ENews article–Miriam Casey’s Reflection on GC 81 

As a Lay Alternate for the EDNC Deputation, my role was to be available to stand-in as a voting deputy, if needed. And so, much of the time, I was an observer of the proceedings. 

However, as a member of the Creation Care Caucus, my role included being active in support of resolutions that addressed God’s creation and climate change. In this role, I engaged with the Convention in several other ways. 

• The Rev. Dr. Pamela Dolan and I co-authored a resolution (D050 Resolution to Complete the Journey Toward Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030) which was amended and passed by both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. To further this resolution, we both testified before a legislative committee with responsibility for managing creation care-related resolutions and before the Budget Committee.  The resolution provides funding for an additional person in the Creation Care Ministry at the churchwide office, to enable them to be more supportive to dioceses and congregations on their journeys toward being carbon neutral. 

• Bishop Megan testified in the House of Bishops, and  Pamela+ and I testified in the House of Deputies in support of all the resolutions that included additional funding for the work of addressing climate change.  These resolutions all passed both Houses and provide a roadmap forward for the wider church to make a real impact on carbon reduction. 

• We also had the opportunity to meet with the Green Bishops and members of the Green Caucus to begin to envision a movement in The Episcopal Church to fulfill our Baptismal promise to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves, which by necessity, means loving God’s creation which sustains us all.  

• At a pre-revival workshop on Saturday afternoon, we introduced Ronald Newman, Senior Advisor, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Implementation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  He presented an overview of IRA funding available to nonprofits, including congregations, for carbon-reduction efforts and engaged with participants about their specific questions. 

• Relationships with The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers and other churchwide staff were deepened as we discussed the best ways to move forward toward our shared goals.  These relationships will continue to be a blessing to us in our Diocese. 

The Convention experience was very challenging (I came away from the event with covid.) And it was also very rewarding, especially experiencing the ground swell of support for the environment-focused effort we have so fully embraced in the Diocese of Northern California. 

The progress that was made was really a large team effort.  I am so grateful for the wisdom and courage that guided and strengthened our work together. 

Miriam Casey 

Lay Alternate Deputy-GC8