Episcopal Diocese of Rochester
Christians in the bond of community seeking to serve the world in the love of God

General Convention 2024 Wrap-Up

By: 
The Rev. Keisha Stokes, Chair of EDOR’s 81st General Convention Deputation

General Convention 2024 Wrap-Up

On June 23, the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church opened with a rousing and beautiful liturgy in the historic city of Louisville, Kentucky. As the 800+ clergy and lay members of the House of Deputies, 160+ Bishops, and many other volunteers and guests worshiped on that Sunday morning, the excitement and energy in the room was palpable. We were kicking off the first “full non-COVID” General Convention since 2018 when the gathering was in Austin, Texas. General Convention is the Episcopal Church’s triennial meeting of leaders from all 110 dioceses of The Episcopal Church. The six-day convention featured legislative committee meetings, legislative sessions, wonderful liturgies, and some particularly exciting and noteworthy moments. The governance of the Episcopal Church operates as a bicameral legislature with the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. Each diocese is welcome to send up to eight deputies: four clergy and four lay who sit together at their deputation’s table in the massive House of Deputies. The Bishops of the church are members of the House of Bishops. Each House meets separately but considers the same pieces of legislation, which are in the form of Resolutions. For a resolution to become an official piece of legislation approved by the General Convention, it must be affirmed by a majority of the members of both Houses. For you church nerds out there, talk to one of our deputies if you want to learn more about the governance and functioning of the General Convention.

The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester’s representatives: (Back row): Bishop Kara, Bishop Steve, House of Bishops. Rev. Mary Ann Brody, St. John’s, Sodus; Julie Syracuse, Good Shepherd Webster; Erin Glanton, St. Paul’s, Rochester; Rev. Keith Patterson, Two Saints, Rochester. (Front row): Carolyn Mok, St. Thomas, Rochester; Ann Galvin, Christ Church, Corning; Rev. Keisha Stokes, Chair, Rector of Zion, Palmyra; Rev. Virginia Tyler Smith, Diocesan Transitions Officer.

While the six days of legislation were very full, particularly for the House of Deputies, which had two evening legislative sessions, there were a few especially noteworthy moments. All of the Convention’s work can be found online at: https://www.vbinder.net/menu?house=HD&lang=en.

Here a few of the especially joyous actions taken by the 81st General Convention:

  • The reunification of the dioceses in Wisconsin: The Episcopal Dioceses of Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, and Eau Claire reunified to become The Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
  • The juncture of two dioceses in Michigan: The Diocese of Eastern Michigan and The Diocese of Western Michigan completed their work toward juncture and became The Episcopal Diocese of the Finger Lakes
  • Navajoland: The Episcopal Church has a strong presence in Navajoland, which is located around the 4 Corners of the Southwest. Navajoland Area Mission became Navajoland Missionary Diocese which gives them greater representation in the Episcopal Church

We also engaged in the holy and hard work of reconciliation and giving voice to those groups who have been marginalized by the church:

  • Authorization of the Witnessing and Blessing of a Marriage liturgy: This is a liturgy that has been in trial use since 2015. The 81st Convention voted to make it an authorized liturgy of the Episcopal Church, recognizing the important role this liturgy has played in helping our LGBTQ+ siblings feel seen, heard, loved, and accepted in the Episcopal Church

·      Related: we voted to change the Catechism to read:

§  Q. What is Holy Matrimony?

A. Holy Matrimony is a Christian marriage, in which two people the woman and the man enter into a life-long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows.

We had a very moving presentation regarding the Episcopal Church’s complicity in residential Indigenous boarding schools. The following prayer was offered:

A PRAYER TO REMEMBER THE INNOCENTS

Ohiŋni wičhauŋkiksuyapi kte.  "We will always remember them."

Dear Lord, Almighty God, we pray for all Indigenous children who were in residential and boarding schools in Canada and the United States.  Some died there; we ask that you give assurance to   their descendants that their souls are with you and their ancestors. Some survived there; we ask that you give your healing grace to all who endured hardship while there and are still struggling with those memories. Lastly, we ask you to help us guard our children against harm in this world. All this we ask in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.  Amen.

We also engaged in difficult conversations regarding Israel, Palestine, and the Holy Land. Bishop Kara has already shared her reflections regarding these resolutions in an email to the Diocese on July 10.

There were many wonderful moments during the 81st General Convention. Perhaps the most noteworthy and good way to conclude this brief summer is that we elected a new Presiding Bishop. The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe currently serves as Bishop of the Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York. He will be installed as our next Presiding Bishop on All Saints’ Day, November 1, in the chapel at the Church Center in New York City.

I want to thank Bishop Steve, Bishop Kara, and our fabulous deputation for making Rochester’s experience in Louisville one to remember!