Thursday, June 15, 2006
The work of the House of Deputies
The first few days of work on the floor of the House of Deputies were mostly spent voting on non controversial legislation. Cleaning up inconsistencies in the Constitution, making sure Canons did what they were supposed to do, and beginning to vote to fill offices for the Pension Fund, the Executive Council, General Theological Seminary and the like.
At the beginning of General Convention most of the real work is being done in committees. The two with the largest amount of interest were Committee 26, working on the Special Commission Resolutions developed as a reply to the Windsor Report and the Program, Budget and Finance Committee. PB&F both receives requesting for funding and considers how to find it.
On Wednesday evening, June 14th each held hearings and both hearings were packed. In the PB&F hearing attendees listened to a multitude of stories about the ministries of The Episcopal Church (TEC). One after another, people working in servant ministries told how they were using the funds allocated by the Church.
Upstairs in a much bigger room testimony was heard from all parties about how TEC ought to respond or comply with the Windsor Report. It was the first time that all the people with opinions and positions got to say them to each other, via their testimony, face to face. In one ironic moment Bishop Gene Robinson was next to Bishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Communion Network and testified right on his heels.
There are Bishops and Primates from many parts of the Communion who are attending General Convention. They are not only being well received, but are almost in constant consultation with people asking what they think about the matters before convention.
At the beginning of General Convention most of the real work is being done in committees. The two with the largest amount of interest were Committee 26, working on the Special Commission Resolutions developed as a reply to the Windsor Report and the Program, Budget and Finance Committee. PB&F both receives requesting for funding and considers how to find it.
On Wednesday evening, June 14th each held hearings and both hearings were packed. In the PB&F hearing attendees listened to a multitude of stories about the ministries of The Episcopal Church (TEC). One after another, people working in servant ministries told how they were using the funds allocated by the Church.
Upstairs in a much bigger room testimony was heard from all parties about how TEC ought to respond or comply with the Windsor Report. It was the first time that all the people with opinions and positions got to say them to each other, via their testimony, face to face. In one ironic moment Bishop Gene Robinson was next to Bishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Communion Network and testified right on his heels.
There are Bishops and Primates from many parts of the Communion who are attending General Convention. They are not only being well received, but are almost in constant consultation with people asking what they think about the matters before convention.
# posted by San Diego @ 5:31 PM 
