Legislative Day 1

Sunday began with Eucharist. Afterwards, the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops began their work.

House of Deputies

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Jane and Rita, alternate clergy and alternate lay deputies

A practice resolution for a vote by orders. 

The resolution did not pass

Most of the morning actions could be described as housekeeping items. We were informed about what resolutions had been removed from the Consent Calendar. One of our votes was to confirm appointments for a six-year term on the Archives Advisory Committee for The Episcopal Church. This blogger is listed.

After our two-hour lunch break, the HOD re-convened to take up the various resolutions and amendments to our Rules of Order. There was considerable debate.

Benge being recognized to speak to a resolution (or an amendment)

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After getting through the Rules of Order, and decided on them, we could turn to voting. The items on Consent were dealt with. Then we move on to others. The final resolutions came from the Auxiliary Calendar, and all were courtesy resolutions--of greeting to past presidents of the HOD, recognition of the Official Youth presence, significant anniversaries of dioceses, and gratitude for the late illustrious and dedicated Rev. Edward Rodman of Massachusetts.

The full New Hampshire deputation and Bishop Rob gathered in our hospitality suite to discuss the day's events and matters than will soon be before us. It was the first time that all of us could be together in one place.

Benge, Sarah, Kate

Alanna, Gail, Bobbi, Bishop Rob, Jason, Jane, Kelly

In the morning there will be a Joint Session--Bishops and Deputies--for the budget presentation. Followed by more legislation!

Pre-Convention Day 1

 Representatives of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire began arriving Thursday and Friday, June 20 & 21.

It's hot and steamy here so far and will continue to be. We're staying at the Galt House Hotel, located beside the Ohio River and a reasonably short walk to the Kentucky International Convention Center and the surrounding hotels where activities take place. There's also a skywalk/pedway to the Yum! Center where the Saturday night Revival and Kentucky Night, sponsored by the host diocese. 

In addition to our hotel rooms, we are provided with a larger space to use when the full deputation and our bishop and other NH attendees want to gather for discussions or socializing. Access to its kitchen facilities also help us to make the most of our meal per diems.

Here's Benge after stocking a fridge with seltzer.

Photo by Kate Harmon Siberine

The first scheduled event was a forum with the three candidates for President of the House of Deputies, an election that takes place on Tuesday, 6/25, A full report of the event is available HERE, and seems to reflect impressions of some NH deputies who attended.

Julia Ayala Harris (incumbent PHOD, Zena Link, Rachel Tabor-Hamilton (current VPHPD)
Photo credit: Randall A. Gornowich for Episcopal News Service

A video of the forum is available HERE

The next event soon followed, a forum sponsored by:

The House of Bishops will be electing the next Presiding Bishop on Wednesday, 6/26, at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville. When the result is known, the House of Deputies votes to confirm the decision.

Bishop Mark Lattime of Alaska, co-chair of the committee welcomed the large crowd gathered in a ballroom at the Downtown Marriot. The other co-chair, Canon Dr. Steven Nishibayashi, gave closing remarks.

Committe Chair & Vice Chair

Thomas Diaz, deputy from the Diocese of Los Angeles and a member of the nominating committee member, served as moderator. After a video statement by each of the five nominees was played, the "fishbowl" method of Q&A was carried out, as each person drew questions on paper color-coded for a variety of topic areas of interest of concern to the wider Church, and aspects of the role of the PB.

Sample question. It was also provided in Spanish

Bishop DeDe Duncan Probe of Central New York

Sean Rowe, Provisional Bishop Central New York

Robert Wright, Bishop of Atlanta

Daniel G.P. Gutiérrez, Bishop of Pennsylvania

J. Scott Barker, Bishop of Nebraska

At the conclusion, there was a standing ovation and extended applause,

A full account of the forum, with quotes from nominees, is available HERE.  The event video is HERE.

Today, Pre-Convention Day 2, consists of committee meetings in the morning, ongoing deputy registration and certification, a hearing on the budget, organization gatherings, a PB/PHPD presentation to the Convention, and an orientation session for bishops and deputies.

Our deputation will hold its first group meeting later in the day, prior to the Revival at the Yum Center. 

Tomorrow, our first legislative day, begins with Eucharist. Gavel down in the HOD at 11:00 a.m.!

Pre-Convention Day 2

Saturday provided the one relatively leisurely morning of convention. Deputies and bishops were still arriving, registering, and receiving credentials. For those of us already arrived, it was an opportunity to attend or monitor legislative committee meetings or budget meeting, do food shopping, visiting the Exhibit Hall (as usual, more on that in a future installment), or otherwise getting our bearings in the environs of the Galt House Hotel and North Fourth Street.

At 12:30, the House of Deputies was opened specifically for the decoration of our stanchions, the poles that identify each diocese. The gatekeepers weren't going to allow any alternate deputies on the floor, which would have excluded Jane and Rita. However, we politely persuaded the staff to inquire about the possibility, and succeeded. So this was the only time alternates could be on the floor, unless substituting for one of our deputies.

Margaret, Jane, Rita

At 2:00, deputies and bishops gathered in the House of Deputies--the only convention center space large enough to hold us all--for opening remarks by President of the HOD Julia Ayala Harris and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Concentrating on instructions

PHOD Harris

Presiding Bishop Curry, thanking the Secretary of General Convention and Executive Officer, Michael Barlowe, who leaves the position at the conclusion of GC81

At the conclusion, there was a short break for the bishops to return to their House for orientation. The deputies had one as well. It was a necessary refresher on the ipad and VBinder for returning deputies and a fresh experience for our newbies. The officers on the platform were introduced. Parliamentarian Bryan Krislock led us through the weeds of legislative actions. Our Voting Secretary led us through the electronic vote process, and we conducted a fun mock debate and sample vote (by orders, lay and clergy) on a two-part resolution: whether a hot dog can be considered a sandwich. It did not pass.

Kate

After our first full deputation gathering in our meeting room, we made our way to the adjacent Yum! Center for the Love Always Revival.

Alanna takes a selfie of one batch of our deputies and attendees:
Bobbie, Betty, Margaret Jason, Rita, Gail

Rocking out to the B52s "Love Shack"

Bishop Curry joins the group on stage

Big crowd

The best double act in Christendom, Bishop Curry and his Spanish language interpreter Dinorah Pardo.

Bishop Curry's energy level in the afternoon and evening seemed unimpaired by his medical issues of the past year. The sermon was lively, engaging, and didn't feel as lengthy as it probably was, his preaching about love is so electrifying and inspiring. He refers to his impending retirement with humor and enthusiasm, but he must be so aware that this is his last convention as Presiding Bishop--something that must be acknowledged but is certainly bittersweet for us all. Nobody is more deserving of rest and such good and faithful service to the Church and the world.

Our days will get busier and feel much longer, but we're off to a good beginning!

Saturday sunset over the Ohio River