We Have a New Presiding Bishop
Dear Friends in Christ,
The Episcopal Church has a new presiding bishop!
This week clergy and lay delegates from all over the Episcopal Church gathered in Louisville, KY for the 81st General Convention (GC81). Similar to our diocesan conventions, the General Convention is how our denomination conducts the business of the Church. The General Convention convenes every three years. It is comprised of two houses, the house of Bishops which is pretty self-explanatory, and the house of deputies which consists of clergy and lay people elected to represent their diocese.
Business is conducted by resolution. Many include changes to the canons – the “laws” which govern our Church and establish our practices of governance and authority.
Some, like resolutions D042 Ending Child and Forced Marriage, A167 Water Rights for Indigenous Communities and Lands, D066 Creating a Task Force for Truth-Telling, D011 The Prohibition of Assault Weapons, and D056 Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza affirm our commitment to stand in solidarity with groups and people experiencing injustice and oppression and hold the Church accountable to advocating for justice and peace in our society.
Some, like resolutions A163 Affirming the Ongoing Work across the Episcopal Church in Consideration of Ethical Issues in Investing, A098 Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation, A015 Owning a Commitment to Reparations, Reckoning and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+, aspire to best practices for our common life together.
Some, like resolutions A160 Revise Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, A130 Developing alternative hymn texts, A111 Develop resources and models for online/in person hybrid worship, A115 Authorized use of alternative texts for the Good Friday liturgy, make changes to our liturgy to reflect our evolving understanding of inclusivity and equity.
Some, like resolutions D055 50th Anniversary Triennium of the Ordination of Women, D035 Authorize The Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage, D001 Commend the Episcopal Communicators Organization and Celebrate their 50th Anniversary, B011 Commemoration of Harriet Tubman celebrates the challenges we have overcome and what we have already achieved.
Some, like resolutions D057 Advocate for Housing Solutions, D059 Addressing Antisemitism in the Church and the World, D054, and D031 Addressing the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries A Resolution to Address The Issue of Black Maternal Mortality Rate recognize inequity in the world and in our Church and aspire to do better.
Some like resolutions D022 Create a Task Force on the Legislative Process, and D023 Support for the Association for Episcopal Deacons, and C008 Review Diocesan Assessments, are about improving the organization and structure of our Church.
As well as considering resolutions, General Convention elects people to boards and committees and leaders of our Church. This year, it elected a bishop to replace the Ret. Rev. Michael Curry who retires this year. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, was elected
and confirmed the 28th presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church on June 26 for a nine-year term beginning Nov. 1. For more information on this see here.
Please join me in prayer for all the bishops and deputies as they conclude their business in KY, and especially for Bishop Curry as he retires and Bishop Rowe as he assumes his new role as the foremost primate in our Church.
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the Episcopal Church for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (prayer For a Church Convention or Meeting BCP p.818)
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Jane+