So last week at this time, I was about to face this tabletop, with all my GC papers — the blue book, the B, C, and D resolutions that arrived, the Daily Calendar and its supplements, the register, and whatever else came along. I may or may not have gotten lunch; that depended on the schedule.
Today, it was the usual three services, walk back home because my car is at the body shop and then four-hour nap, from which I am still recovering.
Everyone else out there is reflecting on what GC meant to them and so I will join in the chorus.
First of all, it is the first time I have returned home since 1997 without feeling kicked in the stomach. Clearly 2006 was the worst for B-033 but previous GCs had their moment when they woke up and realised they hadn't kicked the LGBT group in the gut.
Second, I have been thinking about the three vocal conservative deputations — Albany, Central Florida and South Carolina — and how they must be feeling... as though the ship has finally sunk. I sadly think that they are feeling for the first time really the deep pain the LGBT community has experienced for a long time. It hurts and one fights back. They are not alone: in the vote on C-056 there were about thirty other deputations who felt likewise. It's just that this group of three was the block that tried parliamentary procedures, raised questions about the validity of a vote and was the most vocal.
Third, I missed the daily bible studies at the eucharist. In the past, these moments offered an opportunity to meet other deputies, women from the Episcopal Women's Triennial, bishops and visitors. Instead, we had daily sermons, which were commendable unto themselves but we had lost a good opportunity.
Instead, there was the public narrative project. The work I did on D025 impeded my going to the second one and by the time the third one came around, it seemed somewhat pointless. So I cannot really comment on it.
Coming home to my new parish is different from going home to my last one and so I did not talk about GC in my sermon: I want to weigh my words and find a clear way of expressing the positive moments of GC. So in time I will figure out what to say.
These are unfiltered, unsophisticated ruminations.
Back here, the cats have been turning themselves inside out with joy at my return.
3 comments:
I'm happy you are home again. I wish there were a way to find out how each delegation voted. I suspect ours was a huge disappointment. I know our bishop was for me.
On returning from the Berkshires a few minutes ago, I was greeted by my feline tribe. Nice to feel welcome, isn't it?
Not so welcome was the destruction in the shed. The raccoons figured out how to open the door. They ate what remained of the bird seed which wasn't much fortunately, destroyed a lamp and made a general mess. They will be getting new homes.
MollytheWonderDog turns herself inside out with joy and wriggles when we return home. She make a theological statement that she has taught me to echo at Eucharist.
I had told my love that if GC2009 was like GC2006, I might be leaving TEC. Thanks be to God that I don't have to wrestle with that choice.
Welcome home --hope your basement wasn't too bad. And thank you for all the work you did on D025. Thank you.
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