The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church

July 8–17, 2009 in Anaheim, California

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Full summary of actions from the General Convention office

 

Read a summary of significant actions of the 76th General Convention (pdf - courtesy of Jim Naughton, Diocese of Washington, and David Skidmore, Diocese of Chicago)

 

Read the Archbishop of Canterbury's reflections on General Convention

 

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church meets every three years. It consists of two houses: the House of Bishops, and the House of Deputies. All bishops in the Episcopal Church, whether active or retired, are entitled to a seat in the House of Bishops, which is chaired by the Presiding Bishop. Each diocese sends 4 lay and 4 ordained deputies (chosen by electors who are themselves first elected by the parishes), to the House of Deputies,which is chaired by the President of the House (Bonnie Anderson).

Each house meets and votes separately. To be enacted, resolutions must pass both houses in the same language. In the House of Deputies, each diocese has two votes - one lay and one clerical. The vote of each group is determined by polling its members: a tied deputation vote is technically "divided," and effectively counts as a "no." It is possible, therefore, for resolutions supported by a numerical majority of deputies to fail in the voting.

Activities in the two houses of the convention are only the tip of the iceberg. Much of the work of convention is done in legislative committees, to which resolutions proposed for discussion are referred. Legislative committees consider, amalgamate and perfect these resolutions before presenting them on the floor. They hold hearings on legislation at which deputies, registered alternates and registered visitors may speak.

 

Episcopal New Yorker article about General Convention

The April/May 2009 issue of the Episcopal New Yorker includes an interview (p.12) with the Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas, who has attended every General Convention since 1982.

 

Bulletin inserts from Episcopal Life Weekly

Episcopal Life Weekly is currently publishing a series of bulletin inserts about General Convention and the structure and polity of the Episcopal Church. Follow the links below to read them as pdfs:

  1. Living the Questions outlines the beginnings of the The Episcopal Church, a story that didn't really begin with Henry VIII, but reached a major turning point when the Tudor monarch broke with Rome to form the Church of England, which was then carried to the New World by settlers. 
  2. The Episcopal Church's Family Reunion gives a brief outline of how Convention works, and describes some of the non-legislative activities that surround and influence the deliberations of the House of Deputies and House of Bishops.
  3. Together Met, Together Bound describes the structure of The Episcopal Church, from parish to diocese to province to the wider national and international level. The text emphasizes the bonds of worship and ministry uniting all Episcopalians, whether they worship in cathedrals, tiny rural churches or urban storefronts.
  4. Bonds of Affection: The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Written by the Rev. Canon Charles K. Robertson, canon to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, the insert outlines the relationship of The Episcopal Church and other churches in the Communion, all of which have roots in the Church of England.
  5. Considering the Issues outline some of the resolutions that will be discussed at the triennial meeting, ranging from liturgical changes to advocacy efforts to global relations.

See Also:

Gc2009_100

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