(This story has been updated.) By Kirk Petersen Church leadership has committed to significantly compressing plans for General Convention in July, but closed the door on the idea of postponing it altogether, during an extraordinary online Executive Council meeting May 11. In the opening minutes of the meeting, Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry declared “we are … [Read more...] about General Convention Is a Go, But Expect Dramatic Changes
Gay Clark Jennings
COVID May Prompt Major General Convention Changes
By Kirk Petersen In a whirlwind of consultations prompted by COVID outbreaks at recent meetings, church leadership is actively considering significant changes for the 80th General Convention, currently planned for July 7-14 in Baltimore. The Executive Council -- the governing body of the Episcopal Church between General Conventions -- will hold an unusual special session … [Read more...] about COVID May Prompt Major General Convention Changes
Jennings, 2 Others Have COVID After Executive Council Meeting
By Kirk Petersen General Convention Office issues COVID guidelines At least three people who attended a four-day Executive Council meeting in Puerto Rico have tested positive for COVID, casting a spotlight on concerns about the much-larger eight-day General Convention scheduled for early July. The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, 71, president of the House of … [Read more...] about Jennings, 2 Others Have COVID After Executive Council Meeting
Executive Council Supports Indigenous Initiatives
By Kirk Petersen While meeting on "lands that were tended by the Taíno peoples, taken from them and renamed San Juan, Puerto Rico," the Executive Council made two substantial commitments in support of Indigenous people at its April 20-23 meeting. The council approved: A multi-year commitment to retain independent historians to study and document the extent of the … [Read more...] about Executive Council Supports Indigenous Initiatives
Campaign Begins for House of Deputies President
Analysis by Kirk Petersen March 8 was the deadline for prospective candidates to declare their interest in running to be the next president of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church. Two prominent members of the Executive Council have said they submitted their applications, and there are other potential candidates as well. Julia Ayala Harris, 41, formally … [Read more...] about Campaign Begins for House of Deputies President
Process Set for Picking Next HoD President
By Kirk Petersen On the afternoon of Thursday, July 14, 2022, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings is scheduled to bang the gavel at General Convention for the final time as president of the House of Deputies. She'll then hand the gavel to a person who, in that moment, will become the next PHoD -- having been elected to the influential role three days earlier. That person will … [Read more...] about Process Set for Picking Next HoD President
General Convention 2021 May Happen in 2022
By Kirk Petersen No decision has been reached about whether there will be a General Convention in Baltimore in 2021, but the church has announced Plan B. "In the event that we cannot convene safely in person from June 30 to July 9, 2021, we will postpone the 80th General Convention to 2022, working with our partners in Baltimore as we determine appropriate dates," … [Read more...] about General Convention 2021 May Happen in 2022
Director Fees for the PHoD
By Kirk Petersen On a voice vote, the House of Bishops overwhelmingly approved a resolution authorizing “director and officer fees” for the president of the House of Deputies, a demanding job that has always been filled by a volunteer. Since the House of Deputies passed the same resolution July 5, it is approved, and proceeds to Executive Council for implementation. The … [Read more...] about Director Fees for the PHoD