Notes from the First All-Virtual Diocesan Convention
St. Paul’s, Ventura delegation to Convention included Ruth McCool, Drew Darby, Heidi Trevisan, Woody Bretz, Joanne Wakelee and Rev. Liz Williams. The delegation met via zoom on Friday, November 13 to review the agenda, individuals nominated for election and resolutions.
This would be a convention like no other; held via zoom webinar with only the speakers visible, those attending unable to see one another. The normal visiting with and catching up with people not seen for some time was truly missed. The Exhibit Hall was held virtually this year; available for a full week before Convention.
The prayers for the day were led by young people of the Diocese from Church of our Savior, San Gabriel. Their thoughtful reflections were a highlight of the day. Bishop John Taylor started us off by speaking of this convention as a “Flight of Novelty” with God as our co-pilot.
We tested our voting apps and began voting, all without a hitch. The one resolution brought before convention was to bring the language of Missions and Mission Centers into agreement. The text of the resolution can be found on the Diocesan website in the convention booklet. Bishop Taylor reminded us to be servants of these times and our neighbors; to get outside our four walls and into the world.
There is once again a book to read as a Diocese; Bishop Michael Curry’s “Love is the Way”. Conversation will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. See the latest Episcopal News or the Diocesan website for more information.
Bishop Taylor updated convention on the One Body, One Spirit campaign which has raised over $200,000.He reminds us that this is our collective work and that by God’s grace, we will succeed and be sure that we don’t leave a single person behind.
Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce spoke of the work to become Beloved Community; through listening and conversation. She reminded us that inequalities and injustices to continue cannot be allowed. Education is the key to equipping people to be Servants of the Spirit. Work on the compensation study continues and recommendations will be made next year.
On Sunday, Eucharist was held from the Great Hall at St. Paul’s Commons, Echo Park with an incredible sermon from the Rev. Stephanie Spellers. She spoke of being in “the season we now inhabit” and that it is “not the time or place to play it safe”. She quoted, Marianne Williamson, “You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us. It’s in Everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others” and that we should let our light shine.
The 126th meeting of Diocesan Convention is schedules for Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13 at Riverside Convention Center.
Faithfully,
Rev. Liz Williams
Read more about this year's unique convention at: https://www.diocesanconvention.com/
