'Seriously enormous, and enormously serious'

Pam Guess just before the closing Eucharist
of General Convention on Thursday night.

Pam Guess of Christ Church, Denmark is our Deputy of the Day for July 12, and posts this report from the 79th General Convention.

Greetings to The Episcopal Church in South Carolina!

Here's the thing. . . We are having a blast here in Austin! Some legislative days are longer than others, and the business at hand is seriously enormous and enormously serious. We refresh by worshiping together every evening. As deputies, we pray for all peoples in the world. In amendments, we cultivate language to ensure equity and diversity with inclusion. In legislation, we take action to ensure justice for all.

Last night, after worship service, the legislative session reconvened to pass resolutions supporting inclusive policies for all church members. Young and old handicapped and disabled worshipers are asking the church to provide the aid of reasonable accommodations for their inclusion. The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers recommendations at this link.

This week, in a joint session, the committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation met for TEConversations, music, and discussion with the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. Notably, the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, called for mitigation in the impact of climate change and poverty in the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and in coastal areas of Asia and urban centers. 

In closing, he stated, we see you, and we see you, too, by doing something. Following Bishop Makgoba, the impassioned Bernadette Demientieff described the precious and sacred culture of the Gwich'in Nation in Fort Yukon, Alaska. She told of the harmful effects of climate change on the Gwich'in people and their hallowed Porcupine caribou herd. Asking for help and prayers, she proclaimed, "Indigenous rights are human rights, and when standing together, we can make a change."

The House of Deputies has unanimously voted to concur with the House of Bishops to admit the Episcopal Church of Cuba as a diocese. The Diocese of Cuba joins Province II, which includes dioceses from New York and New Jersey in the United States, Haiti, and the Virgin Islands.

Love, grace, and peace to you,
Pam Guess