What I Learned at the 79th General Convention


For the third time, I was blessed to be a deputy from the Diocese of New Jersey to the democratic legislative body of the Episcopal Church known as General Convention (GC).  Once every three years, this Church gathers from across the world to reflect to our branch of the Jesus Movement and discern if we are doing what God is calling us to do.  We do this in good order through a legislative process that may seem confining, and yet allows for many ideas and voices to be heard.

This GC had a record number of resolutions – almost 500 were acted on by either Concurrence (both the House of Bishops and House of Deputies passed it with the same wording), Rejection (did not pass one house with a majority vote), Referring to an Interim Body (sent to a Committee or Commission established by the Executive Council), or Take No Further Action (usually means it was dealt with by another resolution). 

Several of the Resolutions were of significant importance, especially A068, which deals with Prayer Book Revision.  Although the House of Deputies originally passed the resolution to move forward with revising the 1979 Prayer Book, the House of Bishops did not.  The wording of the resolution that did pass asks that “bishops engage worshiping communities in experimentation and the creation of alternative texts to offer to the wider church, and that each diocese be urged to create a liturgical commission to collect, reflect, teach and share these resources with the Task Force on Liturgy and Prayer Book Revision.” I’m not exactually sure how this will happen, but it should be interesting to explore the vast resources available while making sure we offer theologically sound and faithful liturgy.

As I mentioned on Sunday, another significant event in the life of our Church was welcoming back La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba.  Due to political pressures in 1966, The Episcopal Church cut ties with the Church in Cuba, essentially orphaning them in a time of great need.  Thankfully times have changed, but much work needs to be done to repair this breach.  It was a joyous moment when Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio was seated in the House of Bishops and when the Delegates from Cuba were seated in the House of Deputies.  Over the next three years, the negotiations will continue on how to fully reincorporate La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba.

One of the things that I love about GC is our ability to laugh at ourselves.  At our Orientation session on July 4th, there were several pigeons (later classified as “rock doves”) that were flying around the Austin Convention Center.  Several people decided that the Holy Spirit had manifested itself among us.  Someone more creative and humorous than I will ever be started a Twitter handle called @gc79pigeon, which offered amusing reflections on the actions and events of General Convention, not the least of which was begging for crumbs to be left behind, preferably of donuts.  There were many bird-related puns offered in testimonies.  A group of deputies even wore pigeon masks and another group presented the House of Deputies President, The Rev. Gaye Jennings, with a pigeon stuffed animal.

Perhaps the most significant part of GC for me, as another deputy reflected, was that it was the most grace-filled meeting in many years (this person having attended since about 2000).  While some people may have felt disappointment about some of the resolutions, no one made the overt expression of getting up and leaving the Convention floor. Compromises were made in good-faith and wanting to be in Communion with others who do not share the same convictions about how to follow Jesus. But we all know Jesus loves us and calls us to love one another, as challenging as that can be at times. 

As different as we are, there is no doubt we all love our Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Michael Curry, who’s enthusiastic love for Jesus is inspiriting and uplifting every time he talks about the loving, liberating and life-giving Jesus Movement.  It is a sign of a great leader who offers a vision that people connect with because it is so simple and yet so profound.  We can celebrate the uniqueness of our Episcopal tradition without belittling other expressions of Christianity.  We were blessed to hear Bishop Curry many times at GC, inspiring us to do all to do our part in sharing God’s love each and every day.

If you would like to read another reflection on General Convention, I suggest The Rev. Jay Sidebotham’s blog for Renewal Works, which you can read here.

In Christ,
Rev. Valerie+

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