St. Thomas eNewsletter

The Diocese of Los Angeles hosted the Convention. Each member Parish was asked to provide volunteers and St. Thomas responded tremendously!

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/elife is excellent for factual news about everything happening at the Convention. I recommend it to everyone. The reporters for that site and the newsletters associated with it are reporting in detail and every day about the response to resolution B033 and a myriad of other convention proposals and activities.

I have been a volunteer for 3 days. It has been a glorious experience. I wish you all could be there.

The first day I was sent to the ECW sessions and our task were pretty ordinary ("...pass this out!... run to the print shop and get more of these!..").

The second day, I was a Page in the House of Bishops which was a grand "promotion." The "legislative" activities are organized much like the Congress of the United States. The House of Deputies has representatives from all the Dioceses and functions like the House of Representatives. The House of Bishops is like the U.S. Senate. "Legislation" travels from Committees to each House and back and forth between the Houses. There is a woman named Frances who runs all the Volunteer activities in the House of Bishops. She is smart and tough and runs a tight ship which actually makes working there easy.
The Presiding Bishop (the "PB" as she is referenced by those of us "in the know!") sits on a raised platform in the front of the room with members of her staff. A small group of experienced volunteers (some people travel to the National Conventions and volunteer and are there every time and every day) serve that group. In front of the "PB" are numbered tables where all Bishops are seated. This area is roped off and only Bishops or Pages assigned to that area can enter. The Press and other observers have chairs in the back and on one side. All communications to Bishops have to go to Frances first. She makes the sure document or request is acceptable and then hands it to one of the Pages. The document will then have a name and a number on a tag on the front. The Page goes to the numbered table and softly asks for the named Bishop. When s/he identifies him or herself, the Page hands over the document. I was fairly busy running around delivering documents but did hear some of the debates and conversation. The Archbishop of Canterbury had gone by the time I arrived, but, of course, Bishop Robinson and our beloved Bishop Bruno were among the assembled group.

Sunday morning, I was a volunteer at the Mass. There were 8,000 people in attendance and it was wonderful. 200 Bishops were in the procession and the Presiding Bishop celebrated and delivered an excellent sermon. As you can imagine, there were a lot of volunteer jobs! I helped usher and then took up collection in my section and, finally, helped people find the proper communion station. I met and visited with a woman from Louisiana who is in the National Altar Guild. She was delightful and I told her about D.C. (my cat who loves linen ironing) and we shared stories about the "fair linens."

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81799_112390_ENG_HTM.htm contains a wonderful story about the service dogs being honored and trained to become companion animals for people in emotional or physical trouble. The service dogs often made appearances in the hallways and masses and meetings. They are being trained to do their jobs regardless of noise, music or activity in their surrounding area. The amazing benefits of this program will be no surprise to those of us who share our lives with furry companions. Just one of the interesting and amazing things happening in our Church.

Like all volunteer activities, I feel like the one who has really benefited. I have met terrific people and been able to serve some of those charged with leading our church in these times of trouble and promise. Blessings and Peace to you all!

St. Thomas thanks its volunteers for representing St. Thomas at Convention. Shireen Baker, John Boughner, Sarah Hensley, Randy Williams