Top 10 sights and sounds
the media missed at General Convention

9. A local mayor spoke to deputies with pride about fellow “Min-neapolitans.” Folks in the East Tennessee deputation wondered if he was talking about ice cream.

8. During daily morning Eucharist, worshipers stood for prayer and heard the sound of 2,000 chairs scraping on the floor.

7. During the budget presentation’s playing of the Beatles’ “Money Can’t Buy Me Love,” there was a convention-wide standing ovation for the sign language interpreter and her lively dancing silent version of the song.

6. Episcopalians arrived at Convention in the traditional dress of Native Americans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans, Taiwanese, Hawaiians, Ecuadorians, Haitians and many others – because that is who they are.

5. 1,500 Episcopalians were led in prayer by three girls ages 10-12.

4. Episcopal preaching repeatedly inspired spontaneous applause from a congregation of thousands.

3. As outside agitators carried offensive signs and shouted about God’s hate for the Episcopal Church, three local teens stood quietly nearby with their own big sign, which read GOD DOES NOT HATE.

2. Worship services included hand-clapping spirituals, soaring solos, tight harmony choirs, Latin music, a psalm refrain with a Reggae beat, Native American drumming – and Episcopalians dancing their way to communion.

1. Our Church plans to devote an unprecedented $5.3 million to ministry for young people!