This was my first Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut and I have the following confessions:

Confession #1

I did not attend Friday’s start of the Convention. This was unfortunate because I missed Bishop Smith’s address. In it he outlined his position on the church’s policy on blessing same-sex relationships. In addition he also went into detail about the effect that the actions of the five congregations who have sued the diocese has had.

Bishop Smith highlighted all the blessings he sees going on around us. He noted the connections we continue to make with the Anglican community. He mentioned that Bishop Curry celebrated Holy Week last spring in the city of Maputo and the countryside of southern Mozambique. His host was the Rt. Rev. Dinis Sengulane, Bishop of Lebombe who was the keynote speaker at the Convention. (More on that later). Bishop Smith visited the island nation and Diocese of Mauritius on the occasion of the installation of the Most Rev. Ian Ernest as Archbishop of the Province of the Indian Ocean. Bishop Smith also welcomed Bishop John Danbinta, from Nigeria, Bishop Ernest Shalita from Uganda as well as Bishop Duncan Gray from Mississippi to the Convention. He thanked Bishop Kathy Roskam from New York who served as chaplain to the Convention.

In his address, Bishop Smith reviewed the actions taken by five congregations in the diocese. This included a federal law suit, charges placed before the Presiding Bishop and an appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The law suit has now been dismissed, but not before spending more than $350,000 in legal fees by the diocese. Now the five clergy have issued an appeal which the diocese has to defend. Bishop Smith has been hurt by the fact that this money could have been used to support all the active missions at home and abroad. He says enough. Lets all pray that reconciliation can be found.

Bishop Smith also voiced his belief that it is time to formally acknowledge and support and bless our sisters and brothers who are gay and lesbian, including those who are living in faithful and faith-filled committed partnerships, as followers of Jesus and faithful members of the Church. He calls us to re-think, re-pray and re-form our theology and our pastoral practices. He has now taken that first step by permitting blessing as a pastoral ministry within a congregation.

Confession #2

I actually enjoyed the complete Convention experience. Of course it could not have started any better. Knute Hanson, Betty Tuttle and I drove up together at 7:15AM Saturday morning and watched a beautiful Fall day unfold. There is nothing better than seeing the morning sun against our multicolored foliage through the Connecticut countryside.

The Rt. Rev. Dinis Sengulane gave a stirring address focusing on what the world would miss if the Episcopal Church was not part of the Anglican Communion. He noted that we are known by our celebrations of liturgy, death and life. We have a rich expression of diversity. He calls us to present Jesus to the world as priest, prophet and healer through justice, reconciliation, peace and health to the body and mind. He said that we are on a common mission with God as our agenda. We should not complain about our differences but celebrate our being of one family. I was very encouraged listening to the Reverend’s words. They apply not only to our world connections but also to our diocese and parish connections as well.

The music was another wonderful unexpected delight. They did not have an organist so they had a rather modern band of singers, guitars and keyboard.

We also got to hear from the kids that attended the General Convention. The highlight was Rachel Downs talk. She ended by saying that her experience gave her hope. Ask her about it. Her message certainly gave me hope that the Episcopal Church will continue to be a source of strength, encouragement and guidance to our youth for years to come.

Confession #3

The people I met were as important to me as anything else I did all day. First, I was very fortunate to meet our new rector, Janet Waggoner. If first impressions are meaningful, then we are in for a real delight. She has already begun to develop a sense of who we are as a parish family and was willing to spend several minutes of her precious time just to get to know a little about me and my family. She has an extremely busy November. Please keep her in your prayers as she prepares to join us. I was able to thank Joan Bray for all her work on our behalf especially her efforts in bringing Fr. Rob to us. I was also able to meet Fr. Tom Furrer and to talk about St. Paul’s. We have had very positive impact on him. I sat near Mother Jenni Clements, Fr. Rob’s wife who, as always, has a marvelous positive energy which is infectious.

Confession #4

I even enjoyed the debates on the resolutions we voted on. There were 11 resolutions voted on, not including the substitute resolutions which were proposed. More on the resolutions later.