THE 76 TH GENERAL CONVENTION

1. THE 76TH GENERAL CONVENTION

2. “Theme” of 76th General Convention: Zulu Xhosa Word

3. What is “General Convention”? • Largest US Convention except for Political Party Conventions • Every three years (“Triennium”) • Final Authority in TEC • Primarily a Legislative Body • No “Supreme Court” for TEC • No authority can overrule GC • No action by GC “unconstitutional” • Anglican Communion no authority over TEC

4. What Does General Convention Do? Elects Officials of TEC Adopts 3-yr Budget Amends Constitution and Canons Adopts Resolutions Makes changes in the Lectionary Can adopt a new BCP Worship and Discussion

5. How is General Convention Set Up? • Two equal Houses • House of Deputies (“senior” house) • House of Bishops • TEC has 110 dioceses • Each Diocese Bishop(s) and up to 4 Clergy Deputies and 4 Lay Deputies (Deputies: 110 x 8 = 880 Deputies)

6. House of Deputies President is Bonnie Anderson

7. DIOCEAN DEPUTATION 2009

8. House of Bishops Presided over by Katharine Jefferts-Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate

9. Youth Presence Michael Sahdev President of Province IV & Diocesan Youth

10. Youth Presence in HOD You Made Us Proud, Brother!

11. Issues of Sexuality • Windsor Report (2004) called for Moratoria on: • Consecration as bishops of persons living in a same gender union • Public Rites of Blessing Same Sex Unions • Territorial (cross border) incursions by bishops

12. Resolution B033 (2006) Urged by PB Griswold and PB Jefferts-Schori “Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.”

13. What to do about B033? • 14 Resolutions introduced • Sent to Committee on World Mission • “Committee of the Whole” in HOD

14. Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop Rowen Williams

15. Archbishop of Canterbury • Met with numerous small groups • Official Youth Presence • PB’s Council of Advice • PHOD’s Council of Advice • Group of 8 deputies concerned with lesbian and gay issues • July 8 Sermon: “hope that there won’t be decisions in the coming days that could push us further apart”

16. Resolution D025 Reaffirmed continued participation of TEC as constituent member of Anglican Communion TEC to participate “to the fullest extent possible” in the Anglican Communion Recognized that TEC includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships “characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.” [2000-D039]

17. Resolution C056 Some jurisdictions have authorized same sex marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships This calls for a “renewed pastoral response from the Church… to consider blessing same gender relationships.”

18. Resolution C056 L&M to collect theological and liturgical resources and report to GC 2012 Bishops to provide “generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of TEC”

19. Budget Budget is for 3 years (2010 – 2012) Budget based on “trickle up” PB&F conducted hearings on priorities, spending and funding Keys: Accountability, Transparency and Subsidiarity

20. 2010-2012 Budget Mission Priorities Networking members of Body of Christ Alleviating poverty and injustice Claiming identity as Episcopalians Growing congregations Strengthening governance and foundations for ministry

21. Budget as Adopted Reduced $23MM from 2007-09 Draft Budget (January 2009) reduced $20 MM to $141 MM (12.5%) Reflects decreases expected in diocesan Askings and other income Canonical -$23.2 MM (16%) Program -$86.8 MM (62%) Corporate -$30.8 MM (22%)

22. Impact of Budget Reductions No more “business as usual” Cut 40 Staff at ECC (out of 220) Blue Book only online and on CD

23. Impact of Budget Reductions • CCABs face-to-face meetings reduced 33% • use of 21st Century technology • “First Meeting” to give online training • Reduce GC by at least two days • Move towards “paperless” GC

24. New Items in Budget $300 K for Hispanic Ministries Pilot Projects $3 MM for Legal Expenses to Support Dioceses’ attempts to retain property 0.7% ($900K) line item for Millennium Development Goals

25. New Items in Budget $200 K in debt relief for seminarians Reduced formula for Diocesan Asking (increased “deductible” and reduced % from 21% to 19% over 3 years)

26. Other Resolutions • Liturgies for Reproductive Loss (“Rachel’s Tears, Hannah’s Hopes”) • Develop Website on best practices for Continuing Education • Urged passage of Healthcare Reform for all • Three Constitutional Amendments • “Episcopal” not “American” Churches • Remove “120-day” Rule • Ministers from other denominations

27. Impact on Dioceses and Parishes • Tasks for Dioceses • Lifelong Christian Formation Plan • New Canons for Disciplining Clergy • Health Care for All Clergy and Lay • Anti-Racism Training • First Sunday in Lent as ERD Sunday

28. Overview of Accomplishments Proceedings were orderly and prayerful Considered 419 resolutions Mutually agreed to about 330

29. THE 76TH GENERAL CONVENTION