“Boots and Saddles” was the rallying cry familiar to those of the Seventh Cavalry of the United States Army, an organization my father was a member of while I was growing up. Crisp blue uniforms with distinctive yellow piping running down the trouser seam, epaulets on the shoulders, shining medals and that fascinating clinking, gleaming saber! A wild-eyed child, I marveled at this wondrous vision. I learned early on the overt and the meta messages that are telegraphed by dress.
Bishops in polos, deputies in business suits; flip flops and loafers, baseball caps and Stetsons--the sartorial diversity of this General Convention is a thing to behold. There was a time, indeed, just a generation ago, when clergy (who were all men) wore black suits and clerical collars. All lay men (the House of Deputies was comprised solely of men until 1967…1967) wore suits and ties, and the women of the Episcopal Church, who since the 1930’s held an event concurrent with General Convention called the Episcopal Church Women Convention, wore hats and gloves at all public events. Even though there is now, through the grace of God, full access to all orders and organizations of the Church to all women (unless, of course, they are partnered lesbians) the Episcopal Church women still meet concurrently with General Convention. We continue to recognize and hold up the efforts of Episcopal women of all times and places.
Other than a short discourse on the sartorial practices of the Episcopal Church at General Convention and the triennium gathering of the ECW; and a personal comment on my childhood, what could possibly be the reason for these words? Or put in a different way, is there something we can say about the nature of this Convention by anything as mundane as the way people are dressing? I believe the answer is" yes." I believe that are we moving to a new place. Indeed, the very reason for why we are here, what we are about in these ten days, is all about being part of a new thing, about being in a new place. My sense is that our tee shirts and Bermuda shorts are symbols, symbols of the Church, which, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, are making all things new. Are we beginning to see each other, not as separated by definition, whether that be clergy or lay, rich or not so rich, male or female, gay or straight, but as one in relationship? This…this may be the startling gift of the 76th General Convention. As informally, and formally attired as it is, this assembly is poised to give not just the Episcopal Church, but the world outside its sanctuary walls something so sorely needed.
