The Rector's Ramblings...June 25, 2009

Fr. Bennett mentioned last Sunday that the clergy will be leading a discussion on General Convention in Shepherd's Hall following the 8am Eucharist on June 28 and July 5.  You will find more information about this program in this edition of our E-newsletter.  Let me share a couple of thoughts with you from a personal perspective.  General Convention which meets every third year is the primary decision making body for The Episcopal Church.  Within the framework of its bicameral structure (House of Bishops and House of Deputies) all sorts of resolutions having to do with the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church will be discussed. Some resolutions have to do with everyday matters, others are financial, and some may even be controversial, but they are all of importance for us within this part of the Anglican Communion.

While we are represented in the Diocese of North Carolina by our Bishops and our four Clergy and Four Lay delegates, all of us in the local congregations need to make a commitment to have a ministry of support for General Convention.  That ministry of support is prayer. I ask each of you to join with me in praying daily for our representatives and for General Convention itself. 

There are two prayers found on page 818 of The Book of Common Prayer that you might find helpful in getting started.  These are the prayers "For a Church Convention or Meeting" and "For the Unity of the Church."  Let us all surround General Convention with a great chorus of prayer.