Today was Day 5 of General Convention. This week more time is spent in session as the House of Deputies and less time in our legislative committees. Legislation has been crafted and debated and fine tuned by the various legislative committees and is now being considered by the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. Many resolutions are on the consent calendar, so can be passed as a group without debate. However, many other resolutions come to the floor individually and are therefor subject to debate and being amended before the vote is taken. Today we considered resolutions about gun violence, removal of the confederate flag from religious and governmental buildings, living wage, and marriage (among others). Even as some resolutions resulted in debate, there is a sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit and a knowledge that we are all covered in prayer. The House of Deputies did a lot of work today. We are blessed to have outstanding leadership in The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the HoD, The Rev. Dr. Michael Barlowe, secretary of the Convention, and our enthusiastic chaplain, The Rev. Lester Mackenzie.
Last evening the deputation from Western North Carolina along with others from the diocese who are here at convention had dinner together. It was a delightful evening together. It was so good to have former Bishop Bob Johnson and his wife, Julie, join us.
Most evenings, organizations related to the church have receptions. Several of our deputation attended the 75th birthday party for Episcopal Relief and Development. Tonight Kathy Atkinson and I attended the 40th birthday celebration of Education for Ministry.
One of the highlights of the convention for me has been to serve in a liturgical function at the worship services. The first four days of worship, I vested and served as an oblation bearer and assistant at one of the 12 "satellite" tables scattered around the worship space. It takes a lot of bread and wine to serve 2000+ people. On Sunday our attendance was over 5000. Today I was not assigned to vest, but I did volunteer to serve bread at one of the stations. I have to admit I have been moved to tears more than once. The sermons have been uplifting and filled with hope and promise, and the music makes my heart soar.
I am filled with gratitude to the people of the Diocese of WNC for allowing me to serve you here.
Kristi Neal
Archdeacon, Diocese of WNC
Last evening the deputation from Western North Carolina along with others from the diocese who are here at convention had dinner together. It was a delightful evening together. It was so good to have former Bishop Bob Johnson and his wife, Julie, join us.
Most evenings, organizations related to the church have receptions. Several of our deputation attended the 75th birthday party for Episcopal Relief and Development. Tonight Kathy Atkinson and I attended the 40th birthday celebration of Education for Ministry.
One of the highlights of the convention for me has been to serve in a liturgical function at the worship services. The first four days of worship, I vested and served as an oblation bearer and assistant at one of the 12 "satellite" tables scattered around the worship space. It takes a lot of bread and wine to serve 2000+ people. On Sunday our attendance was over 5000. Today I was not assigned to vest, but I did volunteer to serve bread at one of the stations. I have to admit I have been moved to tears more than once. The sermons have been uplifting and filled with hope and promise, and the music makes my heart soar.
I am filled with gratitude to the people of the Diocese of WNC for allowing me to serve you here.
Kristi Neal
Archdeacon, Diocese of WNC
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