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 82nd 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.
