General convention
about the 76th general convention

The 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will meet July 8 through 17, 2009 at The Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The theme is Ubuntu, a South African word which means "I in You and You in Me," or "I am because of You." 

This triennial convention, considered one of the largest bicameral legislative bodies in the world, will gather to worship; to explore and reach decisions on issues facing the church and society; to deepen understanding of the church's ministry, polity, order and spirituality; and to renew friendships and form new ones.

In addition to more than 800 lay and ordained deputies, and over 150 bishops, the General Convention brings together volunteers, exhibitors, ecumenical observors, and clergy and lay visitors of the church for ten days of learning, discerning, celebrating, and praying. Other groups meet concurrently or are part of the official Convention activities:

The Episcopal Church Women 46th Triennial

The Youth Program of General Convention

The Young Adult Festival

The Children and Toddler's Program

Keep informed with daily news articles and blog posts at the Newsroom

Each diocese is entitled to representation by four clergy and four lay deputies in the House of Deputies. Dioceses also elect four alternates in each order. Meet the Diocese of Chicago Deputation. Bishop Jeffrey Lee and Assistant Bishop Victor Scantlebury attend General Convention as members of the House of Bishops. The Diocese of Chicago Episcopal Church Women delegation to the 46th Triennial includes Susan Lenz, president of the diocesan ECW, Linda Vaill, Dee Norris, Valarie Hatcher, Province V representative to the national ECW board; and Glenda Gwynn, United Thank Offering coordinator. Joanna Gesicki, past president of the diocesan ECW and president of Province V ECW, will also be attending as will an ECW team staffing the ECW booth in the exhibit hall. The ECW booth will be selling mola apparel from Panama. Mary Fran Crist of the LaSalle County Episcopal Ministry and health ministry coordinator for Province V is a presenter at Triennial. Sue Cromer, canon for Youth and Young Adult Ministry will be leading a group of 14 youth to General Convention.

Visit the official General Convention webpages for more information on registration, publications, reports, schedule, legislation, lodging, and volunteering. View the roster of deputies and alternates of the Diocese of Chicago deputation.

The 2012 General Convention will be held in Indianapolis July 4 through 13, 2012.

Quick Links

Preview of General Convention 2009

View today's schedule

View the draft schedule

View the legislative summary (on the Diocese of Chicago General Convention page)

View legislation (on the General Convention website)

Episcopal Life Online news of General Convention

GC Journal  newsletter of the Office of Communication, Diocese of Chicago

Media Hub (news stream, daily calendar, streaming video, flickr feed, live chat)

Newsroom (Office of Communication, Diocese of Chicago)

Chicago's Deputation

Bishop Lee's video reflection: God's mission has a church  July 9

Bishop Lee's video reflection: Our commitment to mission   July 12

Bishop Lee's video reflection: Our enduring commitment to mssion in the world  July 15

Register as a visitor

General Convention on Twitter  follow the hash tag #ecgc or visit Media Hub on Twitter

Resources                                                                                                                  

COMMUNICATION

Center Aisle   analysis and opinions published by the Diocese of Virginia, moderate perspective

Diocese of Chicago blog

Episcopal Life Online

Episcopal Cafe  blog with news and commentary from a professive perspective

GC Journal  newsletter of the Diocese of Chicago's Office of Communication

The Living Church   Anglican weekly newsmagazine, conservative perspective

TitusOneNine  blog of the Rev. Canon Kendall Harmon of South Carolina, conservative perspective

DOCUMENTS

Appointments by the Presiding Bishop

Budget budget adopted for the 2010-2012 triennium  Spanish language version

Elections

Holy Women, Holy Men  retitle of Lesser Feasts and Fasts

Presiding Bishop's Letter to The Episcopal Church  sent after the General Convention

Presiding Bishop's Opening Address to General Convention July 7

Rachel's Tears, Hannah's Hopes   liturgy for those experiencing loss of children

GC HISTORY AND PROCESS

General Convention FAQ

History and Legislative Process of General Convention

Poster illustrating legislative process

LEGISLATION

Summary of General Convention Actions

LITURGY

Celebrants and Preachers at General Convention

Presiding Bishop's Sermon Opening Eucharist July 8

Presiding Bishop's Sermon at GC Eucharist July 12

ORGANIZATIONS

Anglimergent  network of Anglicans engaging in emerging church

Anglican Centrist  Blog by the Rev. Greg Jones, centrist perspective

Anglicans Online   portal for news of the Anglican Communion, centrist perspective

Chicago Consultation  advocacy for full inclusion of GLBT persons

Integrity  blog of advocacy group for Episcopal GLBT persons