Well after working for 4 1/2 hours without a break tonight (after working prior to dinner since lunch) we finally stopped a little after midnight. After the room had cleared of delegates and observers, the other leaders and I got the giggles. We had focused for so long on petition numbers, vote counts, amendment wording, paper shuffling - that when we stopped our minds went numb and all we could do was laugh. Trouble was - none of us had visited the bathroom during those 4 1/2 hours either - you can imagine the difficulty. Then of course we had to laugh at our laughing...
My recorder teammate and I are doing really well together. We have learned the task quickly and found our working rhythm. She is very quick with the keyboard and I'm good at gathering the info to feed to her - and then I organize the output. In her "regular" life she is the Bishop's assistant from Philadelphia. I also enjoy sharing side comments with her about the legislation before our committee. We share a common passion for justice and an inclusive church.
Spent some time today chatting with a delegate from Nigeria. We were both looking at the Cokesbury jackets - to ward off the chill of the convention center. We decided on the same jackets so now we are twins. Then I got to help him figure out how to order a laptop computer to help track the petitions before him.
In my committee there are 2 languages being translated - French for some of the African delegates. And Swahili for others. I think I heard that there are 9 languages being translated across this conference. I can't imagine how hard it would be to keep up when English is not your language.
It is so good to see all the international diversity among the UMC. Although it feels uncomfortable to realize the the US will no longer be the dominant majority, due to the growing membership around the world and the shrinking numbers in the US. We are having trouble learning that, as most of the legislation being dealt with is still US centered. I do hear some discussion about how silly it is to ask the delegates of General Conference to vote on issues such as health care in the US. It must be hard for those who are either dealing with a lack of health care or are living in countries with full health care for all citizens. Our petitions don't affect their situations and yet they are asked to vote on them. Very strange.
My eyes continue to be opened to the joys and challenges in the world around us. The rainbow of colors of people working together is wonderful. What sometimes seems to be intolerance to difference also exists. I have hope though that we are making progress. This General Conference so far has been congenial and kind. Maybe it will continue that way.
I'm still having a great time. Wish you were here enjoying it too.
Until tomorrow, take care.
Jan
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3 comments:
I've been enjoying your daily updates. I'm glad you are taking time out of what sounds like packed days to write for us. Keep laughing!
Nice to hear from you. What a great experience!!! Sunday worship went well this morning - Monica incorporated her graduate work into the sermon and interacted with the kids nicely. The bells rang several songs and there was enough food at the potluck to feed an army. It was so nice for the church family to recognize Marion and the ringers this way. Take care, keep having fun!
i'm glad to hear that you and the nigerian delegate have matching jackets, but the more important question, for me and rachel and riley at least, is did you and the nigerian delegate do any matching gift shopping? should i call his kids to see if they know what GC souvenirs they're getting?
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