GC Day 5 – June 27, 2024 – Part Two (of Three)

There are some editorial views expressed here that represent only the thoughts of the current rector of Saint Stephen’s and not necessarily the stance of the congregation. After all this is, “News from The Father.”

We resumed business at 2 pm.  The credentials committee reported on numbers, but I was distracted with a resolution that… alarmed me… so I have no idea what he said. 

We moved on to the second (of three) consent calendar for the day.  It was adopted. 

Our first legislation of the afternoon was A094 – Communion Across Difference.  The committee of jurisdiction pointed out that this seeks to continue a committee that has existed for the last six years and they suggested that it has run its course in this form and therefore recommends no further action be taken.  There was strong testimony on both sides.  It was voted to end debate.  We then voted on whether to follow the committee’s recommendation to “Take No Further Action.” The House voted with 72% to take no further action.

Next, we tackled A086 – Create a Task Force for Youth Formation and World Mission.  The amended resolution does not create a Task Force as originally envisioned, but instead directs “the Standing Commissions on Formation and Ministry Development and World Mission to create a comprehensive report to define and develop such concepts as mission, global mission, and their intersection with youth formation to be presented at the 82nd General Convention” and then to create a task force that will “receive the work already generated by the aforementioned interim bodies and to report its recommendations to the 82nd General Convention.” There was some stirring testimony, and then the substituted resolution was adopted. 

Then we focused on A096 – Task Force on Equipping a Church Grounded in Justice as Christian Ministry. In general, the committee assigned strengthened the resolution, while also recognizing that it did not require funding as it somewhat overlapped with an already approved resolution.  It passed!

Next, we focused on D074 – Renouncing the Theology of Slavery held by the Rev. James Craik, 11th President of the House of Deputies.  We prayed before voting and it passed. (On a personal note, he was ordained as a priest in the church where my parents were married… some years later)

Then we moved to D034 – Support and Advocacy for Restorative Justice and a Moral Commitment to Abolition of Prisons and Policing.  There was much strong testimony.  Then we heard an amendment that removed all language regarding policing.  The amendment was voted down and the original legislation was adopted. 

Next, we went to D069 – Advocating for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  The committee of responsibility suggested “Taking No Further Action” due to problematic language.  There was powerful testimony on both sides.  Much of the discussion focused on the fifth resolve.  Debate was ended.  In the end, the House agreed to the recommendation to “Take No Further Action.”

Next, we went to D069 – Advocating for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.  The committee of responsibility suggested “Taking No Further Action” due to problematic language.  There was powerful testimony on both sides.  Much of the discussion focused on the fifth resolve.  Debate was ended.  In the end, the House agreed to the recommendation to “Take No Further Action” with 77% of the vote.

Then we heard about A095 – Continue the Task Force on Indigenous Liturgy.  There was powerful discussion about the importance of this task force and its good work.  Debated was ended.  The House then adopted it. 

We then took a break of 15 minutes.

Upon resuming business, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, 33rd President of the House of Deputies, entered the House and was awarded an… award for her service to the House and the Church. We also heard that there was 50/50 chance of an evening legislative session.

Then we got back to work with A092 – Access to ordination and deployment.  This comes from the Communion Across Differences.  (Editorial comments warning) Some pointed out that the canons already prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the discernment and ordination process.  It would place in the canons what many call a “conscience clause” similar to one used outside of the canons in the 1970s by the House of Bishops to continue discrimination against women clergy.  There was strong discussion on the matter.  It was announced that this would be a vote by orders because of requests from a number of deputations.  We prayed and then voted.  Somehow… it passed.

Next, we addressed A091 – Definition of doctrine.  It also comes from the Communion Across Differences committee, which is now defunct.  There was powerful testimony.  One issue is that this will recognize the BCP including the Catechism (actually named “An Outline of the Faith”) as the “Doctrine” of the Church and for now the “Outline of the Faith” defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  However, we also recognize same-sex marriage as a rite as equal to the BCP.  If this Convention changes the “Outline of the Faith” must be changed at two successive conventions.  So, if passed, our “Doctrine” would be in conflict for at least the next three years. (As far as I can tell and semi-verified by a retired chancellor).  Debate was ended.  Voting by orders. It was, thankfully, by the grace of God, defeated.

Next we moved to A071 – Amend the Constitution and Canons Relating to Mergers of Dioceses [Of Admission of New Diocese — Second Reading] and there was no real discussion, so we immediately moved to vote by orders. Passed… unanimously.

Then, we moved to D049 – Increase by one the possible number of bishops suffragans in a Diocese.  This is mostly regarding the Diocese of Texas seeking to go from two to three suffragan bishops.  Some pointed out that this would add an extra seat in the House of Bishops, while the size of the House of Deputies shrinks – this could be seen as a power differential.  It was approved.

Next, we tackled A044 – Develop Sustainable Congregational Revitalization Ministries.  Much was said about the importance of evangelism and real data in a declining denomination.  St. Stephen’s can attest to this.  Obviously.  My only hope, personally, is that this does not lead to a further expansion of the already burdensome paperwork that the “national” church requires (i.e. parochial reports) of shrinking staffs and already overworked clergy.  Passed without objection.

We next moved to C032 – A Prayer to Remember the Innocents.  Much of the resolution reads as:

“That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church expresses remorse for the role The Episcopal Church played in the irreparable harm suffered by Indigenous children who attended Indigenous boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s, and acknowledges that the effect of that harm carries on in boarding school survivors and their descendants; and be it further 

Resolved, that the 81st General Convention receives the gift of the following prayer to remember the Indigenous children who were forcibly taken to boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s: