The House of Deputies meets in a large hall in the convention center. The deputations from all across the church gather together in part of the room that is cordoned off from the rest. At the gaps in the cordons, there are volunteers whose job is to make sure that only properly credentialed deputies are allowed in that area. They do their job really well. Sitting outside the area are provisional (alternate) deputies, guests, other volunteers, visitors, the press, and anyone else who has an interest in what the HoD is doing.
There is quite the "hustle and bustle" of convention with people who are running for office trying to hand you flyers, people rushing to committee meetings or looking at the schedule to see where their committee meetings are being held, vendors, convention center staff, etc. It's quite busy.
The one thing I have found is that once I am approved by the volunteers and enter that cordoned off area, I feel safe. It almost feels like I am in a cocoon. I know that there will be no outside influences or distractions, and that I can concentrate on the business at hand. All of the deputies are there for the same purpose, and while I may not agree with come of them, I know that all the discussion will be civil. It's a pretty neat feeling.
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Our worship services are bilingual. I was expecting that, as I had experienced that in Columbus in 2006. However, this year I made the conscious decision NOT to look at the English translation when we were praying in Spanish. I decided to let the beauty of the language cascade over me. I discovered that it allowed me to focus not on the words themselves, but the cadence and rhythm, and in doing so it provided me with a whole different level of spirituality. I don't know what I'm saying when I'm speaking the Spanish words (other than I know what part of the service we are at so I kind of have an idea), but I speak them to the best of my ability. It's a very transformational experience.
The other part of our worship services that I am struck by is the size of the service. Everyone is invited, so there are deputies, bishops, spouses/partners, friends, guests, volunteers, and more. I would estimate that there are about 3,000 people at worship together. When we pray, but especially when we sing, the sound fills the room. Being in a convention center it echoes off the walls and the ceiling, but it's not in a distracting way. My favorite part so far was yesterday morning, the first Eucharist, when we sang the Sanctus and Benedictus (Hymnal 1982 - S125). Hearing that many people singing "Hosanna in the highest" and having it bounce around from all directions before fading away was awesome.
There is quite the "hustle and bustle" of convention with people who are running for office trying to hand you flyers, people rushing to committee meetings or looking at the schedule to see where their committee meetings are being held, vendors, convention center staff, etc. It's quite busy.
The one thing I have found is that once I am approved by the volunteers and enter that cordoned off area, I feel safe. It almost feels like I am in a cocoon. I know that there will be no outside influences or distractions, and that I can concentrate on the business at hand. All of the deputies are there for the same purpose, and while I may not agree with come of them, I know that all the discussion will be civil. It's a pretty neat feeling.
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Our worship services are bilingual. I was expecting that, as I had experienced that in Columbus in 2006. However, this year I made the conscious decision NOT to look at the English translation when we were praying in Spanish. I decided to let the beauty of the language cascade over me. I discovered that it allowed me to focus not on the words themselves, but the cadence and rhythm, and in doing so it provided me with a whole different level of spirituality. I don't know what I'm saying when I'm speaking the Spanish words (other than I know what part of the service we are at so I kind of have an idea), but I speak them to the best of my ability. It's a very transformational experience.
The other part of our worship services that I am struck by is the size of the service. Everyone is invited, so there are deputies, bishops, spouses/partners, friends, guests, volunteers, and more. I would estimate that there are about 3,000 people at worship together. When we pray, but especially when we sing, the sound fills the room. Being in a convention center it echoes off the walls and the ceiling, but it's not in a distracting way. My favorite part so far was yesterday morning, the first Eucharist, when we sang the Sanctus and Benedictus (Hymnal 1982 - S125). Hearing that many people singing "Hosanna in the highest" and having it bounce around from all directions before fading away was awesome.
