Really good first day of diocesan council here in San Marcos. Great St C's delegation: Deb Gardiner, Sue and Richard Fiedler, and me. We opened to act one of a one person play (humorously) decrying change in the church and "those 15 year old clerics." My delegation related, they said. (I've been the youngest priest at Council for four years now.) A really thoughtful portrayal of what's at work in the dynamics of change and resistance in church.
Usual business after that, reports and votes, and 10,000 cookies. A lot of good friends. Foreign and Lutheran guests. A conversation on the Anglican Covenant. Most of those who spoke on the AC were opposed to it, but the diocesan statement supporting it passed, albeit narrowly. A related resolution (that Dad helped write and which he co-sponsored) expressing our care for each other regardless of race, sex, etc. - and without the strings attached of the Anglican Covenant - passed more handily. The resolution said the obvious thing, but also the too frequently unspoken thing. I'm proud of you, Daddy!
Council Eucharist was predictably wonderful, though in unpredictable ways. Not a funnier or better friend to share it with than Sean Maloney, who graciously took me in under his church's banner and fastidiously monitored the liturgical excesses (ha!) of the diocese. Bishop Reed delivered a powerful word that he says we won't remember, and maybe he's right, but you can read it here.
The choir sang a beautiful Offertory to the middle section of Holst's Jupiter.
Recurring themes include being the seeds that we scatter; the action of God; the connectedness of mission and reconciliation; generous regard for those who hold minority positions; the centrality of Christ.
Closed with St C's delegation dinner at Carino's (chicken penne gorgonzola was fantastic)...
With gratitude for your prayers. And with much more to come.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Quotes of the day include: "morning prayer will be in the morning." and "bin Laden might discover he's an accidental Anglican" (in reference to the perceived lack of productive boundaries in the church at present)
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