With a multitude of bishops, thousands of clergy, religious, and "people in the pews," with brass, tympani and organ, the Whole Church Gathered raised a mighty song.

The major Eucharist of General Convention filled the cavernous hall in Pennsylvania Convention Center on July 19 with crimson and gold and white, and the ancient rituals and rites of faith. The Eucharist commemorated the feast of Macrina, monastic and teacher, brought together the gifts of the people from around the country, and continued the thanks and farewell to the Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Edmond Lee Browning.

The Presiding Bishop and the Most Rev. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury, climbed the platforms to the altar during the singing of a hymn composed by the precentor emeritus of Washington National Cathedral, Richard Wayne Dirksen. The setting of Psalm 119 was composed especially for the service by Jackson Hill, organist/choirmaster of St. James'Church, Muncy, Pa. Hymn settings were composed by Richard Webster of St. Luke's Church, Evanston, Ill

The archbishop preached to convention as a friend and admirer of the American church. The Anglican Communion, he said, relies upon "your energy, your vision and your extraordinary generosity."

He went on to plead with the church "to keep your eyes focused on the God whose hands are tied by his love for you. How then do we reflect that love as his disciples? Remember that no matter how much you think you are dealing with issues, you are not: You are always dealing with people who are wounded, who are hurt, who bleed they are in the image and like-ness of our Lord.

"Make haste slowly," the archbishop advised, to be "led into deeper unity." He closed with part of a poem by "a French bishop - a dream of how the church might be ... a church of which people will say not 'see how well organized they are' but 'see how they love one another ... you may be small but you're making progress. You are still fragile, but you are full of hope'."

Following the sermon, Episcopal Church Women representatives brought to the altar each diocese's United Thank Offering. Communion was accompanied by music from the 16th century - William Byrd - and the 20th - Jackson Hill. The congregation sang a Japanese hymn (not assaying the Japanese words) and a Spanish hymn (in Spanish). The service closed with the heartfelt singing of "Come, labor on." With the festival brass ensemble, directed by Brian Kuszyk, and the mighty Allen played by Michael Stairs while alternating organists Richard Conte and Tom Whittemore assisted with registration, the postlude O Praise the Lord with Drums thundered through the huge hall.