SanDiegoGC06

Bishops elect and Deputies Confirm first woman Presiding Bishop

2006-06-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

Katharine Jefferts Schori, the Bishop of Nevada, was elected Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Sunday afternoon June 18, 2006. Here election in the House of Bishops took five ballots before she received the 95 votes needed, although she was the leader in ballotting from the first. In the House of Deputies 95 Diocesan Deputations voted to confirm her after the room exploded with cheers and aplause when her name was announced.

Bishop Schori came to ministry from a career in Oceanography and Marine Biology, was ordained and served in Oregon before being elected Bishop of Nevada. She has worked widely throughout the life of the Church.

Although the voting shows powerful support for her as she prepares to make this transition, not everyone is pleased with her election. A number worry that it will be seen as one more example of U.S. "imperialism" and others worry about her reception in provinces where women are not accepted as clergy and bishops. Bishop Schori thanked the House of Deputies and led them in prayer for the future of the church.

The work of the House of Deputies

2006-06-15T17:31:00.000-07:00

The first few days of work on the floor of the House of Deputies were mostly spent voting on non controversial legislation. Cleaning up inconsistencies in the Constitution, making sure Canons did what they were supposed to do, and beginning to vote to fill offices for the Pension Fund, the Executive Council, General Theological Seminary and the like.

At the beginning of General Convention most of the real work is being done in committees. The two with the largest amount of interest were Committee 26, working on the Special Commission Resolutions developed as a reply to the Windsor Report and the Program, Budget and Finance Committee. PB&F both receives requesting for funding and considers how to find it.

On Wednesday evening, June 14th each held hearings and both hearings were packed. In the PB&F hearing attendees listened to a multitude of stories about the ministries of The Episcopal Church (TEC). One after another, people working in servant ministries told how they were using the funds allocated by the Church.

Upstairs in a much bigger room testimony was heard from all parties about how TEC ought to respond or comply with the Windsor Report. It was the first time that all the people with opinions and positions got to say them to each other, via their testimony, face to face. In one ironic moment Bishop Gene Robinson was next to Bishop Robert Duncan of the Anglican Communion Network and testified right on his heels.

There are Bishops and Primates from many parts of the Communion who are attending General Convention. They are not only being well received, but are almost in constant consultation with people asking what they think about the matters before convention.

Getting Going in Columbus

2006-06-15T04:55:00.000-07:00

The first two days of the 75th General Convention were spent in orientations, legislative committees and hearings, and meeting guests and dignitaries.

On Tuesday afternoon both Houses were visited by The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. John Sentamu who encouraged Convention in its work and conveyed a message from the Archbishop of Canturbury. The Archbishop and his message were warmly received by the House of Deputies.

Welcome to Columbus

2006-06-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

The first of the deputies have arrived in Columbus. The deputation is being housed at the Capitol Square Hyatt which is a sturdy walking distance from the Convention Center. Folks will get lots of exercise in the going back and forth. This morning the exhibition floor was being set up. We did not have the chance to locate the hall where the House of Deputies (HOD) or the House of Bishops (HOB) will be meeting.

More deputies will be hitting town Saturday and Sunday.