Welcome to the Deputy Blog

by the Very Rev. Brian Baker, Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento

Welcome to the Diocese of Northern California's General Convention blog. We are hoping this will be a way to have some two-way conversation prior to convention as well as offer news and reflections from deputies as convention takes place. Officially, General Convention runs from July 5-12, there will be committee meetings and deputy orientation on July 4. The Convention takes place in Indianapolis.

We have a great group of Deputies. Click here to meet the deputation. They will be working very hard these next two months. Please keep them in your prayers.

This is shaping up to be a very eventful convention. Some issues we will be considering are:

The Anglican Covenant: Even though the Church of England will not be adopting the Covenant anytime soon, we still need to consider our response. There are a range of options we will be considering, from outright rejection to affirming the first three sections with further study of the fourth.

Same-Sex blessings/marriages: At the last General Convention, the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music was asked to gather resources for considering blessing same-sex relationships. They have done a remarkable job which includes drafting rites. We will consider approving these rites for use in the church. I expect there may be resolutions that encourage the church to study same-sex marriage (as opposed to "blessings.")

The structure/budget of the Episcopal Church: This may be the hottest topic. Everybody knows we need to change. It will be a challenge to find consensus around a way forward.

Elect a new president of the House of Deputies: We recently learned that Bonnie Anderson, the current president of the House of Deputies, will not seek to renew her term. This is an important position that we will need to fill.

What other topics or issues are important to you?

Blessings,

Brian

Click here to return to the General Convention Deputies' Blog.

Posted on Sun, June 3, 2012 by Thea Mangels filed under

2 comments (Add your own)

1. Joyce Paterson wrote:: The work of the SCLM Is broader than the same sex blessing and study of marriage issues, which will certainly be the focus of a lot of media attention. Four task groups were formed to cover: hymnal revision study; revision of the Book of Occasional Services; revision of liturgical language that addresses Christian Anti-Judaism sentiment; development of liturgy for the adoption of children; revision of the liturgical calendar -- Holy Women and Holy Men; development of new liturgical materials addressing creation and animal rights; and revision of the BCP, to name a few.
Mon, June 4, 2012 @ 6:01 AM
2. Joyce Paterson wrote:: The Program Budget and Finance Committee (PB& F) has a tremendous responsibility of presenting the 2012-15 budget
to the House of Bishops and House of Deputies on July 8th after year long meetings,extensive Committee hearings and vision disagreements.
The final process ientails an agonizing process of prioritizing requests using the 5 marks of mission,adopted by previous General Convention, as the lens through which budget requests are reviewed. Sitting through the budget hearings is painful as all requests aid worthwhile programs. Some will continue, some will need to be reconfigured, some will need to be combined, some discontinued. Some will view the outcome pesimistically as a glass half empty; others will view the outcome more optimistically as a glass half full. Moving the Church forward will entail vision, courage, monetary sacrifice and putting the common good over personal projects. We ask prayers for the deputies for true discernment.
Wed, July 4, 2012 @ 6:34 PM

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Welcome to the Deputy Blog - The Episcopal Diocese of Northern California