Snippets from General Convention July 11 2012
Cherie Wetzel reporting from the 77th General Convention, Indianapolis
It is difficult to explain the difference in attitude at the Convention today. Perhaps it is because so many are tired, and we have the two longest days to go. Perhaps it is because it has become familiar: sitting for hours in Deputies or Bishops; dealing with resolutions that you don’t have any idea how they will be implemented. For example, today the Bishops took up a resolution asking the government to improve relations with North Korea.
But, I principally think that the energy level is low today because so many came to vote on the gay blessing liturgy and now that is over. They won. Today, it is business as usual at the General Convention, with all the sexy resolutions gone. Budget resolutions, elections for special committees and commissions and about 20 resolutions changing portions of the Canon remain today. And, tonight is the possible added session for both Houses so they can finish the stacks of resolutions still before them.
One thing I can positively report is the change I have seen in the House of Bishops. At my first Convention in 1994, and at every subsequent Convention since, I have split my time between the House of Bishops and Deputies. Prior to the 2007 House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans, it was pretty grim in the House of Bishops. They treated each other with sarcasm, contempt and disdain. The rules were structured so that you could only speak once per session. So, if you arrived at the mike and someone asked you a question, like, “how is your family today?” your answer was your one time to speak. Tricks of this nature were frequent and intentional. Distrust and suspicion reigned.
This Convention had a major abruption late last week in the House of Bishops with the issue of the amicus brief requested by the Court in Texas and Illinois. Through ‘Private Conversation’, which begins every afternoon session, they were able to reconcile with each other. The bishops are relaxed and at ease with each other. The Presiding Bishop is at home here; she jokes with them and they laugh together. They spar without vindictive language. Bishop Katharine is more personable than I have ever seen her before. The House runs smoothly and well.
This is an amazing change in five years that only generous leadership can accomplish.
The House of Deputies is another story. With 850+ people in the hall, it is a group of people who don’t know each other, don’t know how to work together and have a mountain of reading to do. Just voting on the resolutions takes an enormous amount of time. (At day 6, they are still not good at using the voting machines.) And, with all due respect, the parliamentary requirements for the chair are hefty. Pit the President of this House against CEO’s and attorneys that live in Roberts Rules of Order, and you have frequent consultations with the parliamentarian. (read: minutes sitting and waiting every hour)
It’s 5:30 PM on Wednesday afternoon and they are still on the Legislative Day 5 supplemental calendar. They have not gotten to Day 6 yet. One gets the feeling that it is more exciting to watch paint dry or ice melt than to be a member of this House. The second request to reconsider the previous vote within the last 20 minutes has just been registered. And, because of the sound bounce in this concrete hall, it is difficult to hear. Please! Pray for this House. They will be here until Labor Day if it continues in this fashion.
Cherie Wetzel reporting, still hoping to leave Indianapolis in the month of July, 2012
It is difficult to explain the difference in attitude at the Convention today. Perhaps it is because so many are tired, and we have the two longest days to go. Perhaps it is because it has become familiar: sitting for hours in Deputies or Bishops; dealing with resolutions that you don’t have any idea how they will be implemented. For example, today the Bishops took up a resolution asking the government to improve relations with North Korea.
But, I principally think that the energy level is low today because so many came to vote on the gay blessing liturgy and now that is over. They won. Today, it is business as usual at the General Convention, with all the sexy resolutions gone. Budget resolutions, elections for special committees and commissions and about 20 resolutions changing portions of the Canon remain today. And, tonight is the possible added session for both Houses so they can finish the stacks of resolutions still before them.
One thing I can positively report is the change I have seen in the House of Bishops. At my first Convention in 1994, and at every subsequent Convention since, I have split my time between the House of Bishops and Deputies. Prior to the 2007 House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans, it was pretty grim in the House of Bishops. They treated each other with sarcasm, contempt and disdain. The rules were structured so that you could only speak once per session. So, if you arrived at the mike and someone asked you a question, like, “how is your family today?” your answer was your one time to speak. Tricks of this nature were frequent and intentional. Distrust and suspicion reigned.
This Convention had a major abruption late last week in the House of Bishops with the issue of the amicus brief requested by the Court in Texas and Illinois. Through ‘Private Conversation’, which begins every afternoon session, they were able to reconcile with each other. The bishops are relaxed and at ease with each other. The Presiding Bishop is at home here; she jokes with them and they laugh together. They spar without vindictive language. Bishop Katharine is more personable than I have ever seen her before. The House runs smoothly and well.
This is an amazing change in five years that only generous leadership can accomplish.
The House of Deputies is another story. With 850+ people in the hall, it is a group of people who don’t know each other, don’t know how to work together and have a mountain of reading to do. Just voting on the resolutions takes an enormous amount of time. (At day 6, they are still not good at using the voting machines.) And, with all due respect, the parliamentary requirements for the chair are hefty. Pit the President of this House against CEO’s and attorneys that live in Roberts Rules of Order, and you have frequent consultations with the parliamentarian. (read: minutes sitting and waiting every hour)
It’s 5:30 PM on Wednesday afternoon and they are still on the Legislative Day 5 supplemental calendar. They have not gotten to Day 6 yet. One gets the feeling that it is more exciting to watch paint dry or ice melt than to be a member of this House. The second request to reconsider the previous vote within the last 20 minutes has just been registered. And, because of the sound bounce in this concrete hall, it is difficult to hear. Please! Pray for this House. They will be here until Labor Day if it continues in this fashion.
Cherie Wetzel reporting, still hoping to leave Indianapolis in the month of July, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment