We're here! And already very busy!

Most members of the NH Deputation arrived in Austin on Monday. Or in a few cases, Tuesday.

The group gathered at midday to discuss pending legislative matters. Settling in and supermarket runs took up much of the day. Those serving on legislative committees had their initial organizing meetings in the evening.

Tuesday, the 4th of July, was no holiday at General Convention. Legislative Committees convened again in the morning for hearings and to begin the work of reviewing and creating resolutions and hearing testimony. The NH Deputation gathered again at midday to check in and find out from each other what was happening in various committees on which we serve or are tracking.

There was a joint session in the early afternoon, with Bishops and Deputies seated together to hear opening addresses by the officers of General Convention. Our Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael Curry, gave a rousing invitation to enter into our responsibilities, followed by President of the House of Deputies (who quoted from texts that passed between her and the PB when he informed her that he would be preaching at the royal wedding) and also referenced the daily lectionary.

These opening addresses were followed by representatives of other bodies present--Bishop Andy Doyle of Texas, the host diocese, the President of Episcopal Church Women, beginning their 49th Triennial gathering, and others.

There had been a friendly wager between the Presiding Bishop (PB) and the President of the House of Deputies (PHOD) when their respective  favourite teams and/or alma maters faced off in the collegiate basketball championship. Syracuse beat North Carolina. The PB's loss meant that the House of  Bishops had to serenade the PHOD with the Syracuse song--which they did, and promptly departed to their own House on an upper floor of the Convention Center.

The Bishops departed to their House, the Deputies remained for training on the technology--our Virtual Binder software on the iPads we receive at registration. The Voting Secretary led us through the complexities of voting with our handheld voting devices. Always a challenge.



Voting device

As usual, there will be at least one blog post and possibly more featuring the Exhibit Hall. During a very brief scouting trip, it was a thrill to find  a large stack of Bishop Rob's book in the Church Publishing Booth. He will have a signing on Monday at noontime.

This evening the Bishops hosted a listening session liturgy that was very well attended and very moving. Music, prayer, confession, lamentation, and stories shared.

Trivia: The Convention Center has no 2nd floor. Yet the House of Bishops is on the 4th floor. Which technically must be the 3rd Floor. That might be part of the Keep Austin Weird mandate.  We have been advised that if someone tells you some official or office  or resource is on the "2nd Floor," they are messing with  you.


Fun at Convention: The Episcopal Church has a crazy sense of humor. Austin will be the weirder for it. At one information booth, this sign...from someone who is clearly a fan of the Peanuts comic strip and Lucy's psychiatric help desk.

Weird Thing of the Day: The pigeon. He has a Twitter account already. You can follow it at General Convention Pigeon. It was also spotted in the Exhibit Hall. Not sure whether our GC Pigeon will be granted voice and vote. It certainly got very excited during the PB's address!

Tomorrow is the First Legislative Day, with opening Eucharist, more committee meetings/hearings, and possibly more pigeon sightings.