Katy Dickinson

It's a Girl! (Bishop)

I am delighted that The Venerable Mary Gray-Reeves won today's election for 3rd Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real (ECR)! Hooray!

If you check out ECR's Ballot Results, you will see we almost elected her on the first ballot: we were just three votes shy of the required majority. There had been so much discussion back and forth these last two weeks about whom to prefer between The Venerable Mary and The Reverend David, I was surprised that the first ballot was so lopsided. The Venerable Mary Gray-Reeves will start her episcopacy with a strong mandate.

Because the "Rules of Order in the Convention" were so strict, there was no discussion during the convention except quietly between people in the rows of chairs. We opened with a communion service by our beloved and funny Bishop Romero (The Rt. Rev. Sylvestre Romero-Palma, who has been acting as ECR's Assisting Bishop). As usual, the singing was excellent. Being in a room of over 300 people who can sing harmony without practice from printed music is entirely charming.

After instructions on how to complete the ballots followed by prayer, we used paper forms for the first ballot (laity light blue, clergy darker blue), when complete these were deposited in open boxes. We then waited 45 minutes for the results. Those who were not delegates had to wait in a nearby room but they could join us outside between ballots.

It felt so odd to have to wait so long for a simple count. I am too used to computers. However, it was fun to talk and visit with the rest of the convention delegates. I had briefly glanced at this morning's Mercury News article about the election: "Episcopalians seeking bishop to help mend fractured diocese", By Kim Vo. During the counting time I talked with someone who had been interviewed for that news story.

The mood of the convention was much brighter after the first ballot results were announced. We had been worried that the election might even take more than one meeting to complete. After instructions on how to complete the ballots followed by prayer, we used paper forms for the second ballot (laity yellow, clergy goldenrod). After another long wait outside, we returned to the convention floor to hear the tally - with guidance from the Holy Spirit, we had elected a new Bishop! There was an immediate standing ovation. The convention delegates signed the testamonials and then heard the acceptance speech in English and Spanish from our very excited Bishop-Elect by phone. We also heard some gracious and funny words from The Reverend David Breuer (who also got a standing ovation) and a closing statement from Bishop Romero (who also got a standing ovation). It seemed like everyone was smiling; there was much hugging and happy excitement.

Instead of lunch being between ballots, the election was done at just about noon so the food was distributed in bags after the close of convention and everyone got to go home early! This has been a delightful and inspiring day.

Posted at 08:35PM Jun 16, 2007 by katysblog in Church  |