Episcopalians showed up at Hobart William Smith College on Saturday, October 25 for a jam-packed annual convention. Forty-two churches were represented by 110 lay delegates and 60 clergy delegates. Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Kara Wagner Sherer, gave an opening address, and we were inspired by our guest speaker, the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, Montreal Diocesan Theological College. We cast 11 different ballots to elect new members to our governing bodies, received the audit, and adopted a budget. We prayed, sang, and celebrated the Eucharist. We deliberately, passionately, and respectfully considered resolutions which guide our churches in responding to the issues of the day. Convention 94 approved four important resolutions:
Resolution A94: Establishment of Convocations simply reorganizes the diocese into three Convocations instead of our previous five Districts. Following a trial over the past year, we discerned it wise to make this a more permanent canonical (rule) change.
Resolution B94: Advocating a Better Understanding of and Solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Neighbors called on the churches and people of the diocese to stand in opposition to the mistreatment and denial of civil rights to our LGBTQIA+ siblings, especially the transgender community, which has been particularly targeted and had significant rights taken away in recent months. We are encouraged to advocate for more and stronger civil rights and to better educate ourselves about the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, with over 95% voting in favor of the resolution.
Resolution C94: Advocating for Aid, Relief, and Sustainable Peace in Gaza was also approved in a similarly overwhelming fashion. This resolution recognized the abhorrent conditions in Gaza, with over 90% of buildings destroyed and nearly every person currently living there already having been displaced. The immense loss of life grieves God, and our Baptismal Covenant promise calls on us to both respect the dignity of every human being and to strive for justice and peace.
Resolution D94: Concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) D94 raises deep concerns regarding the current actions of the federal government on immigration within our diocese and throughout the country. The dehumanizing actions by ICE promote fear, division, and hate—all antithetical to our Christian values. This Resolution urges all congregations to post the Biblical text of Leviticus 19:33-34. As with the other resolutions, this also passed overwhelmingly. Thank you to the Rev. Elizabeth Brooks Harden for creating the linked PNG image and PDF document of the text to share in bulletins and worship spaces.
