I write you from a desk in my hotel room in Anaheim. It is currently 6:16 and the sun is still strong here in the west although it has most likely set in our diocese. I have a spectacular view of the interplay between concrete, smoggy haze and the surrounding mountains (much browner than ours!).
Today has been a full day. Mine began with meeting Porter, Jim and Brian at the Bishop Henry center at 6:00 in order to drive to Charlotte to catch our plane. I had a lot of anticipation last night so sleep was minimal, but I have surprisingly made it through the day, time change and cross country trip. Once at our gate we joined up with other deputies and folks from Western North Carolina making the trip out for this exciting event.
Once we arrived, we took a shuttle to the hotel and immediately, the scale of the event started to sink in. While we waited to check into our rooms, people were milling about and there were plenty of "o my gosh I didn't know you would be here" moments that we witnessed transpiring. As someone who has spent time in other dioceses within the church I was excited to see who I might reconnect with as we seek to steer a course for the church over these next three years.
I didn't have to wait long. Seminary classmates, fellow Credo participants (clergy wellness program), and parents and siblings of people affiliated, or once affiliated, with the diocese started to pop up in our path. Because of the time change we were a little off on our eating schedule and had decided to try to register and then eat. It seemed we couldn't take ten steps without running into someone one of us knew! My stomach complained, but it made me reflect on what these ten days may truly be about: community. After the final gavel falls and the legislative actions remain to be put into practice in our home dioceses, I imagine the most meaningful memories will have something to do with who we have broken bread with, who we have laughed and reminisced with, and who we come to experience more fully as Christ's own. As chair of the deputation, I will intentionally seek out these experiences and encourage our deputation to do so as well.
To that end, we are meeting as a deputation tonight in a couple of minutes to discuss schedule and to pray together. Each of your deputies will have the opportunity to share their own experiences with you through this blog and I hope you will encourage any interested parties to check back here over the next ten days to gain their unique perspective on events. Though we are united both in Christ and the will to serve the body through this work, each of us will have a particular vision, or nuanced take on what and how things are unfolding. Please share your comments with us and don't forget to pray for us regularly. We we uphold you likewise.
Here's to the Holy Spirit, who binds us together and draws us ever nearer in myriad ways, across time zones and fault lines of division. May we seek that Spirit together always.
Austin
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