Yesterday was a much-anticipated day in the life of the Episcopal Church: the Election of the next Presiding Bishop. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, Diocese of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York, was overwhelmingly elected on the first ballot. At 49, he is the second-youngest presiding bishop ever, and the first Gen X presiding bishop.
When the House of Deputies received word before lunch that the election was complete, there was an audible gasp and excited murmuring throughout the House. Without knowing the outcome, we then had to wait until after lunch to hear the announcement and vote to consent. It is quite the process!
Being on the House floor for this announcement and the. casting my vote consent to the election of Bishop Rowe is perhaps THE highlight of General Convention thus far. I was moved by his address to the House of Deputies following the vote, with bishops and alternates and visitors in attendance.
His passion, commitment to stewarding financial and Human Resources in service to dioceses and parishes, and his desire that we walk together in love and practice forgiveness was moving.
Before that vote, we celebrated Eucharist together…. and the primary language was Spanish. It was lively and Spirit-filled – the music and prayer filled my soul. I sat near the Nebraska deputation and captured this moment of prayer as Bishop Barker headed to the election as one of the five candidates.
I think this image captures something that blog posts, articles and even conversations with deputies might be difficult to convey. Yes, there is much business we must attend to as the Church. Yes, there are many strong and differing opinions (as evidenced by our debate about Israel-Palestine yesterday).
What I have witnessed over and over again in this last week is the spirit of discernment and act of prayer that permeates our work. There is openness and civility on the floor – something that we don’t see much in our communities, our nation or in the world today.
After our third legislative session that did not conclude until 9:00 last night, we were walking back to our hotel, and I caught this view out the Convention Center window. It felt like a meaningful sign about why we are here.
835 SW Polk St.