General Convention Opens July 8th

It’s said that the General Convention of the Episcopal Church is second only to the national Republican and Democratic conventions in terms of delegate days. That’s probably true, considering that 800-plus deputies, nearly 300 bishops, 500 volunteers, and hundreds more exhibitors and visitors gather for 10 full days for the Episcopal Church General Convention that meets every three years. This year’s General Convention – to take place in Anaheim, California, July 8 to 17 – will be the 76th since the first one, meeting in Philadelphia in 1785, established the governing body of the Church and set forth its Constitution and Canons.

The Diocese of Texas will send a number of people to General Convention, including three bishops, eight deputies (four clergy and four lay), several alternate deputies, the communications director, and delegates to the Episcopal Church Women Triennial meeting. Additionally, Ewart Jones, youth and young adult missioner, will attend the young adult event, Mary MacGregor, leadership development director, will speak to the Episcopal Church Women, Janie Stevens, Christian formation missioner, will help present the Children’s Charter and Kathy Culmer, Mission Funding coordinator, will participate in one of the worship services telling the lesson and telling stories in the children’s story section of the Exhibits area.

The diocesan communication director will report daily direct from Anaheim through a collection of electronic media including a daily stories, a web blog, Twitter. Every day will bring a report from one of our bishops or deputies. A full printed wrap-up report of General Convention will be presented in the September issue of The Texas Episcopalian.
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Wednesday, July 9
The first day of General Convention is Wednesday, July 8. Activities of interest include the first Legislative Sessions, the Opening Eucharist, and Legislative committees meetings. For the next 10 days our deputation’s day begins at 7:30 am and continues until Legislative Session recess at 6:00 pm. Most evenings are filled with meetings or events lasting until 10:00 pm.

Thursday, July 9
The second day of General Convention. Scheduled activities include Legislative Committees meetings, Mission Conversation, and a Legislative Session. 5:00 pm is the final deadline for filing Resolutions. The Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F) will hold a hearing on Spending. Other committee hearings will also be held.

Friday, July 10
The third day of General Convention. The schedule includes Legislative Committees meetings, and Legislative Sessions. The Program Budget and Finance present the Resource/Funding Hearing in the evening.

Saturday, July 11
The fourth day of General Convention. Schedule includes Legislative Committees meetings, Legislative Sessions, Community Eucharist, and a Mission Conversation. Evening is reserved for Seminary Dinners.

Sunday, July 12
The fifth day of General Convention. First event is the UTO Ingathering and Eucharist at 10:00 am. Afternoon is a Legislative Session, followed by the House of Bishops Dinner and the Episcopal Church Women’s event.

Monday, July 13
The sixth day of General Convention. Schedule includes Legislative Committees meetings, Legislative Sessions, Community Eucharist and an evening of Mission Conversation.

Tuesday, July 14
The seventh day of General Convention. Schedule includes Legislative Committees meetings, Legislative sessions, and Community Eucharist. Provincial Caucuses will elect representatives to serve on the nomination committee that will be called to duty if a new Presiding Bishop must be elected before General Convention 2015.

Wednesday, July 15
The eighth day of General Convention. Schedule activities included Legislative Committees meetings, Legislative Sessions, and Community Eucharist. A joint Session is also scheduled to hear the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance present The Episcopal Church triennial budget for a vote. The evening is reserved for an event hosted by the Diocese of Los Angeles.

Thursday, July 16
The ninth day of General Convention. Scheduled activities include Legislative Committees meetings, Legislative Sessions, Community Eucharist with the evening reserved for an extended Legislative Session.

Friday, July 17
The tenth day of General Convention. Scheduled activities include Legislative Session, and Closing Eucharist. Joint adjournment is scheduled for 6:00 pm.