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| Deputy Mark Szen just before the daily Eucharist at General Convention on July 9. |
Mark Szen is a lay deputy from the diocese, and files this report as our Deputy of the Day for Tuesday, July 10.
I have found the time at General Convention to be a great learning experience. While I am a lifelong Episcopalian, there is so much to The Episcopal Church that I do not know.
The best part, for me, from convention has been the joint sessions with the bishops, the Texas Revival, the gatherings against Gun Violence and the protest at the Hutto Detention Center. Also being a part of the legislative committees and, of course, hearing Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach. The least favorite part has been the legislative sessions where we wind our way through resolutions, amendments, amendments to amendments, etc. before finally voting on amended resolutions.
We have had three joint sessions with the bishops. One each on racial reconciliation, evangelism and the care of creation. Each session featured four or five presentations, followed by one-on-one discussions and then delegation discussions. I hope we can all bring some information and energy back to our churches so we can experience and examine where we stand on each topic.
Having not been to a revival before, I had no idea what to expect. One account had 8,000 people there and, with Michael Curry preaching, it was an emotional event. It ended with prayer stations for anyone present, to be prayed upon to receive the Love of God.
The Bishops' Witness Against Gun Violence featured a family who lost a child at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting this spring and a local 14-year old girl's response and her school's response to the shooting. WE MUST keep these stories alive and insist that our legislators take action to prevent more occurrences. Similarly, the protest at the Hutto Detention Center, where women are held, highlights the need that we must speak up for the voiceless, those refugee families that are being needlessly broken apart.
Most of all, what these two weeks have taught me is that the Episcopal Church is a wide, deep and diverse group of people that make up the Body of Christ here on earth. The Episcopal Church is made of more than 100 dioceses not only of the United States, but all of the Americas, and some states of Europe too. We stand up for the rights and dignity of every human being, regardless of their circumstance. For all people, regardless of race, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, etc. The Episcopal Church is made up of, and serves, ALL of God's people.
Mark Szen
The best part, for me, from convention has been the joint sessions with the bishops, the Texas Revival, the gatherings against Gun Violence and the protest at the Hutto Detention Center. Also being a part of the legislative committees and, of course, hearing Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach. The least favorite part has been the legislative sessions where we wind our way through resolutions, amendments, amendments to amendments, etc. before finally voting on amended resolutions.
We have had three joint sessions with the bishops. One each on racial reconciliation, evangelism and the care of creation. Each session featured four or five presentations, followed by one-on-one discussions and then delegation discussions. I hope we can all bring some information and energy back to our churches so we can experience and examine where we stand on each topic.
Having not been to a revival before, I had no idea what to expect. One account had 8,000 people there and, with Michael Curry preaching, it was an emotional event. It ended with prayer stations for anyone present, to be prayed upon to receive the Love of God.
The Bishops' Witness Against Gun Violence featured a family who lost a child at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting this spring and a local 14-year old girl's response and her school's response to the shooting. WE MUST keep these stories alive and insist that our legislators take action to prevent more occurrences. Similarly, the protest at the Hutto Detention Center, where women are held, highlights the need that we must speak up for the voiceless, those refugee families that are being needlessly broken apart.
Most of all, what these two weeks have taught me is that the Episcopal Church is a wide, deep and diverse group of people that make up the Body of Christ here on earth. The Episcopal Church is made of more than 100 dioceses not only of the United States, but all of the Americas, and some states of Europe too. We stand up for the rights and dignity of every human being, regardless of their circumstance. For all people, regardless of race, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, etc. The Episcopal Church is made up of, and serves, ALL of God's people.
Mark Szen
Well stated Mark! I have experienced the wonder too as I have removed myself (ever so slightly) from the proceedings and taken the time to savor the fabulous body of which we are a part. God's people on earth, trying their best to be all that a loving God would wish. I am proud to have a thoughtful man like you representing us at All Saints!
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