The Business of Conventions and Family Reunions

This week is the 179th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, which is always held the weekend before Ash Wednesday. I'll be there in Florence, as will our lay delegates, Mark Hyatt, Debby Simmons and Odes Wilemon. Please keep us in your prayers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Coming from the "mega" Diocese of Virginia, I was used to seeing hundreds of Episcopalians taking over a major hotel. What surprised me about my first Alabama convention last year was that there were almost as many people here as there are at the Virginia Diocese's "Council" (Council, convention, same difference). In Virginia, a parish of our size would only have one lay delegate, instead of the three we actually have. That makes the convention a large scale affair, very much a family reunion.

I've heard some argue how much Haiti could be helped if we took all the money being spent on printing, hotels, and food this weekend in Florence and sent it to the people of Haiti. That is true. But remember the "new commandment" that Jesus gives us? "Love each other as I have loved you." Who is Jesus speaking to here? The Roman governor, the Sanhedrin Jewish council, the people of Jerusalem? No, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who are now one in him as he and his Father are one (Jn 17:21).

Yes, we are called to love and serve the world that God made, and loves. But that service must be based in the love and service we give to each other in the Church. Otherwise, our claims of love for the world are a sham, an empty pretense. That's why I love our diocesan convention. It is truly a family reunion of those Christians calling themselves Episcopalians.

With that in mind, Bishop Henry Parsley has asked convention delegates to come reflecting on the following question: What are the gifts that the Episcopal Church has to offer the world? Please reflect on that question a little bit. Think of what God has given you through the Episcopal Church, then think of what we as Episcopalians can give to the world around us. Feel free to comment on this blog, and we'll be happy to bring your reflections to the rest of the family in Florence this weekend.