Recapping: Wednesday, June 24

Part of our deputation on Wednesday!

Wow! I knew I would be busy, but finding the time to sit and blog has been a bit of a challenge. (As has finding decent wifi - my iPad decided not to play nicely with the network at my hotel, and the open network at the Convention Center bears a strong resemblance to molasses.)  So I'm composing posts offline, and will upload as I am able.  :-)  Once I sort out connectivity, I hope to get back "on time".

I started out my day on Wednesday with breakfast at my hotel, and then walked over to the Convention Center to receive my credentials and Virtual Binder.  At 9, everyone gathered in the House of Deputies where we were greeted by both the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies. Afterward, the Bishops went across the hall to their House, and we had an orientation session that covered the basics of how the Virtual Binder works, how to queue to speak, and how to vote.  There were some small hiccups, but overall, the tech aspects seemed to be working well.  Nothing crashed, nothing burned. 

What we see when we enter the Convention Center.
Um, good???

Once Orientation was over, we had a break for lunch, where several members of our deputation sat with Bishop Garrison, who retired from our diocese in 2011.  After lunch, we all gathered again in the House of Deputies to meet the four candidates for Presiding Bishop.  This was done through a number of avenues, as we first started out by watching the videos that each candidate had created. After this, they made statements, and answered a series of questions that were posed to them, falling within various subject categories. (Each bishop drew different questions; no two answered the exact same question.) 

Personally, my preference is definitely for Bishop Michael Curry, of North Carolina.  He spent a lot of time talking about Jesus and the Gospel, and the things that the diocese of North Carolina has already accomplished.  He spoke about going out in the world and being evangelists, and to be perfectly honest, I can't fathom anyone not wanting to follow, in a church he is leading. (Opinions vary, I know, but that is mine!)

Once the presentations were over, we had a few minutes free for a quick swing through the exhibit hall, and then a number from our deputation visited a restaurant nearby for dinner.  

Afterward, there were legislative committee meetings and hearings. Because I don't have a legislative committee assignment for this Convention, I was assigned to monitor the proceedings of committee 20, the Special Committee on Marriage. As they were holding a hearing, that was where I headed.  The resolutions being discussed at this hearing included A037, C007 & C009, and D026.  Most of the speakers testifying to each of these resolutions was speaking in favor, and the testimony proceeded pretty quickly.  

After the hearing was concluded, the committee began to discuss A037, which proposes that the work of the Task Force on the Study of Marriage be continued.  There were a lot of interesting viewpoints, including the suggestion that in light of the fact that more and more millenials are entering deeply committed relationships without seeing a need to become married, that instead of studying only marriage, perhaps we should be studying intimate relationships.  Food for thought, regardless of one's opinion.  Ultimately, the committee decided to recess and come back on Thursday with suggested amendments to consider.

Once the committee was in recess, I headed across the street from the convention center to meet up with some folks for a bite to eat and some drinks, and that headed back to the hotel to pour myself into bed.

Best Exhibit Hall Swag of the Day*: Silly Putty at the Forma booth, because Silly Putty is awesome!

* For a couple of years during and immediately following my library degree, I maintained a membership in the American Library Association, and attended several conferences.  A highlight was always visiting the exhibit halls for whatever free giveaways ("swag", or "Stuff We All Get") were being offered by the exhibitors. So I thought it might be fun to share some of the fun things on offer in the exhibits at GC.