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.)