GENERAL CONVENTION continued from page 1

The Convention will provide a “state-of-the-art daycare center,” according to the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles. As the hosting diocese, Los Angeles has worked to present a full-bodied experience that includes sightseeing in Los Angeles, experiencing the great jazz musician Vince Guaraldi, a light show, a rock band and a presentation by popular speaker, Mr. Brian McLaren.

Exclusive Convention Experiences

Unique to this General Convention is the fact that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, will attend the gathering. He will speak on the second day during a global economic forum which provides “an opportunity for the whole Convention to ponder how we are related economically to the rest of the world,” said Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori. The archbishop will also speak on day three.

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will provide new leadership for the Convention. An emerging leader on the world stage, Jefferts Schori is thoughtful and eloquent about matters of environmental responsibility, eliminating poverty, human rights for all, and more. She will celebrate one of the Convention Eucharists.

The President of the House of Deputies, Bonnie Anderson, brings a new dimension to the Convention. “She is collaborative and conversational,” said the Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas, Professor of Mission and World Christianity at Episcopal Divinity School. “Bonnie deeply values hearing from all sides.”

How to Stay Connected

The convention will be covered widely by the Media Hub, a one-stop shop for all your Convention information. This will include Episcopal News Service reports, videos, blogging, Twitter feeds, photo galleries, live webcasting, legislation tracking and commentary. The Hub will be available July 1 at www.episcopalchurch.org. Our own diocesan website (www.edsd.org) will feature updated information from Bishop Mathes and our

deputies. Check Facebook for breaking news and conversations about what’s happening in real-time (Group: Episcopal Diocese of San Diego). Two members of the bishop’s staff will volunteer their time in various capacities, as will many other lay people throughout our diocese.

Why is it Important?

The General Convention sets priorities for the next triennium in the Episcopal Church. “What happens at General Convention will have an impact in your congregation,” said the Most. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. As new texts are authorized and new musical resources made available, these things will impact liturty; budgets will be affected by newly passed legislation.

While the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies are formal meetings with limited access to microphones, visitors are free to attend committee meetings and hearings and to sign up to give testimony about the resolutions. “All are invited to come and be part of the legislation,” said Dr. Gregory Straub, Executive Offi cer and Secretary of General Convention. All proposed resolutions may be viewed at www.gc2009.org/ viewlegislation.

Episcopal Church Women Triennial

Meeting

No description of General Convention would be complete without mention of the triennial gathering of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW). This organization was the women’s auxiliary group, for women did not have the right to vote in the Church until 1970. The triennial is a resource for women and men to take advantage of workshops, networking, educational opportunities and support. The United Thank Offering also holds an ingathering during the triennial.

Full Inclusion for All Members

Our presiding bishop hopes that issues surrounding the full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons manifests as a positive statement about who we are as a church, and not as a

Web Sites: more necessity than

luxury in today’s church life

By Susan Rust

Forty of our fi fty congregations have great websites; it is critical that all our congregations take advantage of modern communications via the Internet. Potential new members are online now and that’s where we need to be if we want to reach them.

Startling fact

Many visitors only go to a church after visiting the church's website. If your church website is not current, user-friendly and truly refl ective of your community, you are losing visitors to the next church on their list. Our most recent church statistics show that 50-70% of new congregants come to the church through the website.

time and effort spent broadcasting the many events every church manages. A web-based event calendar centralizes information for quick and accurate dissemination. Never hear the words, "No one told me!" again.

Boost attendance and community

The internet and broadcast emailing allow you to compete for the attention of your parishioners. A weekly routine of updating, posting and broadcasting will guarantee that church is not forgotten.

Wear fewer hats

Churches can fi nd themselves in an uncomfortable position of having small budgets, minimal staff, dropping attendance and shrinking pledge income. In the face of this, our recommendation is to invest in a website. While it may seem counterintuitive, a new website is the fi rst line of defense against many of these challenges.

Maximize staff and volunteers

A strong website with interactive features and centralized information reduces the amount of

“Potential new members are online now and that’s where we need to be if we want to reach them.”

Grow and harvest easier

Online forms makes pledging year-round easy with the simple click of a button or automatic monthly withdrawal. Younger members are, typically, much

slower to return a paper pledge. An online donation option will increase your pledges and donations.

As a Summer offering, Green Bird Media will provide a special package for small congregations (under 50 members) to jumpstart your growth. A content management system website, hosting, and email marketing for one year for $250/month. For specifi cs please contact Green Bird Media at 619-291-5303 or susan@greenbirdmedia.com. X

repeal of past legislation. “That’s moving backwards,” she said. “We need to include all people fully in this Church and be clear about who we are.”

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Outcomes

Bishop Mathes and a representative of our deputation will report back to the people of the diocese through dialogues at Town Hall Meetings (see page 2 for dates, times and locations). The purpose of these meetings is to communicate the outcomes of General Convention, answer questions and provide information. Bishop Mathes invites everyone to attend a meeting and learn how General Convention affects our Church. X

Good Sam Makes HIV Kits

By Leanne Shawler

One Kit Per Minute! As their Palm Sunday activity, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church put together medical supply kits for distribution in Africa, Latin American and Southeast Asia. The kits help caregivers improve and extend the lives of those suff ering from HIV/AIDS and provide protection for caregivers. When they tackle the same project this fall, Good Sam hopes to have the support of the entire diocese.

The University City church also collected enough groceries for 60 families in Linda Vista, and continue to support the Monarch School for homeless children, among other outreach ministries.

ROAD TRIP continued from page 3

a few trips we decided to investigate the then new EZ Pass system that allows cars to zip right through tolls. What a difference! I admit that I felt special driving past long toll lines, like I had some secret VIP privileges. I might have felt slightly guilty the fi rst time but I got over it pretty quickly. And since Bryna dealt with the bill whenever it arrived, it was like all the tolls were suddenly free.

Approaching God is a bit like having EZ Pass. God is always inviting, always encouraging us into a deeper relationship. And God always gives us access to this relationship through prayer, through Scripture, and through faith in Jesus. True, we often create our own “toll booths” that keep us from the love of God. But, much like toll booths, they are merely human structures. If we allow God more fully into our lives, these toll booths can be wiped away and the road toward God opened once again.

I admit that a mini-van does make long car trips more comfortable. Everyone has room to spread out even though whoever’s in the passenger seat has to act like a contortionist whenever the kids demand snacks in between movie showings. Maybe I’ll look into putting racing stripes on the sides. X

The Rev. Tim Schenck is rector of All Saints’, Briarcliff Manor, and the author of the What

Size are God’s Shoes: Kids, Chaos & the

Spiritual Life (Morehouse), from which this essay was adapted. Visit him on the web at www.frtim.com. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8