Loading...Yesterday was the last day of GC and it was a long day with an extended morning session in addition to the normal long afternoon session. Several procedural motions were made to help the deputies get through the 80 or so resolution that were left on the calendar for the day. This convention is shorter by two days than the GC of 2009. Yet, we had almost as many resolutions to consider.
At left, our deputation. From left to right: Mike Keene, Erik Broeren (alternate sitting in this session for Deputy Henry Lodge), Lynn Schmissrauter (the chairman of our deputation), Cal Calhoun, Suzanne Smitherman, Maggie Zeller and Leyla King (alternate sitting in for Deputy Hendree Harrison). Photo by: Jennifer Dunn, Deputy
Yesterday was the last day of GC and it was a long day with an extended morning session in addition to the normal long afternoon session. Several procedural motions were made to help the deputies get through the 80 or so resolution that were left on the calendar for the day. This convention is shorter by two days than the GC of 2009. Yet, we had almost as many resolutions to consider.
One of the more unusual occurrences on Wednesday was when three-fourths of the Diocese of South Carolina walked out of the House of Deputies in protest of some of the action taken in the house. That was perfectly well within their rights. They are not delegates, they are deputies and charged to vote their conscience as all deputies are. But - and this is my opinion here and not necessarily the opinion of any of the other deputies in our deputation - I think it is a shame that they did not stay and continue to make their voices heard. The diocese of Central Florida, the Diocese of Springfield and the diocese of Dallas for example, also tend to vote in opposition to the majority. Yet, they remained on the house floor. We are Anglicans after all; there is room at the table for many opinions and many voices.
A correction: Byron Rushing was elected Vice President of The House of Deputies
Now ... here is a rundown of some of the resolutions that we voted on yesterday:
D018 - Calls on Congress to repeal federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, that discriminate against same-gender couples who are legally married in the states where that is permitted.
D059 - Urges a halt to the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcements practice of detaining people suspected of being in the country illegally without filing any charges against them.
C029 - Acknowledges baptism as the normative entrance into Holy Communion (after bishops had removed a clause earlier passed by deputies dealing pastoral responses in non-normative situations). This was know as the "Open Table" resolution.
The House of Deputies also passed a several resolutions dealing with social justice issues. Some of these include:
- support for the labor movement
- call clergy to action on economic and racial justice
- reach out to prisoners
- establish churches as gun- free zones
- recommitting to anti-racism work
Click on this link to find all resolutions brought before the HoD and The HoB. //www.generalconvention.org/
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the Diocese of East Tennessee as one of the four lay deputies. General Convention ranks up there with one of the best experiences I have ever had. Yes...true. I have enjoyed every minute of my time here in Indianapolis. Episcopalians don't always agree on matters of theology, but one thing is for sure - we love and respect each other.
I will be flying back to Knoxville this afternoon and look forward to being home even as I will miss new friends that I made while here. Particularly our table mates while at convention - the Diocese of Los Angeles, and those that sat in front of us, the Diocese of Oklahoma.
