For the past three years I have been traveling to Columbus, Ohio in preparation for the tri-annual meeting of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. It has been interesting to travel to the mid-west as I am unfamiliar with the culture of such places. I have always lived on the coast, East and West. I find that life is much slower and more relaxed in places like Columbus. Last summer we met during their Pride Event call Comcast, it was a combination of parade and music festival with vendors selling and promoting all sorts of things. One trip gave us time to visit the German Village area of Columbus; it was a beautiful old historic district, with great food and drink. Another visit to the convention site had a Wild Turkey meeting going on while an evangelical church group held a Men's Alive Rally. It has been very interesting to see how people in this part of the country live. I am sure we will find out more about the Ohio lifestyle and the church after meeting and working for two weeks with more than a thousand volunteers from throughout the diocese.

Several thousand Episcopalians will travel to the convention from all over the country and world, we will be noticed in Columbus. Having that many of us in any location is always an adventure. We are a diverse group of people who have varied opinions on many different issues. This is why I have served as the Print Officer for the National Church since 1999. I enjoy working with the larger church in coordinating this gathering so that I can experience the fullness our denomination. As we gather together for legislation, worship, discussion, debate and fun we bring our myriad of personalities and styles with us from our respective homes. In that diversity I see the hope and excitement that defines who we are as Episcopalians. Coming together as the body of Christ to do so much work every three years is powerful and spirit filled in addition to being a large and unwieldy event.

The Convention will be dealing with a variety of concerns one of the most likely to be examined by the media is the potential schism by the conservatives. They are in opposition of the last conventions decision to ordain an openly gay man as Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. It is my hope that we can decide to agree to disagree on this issue and move on to greater concerns. We will also elect our next Presiding Bishop in Columbus. There are several candidates who are seeking this position and I know that the Spirit will guide the church in selecting the best person.

Come and Grow is the theme for this years meeting. I hope that we as a church can come to this convention to do just that, to grow together in tolerance, grow in compassion and grow in faith.

Pray for our church, for the volunteers, bishops and the deputies of the convention that they all make decisions for our church with humility, grace and love.