This morning we got a ride to the convention center from a
housemate (churchmate?) who has a car.
It seemed luxurious, especially since it was raining.
When we walked into the hall, worship had already
begun. African Bishop John Yambasu was
preaching. He began talking about open
doors, open hearts, open minds. I
wondered how far he would go. I was pleased
when he began talking about welcoming LGBT people.
After the service, three bishops commissioned
missionaries. They were told to “go out.” It was a touching ceremony for me. My former bishop was the bishop who led the
morning plenary session. Things ran more
smoothly under him but there were still a lot of “points of order.”
We had been instructed to meet at the steps at the
break. When we arrived, we found Will
singing loudly and calling to us from the top of the stairs. We held a small service with singing and
scripture. We ended with a communion of
life savers and bandaids, symbolic of the hurt that people have suffered.
After the break, another bishop presided. The session got bogged down in parliamentary
procedure—amendments, points of order, and what are we voting on? Sarah commented that it was painful. We left shortly before the session broke for
lunch to go get our own lunch. We joined
a couple of clergy women and had good conversation.
Following lunch we returned to sit in at the plenary session
and watched for challenges to yesterday’s vote.
There was just one from a man who questioned it using an argument based
on finances and deadlines. Expenses won’t
come out of the budget.
We left before the session ended and hopped on a bus to go
to the Jupiter Hotel. We ate at the
restaurant there then stayed at the Jupiter tent for a LYNC gathering where we
shared and sang. The connection with others
is so important and gives us strength.
We did not leave until 9:30 p.m.; it was a wet, cold wait at the bus
stops and we were chilled by the time we got back “home.” I fixed some tea to warm my body.
Written on 5/19/2016
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