The youth delegates sat up front in the convention center, listening, taking notes and later speaking during some of the hearings on the resolutions. Jessica Bodford, from the Church of the Nativity in Raleigh, shared some of her impresses as a youth delegate:
“I had expected to blend in—to be just another youth delegate in a sea of close to six hundred people….I ended up mere steps away from the dais on which sat two bishops who had changed the world in so many ways—had given hope and happiness to others, had bridged the gap between nations, had led a myriad people into God’s embrace.”
As Jessica reflected on some of the resolutions and her overall experience as a youth delegate, she stated, “We are Episcopalians, and therefore representatives of equality incarnate. In our clergy we accept those of any race or gender, and in our liturgy we welcome those of any faith to God’s altar….I have found my voice through my hope in a loving and accepting God, and choose to keep it throughout my days.”
You can read more of Jessica’s thoughts on Convention in the Post Convention addition of the Disciple.
