The next two TEConversations will focus on evangelism and care of creation.
All three sessions will be recorded and available, along with accompanying
discussion materials, for use at a later date – perfect for a small group study
or an adult forum. The next TEConversations at General Convention will be:
- Evangelism - Saturday, July 7, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Central (3:30 to 5 p.m. Eastern)
- Care of Creation – Tuesday, July 10, 10:30 to noon Central (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern)
Bishop Hollerith stands with the
Bishop of Honduras in asking General Convention to provide better translation
services
Bishop Lloyd Allen of Honduras addressed the House of Bishops on July 6
about what he called a critical lack of translation services and interpretation
during General Convention. Bishop Allen said that this has had the effect of
making him and many bishops and deputies from Province 9 feel unwelcome.
Bishop Allen rose to address the House of Bishops during its legislative
session on July 6, because the first order of business, the proposed “Covenant
for the Practice of Equity and Justice for ALL in The Episcopal Church,” was
not translated. The vote on the covenant was postponed and the House moved to
the next item of business.
Bishop Allen again rose to speak and asked for his fellow Province 9
bishops, Latino bishops and bishops of African descent to stand with him and
about 20 gathered around him at the microphone. He told the Bishops that
postponing vote on the Covenant did not address his concern. “Tabling the
matter is just brushing it off again,” he said. “Something needs to be done. No
more.”
Bishop Hollerith, Bishop Andrew Doyle of Texas and Bishop Ely of
Vermont were the first to stand in support of Allen, and the rest of the House
of Bishops slowly began to follow suit. Allen then led the house in prayer.
After a period of silence, Presiding Bishop Curry asked for a recess so that
he, Bishop Allen and some others could “out our heads and hearts together” to
address this important issue.
General Convention approves
compensation for president of House of Deputies
On July 6, the House of Bishops voted in favor of a plan to provide
compensation to the president of the House of Deputies. Resolution B014 was
approved by the House of Deputies on July 5. The resolution calls for the
payment of fees “for specific services rendered in order to fulfill duties
required by the church’s Constitution and Canons” This compromise resolution
was proposed by Bishop Sean Rowe of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Rowe stated that
the resolution had been vetted by experts in canon and secular law and would
not change the polity of the church or expand the authority of the president’s
position. The resolution does specify an amount with regards to payment. The Standing
Committee on Program, Budget and Finance will determine that, with the approval
of the Executive Council.
Over $1 million in UTO Grants
awarded
The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) is meeting in Triennial concurrently here in Austin with General Convention. The United Thank Offering (UTO) announced that it has awarded 34 grants
totaling $1,257,778.17 for the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church and
the Anglican Communion. Focus of the
2018 grants is “Becoming the Beloved Community: Racial Healing, Reconciliation
and Justice.” Click here to learn about recipients and projects.
