General Convention has now concluded. Watch for articles to continue to be released detailing some of the events of this very full nine-day session.
Adjournment in the House of Bishops
The Rt. Rev. Scott Benhase presented a courtesy resolution honoring The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 78th General Convention voice its profound thanksgiving for the leadership and ministry of the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori as she soon completes her nine-year term of office as the 26th Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, and;
Be it further resolved, she has served this Church as Presiding Bishop and as Bishop of Nevada with great distinction and faithfulnessness, and;
Be it further resolved, she has represented The Episcopal Church in the councils of the Anglican Communion with humility and generosity of spirit, and,
Be it further resolved, her witness has inspired us to see the world through the eyes of one who loves all of God’s creation, and,
Be it further resolved, this 78th Convention offers her our fervent prayers and best wishes as she embarks on her continued ministry after she resigns her office on All Saints’ Day, 2015.
The House stood to applaud for quite some time.
The chaplain concluded with a litany, referencing the words of the Gospel: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
My sisters and brothers, now that your work here is done, we send you back to the fields where God calls you to work – to your people, the people you were chosen to serve.
God, your world is broken, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, your people are living in fear, and many are hopeless and lonely, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, your people need help, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, your children are suffering from the effects of violence, racism, human trafficking, poverty, discrimination, and injustices of every kind, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, we know you need someone to be a light in a dark world, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, we know you need someone to bring hope and good news to your people, to announce salvation, to proclaim that you reign, so we respond: Here I am, send me.
God, we know that you need to send someone, so we respond: Here I am; send me.
Bishop Shannon then led the House in singing “Abide with me.”
The Presiding Bishop then blessed those present, praying, “The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you this day and forever more. Amen”
After the dismissal, Jefferts Schori said,
We are now adjourned.
Adjournment in the House of Deputies
Not long afterward, the President of the House of Deputies, Gay Clark Jennings, rapped the gavel in another room and proclaimed
Sine Die!
And the House of Deputies’ chaplain, Lester McKenzie, prayed to close the day:
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past. Be our companion in the way; kindle our hearts and awaken our hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in scripture and in the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.
Then, he added, “I want you to look around as I sing a song to you,” and the House joined him in singing
Go now in peace. Go now in peace. May the love of God surround you everywhere, everywhere you may go.
