THE 2009 GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

“We Follow Christ. We do unto others. We Think. We Create. We Debate.
We worship together.

Linda Makson, ObJN, Deputy from Western New York

Each triennium The Episcopal Church assembles. In order for this assembly to take place each diocese within the Episcopal Church holds elections. There are about 800 elected deputies (plus significant others and/or friends) and about 100 Bishops (with significant others and/or friends) who attend. Many dioceses also send their first alternate or provisional deputies to aid the deputies in their effort not to burn out. The Western New York Episcopal Diocesan convention is held yearly on the last full weekend of October.

Additionally, there is a cadre of exhibitors from across the nation and around the world offering articles made in various third world countries by individuals with various handicaps, as well as books, vestments, religious jewelry (“clergy bling,” as one vendor put it) and other articles of interest to the convention attendees. As one of the female deputies said, “It makes me feel good to shop”. Indeed it does. All totaled there are about 10,000 + people at our General Conventions (GC) making this one of the largest non-political conventions in the country.

The General Convention met in Anaheim California this past July. We have a bicameral structure consisting of the House of Deputies (clergy and lay) and the House of Bishops. 489 pieces of legislation pass through these houses and 361 of these were acted upon. Those not acted on were perfected and passed by one house, then they will be referred to one of the Councils, Committees, Agencies and Boards (CCAB) by The Rev. Gregory Straub, General Convention Secretary. According to the Secretary, this was the most productive General Convention in modern memory.

These various pieces of legislation literally volley between houses until an agreement is reached by both houses. The House of Deputies (HOD) may change a resolution and send it to the House of Bishops (HOB) who may in turn either accept the change or change more themselves thus sending it back to the House of Deputies and the volley may continue if the House of Deputies makes any changes. With this in mind the Secretary’s statement is quite remarkable!

Of interest to most folks seems to be D025 –“Anglican Communion: Commitment with witness to Anglican Communion”. This passed in both orders, the clergy and the laity as well as the House of Bishops. A copy of this resolution with changes will be available at St. Matthias. A statement on “Same-sex Unions; Defense of Marriage Status” also passed both houses. A copy of this resolution will also be available at St. Matthias.

Other resolutions of interest that passed are a “Camping Ministries” resolution which established a budget to offer assistance with development of Youth Camps in the various dioceses. Those who spoke for the bill told stories of their own faith being nourished in Youth Camps. Another resolution established a mandatory lay employee pension system, implanting a 1991 resolution. Still another was the “Older Adult Ministries” resolution that recognizes that not only youth have something to offer to the Episcopal Church and the world.

The National and International Concerns Committee submitted many resolutions, most of which were passed in both houses. Among them was a Human Rights resolution condemning the use of torture and a Fair Pay for all Workers resolution.

The Liturgy and Music Committee gave us “Rachel’s Tears, Hannah’s Hopes“ - Liturgies and Prayers for Healing from Loss Related to Childbearing and Childbirth”. They also gave us over 300 pages of “Holy Women, Holy Men; Celebrating the Saints”

From the Education Committee came “The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation”. This document passed and is meant to be given out to those who ask “What does the Episcopal Church believe?” Copies will be in each classroom in September.

The Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations sent their resolutions “Interim Eucharistic Sharing with United Methodist Church”; “Moravian-Episcopal Dialogue”; and “Presbyterian-Episcopal Agreement” These passed both houses.

The Title IV Task force II on Disciplinary Policies and Procedures proposed several changes to the Canons. Each passed but not without some heated discussion.

No convention is complete without budget discussions. The 2009 General Convention did not shrink from the reality of major reduced funding. It was with sad deliberations and voting that the budget was passed knowing that at least 30 souls will lose their jobs at the Church Center. The tithe will be strongly encouraged with the hope that it will be enacted in accordance with a 1982 budget resolution: “The tithe is the minimum standard of giving for Episcopalians.” Also of great importance will be the necessity of each parish to ‘step up to the plate’ and work with what we have, using resources that are already available in our midst. We know that God gives us whatever we need, but sometimes we confuse our needs with our wants.

Finally, in response to the previous several General Conventions where listening to each other was stated as very important, this General Convention initiated the Public Narrative. From the Western New York Deputation there were three of us that volunteered at the Province II Synod in May to be a ‘coach’ at the General Convention Public Narrative experience. Each coach was assigned a diocese (not their own, but within their Province) and the idea of “self, us and now” began. Over the course of the convention each group met a total of three times exploring a different category each time. The idea is (believe it or not) Evangelism; we each have a story to tell, like the Hebrew people and their oral tradition. You have something to share, I have something to share, and together we tell a story of who we are, then explore how our stories combine and how that can add to the whole for the building up of God’s Kingdom.

There is so much more to share, but if you go to the General Convention website and/or the Western New York Episcopal Website you can learn even more plus you can view the interviews Laurie Wozniak conducted of the deputies and volunteers while at the General Convention.