General Convention Reflection from Tuesday, July 3, 2018
By the Rev. Scott B. Neal
Today was the first day of registration, so the Credentials Committee (of which I am a member) was hard at work checking deputies’ and alternates’ identifications and registering them for either Lay or Clergy, Deputy or Alternate. ‘Mac’ from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts was my check-in partner. Training for the job began about 8:15 this morning, and we ended the day at 5:00 in the evening. Together we register a portion of the deputies/alternates from the Diocese of Taiwan through the Diocese of Wyoming. Part of our duties is to verify all aspects of the person’s registration and to correct issues as they arise (i.e., Deputies unable to arrive until the second day of convention – what do we do?, changing in ranking, etc.). There are lots of details to check, but it is great to connect with so many Episcopalians from around the world— friends old and new. I had the opportunity to assist the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, through registration even though she is from the Diocese of Ohio. Mac and I had processed all the people in our lines by that time, so she came to our counter because she was in a hurry to get to a meeting. It was wonderful to assist her through registration and on to her committee work.
Pictures include the front of the Registration Booth; behind the scenes at the Registration desk; and me checking credentials for the Rev. Titus Presler, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Enosburg Falls, VT; as well as my Registration Badge and Committee assignment.
Tomorrow is another long day of registration – 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Thursday, Convention officially begins, and our committee will be working fewer hours as we handle deputy/alternate swaps to the floor. #GC79
