General Convention: The Journey of D055

In December 2023, I received a letter from Julia Ayala Harris, President of the House of Deputies, saying, “I have reviewed your application and, after prayerful discernment, invite you to serve as a Member of the House of Deputies Formation and Discipleship Legislative Committee. Your term will continue until the close of the 81st General Convention in 2024.”

This is the second time I have had the honor and privilege to serve as a Member of Legislative Committee # 11, with Katherine Karr-Cornejo as Committee Chair.

The goal of the Legislative Committee is to perfect the resolutions for the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops; it is not necessary to advance the goals of the proposer. The Committee reviews resolutions, holds public hearings online and in person, and deliberates about whether to accept, amend, combine, or offer a new resolution/ substitute and take no further action.

During each meeting, bishops and deputies separately recommend to their House how to vote on the resolution. A great deal of time and labor was expended in Legislative Committee # 11 Formation and Discipleship. After each meeting, follow-up work among subcommittees, such as one for A132—Establishing an Online Hub for Continuing Formation and Ministry Resources—resulted in a Substitute that was adopted and concurred.

As I participate in the work of the Committee, I have a unique opportunity to witness the passion and dedication of the proposers and those who testified in favor or against a particular resolution. The Committee reviews each resolution carefully, asking the proposers for clarification, then deliberating on the scope, merit, impact on the church, and feasibility. There were many joyful moments when I saw God’s will at work. I also realize that God answered my prayer for being his vessel doing His work with my passion for social justice. Watching my fellow members, both deputies and bishops, working together, listening to one another, agreeing, and accepting different opinions gave me admiration and respect for all who labored for the betterment of our church.

It takes a village to get one resolution through the process to the final goal of becoming an Act of General Convention. There is so much prayerful work involved behind the scenes during legislative sessions before a resolution can make it to the General Convention floor to be voted on.

Take Resolution D055 as an example. On June 2, I received a call from a dear friend and fellow Deputy Warren Wong from the Diocese of California, asking me to review and support the D055 Resolution—50th Anniversary Triennium of the Ordination of Women. He is the Proposer, and the Resolution is assigned to my Legislative Committee # 11. My goal as Deputy is to use my voice for social justice and gender equality as such,  I was glad to support his resolution honoring the ordination of women. To make Resolution D055 known among Deputies before the General Convention, on June 12,  Deputy Warren Wong began his campaign by emailing the Deputies of the Asian Caucus asking for support for D055 Resolution. His timing is historical.

On June 22,  during an on-site Open Hearing, Deputy Warren Wong testified in favor of D055 asking the Committee to recommend the House of Deputies to adopt. Three days later, on June 25, 2024, the Committee met to deliberate DO55 and voted to adopt with amendment. Over fifty years prior, in 1973, the General Convention also met in Louisville and did not adopt a resolution supporting the ordination of women. 

On June 26, 2024 (the 4th Legislative Day), Deputy Warren Wong came by the San Diego Diocese section on the floor of the House of Deputies inquiring about the status of D055.  The next morning (June 27, 2024, 5th Legislative Day), I message Deputy Katherine, Committee Chair at 3:51 AM, “Please comment on the status of D055”

4:09 AM – Katherine texts, “Good morning. The Secretaries have submitted the Report.”

4:15 AM – I texted back, “Thanks for responding. Where is the Committee’s report located? The Committee’s report doesn’t have D055.”

6:33 AM – Katherine Karr-Cornejo posted on Teams to the group:

“Urgent D055 Resolution Review has informed us that there are issues with the Resolution DO55 that need to be addressed by the Committee. The suggestion is as follows: 

Change language around funding procedure to reflect the process currently in place, and to remove the portion of para 6 beginning at ‘in consultation with.’

“The concern is that the advisory group runs this into task force territory, which is much more fraught. If you have not spoken with me, Yoimel, Zoe or Mary Hayden, please give your vote here. This is urgent- if the Committee agrees with the Resolution, it can be calendared and acted upon by this Convention. Thank you.” 

I didn’t see this post until later. I was getting ready for a Deputation Breakfast with Bishop Susan. 

Later that morning, during the break of the Legislative Session, Mary Hayden Manning, Committee Assistant Secretary, came by to see me with her computer showing the amendment, saying, “We have the quorum; please vote on the amendment. I say ” Yes”.  

9:30 AM I text Deputy Warren Wong, “The Committee is working on it as I write.”

9:52 AM Warren Wong texts, “Thanks, but I worry it will not be handled in time to pass both Houses before Convention adjourns”

Later that evening, at 4:14 PM, I checked. D055 is on Consent Calendar 1 for Day 6

On June 28th (Day 6), during the Morning Legislative Session, the House of Deputies Committee 11- Formation and Discipleship presented its Report # 8 on Resolution D055 and moved to Adopt the Amendment. Status: Adopt with Amendment

In the House of Bishops, Committee 11 – Formation and Discipleship presented its Report # 13 on Resolution D055 and moved to concur. The final status of D055: Concur 

June 28, 11:21 AM – Katherine Karr-Cornejo, Committee Chair, posts on Teams

“Our work is complete. All legislation has been acted upon in both Houses. Gratitude to you all.”

As Resolution D055 was adopted and concurred, it became an Act of the General Convention.  Across the 2024 – 2027 Triennium, there will be churchwide programs utilizing liturgy, formation, reconciliation, and theological education to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first time a woman priest presided at the Eucharist. “In doing so, the Church celebrates both the historical and contemporary significance of increased gender diversity in the three ordained Orders, more closely reflecting that of the Church overall.” Resolution D055 Commemorative programs have $18,000 from the Executive Council Joint Budget Committee and are administered by the Director of LBGTGI and Women’s Ministries.

As a Deputy to the 81st General Convention, I feel happy, relieved, fulfilled, and grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Member of the Legislative Committee 11- Formation and Discipleship. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.