|
Welcome to the House of Deputies Newsletter
Welcome to the Episcopal Church House of Deputies monthly email newsletter. If you're a deputy or an alternate, you've been subscribed automatically. If you've come across this issue in another way and would like to subscribe to this monthly newsletter, you can sign up on our website or on our Facebook page.
Do you have suggestions, ideas, or news about the work of deputies to share? Please email us. Want to learn more about the House of Deputies? Check out our website.
| |
October Executive Council opening remarks | |
|
Stepping into the Current
Good morning, fellow members of Executive Council. It’s great to be gathered together from all of our places and spaces. I must say that I am especially delighted to be following our presiding bishop in giving my opening remarks this morning. It is an answer to prayer to have our chair back with us.
Over the past few weeks, I have spent time contemplating this current moment in our church and how best to characterize it. I know that many others are engaged in similar reflection.
Continue reading
| |
|
House of Deputies Proposed Rules of Order: workshop session
| |
|
Friday, November 17, 2023
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM EST
Register for the workshop on the Proposed Rules of Order.
Over the past two months, the Special Committee on HOD Rules of Order heard valuable and constructive feedback on its proposed draft. This feedback has been collected, and the committee is reviewing it. Looking ahead, the Special Committee is planning a November workshop to discuss possible revisions to the draft proposal based on the feedback received.
| |
Standing commission seeks churchwide input on clergy disciplinary process | |
|
The Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution, and Canons welcomes churchwide input as it continues to review and revise Title IV disciplinary canons related to clergy. Feedback and recommendations can be submitted via this online form by Nov. 15.
The commission met in person Oct. 9-11 at the Maritime Training Center in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. In addition to the invitation for input and legislative proposals, the commission released the following statement:
The commission’s work and discussions focused primarily on invitations from the presiding bishop and the president of the House of Deputies to address significant concerns across The Episcopal Church about reported problems with disciplinary proceedings in which a bishop is the respondent, as well as additional issues with clergy disciplinary proceedings.
Continue reading
| |
Joint Budget Committee: Upcoming listening sessions | |
|
Register for hearings
The Joint Budget Committee of the Executive Council will hold open hearings via Zoom to receive feedback from the wider church on the 2025-2027 working budget.
Register to be a speaker or listener at the following hearings held via Zoom:
- Nov. 9, 7 p.m. ET
- Dec. 9, 2 p.m. ET
- Dec. 12, 7 p.m. ET
In addition, at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 20, the budget committee will hold a Zoom session with the Executive Council. The public is invited to observe the session.
Written responses regarding the budget can be emailed to BudgetCommittee@episcopalchurch.org.
Read the Joint Budget Committee’s recent update.
| |
Task Force to Advice the Church on the Denominational Health Plan offers listening session | |
|
All Episcopalians are invited to participate in a survey and a Nov. 14 listening session (4 p.m. ET) related to a review of the church’s health coverage plan for lay and clergy employees.
The Task Force to Advise the Church on the Denominational Health Plan is acting on Resolution D034 to recommend actions to the 81st General Convention that could reduce the costs of providing health coverage to church employees. Learn more.
Click here to submit feedback and register for the listening session.
| |
Deputation Chairs: Racial Reconciliation Formation tracking form | |
|
From The General Convention Office:
The Racial Reconciliation Formation Tracking for Deputations has now been published and is available to be filled out by Deputation chairs. This information is required per the House of Deputies Rules of Order III.B.1. Please fill out this form no later than February 23rd, which is four months before our first legislative day of the 81st General Convention.
| |
Applications open for Episcopal Church Staff Officer for Gender Justice Ministries
| |
|
Applications are open for a new Episcopal Church gender justice staff officer dedicated to LGBTQ+ and women’s ministries, a position called for by The General Convention. The job description and application can be found online.
Under the leadership of the Rev. Melanie Mullen, the church’s director of reconciliation, justice, and creation care, and hiring manager for the new position, an 11-member gender justice committee has been meeting to listen, discuss, and formulate a job description.
Continue reading
| |
Applications for General Convention Official Youth Presence 2024 | |
|
Apply today!
Episcopal teens ages 16 to 19 are invited to apply to become part of the 81st General Convention’s Official Youth Presence, a group whose members have seat and voice in the House of Deputies. The deadline to apply is Nov. 17.
Two youth from each of the church’s nine provinces will be selected to participate in the Official Youth Presence from June 20-28, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. Youth who are selected must also attend orientation and training in Louisville from Feb. 16-19. The Episcopal Church budget covers travel,
lodging, and meals for those attending orientation and The General Convention.
Applications and nomination forms—in English and Spanish—can be found online, as well as additional criteria and information for potential applicants. Nominators must not be related to the applicant.
Key Details
Application Deadline: November 17, 2023
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Youth Presence Dates: June 20-28, 2024
Orientation and Training: February 16-19, 2024 (Louisville)
| |
House of Deputies Chaplain's October reflection | |
Deputies Begin Preparing for General Convention | |
Deputations from the six dioceses in California gathered for a hybrid training session held in Berkeley, CA, on Saturday, October 14. On the same day, the Deputies of Color hosted a General Convention 101 seminar online. Both events were an opportunity for first-time and returning deputies to learn from one another and to prepare for the 81st General Convention. | |
Indigenous Boarding Schools Commission and Committee convene | |
|
The 80th General Convention passed Resolution A127, a Resolution for Telling the Truth about The Episcopal Church’s History with Indigenous Boarding Schools. A127 created the Indigenous Boarding School fact-finding commission, which convened alongside the Executive Council Committee on Native American Boarding Schools and Advocacy in Seattle on October 26-27, 2023. Though their mandates differ, these groups share a commitment to illuminating a painful history and charting a path toward justice and healing.
Please keep those who have been entrusted with the sacred task of exploring and addressing the painful history of Indigenous boarding schools in your prayers as they humbly seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and grace in these endeavors.
Please also pray for us as a church as we embark on this journey of truth-telling, reckoning, and healing. We recognize the need to uncover the truth, bear witness to the stories of survivors, and acknowledge the systemic injustices committed in the name of Jesus Christ. May we approach this work with humility, empathy, and an open heart as we strive to create a future where every person’s Imago Dei is seen and celebrated, where the wounds of the past are healed, and where Christ’s love brings wholeness to everyone.
| |
The House celebrates Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month | |
|
From September 15 to October 15, the House of Deputies celebrated Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month. This month-long celebration was an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Latino community to our church and society.
As part of the celebration, the House of Deputies featured some of its deputies who identify as Latino. Through these individuals, the House aimed to show the diverse faces of Latinos that make up our church. Episcopal Latinos come from different backgrounds, look different, and sound different, but what unites them is their history of love, hard work, and faith.
We invite you to watch the short videos featuring some of the deputies who will be on the floor of the 81st General Convention. Through these videos, you will get to know these individuals and learn more about their stories, faith, and commitment to our church.
| |
General Convention Official Youth Presence (GCOYP) Alumni | |
If you are an Official Youth Presence Alumni, please support the Office of Youth Ministries by completing this form. Contact Canon Myra Garnes, Officer for Youth Ministries, with questions or suggestions at oyp@episcopalchurch.org. We ask that you share this form with other GCOYP Alumni as the OYM is trying to create a database of current information. Thank you! | |
|
Your gifts to The Episcopal Church Bless Appeal and other ministries make a significant difference. We are so thankful for your generosity as we seek to walk in the way of Jesus through our missions and ministries. Below are some ways to partner with us financially.
• Text to Give – Text ‘Appeal’ to 91999
• Call (800) 334-7626 ext. 6002
• Online – The Episcopal Church
• Make a gift of securities – contact T.J. Houlihan - (212) 716-6041 for information
| |
|
We want to hear about what's happening around the House.
The House of Deputies is full of members that are not only working on resolutions but are also doing fantastic work in their congregations, dioceses, and the country. If you are a deputy doing amazing work or know of someone who is, share it with us today.
Attention all deputations!
We would love to feature your deputations in our upcoming newsletter. Whether you meet online, in-person, or in a hybrid format, please send us your pictures. We can't wait to showcase your hard work and dedication.
Click here to send us your stories
| |
Get in touch with President Ayala Harris | |
|
President Ayala Harris wants to connect with you and support our church's ministries and groups. Here are the different ways you can get in touch with her and the office of the House of Deputies:
| |
Follow President Ayala Harris
| |
President Ayala Harris is sharing her travels and journey as President of the House of Deputies. If you would love to join her, we invite you to follow her social media accounts. | |
House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church | 815 Second Avenue, New York, New York 10017 | houseofdeputies.org
| | | | |
