Back from General Convention

Well I had a terrific 10 days at General Convention! The whole experience was so different as an "unofficial exhibitor" than as a deputy 6 years ago in Denver -- as I was so much more detached from the day-to-day legislative business. But I got to enjoy the daily Eucharists and some of the hearings, along with the incredible experience of hearing the news announced of our new Presiding Bishop! I had not expected to be so moved by the news of Katharine Jefferts Schori's election -- moved to tears. It reminds me of what people are feeling when they still say to me how moving it is to see a woman (me) standing at the altar. It's easy for me to forget the power of the symbolic -- to say, "oh it's just me, Elizabeth...." and forget about what the symbol means....

Because having a booth cost $1300 (way beyond eMinistry's budget) I shared part of the booth space of booth #1 -- making me an "unofficial exhibitor" with the lovely Animal Welfare people, Sue, Karen and Rebecca. They have such good hearts -- and were so welcoming to me, and I couldn't have been there without their help. It was interesting to see passers-by look up at the booth banner and watch their faces respond with either interest or "those PETA activists!" (which couldn't be further from the truth.) I was grateful they let this carniverous eMinistry person stand next to them for 10 days, and I learned a lot about their ministry.

Sharing a booth was not ideal, because people DO look up to see the banner and either stayed or walked by on the basis of "animal welfare," not eMinistry. About 65 people signed up for the eMinistry mailing list, though -- representing 45 dioceses! So our ability to get news of eMinistry to people in congregations will be that much greater. I discussed with a couple of other ministry training organizations the possibility of sharing a larger booth with them in 3 years in Los Angeles...

I spent a huge amount of time visiting with other organizations in other booths -- and made some terrific connections, both in terms of potential topic for classes and in listening to/learning about the needs of these ministries. When we do a class on a topic related to their ministry, the possibility for publicity about the class through their network will be really helpful. I have a lot of following up to do!

It was so wonderful to meet up again with people from so many past parts of my life: my working at General Convention in the early 80's, seminary at VTS, my colleagues in the dioceses of Vermont and Kentucky, and now Spokane. Sort of pulls one's life back into a cohesive whole.... I loved just about every minute of GC 2006, AND I'm grateful I didn't have to vote on the very tough issues of the Church and could focus simply on being there and building eMinistry, AND I'm happy to be home again and back at work!

bye for now,

Elizabeth