One of the surprises of GC for me is the beauty and depth of the corporate worship experience in this setting: a space which is a cross between airplane hangar and movie studio, completely black with track lighting, circular tables for the twelve hundred or so worshippers, with a large but simple altar on a raised platform. There is no formal procession; we all are the procession, filling the massive room after leaving our early legislative sessions. We set aside our urgency and personal concerns as we set aside our wheeled carts or backpacks full of the work of the church. And slowly we enter the space which is liturgy, the work of the people. We begin to praise God with voice and drum and keyboard. The familiar rhythm of the Eucharist sweeps us along into prayer and learning and silence. Our Presiding Bishop speaks of the difference between a change of mind and a change of heart.

Shortly thereafter, we return to the business of legislation and debate. We have not completely left worship; we have just moved from the room where there is more worship than business to the room where there is more business than worship. We find at our seats a tiny card which reads, "A Daughter of the King has prayed over your seat today." It does not matter whether I know who the Daughters of the King are or even whether or not I agree with their theology. I believe in the power of prayer and I am touched that they took time to pray for me.

If you would like to keep up with the many aspects of General Convention, check out the Convention Daily, here http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112079_ENG_HTM.htm