I am here in San Luis Obispo, 187 miles south of the bottom of
the San Francisco Bay, to attend the annual convention of the
Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR). I am a delegate from All
Saints’ church in Palo Alto and also the Convener for the
department of diocesan missions. This has been a wild year for ECR
with energetic and detailed discussions about our future structure
and funding models. ECR is one of the youngest diocese in the
worldwide Anglican Communion and in the USA. At 25 years old, we
are still trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up.
ECR is in the process of searching for our 3rd bishop but we want
to get our finances and organization sorted out a bit before she or
he arrives. Tomorrow, we will vote for one of two diocesan structures
and one of four proposed financial models. We are also voting for
the representatives to various diocesan bodies during the next year.
All of us lay delegates
and all of the clergy will be present to vote. Most of the delegates
have been going to meetings all year to hear presentations and discuss
alternatives. We have read through the 1/2″ of paperwork, resolutions,
summaries, lists of candidates, annual reports, and so on.
Since only lunch is provided tomorrow, we have to decide everything
before dinner. It will be quite a day.
KatysBlog 