Our job is to feed the sheep, says the Presiding Bishop

   In the final hours on the final day of the 76th General Convention, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori reminded the bishops, clergy, laity and guests of the power of words.

   "We've heard lots of words these last 11 days. We've used those words to make policy, to claim our missionary heartbeat, to bind ourselves in solidarity with the least, the lost and the left out, she said in her July 17 sermon. "Some of us have even had to eat our words – unexpected things have happened, we've made mistakes, and we may even have misused our words.  We have eaten Word, sacramental Word becoming flesh in us, that our words might come closer to that original Word." Read more.

Presiding officers sent letter on Convention actions to Canterbury and primates

The two presiding officers of General Convention have written to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams providing an explanation and clarification of Resolution D025 pertaining to human sexuality issues and the Episcopal Church's commitment to the Anglican Communion. The letter was also sent to the communion's 38 primates.

Read more.

Convention addresses global issues of peace and justice

   Support for troubled and besieged communities in Haiti, Honduras, Pakistan and Sudan, as well as a call for an end to the blockade in Cuba, were among international concerns addressed by General Convention at its July 8-17 meeting in Anaheim, California.

   While convention-goers found unanimity on most action concerning global peace and justice issues, the bishops rejected a resolution on Israel/Palestine, with opponents calling for a more balanced approach.

   The resolution (B027), which never made it to the House of Deputies because of the bishops' action, had called for dismantling the wall between Israel and Palestine, creating a sovereign Palestinian state and ending "the ongoing confiscation of Palestinian land, demolition of housing and the displacement of people." Previous General Convention or Executive Council resolutions have addressed all of these concerns. The bishops' action last week did not repudiate earlier resolutions. Read more.

Ecumenical relations strengthened by Convention

   The 76th General Convention took steps, big and small, to reunite Christians in opening, reaffirming and expanding ecumenical dialogues through legislation passed July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.

   "The biggest step forward is the full communion step with the Moravian church," said Bishop C. Christopher Epting, deputy to the presiding bishop for ecumenical and interreligious relations, adding that it's not official until the Northern and Southern provinces of the Moravian Church vote to accept the proposed agreement when they meet in 2010.

   Resolution A073, approved overwhelmingly by General Convention, sets the basis for full communion to be established between The Episcopal Church and the Northern and Southern Provinces of the Moravian Church. Read more.

Deputies mirror bishops with concurrence on study of liturgies for same gender blessings

   On the final day of General Convention, the House of Deputies concurred July 17 with an earlier vote by the House of Bishops "to acknowledge changing circumstances" that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings.

   Resolution C056 authorizes the House of Bishops, in conjunction with the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM), to devise an open process that will invite church-wide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. They are to report their efforts to the next General Convention in 2012.The vote by orders in the House of Deputies in the lay order was 78 yes, 23 no and 7 divided. In the clergy order the vote was 74 yes, 27 no and 7 divided. A simple majority -- 55 votes among laity and 55 among clergy -- was required for the resolution to pass. Read more.

Ubuntu choir is a beautiful thing

   The music group A Joyful Noise was rehearsing How Great Thou Art before the July 15 convention Eucharist, and tenor Sheila Phillip couldn't resist breaking into harmony in the midst of a conversation.

   Every morning during convention, Phillip has arrived early at the worship hall to rehearse for the day's Eucharist as part of the Ubuntu Convention Choir. This is the first convention to feature a volunteer choir in addition to scheduled visiting musicians and ensembles. Seventy to eighty singers have participated each day."I think it's a spectacular idea," said Chicago Bishop Jeffrey Lee, who sings bass and "tenor as needed."

"It provides a kind of rootedness in this community that's gathered here for convention," he said. Read more.

Budget adopted with cuts to program and diocesan askings

   The 76th General Convention adopted a $141 million budget for 2010-2012 on July 16 that asks for less money from dioceses and drastically reduces church-wide spending by $23 million.

   The House of Deputies spent approximately three hours debating the budget and rejecting all attempts to change its revenue or expense categories. The budget was then passed on a voice vote and sent to the House of Bishops which concurred without debate. Read more.

Bishops call for an open process in study and reflection on same gender unions

[Episcopal News Service]

   The House of Bishops voted by a margin of 3 to 1 on July 15 "to acknowledge changing circumstances" that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings.

   That response, at least for the time being, was a substitution for Resolution C056, to create an open process and invite church-wide participation in collecting and developing theological resources and liturgies. The resolution now heads to deputies for approval.

   Before a packed gallery of spectators bishops extended debate, proposed numerous amendments and took a 20-minute time-out for private discussion, before adopting the substitute legislation 104-30 with two abstentions.  Read more.

Bishops adopt substitute resolution on rites of blessing for same gender unions

Late Wednesday afternoon the House of Bishops amended and adopted the first resolution coming before Convention dealing with rites of blessing for same gender unions. After over an hour of debate, and extensive amendments, the bishops adopted a substitute version of resolution C056 by a vote of 104 in favor, 30 opposed, and two abstentions. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was among the bishops voting yes. Read more.

Convention adopts denominational health insurance plan

   The House of Deputies July 15 concurred with action by the House of Bishops on July 12 to adopt Resolution A177, which establishes a mandatory health plan for the Episcopal Church through the church's Medical Trust. The resolution passed on a voice vote.

   The plan applies to all domestic dioceses (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and congregations, parishes and missions, as well as church organizations mandated by church canons. It would provide parity of coverage to all lay and clergy employees working at least 1,500 hours a year. People employed by institutions such as schools, day-care centers and other diocesan institutions can opt to participate but are not required to do so. Read more.

MDG funding restored in proposed budget, other programs and staff face reductions

   Just after the Episcopal Church's budget committee presented a proposed 2010-2012 triennial budget that includes a $23 million cut, bishops and deputies characterized its consequences as "a bitter pill" that will move the church towards a healthier structure and mission.

   The proposed budget, which must be approved by both houses, would reduce the amount of money requested from the church's 110 dioceses while eliminating some church-wide programs. Thirty of the 180 people employed by the Episcopal Church in its New York and regional offices could lose their jobs. Read more.

Lay pension plan approved by Convention

Anglican Covenant study approved by Deputies

The House of Deputies tackled a wide range of resolutions during its second session July 15, including concurrence on a mandatory pension plan for lay employees. Wednesday marked the deadline for action on resolutions that require the concurrence of the House of Bishops. Read more.

Title IV disciplinary canons revision approved by Convention

The 76th General Convention has approved an overhaul of the Episcopal Church's ministry discipline canons, moving them away from a court-oriented system towards one based on safety, truth-telling, healing and reconciliation.

   The revision of Title IV, Ecclesiastical Discipline, applies only to clergy and not laity. It will be effective on July 1, 2011. A related resolution (A188) calls for the convention's Program, Budget and Finance committee to allocate $15,000 to efforts to educate diocesan personnel about the changes and to help them bring their canons into compliance by the deadline. Read more.

Propery litigation cost disclosure rejected by deputies

Agreement with Presbyterians endorsed

The House of Deputies July 14 addressed issues of church property litigation, a study of church communications, an agreement with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and new propers for Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Results from a vote by orders concerning the proposed elimination of voting privileges for retired bishops will be announced July 15. Despite the House of Bishops earlier action to refer the property litigation cost disclosure to a standing commission, the deputies defeated resolution C067 addressing the disclosure of the costs of Episcopal Church property litigation. Read more.

Deputies concurr on Resolution D025, open access to ordination

The Episcopal Church's General Convention on July 14 gave final approval to Resolution D025 that affirms the openness of the ordination process to all people and recommits the Episcopal Church to continued participation in and financial support of the Anglican Communion. The resolution, titled "Commitment and Witness to Anglican Communion," was amended by the House of Bishops on July 13 after the House of Deputies adopted it July 12. The House of Deputies concurred with that amended version today by a 72 percent margin in both orders.

Liturgy on loss of children moves to House of Bishops

A resolution to add "Rachel's Tears, Hannah's Hopes: Liturgies and Prayers for Healing from Loss Related to Childbearing and Childbirth” to the Enriching our Worship series of supplemental prayer book materials has moved to the House of Bishops for consideration. Resolution A088, Rachel's Tears, Hannah’s Hopes, includes multiple services; prayers addressing situations such as unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, the loss of a child, termination of pregnancy, infertility or sterilization, and adoption; and suggested readings and music.  Read more.

Bishops adopt amended version of D025, open access to ordination

The House of Bishops Monday evening July 13 adopted an amended version of Resolution D025, the measure adopted by the House of Deputies July 12 calling for full access to the ordination process and reaffirming the Episcopal Church’s ties to the Anglican Communion. After approving amendments that added further definition to the Episcopal Church’s role “as a constituent member” of the Anglican Communion, and to the nature of a call to ordained ministry as "a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people", the bishops adopted resolution D025a by a 99 to 45 vote with two bishop abstaining. Since the bishops amended the resolution it now returns to the House of Deputies legislative committee for review and recommendation. The committee can recommend concurrence or rejection, or further amend it, before the deputies take it up again. Reported by the Office of Communication, Diocese of Chicago   Read more.

Deputies consent to election of bishop of Central Ecuador

The House of Deputies on July 13 gave its consent to the consecration of the Rev. Luis Fernando Ruiz as bishop of the Diocese of Ecuador Central after a morning of passionate debate. The vote was 594-228. Read more.

Deputies affirm ordination process is open to all

The House of Deputies by more than a 2-1 margin adopted a resolution July 12 that declares the ordination process of the Episcopal Church open to all individuals while expressing its ongoing commitment to the Anglican Communion.

The vote on Resolution D025 was 77-31 in the lay order and 74-25 in the clergy order. It now goes to the House of Bishops, where it must be passed to be enacted. Read more.

Convention Eucharist celebrates United Thank Offering

On July 12, Episcopalians at General Convention went to a Sunday service that was somewhat different from the thousands that occurred around the church that day. This Eucharist took place in a cavernous hall, was led by the current and two former presiding bishops, and featured a symbol of church members’ generosity: the United Thank Offering "ingathering." Read more.

View Bishop Lee's video message.

Bishops approve denominational health insurance plan

The House of Bishops approved on July 12 the implementation of a denomination-wide health insurance plan by 2012. The 76th General Convention committee on the Church Pension Fund had unanimously recommended Resolution A177, which now heads to the House of Deputies. Read more.

B033 "template" resolution leaves committee for House of Deputies

An amended version of Resolution D025, concerning Episcopal elections and the Anglican Communion, is expected to move to the House of Deputies despite a July 11 split committee vote, possibly as early as Monday. Read more.

Deputies call for greater transparency in committee membership

The House of Deputies on July 11 called for greater transparency in the church by adopting a resolution requiring that the names of people serving on elected or appointed bodies be made public. Read more.

Deputies approve Christian formation charter

The House of Deputies passed the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation (LCF) (as detailed in Resolution A082) on July 10. The resolution now goes the House of Bishops. Read more.

Deputies reelect Anderson and Prior to lead House of Bishops

Bonnie Anderson and the Rev. Brian Prior have been re-elected to serve as president and vice president of the House of Deputies respectively. Anderson's selection by acclamation took place July 9, and Prior was elected on July 11. This is the second three-year term for both. Read more.

Lesser Feasts and Fasts revision approved by bishops

The House of Bishops considered at length July 10 where the proposed revisions to Lesser Feasts and Fasts ought to be translated into other languages.

The discussion ended where it began, with approval of Resolution A097 to authorize trial use of "Holy Women, Holy Men: Celebrating the Saints," a revision of the church's calendar now known as "Lesser Feasts and Fasts."  Read more.

Deputies continue testimony on B033

A second one-hour meeting of the House of Deputies as a Committee of the Whole on July 10 saw deputies speak with passion and commitment about the impact of B033, a resolution adopted by the 2006 General Convention. It calls for restraint in electing as bishops those whose "manner of life," widely understood to mean homosexuality, would cause concern for the rest of the Anglican Communion. Read more.

Deputy Ian Hallas of the Diocese of Chicago testifies during the Friday July 10 House of Deputies session.

Majority at hearing oppose retaining B033

    A majority of bishops, deputies, visitors and others who testified before a World Mission Committee public hearing July 9 indicated they hope the Episcopal Church will move beyond resolution B033. Read more.

Thursday July 9, 2009

Denominational health insurance plan wins committee's endorsement

The 76th General Convention committee on the Church Pension Fund unanimously recommended on July 9 the implementation of a denomination-wide health insurance plan by 2012.    Resolution A177 now goes to the House of Bishops for consideration.  Read more.

Global economic forum addresses a "crisis of truthfulness

Describing the global economic downturn as a "crisis of truthfulness," Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams addressed more than 2,000 people attending a July 8 forum in Anaheim, California. Read more.

Deputies adopt PBF mission priorities

The House of Deputies on July 8 adopted five priorities proposed by the Program, Budget and Finance (PBF) committee that will guide the mission of the Episcopal Church for the next three years.Read more.

Supporters turn out for resolution calling for "generous discretion" on blessing of same-sex unions

"Marriage equality is a reality coming soon to a state near you," Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire told an overflow crowd at a July 8 hearing. Read more.

Archbishop of Canterbury hears from cross-section of Episcopalians

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams spent the afternoon of July 8 hearing the stories of a cross section of participants in the 76th General Convention.   Read more.

Mission is focus of opening Eucharist

The July 8 opening worship and the official start of the 76th General Convention in Anaheim, California. Read more.

Chicago Consultation releases study on homosexuality

The Chicago Consultation released on July 7 a study guide designed to help people in the pew face tough questions about homosexuality -- and come up with their own answers. Read more.

Presiding Bishop emphasizes togetherness in opening address

The full text of Jefferts Schori's address is available here.

Read more

HOD president calls for deeper sense of mission

Read more

Budget committee hears testimony on priorities

Read more.

Convention Daily  Newspaper produced by Episcopal Life

July 17

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July 14

July 13

July 12

July 11

July 10

July 9

July 8

Bishop Jeffrey Lee's third reflection on General Convention

Our enduring commitment to mission in the world

Bishop Jeffrey Lee's second reflection on General Convention:

The best work of our church

Bishop Jeffrey Lee's first reflection on General Convention:

God's mission has a church

Program Budget and Finance Hearing on Budget Priorities

Choose PB&F Opening Hearings from More on Demand video menu.

(includes testimony of Chicago's Bishop Jeffrey Lee)