Sunday was a glorious day and a welcome change from the legislative grind. The Presiding Bishop preached a stirring sermon on the need for prophets in our world and our church. This was the Church at its best--3,000 people singing, praying, hearing The Word, and being empowered by the sacraments. The music was glorious.
We then went to the baseball stadium (home of the Indianapolis Indians) for rich display of ministries and information about this area. The main drawback was the heat. I felt sorry that despite the very hard work by the Diocese of Indianapolis, it was just too hot to stay out very long. My favorite event was listening to a steel drum band from Brooklyn, NY.
Back to work at 2;15. The Bishops dealt with a sensitive issue. Seven bishops--some retired or no longer Episcopalian--had signed a friendly brief for the court proceedings in Fort Worth to support the parishes who left The Episcopal Church and are trying to keep their property. Because much of our conversation was private, I can only report that we had a unanimous roll call vote to support the Episcopal parishes, the right of the Episcopal bishops in the dioceses struggling with property disputes, and affirmation that the Episcopal bishops are the only rightful bishops in these dioceses. It was a hard but grace filled conversation.
Then it was kind of like having a snow day--you are free but you know you have to make up the work. There is so much legislation still in committee that The House of Bishops adjourned an hour earlier. This is a reminder that our way of doing business by resolution and Convention isn't working. We cannot get to talking about most of the crucial topics because our method mirrors the US Congress (and how is that working?).
We had a wonderful diocesan dinner. I was particularly happy to be with The Episcopal Church Women who are also here for their Triennial meeting. Katarina Whitley received an award from the ECW recognizing her many contributions to the wider Church. (Because my computer is new, I can't figure out how to download photos from yesterday but I am calling my 23 year old daughter.)
We had better get going today or we just won't sleep. There is a guarantee that we are leaving by 6:00 Thursday done or not.
