Voting Our Conscience at General Convention

Greetings from the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas.

It has been extraordinary experience for me to be one of the lay deputy serving this particular General Convention for many reasons.  First of all I got to see many  old friends from around the country, overseas and meet new friends. I spend my day attending open hearings at the Commisson for Care for Creation and Racial Justice and Reconciliation to learn about the progress of resolutions I am interested in. It has been a profound learning experience observing the making of one resolution from the beginning.

With the help of the virtual binder, committee members read the text of the resolution, debate, listen to different voices, observe civility and keep a team spirit and vote. When approved, the resolution is filed instantly.

And so on this third legislative day of the General Convention, together the House of Deputies pray, listen to various voices and vote according to our conscience passing the much contentious Resolution A068 calling for the revision of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

I am in awe witnessing this historic moment in the life of the Episcopal Church feeling grateful to the Diocese of San Diego for the opportunity to participate in the legislative process on behalf of God’s people.