July 17, 2009
By Melodie Woerman

The House of Deputies dispatched a large volume of resolutions on General Convention's final day July 17, including a response to the global economic crisis and the first steps in removing convention's role in approving some bishop elections.

Resolution D018 urges bishops to develop a pastoral teaching resource on God's mission and the global economic crisis and invites dioceses and congregations to use Lent 2010 as a time of "penitential reflection on the brokenness of the global economic order and its reformation in light of the gospel."

Resolution B029, approved on first reading, will amend the church's constitution to remove the provision that bishop elections within 120 days of General Convention receive approval at convention. All other bishop elections receive consents by diocesan bishops and Standing Committees, and this resolution would make that process apply to all elections.

Deputies voted not to concur with actions by the House of Bishops July 16 on Resolution C016 dealing with nondiscrimination language in church canons. Deputies earlier had added gender identity and expression to the list of factors for which people cannot be discriminated against. The House of Bishops then struck the entire list and replaced it with "all baptized persons." Deputies said the church needs to be specific in its nondiscrimination canons and chose not to accept the bishop's proposed language.

Deputies also adopted on second reading Resolution A051, which changes the church's constitution to make it easier to license clergy from other denominations to officiate in the Episcopal Church, a move made in anticipation of possible full communion with the United Methodist Church.

Deputies also adopted several resolutions dealing with the church's liturgical life. They included:

• B020, requesting that Thurgood Marshall be added to the church's liturgical calendar of observances;

• A178, encouraging dioceses, congregations and individuals to remember and support Episcopal Relief and Development's work during Lent;

• A088, adopting Rachel's Tears, Hannah's Hopes, liturgical resources to assist with healing after abortions or other childbearing-related losses;

• C078, directing development of a liturgy for the loss of a companion animal; and

• A099, adding various observances and prayers to the church's liturgical calendar.

In closing remarks, President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson said that she had focused in the past three years on identity and mission. She said she had worked hard to educate the church on the polity that gives lay and clerical deputies an equal voice with bishops in the governance of the church. She also called all deputies to return to their dioceses and congregations and "do mission. Start something. Strengthen something."

Episcopal News Service
Melodie Woerman is director of communications of the Diocese of Kansas.