Convention Explores Signposts and Borders
Series: Test Series
The language of borders and signposts made its way into our 37th Annual Diocesan Convention at First United Methodist Church in Mission Valley. Our guest speaker, Diana Butler Bass made reference to signs saying, “the ability to see God in the midst of community is the ability to read signs.” She urged us to embrace Christianity, “as the transformative work of Jesus here, in our moment of history, culture and time.” Our bishop echoed the call to recognize the signs around us saying, “In our life together, we each do different tasks and we hope that the combined efforts are signs -- messages of God -- written or spoken in words or in deeds.” Our convention theme, “What’s God Up To?” may have inspired our speakers to encourage us to look for signs, while we are aware of the borders that separate us -- a theme Dean Richardson explored in Saturday’s sermon.
Workshops
Opening Friday morning, the first workshop sessions were comfortably full. Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and The Practice of Prayer attracted people looking for tools to deepen their spiritual lives. Podcasting Step-by-Step and Simpler Living/Greening the Church gave helpful, pragmatic tips for those wanting to transform their congregations. Perhaps the best-attended workshop was Best Practices for Welcoming and Inclusion, a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Cathedral, St. David’s; St. John’s, Chula Vista; St. Peter’s and Grace. People squeezed into the corners and stood at the door to hear what’s working around the diocese. Other well-attended sessions included: Using Drama and Dance in Liturgy; Organizing Emergence; Giving and Getting: Building Resources; The Global Village; Listening for God’s Call; and You Have a Story to Tell.
Financials
Canon Julie Young presented the treasurer’s report on Friday afternoon, showing that at the end of 2010, the diocese held cash and investments of $5.4 million. The diocese funds missions and aided parishes in the amount of $513,710, whereas $231,291 supports programs, ministry, outreach and clergy support. The proposed budget for 2011 shows expenses of $2.2 million. Mission share pledges account for 66% of the budget; the remainder is comprised of donations, investment payout and income, and program and ministry fees.
Diana Butler Bass, noted historian, author and scholar on American religion, spoke to the crowd at the gala dinner on Friday evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Beautiful floral centerpieces donated by thirteen different churches decorated the tables and two large screens projected the diocesan shield and a slideshow of church activity throughout the year.
Bishop Mathes presented seventeen Servant Ministry Awards (see sidebar, this page). An impromptu greeting from the Rev. Bishop Murray Finck, chief pastor of our Lutheran brothers and sisters in this region, closed out the evening.
Worship
A festive Eucharist on Saturday morning featured a diocesan-wide choir and worship in English, Spanish and Arabic. Participants reaffirmed their Baptismal Covenant vows, which some reported was a powerful experience in the midst of their fellow Episcopalians. Bishop Mathes commissioned Julie Young as the diocesan treasurer and canon for finance. Young people from around the diocese led the prayers of the people, encouraging us to honor ourselves through a meditation on our hands. Half of the convention offering was given to rebuilding the cathedral complex in Haiti and half went to support the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador.
Recognition
The Bishop’s Cross, a prestigious award given to people Bishop Mathes selects for their special commitment to the work of the diocese, went to Ana Garcia from St. John’s, Chula Vista; Lillian Jarrett from St. Peter’s, Del Mar; Francis and Eric Rice from Sts. Peter and Paul, El Centro; and Alex Tuttle from St. Dunstan’s, San Diego and Head Mom for Happening youth retreats. Bishop Mathes spoke touching words about each individual before placing the pewter cross around their necks. This celebratory moment was a high point of the convention.
Resolutions
The convention passed six resolutions, two of which concern the governance structure of our diocese and simply outline what will be enacted at next year’s convention. One resolution called for the creation of a diocesan foundation. Another updated our disciplinary rules to match those of the broader Church. Another affects how vacancies are filled on Standing Committee. And one clarifies our governing rules about leases.
Bishop’s Address
The bishop’s address focused on the strategic plan that the committee presented during the afternoon business session on Saturday.
“This remains an extraordinary age of mission,” the bishop said. “God’s mission has a church. We should be undeterred by borders and boundaries, but seek them out as the place for us to do our church craft and to look for that border place…dare to be fearless followers of Jesus; we dare to be a Eucharistic people of hope.” The full address is available at edsd.org > Bishop’s Welcome. For more information about the strategic plan, see article on page 5.
Elections
The elections required a fourth ballot this year, as voters selected our diocesan deputies to General Convention 2012. The clergy deputies are: the Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas, the Rev. Andrew Green, the Rev. Michael Russell and the Rev. Paul Carmona with the Rev. Suzanne Watson and the Rev. Bill Zettinger serving as first and second alternates, respectively. The lay deputies are: Pauline Getz, Suzanne Foucault, Jacqueline Bray and Louis Glosson with Dick Goodlake and Carroll Levien serving as first and second alternates respectively.
Videos, photos, audio clips, text, workshop powerpoints and more details about the resolutions and elections can be found on edsd.org/Convention.