Bishop Greg Brewer admitted he is still getting used to the time change of being in the Southwest after a long day on the Fourth of July, but admitted things already are starting to happen at the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
In a video recording from Austin, Texas, the site of the convention, Bishop Brewer said evangelism, Prayer Book, and sexual abuse were among the things discussed on Tuesday as conventioneers held meetings, listened to speeches, and went to services. The General Convention officially opened Thursday, July 5, with legislative meetings and the Opening Eucharist.
“We have had meetings,” said Bishop Brewer, who is secretary of the Evangelism and Church Planting Committee and one of 11 people from the Diocese of Central Florida who are attending the event. “We have had talks about strengthening the Episcopal Church’s evangelistic witness. Those meetings, even as they were three years ago where I was part of that committee, have been very, very encouraging.”
Bishop Brewer also said there has “been a lot of controversy over Prayer Book revisions (but) nothing so far has come out of that committee.” There are several resolutions up for consideration concerning the Book of Common Prayer.
On a more serious note, Bishop Brewer said he was touched by the solemn service where people were given an opportunity to share their witness of being victims of sexual abuse. “All done within an atmosphere and a liturgy around repentance,” he said. “People read stories that were recorded by other people. So, anonymity was being kind.
“But it was an opportunity to acknowledge in a very public way and within the context of liturgy that there have been terrible failures within the life of our Church and caring for people who have been victims of abuse,” Bishop Brewer said. “It bolstered everyone’s resolve to make sure that we as our Church become a safer place than we have been in the past for people, regardless of what their life experiences would be.”
Bishop Brewer said the Convention will continue to keep people’s attention going forward. “A lot has happened, but it has been a beginning that allows us to think more carefully about where we’re heading in the terms of the future. Tomorrow (on July 6), big hearings around Prayer Book, evangelism, and a lot of either things. And do keep us in your prayers.”