Catching up - Sunday through Tuesday - Days 5-7

The highlights of the past couple of days were many:

• The House of Deputies passed legislation to commit 1% (not just to recommit 0.7%) of our annual budget to further the work of the Millennium Development Goals. The money will be allocated to Nets for Life, a ministry of Episcopal Relief and Development to get mosquito nets to help stop the spread of malaria particularly in areas that are “off the beaten track” and get overlooked. This shows tremendous leadership in the oft-mentioned “tough economic times” – go us!

• Both houses have approved a Strategic Vision for Reaching Latinos/Hispanics, including a $3.5 million commitment to minister to and evangelize Hispanics and the creation of 46 new congregations in the next three years. The vision also calls for marketing tools and leadership training for growth in this area. The big question now before the houses is budget – whether or not this initiative will be funded at all, or to the extent asked for. Most people are doubtful that this will be the case.

• The House of Bishops confirmed with minor amendment the new “buzz-number” – D025 –that reaffirms our commitment to the Anglican communion, acknowledges that same-sex couples can be in committed and loving relationships, and that people in these relationships can and will continue to serve and may be ordained in any position in our Church. The HD confirmed the amendments, so it has now been adopted by both houses. Some people are concerned about what this means for our relationship with other churches in the Communion.

• A recommended restriction of the use of bottled water at Convention and church activities because of the impact of the bottles as well as the impact of taking water from an area and shipping it away so that it will not be returned to the water cycle.

• A Jewish cantor, an Episcopal priest and an Muslim mu’athin came to the house of deputies to sing an “Abrahamic blessing” to us – it was one of the most beautiful pieces of convention so far. The resonance of the three voices both separately and then together was amazingly powerful.

• The midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was attended by Lynch, Deputy of Western Massachusetts, and was enjoyed immensely by her.