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General Convention (VII): Footnotes

Episcopal News Service. May 26, 1988 [88111]

Margaret H. Anderson

NEW YORK (DPS, May 26) -- The big banner over Detroit's Cobo Hall read "Welcome, Episcopalians!" Red, white, and blue letters spelled out "The 60th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, 1961." It was my first. Never had I seen so many Episcopalians in one place, greeting one another, asking directions, registering, and putting finishing touches on a wild array of exhibitions.

Thousands more from miles around joined together for the very moving opening service. In his inspiring sermon, Presiding Bishop Arthur Lichtenberger called for renewed spiritual commitment and the need to risk involvement in the work of the Church and in the demanding issues of the day. "The effort is the thing," he said. "The rest is God's business."

And more was going on than the orderly deliberations of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The Triennial Meeting of the Women of the Church, which was meeting concurrently, featured representatives from every Episcopal jurisdiction for their business sessions and for the United Thank Offering service as well. The Youth Weekend Celebration drew young Episcopalians from everywhere.

The Missionary Mass Meeting was another high point of that first Detroit Convention. The Rt. Rev. Stephen F. Bayne, then executive officer of the Anglican Communion, preached his unforgettable sermon about Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence, setting a theme for committed ministry that was to be with the Church for many years.

And there was a great deal more. The Detroit Symphony gave a concert in honor of Bishop and Mrs. Lichtenberger. Even our mealtimes had a purpose other than eating: there were meals recognizing seminaries, agencies of the Church, and pressing social causes. Themes were everywhere. And the exhibit booths kept the already crowded schedules of visitors and delegates chasing the clock.

Now, 27 years later, the 69th General Convention will return to Cobo Hall and to Detroit, July 2-11. What will it be like? Well, certainly this Convention, like all the others, will have its own distinctiveness, its own special flavor, its own memories. It will be The Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning's first Convention as Presiding Bishop, a Convention at which he will place a strong emphasis on opening a whole new world of mission for the Church in which "we can face all risks on this journey in faith, in partnership with each other, and with our risen Lord." There will be deliberations, special events, and exhibits, all packed into a 10-day period.

Roaming the aisles of over 200 exhibits, a visitor will see vestments; Christian art of all kinds, including stained glass; pamphlets, books, brochures, and flyers of all sizes and descriptions about the work of Christians in mission; Bibles, cushions, bells, ecclesiastical linens, church building materials, and pews (try one out for size); organs, jewelry, and handicrafts from all over the United States and the world. At one past Convention, so the story goes, someone asked, "Where is the ladies room?" The immediate response was, "Over there -- between Taiwan and Okinawa."

During any Convention, things happen besides legislative action, the business of Convention. There are, inevitably, happenings, impromptu or planned, taking place on the edge of things, between major events. Sometimes these Convention happenings are the most indelible of events, the memories that stay with us longest.

Here are a few of my memories:

1964: St. Louis
  • William Stringfellow, a New York layman, and 726 other Episcopalians issued a statement of conscience about racism among white citizens. Stringfellow made it clear that his was a private demonstration and not an official act of Convention.
  • The silent procession around Kiel Auditorium under the sponsorship of The Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity. More than 100 Episcopalians carried large, blank white signs in the procession -- no written message or graphic design. These empty spaces symbolized the "waiting," by a large segment of the Church, for Convention to take action promoting racial unity.
  • The Cardinals' victory in the World Series! St. Louis went wild. Tons of paper flew through the air -- and some heavier objects, too.
1967: Seattle
  • An historic first step toward seating women in the House of Deputies. The smiles, the applause when Mrs. Seaton Bailey, presiding officer of the Women's Triennial, was welcomed into the House of Deputies by Dr. Clifford P. Morehouse.
  • Over 200 young people participating in the Agape Feast held on Flag Plaza, their posters proclaiming, "We Love You, Big John." They gathered with great enthusiasm to let Presiding Bishop John Hines know that his program was speaking directly to their concerns and interests.
1969: South Bend
  • The nightly caucuses on the campus of Notre Dame University brought about by youth representatives from some 65 Episcopal dioceses. Everyone was invited to come and exchange views on such topics as the draft, the Black Manifesto, youth ministries, and peace.
  • Labor Day in South Bend: a day of festivals, parades, picnics, athletic events, and folk dancing. Businesses are closed -- and so are post offices. For someone (like me) trying to issue last-minute press releases, it meant a quick trip to Chicago!
1970: Houston
  • Bishop Hines meeting with young people who had come to Convention to seek answers to the fears, frustrations, and anxieties of life in the 20th-century United States. There weren't enough chairs, and so everyone, including Bishop Hines, sat on the floor.
  • The sound of Mexican mariachi music that seemed to be everywhere at Convention.
1973: Louisville
  • The mini-train available, rain or shine, to take Convention-goers from the Executive Inn to the Convention site. It was a wonderful way to locate a friend or just say hello; the cars were open and you could hop on or off quite easily. A few diehards chose to walk.
  • The sheep-washing stalls where the Press Room was located. The previous tenant of the Convention site had been a livestock show.
1976: Minnesota
  • The United Thank Offering service which reflected such genuine and deep concern for problems around the world. Intercessions offered in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French, Tagalog, and Navajo. Presiding Bishop John Allin greeting each representative as they presented their offerings.
  • The Prayer Tent -- a haven for everyone. The location of the tent, just outside the entrance to Convention, was perfect.
1979: Denver
  • The altar at the World Hunger Eucharist, covered with newspapers black with headlines describing crisis conditions around the world. No one who went to the altar for Communion could escape the impact of those headlines.
  • The Open Air Players, the mimes, the video tape crews, the motion pictures and multi-image presentations coming from all sides. The Denver Convention was undeniably visual.
  • The John Denver concert with the Presiding Bishop joining in.
1982: New Orleans
  • THE RAIN -- and the spectacularly good guest speakers.
  • The night boat ride on the Mississippi River, Dixieland music, and pralines.
1985: Anaheim
  • The beautiful and handsomely-equipped Anaheim Convention Center. It made life at Convention much easier. Lots of walking, but to good purpose. A real joy to be there.
  • The sign on the Deputies' Press Table which read, "Lord, Give Me This Day My Daily Opinions and Forgive Me the Ones I Had Yesterday." We never learned who offered that fervent prayer.

Full circle -- with a strange collection of extra memories that have surfaced from past Conventions. As Bishop Lichtenberger said in Detroit in 1961, "The effort is the thing. The rest is God's business."