Day 6 – June 28, 2024 – Part One
The final day of the 81st General Convention began with a closing Eucharist. The presider was Presiding Bishop Curry, and the Preacher was Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe.
The day ahead… on our Legislative calendar…
Legislation of the Day:
C025 – Juncture of The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan
D051 – The Reunion of the Diocese of Wisconsin
A223 – Create Alternative Working Group to Review Canons and Implement Changes Related to Revised Article X of the Constitution
B008 – Amend Canon II.3.6.a and II.4 to clarify authorization of liturgies
A224 – Repeal of Article X with clarifying amendments (post 2024-A072)
A127 – Establish a Working Group to Update Biographies in Lesser Feasts and Fasts
B001 – Experimental Creation Care Language for the Baptismal Covenant
C011 – Add Howard W. Thurman to The Episcopal Church Calendar
A116 – Marriage Rites for Inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer (First Reading)
A160 – Revise Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer
D035 – Authorize The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage
A126 – Transfer dates of commemorations in Lesser Feasts and Fasts
B011 – Commemoration of Harriet Tubman
A121 – Authorize the Commemoration of the Consecration of Barbara Clementine Harris — Second Reading
Courtesy Resolutions:
A230 Thanksgiving for all who ran for elected offices at General Convention
A227 Commend the life of Willie Howard Mays, Jr.
A183 – Give Thanks to the Diocese of Kentucky
A184 – Express Gratitude to the City and People of Louisville
A186 – Give Thanks to Convention Staff and Hospitality Ministers
A191 – Express Gratitude for the General Convention Children’s Program
A234 – Expressing Gratitude for Sharon Jones
A177 – Express Gratitude for the GCO Staff and Executive Officers of the General Convention
A194 – Express Thanks to the Parliamentarian of the House of Deputies
A190 – Extend Gratitude to the House of Deputies’ Chaplain
A229 – Gratitude for the Secretariat, Voting Secretary, and Committee on Dispatch
A176 – Commend the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton
A235 – Thanksgiving for the election of the Vice President of the House of Deputies
C001 – On the Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry
A231 – Commend Julia Ayala Harris
A232 – Thanksgiving for the election of the Presiding Bishop
Business began at 11 am
414 Clerical Deputies, 413 Lay Deputies, for a total of 827 deputies
105 dioceses have lay deputies, 108 dioceses have clergy deputies.
Before we began with business, the President of the House addressed some who felt uncomfortable Wednesday evening following lengthy discussions about the situation in Gaza when the House had a “palate cleanser” of music. She offered a very genuine and heartfelt apology.
A member from the floor spoke on a point of order to ask for prayer following the US Supreme Court’s ruling in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson. The Chair of the House said that the chaplain will work to include those in his prayers this afternoon.
The President (aka Chair of the House) then presented a few awards to several individuals, starting with the fabulous Lester Mackenzie, Chaplain to the House of Deputies (seminary classmate). The President also thanked and awarded Scott Gunn of Southern Ohio for his steadfast work and ministry (his blog was helpful for General Convention).
We adopted the consent calendar.
We then heard from the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice. This group was formed following the passage of a resolution at the 2022 General Convention. Check out their website!!
Next, we began some special and very important business. We began with C025 – Juncture of The Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan. We heard powerful testimony about the importance of this move. We then unanimously approved the resolution, thereby creating the Diocese of the Great Lakes!
We then adjourned until 2 pm.
