| EPISCOPAL CHURCH GENERAL CONVENTION, July 8-17, Anaheim, Calif. > CLICK HERE Article by Solange De Santis Leading from opening addresses from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, the 1100 clergy and lay deputies and 150 bishops focused on mission. They considered mission in a time of economic scarcity, mission to all the baptized, mission to the "least" among us. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams visited for two days and engaged with a wide range of Episcopalians, from leaders to kids in a local church program.
The resolution also reaffirmed the Episcopal Church's participation in the Anglican Communion, while noting that the communion and the Episcopal Church are not of one mind on this matter. It acknowledged that times are changing, with same-gender marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships legal or about to become legal in some states, and authorized the church to collect and develop resources for blessing same-gender couples. It acknowledged economic reality by passing a budget that reflected lower givings by dioceses, hit with financial woes of their own. The decision resulted in the layoff of about 30 people out of a staff of 180 in New York and regional offices. The budget did, however, recommit the church to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals for social progress by reinstating a budget line for that work that supports Episcopal Relief and Development’s program partnership called NetsforLife. It supplies insecticide-treated bed nets to prevent malaria. It also endorsed and provided some money – though about 10 percent of what was requested – for a strategic vision that is aimed at evangelizing in fast-growing Hispanic/Latino communities. Convention encouraged the art of story-telling, scheduling three "mission conversation" sessions during which people learned to tell their personal stories of faith in ways that call others to action. As Christian churches continue to reach out to each other in this age of ecumenism, General Convention approved the expansion or affirmation of relationships with Moravians, Presbyterians, United Methodists, African Methodists, and others. As always, convention encompassed much more than legislation. The host diocese, Los Angeles, started building a Habitat for Humanity house at the convention site. It hosted a multimedia "emergent church" service and a U2charist featuring the music of rock group U2. The exhibit hall, with its varied and colorful booths featuring books, vestments, jewelry, carvings and a wide range of ministries, became a bazaar, a meeting place and a crossroads. Perhaps the most vibrant parts of convention involved young people. Los Angeles hosted a lively children’s program for parents working long hours. Older counterparts, from teenagers to young adults, were seen on the floor of convention speaking to the issues, advocating for peace and justice and getting comfortable with leadership roles. Let's hope they were inspired enough to be back in three years, when the 77th General Convention meets in Indianapolis in 2012 and again decides how this church will address its faith and its time.
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