It's a Girl

IT’S A GIRL!
There are pink buttons on lapels throughout the Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio that read, “It’s a girl!” It is indeed! … and in many ways still unbelievable. I wake up in the morning and still think that there will be a recount or resolution to amend the vote … or something that will shatter this glorious bubble. But thanks be to God … it looks like it will stand!
By pure accident, I was seated next to our new girl, Presiding Bishop-Elect, Katharine Jefferts Schori at the Women’s Caucus breakfast the morning of her election. I was impressed by her complimentary balance of intellect and pastoral nature and most impressed by her humility.
One of the award recipients at the Women’s Caucus breakfast, in accepting her award, reflected on the first time she heard a woman celebrant say the words of consecration, “this is my body which is given for you …” and she realized that it was for her … a girl. Bishop Katherine and I looked at each other with tears in our eyes because we knew exactly how she felt and we were reminded of the fact that there are still many women who have not yet heard the words spoken in their own voice.
The ECW celebrated with great jubilation the 30 years of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church here at GC. They made a paper chain with the names of the women ordained in their dioceses which stretched around the ECW meeting space at the convention center. Our ECW will be bringing home our piece of the chain to display at Annual Council.
The E3 Youth Event and the Young Adult Programs have come to an end, but not before they witnessed this historic moment. The young girls here at convention were all in tears following the announcement and they know now that they can be anything in the Church!
When I left the House of Deputies today, weighed down by the often tedious debate on resolutions that move so painfully slow at times, I got on the bus headed for my hotel. I sat next to a quiet man from the Diocese of Nevada whose name on his badge read, Richard Schori (the husband of our new PB-Elect). He too, was still in unbelief. Words from the mouth of the one who knows her best said, “Katherine is fearless and faithful … and we are in for the time of our lives.”
It is indeed a girl! It has already been the time of my life to simply be present and to witness this historic moment in the life of our church that only 30 years would have been unbelievable.
The Spirit is alive and well in the Episcopal Church and I have never been more humbled to be an Episcopalian. Pray that the Spirit may continue to lead and guide us into the reign of God.

Judi