Today, we fell farther behind in dealing with the resolutions already sent to the floor from committees.  Every time we would start to move through matters, we would stop for a "time certain" event or have technical difficulties.  Apparently every printer/copier in the convention center print shop jammed at one time meaning that the handouts for deputies (with all of the "perfected" resolutions cleared by committee, agendas, etc.) were late getting to the floor of the House of Deputies.  Twice we stopped for special presentations, the first by the retiring ECW president, the second by 6 of the international visitors.  This latter presentation was VERY interesting.  The speakers were from Kenya, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, and Ghana.  All stressed how important the TEC was to the Anglican Communion and how much they valued TEC.  At least three of the speakers told us they were hoping that TEC continue to be a leader for human rights.  All were articulate.  The Dean of one of the South African cathedrals called for the church in Africa to speak out on attempts to "cure" women of lesbianism by having them raped. 

The final international speaker was Jenny Te Paa from New Zealand.  She had served on the committee that wrote the Windsor Report.  She stated that several members of the committee learned only after the report had been issued that they did not really understand TEC polity.  She aplogized for the ways that this misunderstanding brought harm and hurt to TEC.  She also encouraged us to and repeated her thank you to TEC for all it does and all the ways it has helped to stretch ideas in the Anglican Communion.

My committee has begun to send forward to the house a variety of resolutions proposed by others.  These included a resolution to educate parishes on health and health care.  Coming up is one a labor laws, bottled water, Transgender civil rights,  A number are waiting for TIME to get to them.  I'm falling asleep as I write. I hope that I haven't put anyone else asleep. 

JRG
Joan R. Gundersen, Pittsburgh