How's this for inclusivity? It seems the Episcopal Synod of America (ESA) was denied space for its exhibit at the recent convention of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

ESA, which has been particularly active in that diocese, was told, "the Synod has gone beyond expressing a difference of opinion with national and diocesan leadership to advocating that parishes unhappy with their bishop apply to the Synod for alternative episcopal oversight," in a letter from diocesan communications officer Barbara Ogilby. "This would be a violation of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and we cannot allow our Convention to be a venue for advocating this drastic step."

Not undaunted, ESA set up its exhibit outside the convention site, and members told TLC they probably were able to reach more persons in that location than inside in the exhibit area.

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If our bishops don't have enough to do already, 80 of them, including the Presiding Bishop-elect, have signed a letter urging the Church Pension Fund to meet with representatives of a janitors union to discuss the resolution of a 10-year-old labor dispute. It seems the janitors, who have been cleaning the buildings of a real estate investment trust based in Washington, D.C., are being paid minimum wage and receive no health care benefits. The Pension Fund's committee on social and fiduciary responsibility was asked to become an advocate for the janitors. The Pension Fund is a client of the group which owns 40 percent of the real estate investment trust. Stay tuned.

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In a recent issue, The Church of England Newspaper featured "100 reasons why it's great to be a reverend." A few samples:

A clergyman can wear dresses without being considered kinky.

You don't have to pay rent.

People have to listen to your jokes on a weekly basis.

You get more Christmas presents than the rest of us.

You need never be lonely. The phone will always ring.

People will buy you a pint down at the local.

You get to drink all the wine after communion.

You'll have people calling you everything from "Father" to "Padre" to "Mother."

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Among the gifts received by the Rt. Rev. Catherine Waynick, Bishop of Indianapolis, at her first diocesan convention banquet was a chasuble which featured crossed black and white auto racing flags and "Our lady of perpetual acceleration" on the back.

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My only contribution to the license-plate watch: THE I AM. Some others: Linda Poindexter of Washington saw 10QGSUS, the Rev. Donald Beers, of Belvidere, N.J., submitted a photo of his own, A PADRE, and Deacon Rodger Patience of Lake Geneva, Wis., saw JC SAVES. Deacon Barbara Hanstine of Deposit, N.Y., spotted CANTICLE ("It belongs to a church organist," she wrote) and GOD AND I ("parked in a clergy space").

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Note to Jim in Chicago: Yes, I agree our Nov. 9 cover picture could turn into the Fond du Lac Circus II.

David Kalvelage, editor