Keep Watch Dear Lord

The night has come upon us and the first day of legislation is past. Deputies are tired and it is only the first day. Today was full of orgizing the House of Deputies in the morning, followed by the opening Eucharis, legislation meetings and an afternoon business session. Nothing major yet has come before the Deputies and Bishops. I was struck this evening how so many of the resolutions that I listened to today impact the lives of people who are on the margins: people of color, the poor, LGBT, HIV/AIDS. The Church has to find her voice and continue to listen and be with people where they live. It is such important and powerful work. I attended some of the discussion this evening around structure. This is going to be a long and at times agonizing process. Everything will likely be on the table and there will be pain. It has to be and it wil not all shake out in the next week. How do we become a missional Church and at the same time continue what we love. How do we worship and go forth into the World proclaiming the Good News of Jesus. There is so much to do and yet we must not get so caught up in changing the institution to the detriment of the people we love and care for.