Love

A typical day at General Convention begins with a 7:30 AM legislative committee meeting (I serve on the Church Pension Fund committee), Eucharist and discussion at 9:30 and legislation session at 10:45. We break for lunch at 1:00 or so followed by a legislation session again from 2:30 to 6:00. I missed the Eucharist today, replaced by a very appreciated visit with an old friend, The Rt. Rev. John Chane, Bishop of Washington, D.C. The legislation sessions are gearing up a little. One issue from the Windsor Report was debated and voted upon and sent to the House of Bishops but we understand that it will be sent back to us with revisions. The House of Deputies voted to implement the Revised Common Lectionary in a time specific. It was interesting to hear impassioned testimony on some issues that others find perfunctory.

Usually there is an event or two that are offered in the evening. This evening I attended the Integrity Eucharist at Trinity Episcopal Church. The preacher was The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. Integrity is an advocacy and support organization for gays and lesbians and their friends. Gene Robinson is the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire. Truly by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit, I had the best seat in the house. I couldn't see the altar because of a post but I was seated beside Louise Crew on one side and three young people who were visiting General Convention on the other. Mr. Crew is a long time advocate of gay inclusion in the fullness of the church. The three high school girls were there to listen to Bishop Robinson. Bishop Robinson gave a grace filled sermon in which a recurring theme was "love them anyway". The "them" was all of those who have fallen short of demonstrating the love of Christ. The three girls were filled with questions about the service. They were all from small churches and not familiar with the incense and other parts of the liturgy. I asked them what their opinion of the issue was and they all agreed that while they don't truly understand homosexuality they could not understand why it was such an issue in the church. Everyone should be included in the love of Christ and receive all of the ministries that the church has to offer.

Today was a day full of the love of Christ. For that and all of the people that I met and worshipped with today I truly give thanks.

Dean Hurley