Youth Missioner and General Convention

I know I've mentioned several times that I will be going to General Convention.  Folks still ask me questions about what I'm doing there and if I'm a Deputy for our Diocese.  The answer to that second question is no but the answer to the first is pretty interesting.

This will be my third time at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.  I went in both 2003 and 2006.  Quick review in case you're not clear.  General Convention is like our diocesan convention in that it is the business meeting of the church.  Budgets get passed, plans for ministry and making decisions about our future together all take place at the conventions.  One of the most common phrases about either convention is that they are "family reunions", a gathering of folks from all over the church for discussion, sharing and joy.

General Convention (GC) is different from our diocesan convention in that it only meets once every three years.  That means the budgets are bigger, the plans are longer range and the discussions need to be longer.  Plus it is many, many times larger.  Lay, clergy and bishops from just over 100 dioceses.  Plus staff people and exhibit people and people who just like hanging out at GC (yes, there are people like that).  So it is HUGE.

In the midst of all that I'll be working as a mentor with the General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP.  Episcopalians love acronyms).  GCOYP is made up of two young people from each province of our denomination.  So there are 18 young people from all over including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (The Episcopal Church [TEC] goes beyond just the U.S.) This means a lot of things.  I'm there because I have experience both with GC and GCOYP.  In addition I work with the young people on speaking in public and media relations.  My background is very strong in both those areas and it's great fun for me to bring those different parts of my life all together.  Beyond that I and the other mentors basically serve as staff for the youth.  You see THEY are the important folks for that time and place.  GCOYP is granted seat and voice in the House of Deputies (HOD.  As compared to the House of Bishops which is HOB.  I told you we LOVE acronyms!).  They need to focus on the issues that are before them and the days are long.  We are commonly out the door on our way to hearings or meetings at 7 A.M. and wrap up the day around 11 P.M.  Every day for 9 days.  So that means I get them supplies they need, dig up answers they need, set up meetings and upon occasion get them a cup of coffee.

It's hard work.  It's also work that I love doing.  I've been blessed that Bishop Franklin like Bishop Garrison before him supports me in this ministry. After camp this is one of my favorite parts of my ministry.  This year we will also have a youth from our diocese there as a member of GCOYP.  Elisabeth Engle is one of the two Province Two representatives.  We both have a lot of work waiting for us.  I'm sure I speak for Lis when I say we would appreciate being kept in your prayers along with the Deputies from WNY and Bishop Franklin.

My time at GC will run from July 4-12.