THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
General Convention will tackle big issues THE 78th GENERAL
Convention of the Episcopal Church convenes June 24 in Salt Lake City for 10 days of deliberations that could make significant changes in the church’s life and governance in the coming years. Most notably will be the election of the next presiding bishop, which takes place on June 27. The House of Bishops will elect from the four bishops named by the nominating committee (at right), and the House of Deputies then confirms the selection. The new presiding bishop officially takes office on Nov. 1. More information about the nominees is online at http://www. generalconvention.org/pbelect
Major policy proposals
But major policy matters also are slated to come before the 800-plus clergy and lay deputies, and the 200-plus bishops in attendance. Proposed changes to the canons on marriage would allow same-sex couples to marry. Currently that is permitted on a diocese-by-diocese basis, in states where same-sex marriage is legal. Matters of governance and structure also will be debated, as resolutions from the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church, and others, have been proposed. These grew out of action at the 2012 General Convention that sought to see if gatherings and governance procedures could be
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REPRESENTING THE DIOCESE Lay deputies: Bob Skaggs Michael Funston Mike Morrow Ashley Petty Sydney Webb (1st alternate) Clergy deputies: Dixie Junk Laurie Lewis Patrick Funston Gar Demo Andrew O’Connor (1st alternate) Delegates to the Episcopal Church Women Triennial Meeting, which occurs at the same time as General Convention: Daria Condon Deacon Fran Wheeler Bev Winston Keep up with what’s happening in Salt Lake City through the “Diocese of Kansas at GC” blog: http://ksgc2015.weebly.com/
changed to better meet the needs of the church today. Other items deputies and bishops will address include the budget for the Episcopal Church for the next three years. Convention also will go paperless, with all materials for deputies and bishops provided on preloaded iPads that will provide instant, updated information on legislation as it moves through the process. — Melodie Woerman
Four are nominated for election as next presiding bishop Four men have been nominated for election as the next presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. The House of Bishop selects the 27th presiding bishop by written ballot, and the House of Deputies then votes on confirming the bishops’ selection. The election takes place the morning of Saturday, June 27. Nominees are: Bishop Thomas Breidenthal Diocese of Southern Ohio Bishop since 2007
Bishop Michael Curry Diocese of North Carolina Bishop since 2000
Bishop Ian Douglas Diocese of Connecticut Bishop since 2010
Bishop Dabney Smith Diocese of Southwest Florida Bishop since 2007