A Day at Diocesan Convention

Submitted by Cara Mills on November 16th, 2010

On Saturday November 6^th the Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts held its annual convention. The entire Life Together Program was invited to attend and participate. Leading up to this day I was unsure of what the convention would consist of and how we, the interns, would play a role. I was excited to see how a diocesan convention was run as well as to see the many priests I work with on a daily basis in a new environment. I accompanied a fellow intern to Lynn the day before the convention to see the space and to prepare for the many tasks the intern program had been asked to kelp with the next day. St. Stephen's in Lynn is a beautiful church with an intricate history and a wealth of character. The church is full of long hallways, many small rooms, and multiple stairwells. As I was shown around the space I learned many details for the day like where the coffee would be served, what rooms lunch would be eaten, and how to direct someone in need to the nursery. I thought to myself, how are 500 hundred people ever going to fit in this building?

Saturday started early and dark. Upon arriving at St. Stephen's in Lynn I was assigned to direct traffic with many of the other Life Together interns. The two large parking lots were empty and the buildings quiet. I smiled at fellow interns across the road as we waved our welcome signs at one another anxiously awaiting the arrival of 500 expected guest. Slowly the cars began turning the corner and quickly the first parking lot was filled. All of us standing in the streets and the sidewalks were jumping and dancing with our signs attempting to stay warm in the cold morning air. Our excitement to see the many guests we had been anticipating all morning was returned through waving hands and friendly hellos out of the car windows. The welcome grew in its joyfulness as more and more priests and lay people filled the sidewalks and doorways. Old friends greeted one another and new introductions were exchanged.

I don't think this excitement faltered all day as the convention progressed. I was especially moved by the convention's acknowledgment of the Life Together program. It meant so much to me to see how deeply we are supported by the diocese. There was so much power in having everyone from the diocese join together that day. It was an inspiration to see how we are all working together for a common goal. Each of the people in the building that day was working to build faith communities and fight injustice in their own way. During the lunch break I witnessed the miracle of 600 people successfully fitting in to that building and sharing a meal together.