Yesterday was a wonderful day, perhaps because we had a few hours off for the first time. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, was joined in the procession by the two previous Presiding Bishops, Edmund Browning and Frank Griswold. Seeing the three of them was very moving. In some ways it was a snapshot of the Church since the 1970's. The Eucharist was splended; there were thousands of people.

In the House of Bishops yesterday we passed a plan for all the dioceses in The Episcopal Church to come under the health insurance provided by Medical Trust. This would lower costs for most dioceses and in the future enable us to join with other denominations to achieve even lower costs.

One of the primary concerns is about the budget. We came in with a sigificant project budget shortfall for the next three years, and while the budget committee has worked hard, a shortfall still exists. I have heard that one result could be a different way of hosting the next General Convention and perhaps a different formula for diocesan giving (now at 21%).

Today we re-enter the blur of meetings that run from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. But the end is in sight. Both Houses will deal with more legislation as the committees are moving resolutions to the Floors.

Keep us in your prayers.

+Porter