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Quarterly Magazine of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego

Summer 2009

Volume VII

General Convention: our Church’s 76th Democratic Meeting

By Hannah Miller

The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, held every three years, is the bicameral (two- house) governing body of the church. General Convention, the second largest legislative body in the world, is comprised of the House of Bishops, with upwards of 200 members, and the House of Deputies, with clergy and lay representatives from the 110 dioceses, at over 700 members. The theme for this summer’s convention is “Ubuntu,” an African word meaning “I in You and You in Me.” Planners hope this theme permeates the ten-day conference that will deal with difficult issues such as budget questions in lean times; Title IV disciplinary canons; human sexuality; the Anglican Covenant status; and the sin of racism in our Church.

Our deputies and alternates to General Convention are as follows.

Clergy

The Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas The Rev. Andrew Green The Rev. Michael Russell The Rev. Dr. Paul Carmona

Lay

Mr. Jim Greer Ms. Carroll Levien Ms. Pauline Getz Ms. Suzanne Foucault

Clergy Alternates The Rev. Steve Wendfeldt The Rev. George Calvert The Rev. Rebecca Dinovo

Lay Alternates Mr. Louis Glosson Mr. Will Hay

The daily work of the Convention is hammering out the resolutions. Typically, each proposed

IN THIS ISSUE:

Bishop’s Letter

Page 2

Second Largest Legislative Body in the World: General Convention 2009 (GC09) will be held July 8 – 17 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California (Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles). Above photo from 2003.

resolution receives a public hearing followed by consideration in two different committees. These committees can pass as it is, withdraw, amend or write a substitute resolution. The “perfected” resolution then goes to vote. Both houses must agree on the resolution for it to pass. This democratic structure for making decisions in our Church is the same one the founding fathers of the Episcopal Church used over 200 years ago.

Diocese of San Diego deputies will serve on the following committees.

Rules of Order: Ms. Pauline Getz

Receives resolutions that propose to modify our Rules of Order which govern the conduct of affairs.

Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music: The Rev.

Andrew Green

Finding God in Daily Life

Page 3

Receives resolutions proposing changes to the Book of Common Prayer, the Hymnal and other authorized rites and to the church calendar.

Structure: Ms. Carroll Levien Receives resolutions that address the General Convention and its committees, commissions, agencies and boards and the Executive Council and its committees.

National and International Concerns: The Rev.

Mike Russell Receives resolutions that address issues of peace and war, treaties, the United Nations, foreign and domestic government policies, race, gender, sexual orientation, exploitation, slavery.

Constitution: The Rev. Canon Allisyn Thomas Receives resolutions that propose amendments to the Constitution of the Episcopal Church.

continued on page 5

New Labyrinth

Page 7

Summer Calendar

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