Friday, May 1, 2015

Heading towards the 78th General Convention


The 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church/Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society will take place in Salt Lake City, June 23-July 3, 2015.


Our deputation members are:

Clergy Order
The Rev. Bill Exner
The Rev. Randy Dales
The Rev. Jason Wells
The Rev. Kate Atkinson
The Rev. Canon Kevin Nichols (1st Alternate)
The Rev. Mark Pendleton (2nd Alternate)
The Rev. Jane Van Zandt (3rd Alternate)

Lay Order
Ms. Bonnie Chappell
Ms. Margaret Porter
Ms. Sarah Ambrogi
Ms. Lynn Tyler
Ms. Becky Goodwin (1st Alternate)
Ms. Susan Sielke (2nd Alternate)
Ms. Cathie Dayton Lewis (3rd Alternate)
Ms. Karla Tolomeo (4th Alternate)

The four deputies in each order and the 1st Alternates will represent the diocese in Salt Lake City. Other may attend all or part of Convention as they choose (they would pay for their own travel and accommodations.)

Other clergy and laity from the diocese are joining the deputation in Salt Lake City, among them The Rev. Richard Davenport, The Right Rev. V. Gene Robinson (retired), The Right Rev. Don Hart (retired) and Mrs. Hart, and Ms. Cathie Lewis.

In addition to holding meetings to organize, plan, and review the resolutions were are proposing, the New Hampshire Deputation attended the Province 1 Pre-Convention Synod in April, which was helpful and informative. Major items before the Convention will be resolutions related to Re-Structuring the Church. And the House of Bishops will elect the next Presiding Bishop, to be affirmed by the House of Deputies.The names presented by the Joint Nominating Committee can be found here: Nominees for Presiding Bishop. Nominations from the floor will be received until May 12th.

Deputation members plan to attend the May 21st Clergy Day at All Saints Church in Littleton, prior to Convention, and September 17th Clergy Day to report on what happened at Convention.

As usual, we plan to provide updates and reflections through this blog site, as well as a deputation and a diocesan Facebook and Twitter feed. More information to follow!

In the meantime, the deputation requests prayers for safe travels and many days of discernment!