Author: Father Stephen

Day 3 – June 25, 2024 – Part Two…

415 Clerical, 414 Lay Deputies present for a total of 829 total deputies.

106 dioceses have lay deputies, 109 dioceses have clergy deputies.

A very busy slate of legislation is ahead of us… VERY!

First, we voted on the President of the House of Deputies.  This had been a very… challenging process. Despite that, the vote was overwhelming and clear.  The House of Deputies re-elected Julia Ayala Harris as President for another three-year term. 

We then moved onto the budget (A164) for the next triennium.  There were questions about some unlabeled items in the budget.  Questions were also raised about Creation Care and the priority placed on it within the budget.  The budget passed with an overwhelming voice vote.  I for one was one of the few voting no.  In my opinion, the process is terribly flawed, lacks transparency, and integrity.  But… that’s just my perspective. 

We then went on to D031, Addressing the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries.  This is focused on Pregnancy Crisis Centers or “pregnancy resource centers” that operate under the auspices of Christian ministry.  There was heated and sometimes emotional debate.  There was also some discussion about how this resolution also included references to indigenous boarding schools and that is not the same thing as Pregnancy Crisis Centers.  After prayer the vote was taken and it passed on voice vote.

Next we moved onto A140 which is adopting some revisions to the Title IV disciplinary canons.  This amendment would ensure speedy moves on an initial phase of the disciplinary process.  It changes “meeting as soon as possible” to within 30 days and clarifies that the Reference Panel MUST make a decision how to refer the report.  We then heard an amendment that was changing the timeline to 45 days, instead of 30 days.  The amendment passed with 55% of the vote.  The resolution was adopted by voice vote.

Next… another change to Title IV with A107. This is… a bit complicated and… I don’t have much to say about it.  It was adopted after short discussion.

And next… another change to Title IV with A052.  This is to add Restorative Covenant as a possible outcome of Conciliation.  After brief discussion, it was adopted unanimously.   

After a brief break, the House resumed business with a special report from the president of Episcopal Church Women (ECW). 

We then resumed our journey through Title IV revisions with D015 (Examine the disparity in treatment in the adjudication of Clergy under Title IV Disciplinary Process by Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation).  The committee felt there are some logistical and practical concerns and therefore recommended it be referred to a standing committee for further study and report back to the 82^nd General Convention. We then voted to end debate and then voted to send it to committee for further work. 

Next… we LEFT Title IV, thankfully, to discuss B006 – Include the Episcopal Church in Micronesia in the Diocese of Hawai’i.  This is a wise move! It was unanimously approved by acclimation.   

We moved on to D039 which is a condemnation of censorship.  There were a number of speakers who spoke about the need to adopt this resolution as a statement of our values.  It was adopted with wide support.  

Continuing a theme, we next moved to D011 – The Prohibition of Assault Weapons. One person rose to speak against the resolution because it would do nothing to actually change anything.  Further discussion ensued, followed by a prayer.  Then a proposed amendment was shared that would add the phrase “bump stocks” to the original resolution.  The amendment was adopted.  After more prayer, the resolution was adopted.

Next we moved to C009 – Petition of the Episcopal Church In Navajoland to become a Missionary Diocese.  This is an essential step for respecting the autonomy of the people of the Navajoland and enables them to elect their own bishop, among many other things.  Several members from the Episcopal Church In Navajoland spoke about this being an important step in their life as a faith community.  This was agreed to by acclimation and the people of Navajoland were warmly welcomed as a Missionary Diocese of The Episcopal Church. This is the partial culmination of work ongoing since 1978.

We then adopted A185 Gratitude for Language Services at General Convention. Similarly, we adopted A193 to Express Gratitude to the Nomination Committee for Presiding Bishop.  We also adopted A182 to Express Gratitude to Candidates in Presiding Bishop’s Election.  Likewise, we adopt A187 – Express gratitude for the ministries of the Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers. We adopted A175 – Express Appreciation for the ECW, and A178 Express Gratitude for the United Thank Offering, and D001 – Commend the Episcopal Communicators Organization and Celebrate their 50th Anniversary, and A179 Express Gratitude for Krisita Jackson.

This ends the business for the day… I think.

Day 3 – June 25, 2024 – Part One

Today is Camp Shirt Day! The Diocese of Montana represented Camp Marshall well! Seven of our deputies and our stellar bishop are wearing this summer’s shirt.  I was rocking a shirt from either last year or the year before. 

This morning’s session is, once again, a joint meeting between the Houses of Bishops and Deputies.  This time it was to hear a report from the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop.  The report began with an explanation of their process and introducing the twenty members of the committee.  The House of Bishops selected five members, the House of Deputies selected 10, the President of the House of Deputies selected two young people, and the final three were filled to ensure the wider representation of the Church.

The nominees were named and some of the process was explained. 

415 Clerical, 413 Lay Deputies present for a total of 829 total deputies.

106 dioceses have lay deputies, 109 dioceses have clergy deputies.

We quickly moved through approving the consent calendar for the day.  Yay. 

Then we went into a report from Committee 12 – Agencies and Boards.  We began with A101 which is about the Denominational Health Plan.  A study was conducted about the DHP and how equitable it is.  Simply put – the most expensive plans are being subsidized by those on the least expensive plans and there are great geographic disparities, especially those in the Navajolands.  Attached are some photos of slides that explain the issues.  After brief discussion, it was approved.

Committee 3 – Governance and Structure then presented C008.  The goal is to get to 10% diocesan assessment by 2033.  There was a minority report from the committee that was in opposition to the 10% goal.  There was strong discussion about this proposal – very, very, very lengthy discussion.  After lengthy debate, it was announced that multiple dioceses had requested a vote by order.  Our stellar chair of the deputation was very organized and had a paper ready for each of the deputies to voice their opinion.  In the end the vote failed.

After a break, Rob Radtke, the President and CEO of Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) addressed the convention about the state of ERD and their important work. 

Then we moved onto a report from Committee 03 – Governance and Structure regarding resolution A002 which is recommending locations for the 83^rd General Convention in 2030.  The locations are Kansas City, Missouri (Diocese of West Missouri); Minneapolis, Minnesota (Diocese of Minnesota); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Diocese of Pittsburgh); Portland, Oregon (Diocese of Oregon); and San Juan, Puerto Rico (Diocese of Puerto Rico).

There were some concerns expressed about how the Diocese of Puerto Rico is always mentioned but has never been chosen to host a convention.  Then questions were raised about safety of some deputies in some dioceses given gender and other issues.  An amended version of the resolution passed.

We then moved onto Committee 05 – Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning And Healing on Resolution A031.  Then we heard an amendment that was calling for actually creating Spanish language materials that are specifically written for Spanish-speaking people, instead of a simple translation.  The amendment was unanimously adopted, as was the resolution. 

We then moved to Committee 16 – Safety, Wellness and Mental Health on Resolution A079. The resolution encourages for the Sunday closest to October 10 to be designated “Mental Health Awareness Sunday.”  This discussion continued for quite some time with… what some might call minutia.  After being split, Part A of the resolution were adopted. We then heard discussion on Part B.

We then heard from Committee 23 – Privilege and Courtesy on A189, which celebrates the 85 years of the ministry of ERD, formerly known as the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief.  It was unanimously adopted.

The House then adjourned for the day.

I created this based on documents found on the Finance website of The Episcopal Church. The Houses of Bishops and Deputies was told this information wasn’t available. This was created in less than an hour. I fully admit that there might be an error or two.

Day 2, 2024 – Part One

The morning began with a beautiful Morning Prayer service. Following worship we had a brief break before moving into a joint session.   The Houses of Bishops and Deputies gathered together at 10:30 am for a report from the Joint Budget Committee of the Executive Council.  This is the first General Convention where this was the process.  The former bishop of Montana, Bishop Brookhart also joined the deputation for this discussion.

During the presentation it was revealed that all or nearly all of the dioceses of The Episcopal Church were contributing the required 15% assessment.  That is quite an accomplishment! 91% of the income in the proposed 2025-2027 budget comes from diocesan assessments and investment income. 

The expected expenditures for the 2025-2027 budget are $143,191,158.  The budget sets aside $2,000,000 to be allocated by the new Presiding Bishop in consultation with The Executive Council.

There was a LOT of discussion about priorities and decisions made by the Joint Budget Committee.  There were a lot of concerns about the process and the way the budget was crafted.  There were also serious concerns about how questions were handled. 

To simplify things, here is a breakdown I created of the key categories of expenditures for the 2025 – 2027 Budget. 

Then we went to lunch.  Thankfully.

Day 1 – June 23, 2024 – Part Two

The House of Deputies resumed business at 2pm and began with another test vote session.  We voted by orders on a resolution stating that ketchup should not be placed on hot dogs.  It failed to pass.  Then we were updated on a number of resolutions that were requested to be withdrawn from the consent calendar and placed on the legislative calendar.  We then voted on the consent calendar containing at least 40 resolutions. 

The House then discussed six resolutions (A149, A150, A151, A154, A153, A155) regarding the rules of order for the House.  These are… complex.  You can look at the Calendar of the House of Deputies here.

In the first two hours of discussion, the House of Deputies voted on three of the above resolutions.  Some were adopted, while others were rejected.  After a brief break, we resumed discussion on A154. That resolution was not adopted by the required 2/3rds majority.  Then we discussed A153, which was adopted relatively quickly.  The House then focused on A155 which was adopted very quickly.  A004 and A005 were then addressed and quickly adopted. 

The House then moved on with the regular calendar of legislation.  One of the more interesting, to me, at least, was addressing clean water in Hawaii D008. In part the resolution reads, “That the General Convention adds its voice to those of Native Hawaiians calling for the protection of the water of Oʻahu that continues to be threatened by the storage and removal of jet fuel and the closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility which the U.S. Navy manages.”  We should all be supportive of this! It was adopted unanimously!

The House then moved to Privilege and Courtesy Resolutions (A170, A171, A172, A174, A173).  These expressed thanks, greetings, appreciation, commemoration, and gratitude to various individuals and groups. 

Day 1 – June 23, 2024 – Part one

This day began much earlier than the last but was much earlier for others.  Legislative committees began meeting at 7 am this morning for discussion on recent resolutions.  The business of the 81st General Convention began with Holy Eucharist at 8:30 am.  The preacher was the current President of the House of Deputies, Ms. Julia Ayala Harris.  She preached on the Gospel appointed for the day, Mark 4:35-41, and the theme of the 81^st General Convention – “Together in Love.”

A highlight for me was the presence of a group of singers from the Anglican Church of Burma (Myanmar).  I spent three weeks in Burma traveling around three different dioceses there in January 2005 while in seminary.  I mentioned this to my dad, and he suggested I might know some of them. I then reminded him that it had been 19 years!

Following Eucharist, the houses began their respective business.  The House of Deputies began by verifying a quorum was present.  For the morning session of the first legislative day, we had 813 deputies present (representing relatively equal numbers of lay and clergy deputies).  It was pointed out that there was a deputy present here for his sixteenth time as a deputy of General Convention, meaning he began attending in 1976!   Other housekeeping items followed.

Break for lunch at noon.

Day 0 – June 22, 2024

It was a slow morning for me as I was recovering from a long and stressful day of travel, time change, and the joys of humidity!

Around noon, I headed over to the convention center to register for convention.  I immediately saw and spoke with a seminary classmate who serves as Chaplain to the House of Deputies.  I checked in, got my credentials and iPad. 

I then made my way to the vast hall with exhibitions.  Quickly I ended up seeing several familiar faces from the Diocese of West Virginia.  I made my way around and saw several interesting booths.

At 2 pm both houses of General Convention (Deputies and Bishops) gathered to hear triennial reports from the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop.  Following that we had an orientation to the House of Deputies.  We went through how to use our iPads and how to speak and vote. 

That evening most of the deputation from Montana gathered for dinner and discussion.

Join us in-person or online for Holy Eucharist on

Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 10 am

The Rev. Joan Yetter, Presiding!

Ocee Johnson Chapel @ St. John’s United

3940 Rimrock Road, Billings

Service bulletin is available here.

Join us in-person or online for Holy Eucharist on

Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 10 am

Ocee Johnson Chapel @ St. John’s United

3940 Rimrock Road, Billings

Catch us on YouTube and on Facebook

Service bulletin is available here.