Our deputies have returned from the 79th General Convention. Here are the highlights from the two-week-long trip.

Welcoming Cuba Home: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry welcomes and seats Cuba Bishop Griselda Delgado del Carpio on July 10 when the House of Bishops voted unanimously to re-admit the Episcopal Church of Cuba as a diocese of The Episcopal Church. The Cuban diocese will become a part of Province II.

The full article is here. Photo / David Paulsen

The Way of Love: During the opening Eucharist, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry celebrated and preached a powerful sermon in which he called all Episcopalians to a rule of life called “the Way of Love: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest.” An ENS story on the service, including a video of the sermon, is here; Bishop Curry’s sermon text is here; resources for The Way of Love are here. 

Photo / Mike Patterson-ENS

Deputies from San Diego: The deputies from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego to the 79th General Convention. Front Row L-R: Colin Mathewson, Polly Getz, Hanh Tran, Judy Brown, Brenda Sol. Back Row L-R: Craig Noble, Gwynn Lynch, Andrew Green, Butch Glosson, Katharine Jefferts Schori, and Penny Bridges. Each diocese sends four clergy members, four lay members, two alternates and one bishop. 

From Our Deputies

• Deputy Butch Glosson, parishioner of Good Shepherd, Hemet, shared this video update about the pre-convention happenings.
• Bishop Katharine wrote this blog post at the beginning of the convention: Bidding Prayers for General Convention
• The Rev. Kirby Smith, the chief financial officer for our diocese, wrote this reflection: Our Dynamic and Ever-Changing Church
• The Rev. Cn. Allisyn Thomas, canon for spiritual formation, shared this live video from the opening Eucharist
• Deputy Judy Brown, parishioner of St. Alban’s, El Cajon, talks about her experience as a first-time deputy in this video.
• Deputy Hanh Tran, parishioner of St. Peter’s, Del Mar, shared the highlights from her experience mid-way through the convention: Voting Our Conscience at General Convention and this video reflection on being a first-time deputy.
• Deputy Andrew Green, rector of St. Paul, Palm Springs, shares from the floor of the House of Deputies in this video update
• Deputy Polly Getz, diocesan chancellor and member of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway, provides this video update on her experiences
• Deputy Gwynn Lynch, vicar of Grace, San Marcos, tells a story of lunchtime evangelism on this video update.
• Deputy Colin Mathewson, co-vicar of St. Luke’s, North Park reflects on his trip to Hutto Detention Center: A Hand Pressed Up Against the Glass
• Deputy Penny Bridges, dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego shares this live video and this live video from the Hutto Detention Center
• Deputy Craig Noble, parishioner of Good Shepherd, Bonita, reflects on his experience as an alternate deputy in this video update.
• Bishop Katharine shares these concluding observations: General Convention: A Bit Like Brigadoon

Episcopal Revival: The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry preached at a revival meeting attended by over 2,500 people on Saturday, July 7. Interpreter Dinorah Padro assisted the presiding bishop. “The only reason to be born is to live,” Curry said. “God wants us to have life.” The ENS article contains video and text of Bishop Curry’s 43-minute sermon.

Photo / Hannah Wilder

Public Witness Against Gun Violence: The Rev. Gwynn Lynch, deputy and vicar of Grace, San Marcos participates in the public witness against gun violence on Sunday, July 8. Bishops United Against Gun Violence organized the event which drew hundreds. Read the ENS article about the Schentrups, who spoke about losing their daughter in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting on February 14.

Photo / Allisyn Thomas

Hutto Protest: Over a thousand Episcopalians gathered in front of the Hutto Detention Center in Taylor, Texas on Sunday, July 8. They protested immigration policies that separate families and criminalize migrants. Bishop Curry gave a rousing address about loving our neighbor; view it on Facebook or on YouTube.

Camp Day: Monday, July 9 highlighted the work of Episcopal camps and conference centers; our deputies wore the Camp Stevens T-shirt. L-R: Richard Schori, Gwynn Lynch, Katharine Jefferts Schori, Belinda Long, Brenda Sol, Polly Getz, Hanh Tran, Colin Mathewson, Louis “Butch” Glosson, Judy Brown, Andrew Green, Craig Noble, Alex Nagy, Jim Stiven, and Carlos Garcia. Thanks to these fine deputies and visitors, our diocesan camp was well represented. Visit Camp Stevens online.

Decorated Deputy: Polly Getz, deputation chair and parishioner of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway, presented the new Title IV website on Friday, July 13 to the House of Deputies. The site organizes all of the roles and responsibilities for the different aspects of the clergy disciplinary canon. Polly also received an award of appreciation from the House of Deputies on Thursday, July 12, for her many years of service to the General Convention as parliamentarian, chancellor, and as a member of the church’s executive council. Congratulations, Polly!

Voices of Women: President of the House of Deputies Gay Jennings formed a working group of 47 women into the special committee on sexual harassment and exploitation. From a listening liturgy in which people’s stories of abuse were read aloud, to resolutions that call for more female leadership, and everything in between, the voice and witness of women impacted every aspect of the Episcopal Church. At the end of convention, the group presented a sculpture of Mary to Gay Jennings in gratitude for this work. The ENS article has more details.

Feathered Frivolity: This pigeon lived in the House of Deputies for the duration of the convention; by the end it had become the official mascot, complete with a Twitter account , and an ENS story.

Diocesan Deacon: The Rev. Seth Longacre, deacon at Holy Cross, Carlsbad, supported the Association of Episcopal Deacons by staffing their exhibit during General Convention. Deacon Longacre is a new deacon in our diocese.

From the Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs:

• United Thank Offering triennial ingathering collects more than three million dollars
• July 7 Revival sermon by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
• July 6 sermon by the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies
• United Thank Offering grants: More than $1 million for Episcopal Church, Anglican communion mission and ministry
• TEConversations offer unique way to participate at #GC79
• Opening remarks by Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry
• Opening remarks by President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings
• Two live webcast shows from General Convention: Inside General Convention

From the Episcopal News Service: Full coverage here. ENS photo gallery here.

• General Convention wrap-up: Following the Way of Jesus
• Convention backs evangelism spending as leaders develop tools for the Jesus Movement
• Convention lets its ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ agreeing to give church full access to trial-use marriage rites
• General Convention unites behind immigrants, in prayer, action, legislation
• Convention approves use of expansive-language version of Rite II Eucharistic prayers
• Convention accepts $134 million three-year spending plan
• Both houses of the 79th General Convention vote unanimously to admit Cuba as a diocese
• Deputies agree with bishops on new plan for liturgical and prayer book revision
• House of Bishops proposes expanded path for Prayer Book revision
• Bishops vote unanimously to admit Cuba as a diocese
• Committee forwards three forceful immigration resolutions for votes by bishops, deputies
• Bishops adopt covenant pledging to work for equity and justice
• Episcopalians gather in public witness outside immigrant detention center
• Schentrups deliver emotional plea to end gun violence
• Presiding Bishop preaches ‘God is love and gives life’ message during Austin revival
• House of Deputies votes to begin process to revise Book of Common Prayer
• TEConversations opens with racial reconciliation
• General Convention approves compensation for deputies’ president
• Changes to parochial report draw concerns
• Committee will propose comprehensive revision of the Book of Common Prayer
• Presiding Bishop urges Episcopalians to embrace ‘Way of Love’ for spiritual growth
• Bishops lament and confess the church’s role in sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse
• Committee hears call for inclusive-language Book of Common Prayer
• Church leaders set tone for General Convention in rousing welcome to bishops, deputies (opening remarks from Presiding Bishop Curry and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies
• A summary guide to the major issues facing the 79th meeting of General Convention in Austin
• General Convention prepares for expansive conversations on racism and racial healing

The Episcopal Church Media Hub

The Media Hub of The Episcopal Church is located here:
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/general-convention-2018-media-hub

On the Media Hub you will find:

• Livestreaming from both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies
• Livestreaming of daily Eucharist services and PDFs of worship bulletins – see worship schedule here.
• Presiding Bishop Curry’s sermon on July 5 (under “Worship”; starts at minute 31:56); text of the sermon here; and the invitation to the Way of Love
• Read more about the Media Hub and what it offers

Triennial Today: News from the Women’s Triennial Meeting

• Issue 9 – July 11
• Issue 8 – July 10
• Issue 7 – July 9
• Issue 6 – July 8
• Issue 5 – July 7
• Issue 4 – July 6
• Issue 3 – July 5
• Issue 2 – July 4
• Issue 1 – July 3

What is the General Convention?

• General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church, which operates as a democracy, modeled after the US congress.
• It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies with more than 800 members (up to four clergy and four lay persons from each diocese), and the House of Bishops, with over 300 active and resigned bishops.
• General Convention gathers every three years.
• The work of General Convention includes adopting legislation of concern to the Church, amending the Book of Common Prayer, the constitution and canons of the church, adopting a budget, and electing candidates. 
• The 79th General Convention took place in Austin, Texas July 5-13, 2018. 

Visit generalconvention.org for more information, or send them an email.