Reflections on Joy, Jay Stretch, Good Shepherd, Ogden

The Rev. Peter Rood of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Nativity, Mu’athin Ben Yousef of the Islamic Center of Southern California and Cantor Mark Saltzman of Congregation Kol Ami in Los Angeles sing blessings to the House of Deputies July 14. Each of the singers in turn offered a prayer and then combined their voices into what was called “a sung Abrahamic blessing to this house.” Christianity, Judaism and Islam all trace their roots to the biblical prophet Abraham.

This, the 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, has found something that was noticeably missing from the 75th - Joy. There were not many smiling faces as we left Columbus three years ago. Now upturned mouths and warm greetings are the norm. This is not to say that there aren't differences, some small, others signifiant. What has changed is that there is a determined effort to move ahead, together. Opinions vary, though perhaps the spectrum has shrunk somewhat at the extremes. But then, if we all thought pretty much the same we wouldn't be Episcopalians, would we?

Perhaps yesterday's introduction of the Ecumenical Visitors to the House of Deputies presented a powerful image of where we can go when we choose to go there together. At the end of their presentation, three of the visitors stood together on the platform and sang in his own faith and manner to the peace and glory of God. Starting separately and alone, the Imam, Cantor, and Episcopal priest soon melded into wonderful harmony - each still in hisown way, but united in God's grace. Oh that the world could follow in their places.