Intro to general convention

• 1. An Introduction toGeneral Convention

2. The First General Convention With few precedents for a democratic form of church governance the first General Convention met in 1785 in Philadelphia. 3. That convention began work on a constitution and a revision of the Book of Common Prayer, the churchs book of worship. 4. Within ten years the General Convention had agreed on its form of governance and its pattern of worship, both of which endure to the present day. 5. The General Convention was The Episcopal Churchs solution for self- governance during the American Revolution, when ties to the Church of England were broken. The first General Convention met in Philadelphia in 1785 with the Revd William White presiding over a house comprised of priests and lay persons. 6. House of Deputies Each diocese of the Episcopal Church(and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Navajoland Area Mission) is entitled to elect eight deputies, four lay persons and four priests and/or deacons, to the House of Deputies. 7. House of Bishops All bishops of the Episcopal Church, active and retired, are entitled to seat, voice and vote in the House of Bishops (unless deprived of the privilege). 8. Deputies, not delegates Deputies are not delegates; that is, they are not elected to represent the electing dioceses. After hearing testimony, engaging in debate and prayer, Deputies vote their conscience on the legislation before them. 9. Deputies vote their conscience for the good of the church. They cannot be instructed to vote one way or another, for to do so would preclude godly debate and preempt the work of the Holy Spirit. 10. Responsibilities of Deputies atGC Deputies are expected to serve on committees, if appointed, to attend forums and hearings, to read the reports to the church from its commissions, committees, agencies and boards, to listen and vote on resolutions on being considered by the House. 11. Reaching decisions The House ofDeputies and Houseof Bishops meet,deliberate and voteseparately. They meetonce in Joint Sessionfor the Budgetpresentation. To be enacted,resolutions must passboth houses in thesame language. 12. Both houses have the right to amend legislation. An amendment must be considered by the other House and accepted in exactly the same language, changed or defeated. 13. How do resolutions come toconvention? Resolutions presented to convention come from four sources: committees, commissions,resolutions: Interim Bodies (in the Blue Book) agencies and boardsresolutions: Bishops of the church; bishops; dioceses andresolutions: Diocesan Conventions and Provinces provinces; andresolutions: Deputiesdeputies. 14. Presiding Officer of the House ofDeputies The House of Deputies is chaired by the President of the House, Dr. Bonnie Anderson. 15. Presiding Officer of the House ofBishops The House of Bishops is chaired by Presiding Bishop and Primate, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori. 16. The General Convention PresidingOfficers appoint LegislativeCommittees Much of the work of convention is carried out by legislative committees. Each House has its own legislative committees. There are 24 committees. They meet together, but take votes separately. 17. House of Deputies LegislativeCommittees Deputies are asked to indicate their preference for appointment to legislative committees. The President of the House makes appointments considering previous experience, expertise and interest, ensuring the committees represent diverse points of view, geographic, age, ethnic and gender diversity. 18. Everyone has a voice inlegislation Resolutions proposedfor discussion atconvention arereferred to legislativecommittees. Eachpiece of legislationmust have an openhearing. Committees,consolidate, amendand perfect legislationbefore presenting it tothe House. 19. Open Hearings Legislativecommittees holdhearings on everypiece of legislation. Deputies, registeredAlternates, Bishops orregistered visitorsmay speak at theopen hearings. 20. Debating resolutions Each house establishes rules for the consideration of resolutions, e.g., how long consideration will be given to a resolution, how those favoring or opposing adoption will be heard and the time allotted to each speaker. 21. Debating resolutionsDebate in the two houses of GeneralConvention is governed by documents indescending order of authority.1. Neither house can break the laws of the state, nor2. act out of conformity with the Constitution & Canons of the church.3. Each is governed by the Joint Rules of Order, which apply to both houses, then4. by their own Rules of Order.5. Matters not covered by the previous rules are governed by Roberts Rules of Order. 22. Deputies are expected to listen respectfully to the views of others and to adhere to the rules, which require, for example, that persons of different points of view alternate at microphones. 23. In 2012, the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will meet in Indianapolis, Indiana from Tuesday, 5 July through Thursday, 12 July. 24. General Convention Worships together daily General Convention meets prayerfully. Each day bishops, deputies, registered alternates, delegates to the ECW Triennial and visitors gather for Bible study and Holy Eucharist. 25. Both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops have chaplains, who lead regular prayer at the beginning and end of sessions and daily at noon. 26. Chaplains are often asked by the Presiding Officer to pray before the vote on important legislation. Organizations within the church sponsor additional worship services, while volunteers staff a prayer room where continual prayers of intercession are prayed for the work of convention. 27. Festival Eucharist A highlight of everyGeneral Convention isthe festival Eucharistwhen the United ThankOffering is presented.(The United ThankOffering is taken up inparishes twice eachyear for the mission ofthe church.) 28. The Exhibit Hall-Meeting Place One of the most interesting parts of convention is the Exhibit Hall. 29. The Exhibit Hall is amarketplace of goodsand ideas in which theorganizations andinterest groups withinthe church present theirwares, recruit members,and provide a respitefrom a busy day. It is acolorful part ofconvention, and it wouldnot be GeneralConvention without it. 30. Many church-related organizations hold meetings in conjunction with convention, and there are lunches and dinners hosted by seminaries, provinces, societies, boards and staff offices of the church. 31. One gathering not to bemissed is the triennialmeeting of the EpiscopalChurch Women. TheECW meeting haschanged over the pastseveral decades; itfocuses on the missionand service of the church,and many of the churchsmost distinguishedmembers are invited toaddress this body. 32. General Convention is acombination of legislativeassembly, bazaar of goods and services and familyreunion. It is one of the most exciting and, truth be told,one of the most awe- inspiring gatherings in theworld.The Reverend Dr. Gregory S. Straub Executive Officer and Secretary of General Convention