When an anticipated 9,000 to 10,000 deputies and alternate deputies, bishops, Episcopal Church Women, exhibitors, staff, volunteers and visitors converge in Anaheim, California, next July for the Episcopal Church’s 76th General Convention and ECW Triennial Meeting, they can expect sun, fun, rich diversity, green space, fresh worship, the launch of a mission conversation and a glimpse of the future’s “nochurch” churches.
From July 8-17, the glasswalled Anaheim Convention Center one block from Disneyland will be transformed into meeting, worship, child-care and other spaces and host at least 120 exhibitors, an educational discovery center and a diocesan hospitality venue featuring banners proclaiming “Faith and Our Future” and emergent worship, said Bishop Jon Bruno of the Diocese of Los Angeles.
“I was there the last time convention was in Anaheim, when Edmond Browning was elected the presiding bishop,” said Bruno, a veteran conventioneer. “I’ve gone from volunteer to host of convention, and we’re excited beyond belief and preparing for our thousands of visitors.”
Ubuntu. As African as Kwanzza. As trendy as anything Episcopalian and just as shallow.