Final Thoughts

This has been an extraordinary time in my life as a priest. It is very difficult to capture the fullness of this intense experience, which has lasted a very long ten days. Over that time, we all formed a little community, almost a village: I would see the same people in the lobby, in the elevator, at the hotel Starbucks, in the alternate deputy seating, etc. They became my neighbors in a strange way. We did laundry together, we were at the gym together, we would nod and smile. I noticed that over the course of these 10 days, we became more disassociated with where we came from, and more strongly associated with what we were doing together. And although I have been blessed by several new friendships with some brothers in Christ with whom I will keep in touch, I don't think the disassociation was a healthy thing. Frankie Rodriguez+, Calvary, Richmond, said, "This is not the church: this is a political, legislative body. This is not the church." And I think he's right. It's not the church: the Church is in our parishes; the Church is not a political body -- it is the Body of Christ. Although privileged to serve you and our diocese in this capacity, I am ready to come home. I'm ready to be present to you, my brothers and sisters of "Dunstanland," and to know the Presence of the One who binds us together in love.

This is my final blog from General Convention, and I think it has been a worthwhile experiment. I've really been trying to think about how I can communicate with the parish in new ways even when I'm home. A weekly meditation or update? I don't know. But I have so valued your thoughts and prayers, the comments that some of you posted, the emails of support and good thoughts that some of you sent: although wrapped up in this intense experience, writing this blog has been a tether attaching me to the church I hold most dear: St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 14301 Stuebner Airline, Houston, in the great State of Texas!

Good night, and see you soon.