a call to unity
on saturday, i was a "delegate" for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego's 30th annual diocesan convention.

this entire previous year has been more riddled with the usual sexuality controversy than ever. what with the gene robinson (a.k.a. The Gay Bishop) media circus and all. the human sexuality debate has plagued and blessed the episcopal church for as long as i've been around. probably even long, as we stretch back to the landmark decision to ordain women in 1976.

at home, in the diocese of san diego, we have the notable wishes of a handful of clergy and some laity (non-ordained members of the church, the body of christ, etc) to disconnect themselves from the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA). they say that because of the decision made at the 2003 General Convention (see above, The Gay Bishop), we are alienating 50 million anglicans worldwide that do not support such a decision. also, most of those dissenters locally would probably tell you that they think homosexuals are sinners. and then they might add something about "don't get me wrong, i love gay people. in fact, my best friend's sister's uncle is gay..."

but i digress. my point is the convention went well. save for a few conservatives, everyone really seemed to want to focus on keeping the church together, with healthy discourse and disagreement, and openness of heart.

someone said, "we are called to unity, not to unanimity." i love that.

the convention opened (convened, heh) with a gigantic eucharist. around 8:40 am on saturday, i chugged my latte before shuffling into the "no food or drinks" cathedral of st. paul. this church is just breathtaking. living in a relatively new city, we get used to the churches of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. ugly modern buildings. ugly modern carpets. ugly post-modern attempts at de-sixties-izing. the wooden walls, cathedral ceilings, massive organ pipes, creaky pews, stained glass, and all around historical splendor are special to me.

out of tune baritone notes hung over the air and the otherwise gorgeous brass quintet. someone important announced the opening hymn. the standing-room-only congregation shuffled papers and rose. two young men carried 20-30' poles with long flowing ribbons attached, swaying and circling the poles to swish the ribbons above our heads. forty (40!) priests or canons, etc. processed next, then some important looking priests, then some people carrying candles and crosses and scripture, then several entire boys and girls choirs, then an adult choir, then more priests and canons, then the chalice bearers, then the readers, then a woman waving a burning incense ball, and then THREE bishops. our current, soon-to-retire bishop, Gethin Hughes; the first bishop of san diego, Robert Wolterstorff; and the retired bishop of Jerusalem, Samir Kafity. i'm not sure if more priests and canons followed them. i stopped counting.

i was in awe. it was a lot of pomp for me, going to my beautiful low-church church. but i loved it. the service didn't really bring me closer to God per se, but it brought me closer to the Church.

eight hours of voting, business, and politics later, i left the conference feeling encouraged, feeling a renewed sense of satisfaction with my faith, with my church and my fellow episcopalians, and feeling like i totally have to get some of those ribbon streamer things for myself.