KatysBlog

The annual ECR diocesan convention
ended early: all resolutions were passed, withdrawn, or rejected, all
positions were elected (one after three ballots), the 2007 budget
approved without amendment, our structure and funding models chosen for
the future. Three Bishop’s Crosses were distributed honoring
extraordinary leadership and contribution to the diocese.

There were three services of celebration and thanksgiving:
at the start, before lunch, and at the closing. Ours may be the
only Episcopal diocese in which services are routinely held in three
languages: Spanish, English, and Philipino. Prayers, bible readings,
and even hymns alternate between languages. Ours may also be the
only diocese in which the Bishop sings calypso songs at the convention
to call it to order. Of course, we sang right back.

In fact, the singing is one of the pleasures of annual convention
here on California’s central coast.
There are so many good voices and trained singers among the
clergy and lay delegates that when we sing a hymn to pass the time
while ballots are being counted, it comes out in harmony. Unpracticed
but fine harmony among 250 people is a delight to hear.

ECR is so much more positive and effective during the last two years
when we have been honestly assessing our own progress and potential.
As Bishop Romero said, our wine may be sour but it is our wine:
we need to drink it together and get on with our work. With our
new diocesan structure, we can build a shared ministry and prepare
to welcome our third bishop next summer.

Bishop Romero has a favorite saying “despacio por que precisa” which he
translates as “take your time, our business is urgent”. He says this
when we are in the heat of discussion, urging us both to make the best
decision we can, and to make time for the thought and prayer needed.

The ECR annual convention just
considered Resolution E – Bishop Search Process:

Resolved, That the 26th Annual Meeting of the Convention of the Diocese
of El Camino Real requests the Search Committee for the Third Bishop
of El Camino Real and the Electing Convention give equal consideration
to all qualified candidates without regard to their sexual orientation
in compliance with Title III.1.2 of the national Canons.

This complex issue of inclusiveness has been tearing at the worldwide
Anglican Communion for years. Trying to find a balanced way
between many passionate points of view held by devout Christians
around the world requires all of our best efforts and prayers plus the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Before we voted, Bishop Romero asked the convention to stop, pray, and
think. He asked us to consider not just our diocese here on California’s
central coast but also the Anglican Communion worldwide. Come Holy Spirit,
Come. The resolution passed overwhelmingly.

We have finished the morning session of the annual convention
of the Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR)
here in San Luis Obispo (SLO) on the central coast of
California. So far, we delegates have passed the
Consent Agenda, chosen the Collaborative diocesan structure model,
and chosen a new funding model (10% of the first $178,000 of
each ECR congregation’s NDBI – net disposable budgeted income – plus
20% of the rest goes to ECR as fair share support). We have also
voted on who will serve on a variety of commissions and departments
but those election results have not been announced yet.

We left for lunch with 5 minutes remaining to discuss amendments to the
new diocesan structure. We have already heard a wide variety of
amendment proposals but none have yet passed. Bishop Romero is
keeping the meeting moving well and telling stories to fill the
time while votes are tallied.

The convention has been very well managed and even though we still have
some tricky resolutions plus the budget yet to pass, there is good
hope that we will adjourn in time for dinner.

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.