Settled in and started running--today was a full day, even by General Convention standards. I think they want to make sure that we deal with legislation instead of poring over the same old controversies--last time we deferred much legislation in favor of wrangling over control of the church.

And I think there is a spirit of cooperation and determination to think and pray carefully about our future. We seem finally to be acknowledging that our internal conversations, while interesting and in some ways important, are largely seen by the rest of the world as detracting from serving the mission to which Jesus sends us--healing and compassion, hope and restoration, helping each creature be the self God made it/him/her to be.

So the Archbishop of Canterbury was in the hotel lobby tonight. He's spending two days--should be an eyeful. One night (Thursday I think) he will address us about global poverty. Perhaps he will ascertain that we think a lot about that already. Oops.

Be sure to check out the Episcopal Church posts on convention--their press staff can get lots of places I can't. www.episcopalchurch.org and follow the prompts to General Convention.

My committee is holding a hearing on the future of Theological formation and its funding and trying to help seminarians with their educational debt...that's tomorrow. And the resolution from the Bishops in states where marriage is legal for all couples is moving toward a hearing. There are a lot of resolutions talking about full access to all the sacraments and ordination at every level (read marriage for all and the office of bishop for all).

No one seems loaded for bear. It's hopeful. And freeing. Enough. The end of a long, full, full day. Keep praying....Ellen