By Michael Funston, deputy
This morning the House of Deputies (HoD) met for its first legislative session. HoD President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings opened the session by bringing our attention to the open Bible at the front of the HoD. As is procedure in the HoD, according to the Rules of Order: “The President and Secretary will ensure that a copy of the Holy Scriptures is reverently displayed at all meetings of the House of Deputies.” The President chooses the scripture to which the Bible is opened for the duration of the General Convention. President Jennings chose Philippians 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
These words are a good reminder as one sits on the floor of the HoD. It is easy to be distracted by the large screens at the front of the house showing the current deputy speaking, or the resolution before u,s or the many different diocesan banners and decorations, let alone the iPad in our laps and our phones connecting us to numerous other distractions.
This first rule in our Rules of Order, which were revised for this General Convention and voted upon this afternoon in our second session, reminds us of our foundation for all that takes place on the floor of the House.
As we move forward with the rest of the legislative sessions, this foundation, and particularly this scripture, will guide our deliberation as we turn to more difficult issues. It is important for all of us – deputies, alternates, bishops and our brothers and sisters back home – to remember that the Lord is near. We are not called to worry, but to rejoice at all the opportunities around us. Pray with me that the Holy Spirit rest upon this General Convention that the whole Church may reach the end rejoicing in what the Lord has done.
This morning the House of Deputies (HoD) met for its first legislative session. HoD President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings opened the session by bringing our attention to the open Bible at the front of the HoD. As is procedure in the HoD, according to the Rules of Order: “The President and Secretary will ensure that a copy of the Holy Scriptures is reverently displayed at all meetings of the House of Deputies.” The President chooses the scripture to which the Bible is opened for the duration of the General Convention. President Jennings chose Philippians 4:4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
These words are a good reminder as one sits on the floor of the HoD. It is easy to be distracted by the large screens at the front of the house showing the current deputy speaking, or the resolution before u,s or the many different diocesan banners and decorations, let alone the iPad in our laps and our phones connecting us to numerous other distractions.
This first rule in our Rules of Order, which were revised for this General Convention and voted upon this afternoon in our second session, reminds us of our foundation for all that takes place on the floor of the House.
As we move forward with the rest of the legislative sessions, this foundation, and particularly this scripture, will guide our deliberation as we turn to more difficult issues. It is important for all of us – deputies, alternates, bishops and our brothers and sisters back home – to remember that the Lord is near. We are not called to worry, but to rejoice at all the opportunities around us. Pray with me that the Holy Spirit rest upon this General Convention that the whole Church may reach the end rejoicing in what the Lord has done.