When you're elected to be a deputy to General Convention, you have an intellectual idea about how taxing and tiring and exhilarating and difficult this work can be, but nothing matches reality!
It has been an incredible learning experience. No doubt you read articles in the paper that stated that the House of Deputies voted for the full inclusion of all to all levels of sacraments and sacramental rites in the Church. I was there. You didn't read in the papers the incredible stories and hear testimony of people affected by all aspects of this resolution. I did -- and it was powerful. Yes, we voted -- and the Los Angeles deputation was of one mind on this issue -- we voted for it.
We also voted to actively help and support active and retired military personnel, and to honor all veterans -- I bet that didn't make the newspaper.
We voted to improve our outreach to Latinos across the country -- that didn't make the papers either.
What I want to say to you all is this: there were LOTS of issues we voted on, but you only hear about the ones that sell papers or make big splashy headlines.
Jesus said lots of things too -- and I bet in his day it was the same thing: the Pharisees and the Sadducee's plastered bits and snippets of Jesus' words -- the words that they felt were inflammatory -- all over the place (or, at least, by word of mouth). All of the good he was doing didn't make the headlines.
I don't think things have changed much -- but please know that it is in the Spirit that our decisions were made and our votes were cast. To be prayerfully engaged in this ministry is humbling.
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