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General Convention Report

For the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

June 23, 2024

Revival: 'Love Always'

At top: Convention-goers and Kentucky locals join in singing "This Little Light of Mine" at a rousing revival, themed "Love Always," on the eve of General Convention 81, meeting June 23 - 28 in Louisville. Above: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry – whose term will conclude at the end of October – delivers an energetic and inspiring sermon, repeating his signature tagline: "If it's not about love, it's not about God." Read more here and see more photos below.

Reports

Bishops and deputies begin legislative work on first official day of General Convention


[The Episcopal News – June 23, 2024] General Convention began today.


OK, it's been full steam ahead for at least two days now, but those two days were filled with committee meetings and pre-convention events, including a forum with the five candidates for presiding bishop and a similar discussion with the three women (all people of color) nominated for president of the House of Deputies.


Today the House of Bishops had before it several resolutions that tried to express the mind of its members on the tragic conflict in Gaza that began Oct. 7 of last year. They adopted a substitute resolution drafted by Bishop John Harvey Taylor of Los Angeles. Read more below or here.


On June 22 the deputies met in their cavernous space to get organized, put up their decorated pride-of-the-diocese stanchions (see the Los Angeles entry at left), and learn to use the highly technical doohickies they will click on to cast votes on resolutions and elections.


On Saturday afternoon the deputies and bishops came together for an opening session at which they heard opening remarks by Julia Ayala-Harris, president of the House of Deputies, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Saturday night was a rousing revival meeting, Episcopal style, that rocked the KFC Yum! sports arena, located a few blocks from the convention center.


On June 23, the deputies began examining the resolutions placed before them, including several that determined how their business would be conducted, as well as resolutions on how the Book of Common Prayer is to be defined; the printed book only? Online worship resources? PDFs? It was a lively debate. And there's much more to come.

Bishops pass 3 resolutions on peace in Gaza, Palestinian state, reject 4 other Middle East resolutions


By Logan Crews


[Episcopal News Service – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] After hearty debate and three amendments, the House of Bishops passed Resolution D013, condemning both Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliation against Hamas in Gaza. The resolution also asserts that peace can only come from a two-state solution to the conflict.


Los Angeles Bishop John Taylor, its author (pictured above left), explained the resolution was carefully crafted in consultation with the Office of Government Relations and progressive Jewish groups. The goal was to refocus the church’s advocacy on establishing a Palestinian state that exists side-by-side with Israel, while expressing “a degree of Anglican moderation and pragmatism” in such an extremely contested conflict.


In addition to Palestinian statehood, the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and other captives and an increase of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It also calls upon the Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations to advocate for Israel’s military aid to be dependent on “its participation in the peace process” and for sanctions against any nation that supports anti-Israel groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Read more

EDLA at GC81

Joining in the revival ...

The presiding bishop, the president of the House of Deputies, and members of the Episcopal Church Center Staff set a lively tone for the June 22 revival as they dance to the gathering music.

Canon Steve Nishibayashi and Deputy Kathryn Nishibayashi

Janice Lee and the Rev. Fennie Chang of St. Thomas', Hacienda Heights.

Cameron Johnson, alternate lay deputy, rocks to the beat.

The Rev. Mary Crist and the Rev. Jamie Hammons

LA people help light up the night on "This Little Light of Mine."

Opening Eucharist

The Rev. Lester Mackenzie, center, chaplain to the House of Deputies, joins the procession into the vast worship space. Just ahead of him is HoD President Julia Ayala Harris, who preached at the service.

Deputies, bishops and visitors were invited to join the aptly named "All Y'all" Choir for worship at General Convention. Among the volunteers singing at the opening Eucharist were the Rev. Mel Soriano (at center in left photo), the Rev. Susan Russell and Canon Steven Nishibayashi (in right photo at lower left and upper right, respectively).

The Episcopal Church Women's Triennial

Above: Among the Diocese of Los Angeles delegates to the 51st ECW Triennial meeting, held concurrently with General Convention, are, from left, Kimberly Costner, Canon Martha Estes, Christine Budzowski and Tammy Smecker-Hane.


Since they couldn't meet in 2022 along with the belated and much-reduced 80th General Convention because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the women of the ECW held a grand party on June 23 at the Galt House Hotel to celebrate their 150-plus years of ministry – a party featuring cupcakes decorated with the ECW logo (at left).


Below: Costner and Estes join ECW friends in moving along with "Dancing Queen," a classic by ABBA that was resurrected in the play and movie Mama Mia.

ECW photos courtesy of Christine Budzowski

More news

Click on highlighted titles to read the articles.


Presiding Bishop Michael Curry headlines his last revival ahead of General Convention’s first official day

[Episcopal News Service – Louisville, Kentucky – June 22, 2024] When Presiding Bishop Michael Curry headlined and preached at his last revival as primate of The Episcopal Church on June 22, his sermon focused on the word he’s emphasized throughout his episcopacy: Love. “Choose love because love can save us. Love comes from the heart of God,” Curry told the crowd of approximately 2,000 people who gathered at the KFC Yum! Center on the bank of the Ohio River for the revival.


House of Deputies rejects proposed changes to rules on consent calendar, amendment process

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] The House of Deputies, in one of its first actions of the 81st General Convention on June 23, voted down a proposal that would have made it more difficult for deputies to force floor debates on individual resolutions. The house also defeated a proposal that would have required proposed amendments to be filed in advance of each session.


Committee addresses hymnal supplement, alternate texts, baptismal covenant and calendar changes

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] The legislative committees on Prayer Book, Liturgy & Music on June 23 recommended that General Convention adopt amended resolutions to create alternate texts for existing authorized hymns as well as a new supplement to The Hymnal 1982.


GC81 Daily Digest, June 23: Legislative sessions commence

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] The 81st General Convention is underway in Louisville on the first day of legislative sessions in the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, which convene June 23-28. You can find full, updating ENS coverage here. And here is the ENS primer on this week’s gathering, or everything you need to follow the 81st General Convention.


Bishops pass 3 creation care resolutions

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] “This is a kairos moment,” Kansas Bishop Cathleen Bascom told the House of Bishops as she presented three resolutions coming out of the committee for environmental stewardship and care of creation. All three – A021, creating a Care of Creation loan program; D030, creating a Task Force on Creation Healing as Christian Ministry; and B002, creating eco-region networks – passed the House of Bishops.


Committee addresses hymnal supplement, alternate texts, baptismal covenant and calendar changes

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 23, 2024] The legislative committees on Prayer Book, Liturgy & Music on June 23 recommended that General Convention adopt amended resolutions to create alternate texts for existing authorized hymns as well as a new supplement to The Hymnal 1982.


House of Deputies president preaches at 81st General Convention’s opening Eucharist

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 22, 2024] House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris said in a sermon at General Convention’s opening Eucharist June 23, that “Together in Love,” the theme of the 81st General Convention, “perfectly captures the essence of our shared journey as a diverse community united in the power of Christ’s love.”


Bishops, deputies consider finalizing constitutional change defining Book of Common Prayer

[ENS – Louisville, Kentucky – June 22, 2024] The Book of Common Prayer is 475 years old, yet Episcopalians in 2024 remain at odds over how to properly define their prayer book or even whether it exists solely as a physical book. Such questions generated vigorous debate two years ago at the 80th General Convention, and this week, they again underlie one of the most contentious resolutions before the 81st General Convention.

Keeping up with General Convention

Click the blue headings to find a wide range of information about General Convention.


General Convention Office

This is communication central for the convention, with links to information about schedules, legislative actions, resolutions and more.


Media Hub

On this page you'll find live video coverage of the House of Bishops, House of Deputies, and worship services, along with a photo gallery and short videos.


The General Convention schedule


How resolutions move through General Convention


The General Convention Virtual Binder

For true church nerds: this is the information used by bishops and deputies as they go about their work at the convention, including texts and progress of all resolutions. It is updated regularly.

House of Bishops

House of Deputies


Social Media

Follow social media updates from General Convention with the hashtag #GC81

Except as noted, reporting by Janet Kawamoto, editor, The Episcopal News