GC80 Day Two Update: Deb Harris & The Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker

It's the second day of the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, and another full day of legislation, resolutions, and special moments (one moment involved someone from the Diocese of South Carolina, and we cannot wait to share more about that pleasant surprise recognition--stay tuned). In between sessions earlier today, Lay Deputy Deb Harris and Clergy Deputy the Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker sat down to share a few thoughts about their time serving on the deputation thus far. A transcript is available below. 

TRANSCRIPT:
Deb Harris: Hello. I'm Deb Harris.
 
Adam Shoemaker: Hi, I'm Adam Shoemaker.
 
Deb Harris: We're both first time deputies here at General Convention in Baltimore.
 
Adam Shoemaker: We are recording this during day two, during the convention. And I wonder, Deb, what has stood out for you so far?
 
Deb Harris: Well, I have to say that I am completely and totally impressed with Gay Jennings, the current president of the House of Deputies. This will be her last General Convention. She's been serving for ten years with, I mean, her grace, her compassion and her knowledge and patience. It's amazing. In fact, last night that young man that stood up to speak and he was so passionate that he just couldn't articulate words. And she stopped the timer and reset the timer, told him to just take a deep breath and relax. And I just thought that was wonderful because, I mean, it's scary getting up there, especially the first time you do it. But it's been amazing. How about you, Adam? What do you think?
 
Adam Shoemaker: Well, as a first time deputy, I have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resolutions that are before the House. But we are tackling some very important issues. And yesterday we took a vote on a resolution to support a coalition for racial justice and equity across the Episcopal Church with some significant investment behind it and commitment from the wider church as we continue to be about the work of building the beloved community as our Presiding Bishop encourages us to do so.
 
It's really worthwhile. And as our new President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala Harris said, if you read the minutes and get into the minutia of these resolutions, you can, through this process, have an impact on the work that the church is doing. And that's very gratifying to be a part of…

DAY TWO Headlines from The Episcopal News Service (ENS):

Self-proclaimed ‘church geek’ Julia Ayala Harris elected House of Deputies president
The House of Deputies today elected Julia Ayala Harris, 41, a deputy from the Diocese of Oklahoma, to be its next president. Her term begins on Monday at the close of the church’s General Convention. She will be the first Latina and first woman of color to hold the position.

States’ anti-abortion laws fuel impassioned debate by deputies over future General Convention sites
The House of Deputies spent more than an hour on July 9 discussing how to plan future General Conventions now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, with much of the debate focused on whether to avoid meeting in states where abortion now is illegal.

General Convention elects Episcopalians to committees, other positions 

Bishops concur with deputies encouraging adoption of paid family leave, health insurance for lay and clergy church employees 

Bishops call for end to Ukraine conflict, approve racial equity resolutions

July 9 dispatches from 80th General Convention in Baltimore