Black Episcopalians hosted a reception for the Presiding Bishop-Elect.

With the Presiding Bishop-Elect

As we gathered in the room, having refreshment and drinks and were reflecting on the day’s event, the election of Bishop Curry; we were told that when he comes in, we will gather around him lay hands on him and pray for him; but no one was identify to pray. When the Bishop Curry came in we gathered around him to pray for him. As we gathered around him and lay hands on him, Canon Richard Miller said Wilmot you pray. Because I did not know I was going to be asked, I paused for a minute and then open my mouth; and for the next few minutes words came pouring out. I do not remember what I said, but sure the Holy Spirit knows, everyone in the room heard me pray. Since Saturday, I have been stopped a number of times and thanked for the prayer. That moment on Saturday night, has become the highpoint of this Convention for me thus far. We still have more days to go before the Convention ends, and so we go on…

Praying for Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry

Moments from GC78

The pace of activity at General Convention is fast, but there are some moments that we don't want to slip by unnoticed on this blog. This morning at Eucharist, we'll be hearing singers from Voorhees College, who have traveled here from Denmark, SC, to sing in a combined choir. (Watch the service live at 11:30 am in South Carolina, here: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc/) Watch for more about this later today.

Historically Black Colleges

Last Friday, our deputation spent some time at lunch with the presidents of the two Episcopal Church-affiliated historically black colleges, Voorhees College in Denmark SC and St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. It was an emotional time: The group had just finished watching President Obama’s eulogy at the funeral for Sen. Clementa Pinckney in Charleston. The president of Voorhees, Dr. Cleveland Sellers, fought back tears as he stood at the podium, and asked St. Augustine’s President Dr. Everett B. Ward to join him to introduce the program.

Voorhees student Daryl Harper addresses the college presidents' luncheon.

Bishop vonRosenberg greets
Voorhees President
Dr. Cleveland Sellers

The event was a chance to talk about the value and contributions of these institutions, and make a plea for increased financial support. These are the only two HCBUs remaining in The Episcopal Church. Changes to federal student loan programs have caused enrollment to drop at both schools, the presidents said. Ideally, they said, $1 million a year for each school could let them achieve full enrollment and work toward achieving their missions.

Describing his journey to becoming a student at Voorhees, student Daryl Harper spoke eloquently of how people at the school believed in him. “Voorhees attracts broken souls, but it builds leaders,” he said.

Both Bishop vonRosenberg and Bishop Andrew Waldo of Upper South Carolina were there; both dioceses recognize Voorhees as diocesan institutions.

Honoring a leader in the House of Deputies

Deputy Lonnie Hamilton had a special assignment on June 27 as a member of the Privilege and Courtesy Committee. He escorted to the platform Dr. Charles Willie, who was vice president of the House of Deputies. 

Lonnie Hamilton, right, escorts Dr. Willie into the House of Deputies.

Dr. Willie was the preacher at the ordination of the first women priests in The Episcopal Church, sometimes known as the Philadelphia 11. In 1974, when the House of Bishops refused to uphold their ordination, he resigned in protest. On Saturday, the President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, presented Dr. Willie with the House of Deputies Medal. Read more about him in the text of this resolution approved in his honor.

Deputy Diary: From our deputation chairman

Tom Tisdale:

I am very pleased to report to you that our deputation from South Carolina has worked quite well together in all aspects of the activities at the 78th General Convention of our Church. There is a lot of activity, and there are many issues for us to consider and participate in resolving. We are gratified and pleased that we are once again a real and welcome part of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. I personally have enjoyed re-engaging in long-time relationships with old friends and meeting many new friends who, like all of us, are interested in everything that is going on in our Church.

The most exciting aspect of what we have done is to participate in the selection of Bishop Michael Curry as our next Presiding Bishop, whose election we, as members of the House of Deputies, confirmed after the vote of the House of Bishops. Many people, and I personally, believe that his leadership will transform our Church in many positive ways over the next few years.

It is difficult to describe the breadth of activity at this convention, as almost all of our church-related organizations are active participants in everything that we do. As examples, the University of the South has a strong presence here, as do most of the seminaries of our church. There is a vast Exhibit Hall containing information and products from many organizations and companies related to Episcopal Church activities, from bookstores to vestment makers, and even a food court where we often have lunch.

It is most gratifying for us, as representatives of our diocese, to see and feel the importance and the high quality of everything our Church represents and is offering to the whole world. Its mission is expanding and strong.

(Thomas S. Tisdale, Jr. was elected chair of the deputation in 2014. This is the fifth General Convention he has attended, but the first since 1985.)

Walking, singing and praying to end gun violence

This morning, our deputation and several others attending General Convention from South Carolina walked together in a prayerful procession called "Claiming Common Ground Against Gun Violence" sponsored by the group Bishops United Against Gun Violence. (More about the event is here: http://www.claimitgc.org/)

The event began not long after sunrise in Salt Lake City, and participants walked through the downtown streets singing together, "Out of the deep I call / Unto thee, O Lord, / Consider well the sound of my longing soul."

South Carolina's participants were wearing dark blue t-shirts with the beautiful image created by Mount Pleasant artist Gil Shuler as a message of unity after the shooting deaths of the Emanuel 9: a white palmetto tree and crescent for our state flag, with nine white doves ascending toward heaven.

You can find a photo album from the march here.

A message from Bishop vonRosenberg

June 27, 2014

The election today of the Right Reverend Michael Curry as our 27th Presiding Bishop is a historic day for the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, as well as for the whole Episcopal Church. This is a moment which is positive and hopeful for our future. Michael Curry’s election as our first African American Presiding Bishop comes against the backdrop of the terrible tragedy at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, but also amid signs of hope: a desire for racial reconciliation and a willingness to work together across the lines that have divided us to improve quality of life and educational opportunities for all. The gifts that Michael Curry brings as our next Presiding Bishop make this sense of hope real, vital and exciting. As he told the bishops and deputies assembled for the announcement today, “Nothing can stop the movement of God’s love in this world.”

Just as there is much joy in this election, there is also a great sense of gratitude for Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who will remain in office until November. As well, there is much appreciation for each of the other three nominees. As Presiding Bishop-Elect Curry told the House of Bishops today, all four candidates have been on a journey together. This is a necessary part of our governance, for people to be open to the leadings of the Spirit and the will of the Church, and I am extremely grateful that both of those movements are converging so closely together at this moment in our history.

I commend each of these leaders and their families to your prayers, along with all of the bishops and deputies who are assembled in Salt Lake City for General Convention, that our work together may indeed show “the movement of God’s love in this world.”

Next Presiding Bishop

The Right Reverend Michael Curry from the Diocese of North Carolina has been elected as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. More details to come...

Election for Presiding Bishop

There is a buzz among the deputies in the House anticipating word from the House of Bishops that they have elected the next Presiding Bishop for our Church. Looking at our schedule for today, that election will probably happen sometime this afternoon. The formal announcement of an election will be carried from the House of Bishops to the House of Deputies and given to the President of the House of Deputies to announce to Convention. At such time President Gay Jennings will proceed and ask our House to officially confirm the election. 

I am thrilled that each candidate for Presiding Bishop came to the House of Deputies two days ago, in a special joint session, and offered their vision for our Church moving forward in a complicated yet hungry world; a world longing to connect with a living and loving God, and a responsive, relevant, caring body of Christ. 

The election is really a process of discernment, that in prayer and silence and seeking the will of God,a candidate will emerge whose life and faith and talents is the person to lead our beloved Church in this day and age. I trust that process.

May we pray for those who have humbly placed their names in nomination for Presiding Bishop:

Tom Breidenthal

Dabney Smith

Ian Douglas

Michael Curry

Almighty God, by your grace you have called into discernment our Church for the election of the Presiding Bishop; you have also called into that discernment process four bishops among us and we thank you for their willingness to stand for election. By your grace provide a leader among leaders who will lead faithfully and with courage this your Church. We place before you, your servants Tom, Ian, Dabney and Michael. In Christ we pray.

Deputy Diary: Joy in the House

June 26,2015

Today began with a rousing worship service. The musical genre was somewhat jazz-y and really cool. Because of the earlier announcement concerning the Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage throughout the country, the house was jubilant and the tone was celebratory.

President of the House of Deputies, The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, preached and she is a great preacher! As she discussed the visions in both Isaiah (6:1-5) and The Revelation to John (5:8-14), even the interpretation for the deaf conveyed the joy with which we heard the Biblical texts explained. We were a congregation blessed by renewed spirit for our mission not only in this place but also into the world, "so that we all may be one." (John 17:17-23). The sermon spoke to both our spirit moving forward from this place and time and the renewal of the Holy Spirit in each of us for a new day's business.

Our morning legislative session was a combined meeting of both Houses--Bishops and Deputies. The four nominations for Presiding Bishop were made. No frills...no surprises.

Most of our delegation rushed from the legislative session to the Sheraton Hotel for lunch at the Historically Black College Presidents Forum (Voorhees and St. Augustine's).  This nice event was very moving given that it was held only moments after President Obama finished his eulogy at the funeral of Sen. Pinckney.  Even in Utah we were watching and listening. It was very emotional for all of us, but, once again, the event ended on a positive note--hearing from 4 college students who are wonderful representatives of their schools.

In the afternoon this deputy spent a few minutes strolling through the Exhibit Hall, telling the Episcopal Church on Edisto story and drooling over the lovely vestments, altar pieces, and chalices.

The afternoon session opened as usual with prayers for those recently ill and for the bereaved in Charleston.  We ended with a bongo Alleluia chorus.  Rousing again.

The session consisted of reports, resolutions, amendments, a little humor, and some progress through our ambitious convention agenda.  At times it seemed that our business had little to do with The Kingdom; yet every speaker and every vote was offered with respect and good intentions. We ended the day with deputies heading in all directions, still working, still anxious for steps forward. Thanks be to God!

Speaking for anti-racism curricula for youth

Testifying at a Legislative Committee hearing at GC78.

The Rev. Wil Keith of Holy Cross Faith Memorial in Pawley's Island testified before the Formation and Education for Ministry Committee in favor of D040, a resolution to create and fund youth anti-racism curricula. The text of the resolution is here, and Fr. Wil's remarks are here:

"My sisters and brothers, we reap what we sow. As Christians, I hope this is something that we have all heard or read somewhere before.  It’s a simple concept, really. If you sow cotton, you will not reap peanuts or tobacco, you will reap cotton. Many of those who have been called to minister to and among the youth of our Church recognize this as a sowing ministry. We treasure the all too few moments of reaping when a youth of bygone days returns to us as a God-loving and Jesus-following adult. 

"However, recent events in my diocese have reminded us of the darker side of this principle. The perpetrator in the Charleston, South Carolina shootings said that he “almost” didn't go through with the killings because of the welcome and hospitality his victims showed him on that night. I imagine that this was the first time he may have been allowed, by himself or by others, to experience this outside of his own race…my race. In the Kingdom of God, to experience and share this welcome and hospitality across race and culture is the norm. 

Resolution D040 promotes sowing the seeds of cross cultural understanding and reconciliation. It promotes the seeds of sisterhood and brotherhood as fellow children of God and it seeks to sow those seeds in our most amenable and susceptible soil…our children."

Deputy Diary: Doing More in Memory of the Emanuel 9

Andrea McKellar:

My water cup. "Be the change in the world you want to see"

It is 4:30 in the morning here in Salt Lake City. No rest for the weary. Most days so far have been get up at 5 am, go steadily to meetings til 9 pm, regroup and fall into bed. The stereotype that people have of General Convention being a big cocktail party is not true or I am hanging out with the wrong people. The benefit of being younger is that I am bouncing back well so far but I will check back in in a few days.

Today will be a special day for me and our deputation. With the assistance of The Rev. Wil Keith from Pawley's Island and The Rev. Nurya Love Parish from Grand Rapids, Michigan, we submitted two resolutions.

One (D039) is to send a deputation from The Episcopal Church to an ecumenical gathering that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is sponsoring in September to discuss race in our country. It is so important for us to partner with our brothers and sisters in Christ to have this conversation.

The second (D040) is to create a Youth curricula in Anti-Racism. This resolution will receive testimony at 2:15 pm today at the committee on which I serve. I believe these materials are necessary because our youth are hungering to talk about these topics but many youth leaders and clergy to not have the resources to start the conversation. In the last 9 months in our country, countless acts of violence have been seen and people are waking up to the fact that racism still exists in our country and it is all of our jobs to name it and fix it. 

The 2015 Official Youth Presence with Bishop Katharine

At General Convention, there is a group called the Offical Youth Presence, made up of 18 youth aged 16 to 19 from each of the 9 provinces of The Episcopal Church. It is a diverse group of exceptional individuals that make our time together more fruitful and meaningful. I have asked them to speak to this resolution if they are so moved and I wait to see what the Holy Spirit will do!

I had planned on being quiet this General Convention. To observe the proceedings, being my first, and come back with knowledge on how to make a difference in future years. But at the Prayer Vigil I attended the day after the Mother Emanuel AME Church shootings, the AME bishops told us to pray, and mourn and grieve but then to get off our knees and go into our communities, break the silence, and work to make a difference in the world. General Convention is my chance to do that and I hope my voice will be loud enough for them to hear back in Charleston.

From General Convention - JimTaylor

Today, began a good day for our deputation. This was the first official legislative day for the Convention. Most of us assembled at 8:00am, to vote on some minor business for the Convention. This was the first time the deputies had the opportunity to officially vote. After voting, it was time for the Opening Eucharist of the Convention.

As, you can imagine, the Holy Eucharist was inspiring, glorious and filled with the Spirit. The Celebrant and Preacher for the Eucharist was the Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. She talked about how we as the Church can build a new road in a broken, sinful and fallen world. In her sermon she referred to the tragic event that occurred at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC. She was amazed at the offer of forgiveness displayed by the victim’s family. The Presiding Bishop said, “We can help to build a different kind of road. One with light bearers rather than death dealers. The good news is there are forerunners at work in all the places of the world’s conflict and hate – forerunners pointing to the Prince of Peace. Members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston made their light-filled witness at the arraignment of the young man charged with shooting their fellow parishioners. They stood up and said, ‘we forgive you, even in the midst of our nearly boundless pain; hate must not win.’” Her words touched all of us, and helped to set the tone for our business at the Convention. The rest of the day was filled with Legislative Committee meetings and a Legislative Session.

One of the traditions of the Convention, is that each deputation decorates their pole sign that tells which diocese they are representing. Andrea McKellar decorated ours to look like a Palmetto Tree. She did a wonderful and creative job, and very much appreciated by our deputation. Several other deputies came to our tables, and commented that we had the best decorated sign.

Well, that is all for the day. It is time to get some rest, and prepare for tomorrow. Blessings.

Committee work on clergy reinstatements

From the Bishop:

On Wednesday evening, I testified before Committee 12, Formation & Education for Ministry, regarding a resolution designed to facilitate reinstatement of deacons and priests formerly removed from ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church. Of course, this is a matter about which we have both interest and experience. Indeed, we have reinstated two priests thus far, but we did so without benefit of church canon (law), for the canons did not anticipate circumstances like ours in South Carolina.

In my testimony, I raised several questions about the proposed canon before the committee, while reflecting on the process we had followed. The response was quite positive and supportive. People on the committee were interested in our experience, and they wanted to apply that experience to the proposed canon.

As a result of this time before Committee 12, I find myself working with a subcommittee to "perfect" the resolution, making sure to inject the lessons learned from our experiences in South Carolina.

This, then, is one way that our deputation to General Convention is being warmly received as full and appreciated members of The Episcopal Church. In this case, we are present to offer what wisdom we have gained, for the benefit of the whole Church.

Bishop vonRosenberg testifying before the Formation & Education for Ministry Committee of General Convention.

Deputy Diary: Presiding Bishop Nominees

Andrea McKellar:
This afternoon the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops met together to hear from the four Presiding Bishop nominees,


The Rt. Rev. Thomas Breidenthal

The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry

The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas

The Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith

 

Bishop Q&A categories

It was part video production, part vision statement, and part Jeopardy.  The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop invited people from all over the church to submit questions in May.  As they received questions, they noticed several themes emerging and grouped the questions into eight categories.  Once we saw the colorful backdrop, all the jokes started on Twitter that it was PB Jeopardy, Bingo, or other assorted board games.

 

The bishops then each grabbed colored pieces of paper out of a fish bowl to find out what question they would answer. While lengthy, this turned out to be an interesting way to hear from the candidates on a wide range of issues instead of canned speeches. I was especially excited that a question I had submitted was asked of Bishop Breidenthal. "If elected Presiding Bishop, how will you support reorganizing dioceses and ensure that the "big tent" of The Episcopal Church continues to have room for differing viewpoints?" I will admit that I was so excited that they asked my question that I did not hear all of the answer. What I did hear though I liked...that we are part of a category of small & poor dioceses, reorganized diocese have something to teach all of us about how to walk through pain and come out the other side, and relationships between poor and rich dioceses can create bridges.

Here we are hard at work during the Orientation

 

Over all the consensus was that The Episcopal Church is in good hands because any of the four candidates would make a terrific Presiding Bishop, although most of us are rooting for Bishop Curry.  The House of Bishops will elect the next PB on Saturday so check back for exciting news then.

 

All in all, it was a great first full (14 hours) day and I am off to bed. I look forward to the days to come and am encouraged by the work we are doing. We would love to hear questions from South Carolina if you are curious about what goes on here. Feel free to leave comments below and follow us on Twitter, and Facebook!

 

Deputy Diary: Remembering the Emanuel 9 at General Convention

Andrea McKellar:

While we are far away in Salt Lake City, our hearts and minds are still very much with the people of South Carolina. Tonight will mark one week since the horrific shooting of nine people at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. It was very hard for me to leave Charleston while my city is grieving. But we remember that we are here to do important work. General Convention is a place where we can make change in The Episcopal Church and strive to improve the world in many ways. To that end, I brought reminders of the Emanuel 9 with me here. I have the beautiful Post & Courier cover that ran on Sunday, a drawing by a Mount Pleasant 7-year-old, and the bulletin from the prayer vigil I attended the morning after the shooting.

Remembering the Emanuel 9 at General Convention

But I still felt like we needed to do more. Last night, I realized that I would be beginning a Legislative Hearing at 7 pm tonight Mountain Time. It will be exactly one week since the shooting, and there must be a way to honor that. Through work of our deputation, we have written a prayer that will be read at all of the Legislative Meetings tonight at General Convention. The Emanuel 9 will be remembered by the thousands of Episcopalians here so that they can pray for and with us. We hope that you all may read the same prayer with us this evening.

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As the Legislative Committees of the 78th General Convention gather for hearings at 7:00 p.m. today, it is exactly one week since nine people were murdered at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

We give thanks for the faithfulness of God's people and we pray that, as in the death of all martyrs, God may continue to be glorified in the lives of all saints. And we pray,

O God, it is your will to hold both heaven and earth in a single peace. Let the design of your great love shine on the pains of our woundedness, confusion and great sorrow, and continue to bring peace to our community, peace to your Church, peace among peoples, and peace in our homes. And may the balm of your reconciling love lived out among us continue to soothe our suffering hearts. All this we pray in name of our wounded and risen Savior, God with us, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reporting from Salt Lake City

Tuesday, June 23

See a photo album from today at this link.

As the exhibit halls and registration opened for the 78th General Convention today, members of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina were gathering in Salt Lake City, getting oriented, reconnecting with old friends, checking out the vastness of the Salt Palace Convention Center, and learning what people mean by “It’s a dry heat.”

Close to 10,000 people are expected to participate in GC78 for at least some part of the event, including 4,500 who are registered already. With that many Episcopalians all converging on the same place, it’s ripe for coincidental meetings. “Not even to baggage claim and I’ve already seen five people I know. It really is a family reunion,” Deputy Andrea McKellar texted from the SLC airport.

Mary Ann Foy, as a member of the Credentials Committee, got to renew acquaintances from the recent  Province IV meeting as she helped with the check-in process for deputies, which opened at 9 am.

Amanda Keith, wife of alternate deputy Fr. Wil Keith, checked in as a visitor and as the official representative who will bring forward South Carolina’s United Thank Offering gift at the UTO Ingathering on Sunday, June 28.

Lauren Kinard continued the fast-paced preparations that have been under way for days in the House of Bishops Secretariat. Her role is to be the official action recorder, ensuring that each piece of legislation acted upon by the HOB is properly recorded.

As your diocesan communications director, I picked up my official media credentials for GC78, and then attended a media conference with Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, President of the House of Deputies Gay Clark Jennings, and General Convention Executive Officer Michael Barlowe.

The Presiding Bishop put the triennial gathering into perspective like this: “We’re here to participate in transforming this world into something that looks more like what God had in mind when God created it.”

It’s aiming to be the greenest and most digitally-oriented GC ever – not quite paperless, Canon Barlowe says, but a big step forward both in conservation of paper and in efficiency. Deputies began picking up their iPads today so they can use the new “Virtual Binder” app that replaces the old paper binders used at previous conventions.

President Jennings also noted that “we come together at a very tense time in our nation’s history,” referring to incidents of police violence against black citizens and the shooting deaths of nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. She said systems of racism and privilege are “inextricably bound up” with the history of both the United States and the Church. General Convention, she said, is a place where Episcopalians can take action to change that.

Though the South Carolina group is far from home, we keep being reminded that we’re never far from the hearts and minds of people in other parts of the Church. The tragedy at Emanuel, the stories of forgiveness, grace and unity, and the current demonstrations over the Confederate flag – people want us to know they are paying attention to these things, that they care, and that they are praying with us. Several people mentioned services they’ve held in memory of the Emanuel Nine at their own churches, thousands of miles from Charleston. They’ve also been following the news of our diocese and its efforts at reconciliation with the group that split off from the Church. And again: they are praying for us, and with us. All these connections bring reminders of sadness, but also profound gratitude that we are not alone, and a sense of Resurrection hope.

This evening, most of our group has meetings and receptions to attend as we continue to find our way around this very beautiful and different part of Creation. We’re staying only 3 blocks from the convention center, but unlike Charleston, the city blocks here are wide and long. By mid-afternoon, the high temperature downtown was 97, and it’s forecast to rise above 100 by Sunday and stay there. But with no noticeable humidity or stickiness, it doesn’t feel anything like the 97 we know back home. At night, it’s a dry and pleasant 68. And if that weren’t enough evidence that we’re not in the Lowcountry anymore, there is snow on the nearby mountaintops.

Meet the Deputies: Wil Keith

The Reverend William J. Keith

Wil Keith in his chaplain's firefighter gear.

As first alternate in the clergy order for our deputation, Wil Keith is in Salt Lake City for General Convention. 

Fr. Wil became Rector of Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church in Pawley’s Island in July 2012. A lifelong Episcopalian, he grew up in a small church in Asheville, N.C., serving as an acolyte for the greater part of his youth. A graduate of Appalachian State University and the University of the South at Sewanee, Fr. Wil came to our diocese from East Tennessee, where he served under Bishop Charles G. vonRosenberg before the Bishop retired and moved to South Carolina.

Fr. Wil has an interest in outreach, the homeless, and raising up young families in the parish at HCFM, which is experiencing growth in all areas. He and his wife, Amanda, have two daughters, Lilly and Willow. In 2014, Fr. Wil became Chaplain to Midway Fire Rescue in Pawley’s Island.

Fr. Wil says he is looking forward to taking part in the councils of the church and representing the diocese at his first General Convention. “While I haven’t been here as long as others,” he says, “it is my prayer that I can continue to represent the diocese for many years to come.”

Meet the Deputies: Rick Lindsey

The Reverend Richard C. Lindsey

Rick Lindsey at the Diocesan Clergy Conference in May. 

Rick Lindsey has been a parish priest for more than 37 years and in four dioceses, and has served as Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Island since 2003.

Fr. Rick has served on the Standing Committee of our diocese, and is currently on the Diocesan Council and on the Commission on Ministry. He is also the Convener for the Southern Deanery.

Fr. Rick received a B.S. degree in Early American History from Towson State College in Towson, Maryland, in 1972, and a Master of Divinity Degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1976, with special emphasis in pastoral theology.

He has not attended a General Convention before, but says he is looking forward to being a part of the larger church and finding out what is really on the agenda for The Episcopal Church.

You can follow Fr. Rick at General Convention on his new blog,  allsaintstravelblog.wordpress.com.

A Sad Morning

I am so saddened today by the terrible news of hatred and violence in our beautiful city of Charleston. Despite my once rosy perception of Charleston as a progressive and peaceful city, this morning those perceptions are clouded by the obvious disregard for God’s kingdom.  It seems that for every step toward peace and beauty made by our people, there are two steps back to maniacal fear and intolerance.  Why must South Carolina be such a hotbed of division and waywardness?

In a few days the deputation of The Episcopal Church in SC will be leaving for General Convention in Salt Lake City. I was so optimistic about our presence there and our opportunity to represent a healing and re conciliatory faction of South Carolinians. 

I know that while we are there we will have resolutions to consider concerning gun violence, concerning injustice, and concerning spiritual vitality in a harsh and ignorant world. Please pray with me that Our Heavenly Father will work through our convention to make giant steps forward toward understanding, justice and love. Please pray with me that the Holy Spirit will reign here in Charleston, healing and comforting us, especially those who have suffered loss but also those who must learn the evil of their ways.

Please pray with me that the Lord God will raise up many young, fair-minded leaders who can move forward in the vein of Clementa Pinckney—that his sacrifice will serve as further evidence of what needs to be done and how to do it. Please hear our prayer, O Lord.