80th General Convention
The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church took place in July 8-11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Here you'll find all the coverage the Diocese of North Carolina had to offer.
General Convention coverage starts at 58:52.
FOLLOW GENERAL CONVENTION
Follow General Convention using the virtual binder, the same resource provided to every bishop and deputy on site in Baltimore. In the virtual binder you will find every resolution, amendment, calendar, the budget and more.
WATCH GENERAL CONVENTION
The livestreams of the General Convention were being provided by the Episcopal Church. The livestreams are available in both English and Spanish; simply select the language of your choice on the livestream link. The livestream links will also provide you a drop-down menu of livestream recordings of all the sessions (look for it in the upper left corner).
*NOTE: Worship will take place in the respective houses; there is no special link to view the worship services.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Here we'll share whatever we know of the contents related to the daily schedule of General Convention. Where possible, we'll include expected topics of discussion to help you narrow down your viewing plans.
JUNE 22
The highlight of Saturday was without doubt the Revival, but a great deal happened before the evening event, including a slew of committee meetings and a joint presentation by House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
- GC81 Daily Digest: June 22, 2024
- Presiding officers' opening convention speeches offer hope for the future of the church (Episcopal News Service)
JUNE 23
JUNE 24
JUNE 25
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS & RECAPS
Enjoy highlights and recaps with our deputation from each day of General Convention:
Read the 80th General Convention wrap-up
A Deputy's Reflection of the 80th General Convention
JULY 11:
With the work of the 80th General Convention done, the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple and the Rev. Kevin Matthews join us for one more daily recap.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- WATCH: President Elect of the House of Deputies Julia Ayala Harris' sermon during Morning Prayer
- House of Deputies News live blog: Morning session
- The Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman and the Rt. Rev. Marty Stebbins were appointed to the Board of Archives
- The Rev. Greg Jacobs was elected to the clergy orders of both the Court of Review and the Disciplinary Board for Bishops
- With the election of the Rev. Greg Jacobs, every Episcopalian from the Diocese of North Carolina who stood for election or appointment at the 80th General Convention was, in fact, elected and appointed!
- Deputies concur with bishops on creating new director of LGBTQI and Women's Ministries position
- Bishops close General Convention with climate emergency statement ahead of Lambeth
- July 11 dispatches from the 80th General Convention
JULY 10:
Deputy Bryan Dougan is back again with us tonight to share thoughts on the day.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- WATCH: The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, bishop of the Diocese of Maryland, sermon during Sunday Eucharist (text in English and Spanish included)
- House of Deputies News live blog: Morning session | Afternoon session | Evening session
- General Convention takes steps toward adding Bishop Barbara Harris to calendar of church saints
- The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Diocese of Olympia, elected vice president of the House of Deputies. She is the first ordained woman to be elected to this position.
- Bishops pass measure broadening definition of Book of Common Prayer
- Deputies advance $100.5 million budget proposal for 2023-24 and process reforms
- House of Deputies celebrates Gay Clark Jennings for 10 years’ service as president
JULY 9:
Joining us tonight to recap a very full day at the 80th General Convention are the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman and deputies Alice Freeman and Megan Carlson.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- WATCH: House of Deputies President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings sermon during Morning Prayer
- Julia Ayala Harris, Diocese of Oklahoma, is elected the next President of the House of Deputies
- House of Deputies News live blogs: Morning session | Afternoon session | Evening session
- Bishops call for end to Ukraine conflict, approve racial equity resolutions
- States' anti-abortion laws fuel impassioned debate by deputies over future General Convention sites
- State of the Church resolutions seek tools to navigate adaptive change in Church's future
- July 9 Dispatches from the 80th General Convention
- In a proposed Mind of the House resolution, the Episcopal Church House of Bishops addressed many threats to democracy and deep divisions in the United States, including the rise of Christian nationalism. The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, asked Presiding Bishop Michael Curry what he wants the agenda of the Episcopal bishops to be. This is how he responded.
JULY 8:
Enjoy a recap of the day with deputies the Rev. Sara Ardrey-Graves and Bryan Dougan.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
- WATCH: Presiding Bishop Curry's sermon at Opening Eucharist (Read the transcript in English and Spanish)
- The House of Bishops organized and led a procession and prayer service to pray where another victim of gun violence was killed near the Baltimore Convention Center the night before the 80th General Convention convened.
- Martha Alexander and the Rev. Rhonda Lee were both elected by the House of Bishops to the General Board of Examining Chaplains (lay and clergy order, respectively). Congratulations, Martha and Rhonda!
- House of Deputies News live blogs: Afternoon legislative session | Evening session
- Resolutions related to report from Presiding Officers' Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing pass House of Deputies
- July 8 Dispatches from 80th General Convention in Baltimore
CONNECTIONS TO THE DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Work related to many of the topics expected to see discussion at General Convention is already in progress across the Diocese of North Carolina. As we learn of the expected topics each day, check here for stories of work happening closer to home.
- Among the high-profile topics at the 80th General Convention are the resolutions stemming from the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing report. Work happening in the Diocese of North Carolina is lifted up as an example no fewer than six times in that report! Check it out:
- P. 17 - The Rev. Dr. Brooks Graebner, “The Truth of It All”
- P. 17 - Short Sketches of Historically Black Churches
- P. 20 - Beloved Community Icon Project, St. Luke’s, Salisbury
- P. 20 - The Rev. Jemonde Taylor, “Holy Disruption: Worship, Liturgy and Race”
- P. 20 - Roundtables on Race
- P. 25 - St. Ambrose Creation Care Grant / The Healing Pod
- Resolution A053 has passed both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. This resolution ensures the "vital role of Episcopal HBCU's," of which Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh is one of only two remaining. Great things are happening at Saint Augustine's:
- Saint Augustine's University Chapel Receives $300,000 National Park Service Grant to continue the work of restoring the chapel at Saint Augustine's University as well as renovating it to have the capacity to do online worship.
- Lifting as They Climb
- Resolution A086, the continuation of the Task Force for Care of Creation and Environmental Racism has passed both houses. The work this measure makes possible has already been seen, most notably through the work of St. Ambrose's Healing Pod project, which includes a labyrinth and an upcoming podcast. The Church's commitment to this work is mirrored in the Diocese's own Creation Care mission priority.
- Resolutions A095 and A096 (passed by both houses) focus on the importance of both church planting and new communities as well as the vitality of existing congregations. The Diocese of North Carolina also recognizes the importance of both, reflected in the mission priorities of Congregational Vitality and Collaboration and New Communities. Not only are we grateful for every congregation in our diocese, we celebrate the recent additions these last few years, including:
- One of the big pieces of business done at each General Convention is the passing of the triennial (in this case, the biennial) budget. It is a long and intentional process to develop - do you know the faithful, intentional and careful process by which the annual budget of the Diocese of North Carolina is developed? If not, check this out.
WELCOME TO MARYLAND
Since it was announced the 80th General Convention would take place in Baltimore, the Diocese of Maryland, the host diocese, has been planning to welcome visitors both in person and at home. Even before COVID-19, the Diocese of Maryland began planning for virtual visitors, including the offering of virtual walking tours, exhibits and more. It's all ready and awaiting your visit - and we do encourage you to visit, no matter where you are!
Explore the Diocese of Maryland
DEPUTATION FROM THE DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA
The deputies representing the Diocese of North Carolina were elected at the 204th Annual Convention in 2019. It is notable that for the first time, every deputy from the Diocese of North Carolina is serving on a legislative committee.
Of course, the Diocese of North Carolina is represented in the House of Bishops by the Rt. Rev. Sam Rodman, bishop diocesan, and the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, bishop suffragan. Both bishops are serving in additional roles. Rodman is a member of the Racial Justice & Reconciliation Committee and a co-chair of the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing. Hodges-Copple is the chair of the Governance & Structure Committee and a member of Executive Council.
DEPUTATION UPDATE: The Rev. Daniel Robayo is unable to attend General Convention, so the Rev. Sally French is attending as the fourth member of the clergy order, and the Rev. Jacob Pierce will be on site to serve as first alternate.
CLERGY ORDER
The Rev. Kevin Matthews
Campus & Young Adult Missioner, St. Mary’s House, Greensboro
The Rev. Kevin Matthews is a six-time deputy and chair of the diocesan deputation.He is serving General Convention as a member of the Formation & Discipleship Committee, which reviews legislation related to education and formation at all levels for all ages.
Personal statement from nomination (submitted by the Rev. James Franklin):
The Rev. Jacob Pierce
Rector, St. Peter's, Charlotte
The Rev. Jacob Pierce is a returning deputy, having served at the 80th General Convention in 2022 as first clergy alternate.
Personal statement from nomination:"In July, I had the honor of attending General Convention after moving to first clergy alternate for the Diocese of North Carolina. The chair of our deputation, Martha Alexander, graciously included the clergy and lay alternates in daily lunch meetings, discussions on resolutions and allowing us to vote on the floor when possible. This was my first General Convention. While I have always been interested in the structures and processes involved in Church-wide decision making, I was amazed how these formal structures create opportunities for deeper conversation and learning. General Convention is ultimately about ministry and mission, guiding the Church in setting our priorities as we seek to follow Jesus Christ in our various contexts. I have applied to serve on interim bodies during the next biennium, before the 81st General Convention, and I would be honored to serve the Diocese of North Carolina as a clergy deputy in 2024."
The Rev. Canon Kathy Walker
Canon Missioner for Black Ministries, Diocese of North Carolina
The Rev. Canon Kathy Walker is a first-time deputy for the Diocese of North Carolina.
Personal statement from nomination (submitted by Natalie Williams:"The Rev. Kathleen Walker has a loving heart and an open mind that makes her an ideal candidate for a deputy to the national convention in 2024. She has great enthusiasm for the work she does here in the Diocese of North Carolina. She meets with the vestry as needed, and she is always willing to step in as our spiritual leader since we do not currently have a rector. The Rev. Walker is creative, and she constantly searches for solutions for our African American congregations. She has worked with our congregations as we seek ways to grow our ministries in our various communities. She created a space so that our congregations could come together and talk about issues that are confronting all our churches at this critical moment. She is also a very prayerful person. I have no doubt that she will be a great deputy if given the opportunity."
The Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough
Deacon, Chapel of Christ the King, Charlotte
The Rev. Rebecca Yarbrough is also a first-time deputy for the Diocese of North Carolina.
Personal statement from nomination:
"The Episcopal Church is one of God’s great gifts: serious about justice and inclusion, practical love, walking with our neighbors. The last Convention demonstrated that the Church is to be for and with all people that our congregations and facilities serve. Concurrently, the Church must wisely steward its resources, trusting and operating from God’s abundance. As a deacon, I’ve been blessed helping those things happen, through congregational, convocational and diocesan service. It’s been a privilege to serve.
Alternates to the Clergy Order:
- First alternate: The Rev. Sally French
- Second alternate: The Rev. Helen Svoboda-Barber
- Third alternate: The Rev. Jacob Pierce
- Fourth alternate: The Rev. Linda Nye
LAY ORDER
Martha Alexander
Christ Church, Charlotte
Martha Alexander is an eight-time deputy, having represented the Diocese of North Carolina in this capacity since 2003. She is serving on the Governance and Structure Committee, which receives, proposes, and acts on resolutions that address the governance and structure of the church.
"Since 2003, Martha has been a deputy from the Diocese of North Carolina to the General Convention. At the 80th General Convention she was a member of Legislative Committee 05 World Mission. She also served as chair of the deputation.
Alice Freeman
St. Mark’s, Wilson
Alice Freeman is a seven-time deputy to General Convention, and the seventh consecutive General Convention she has attended. She is serving on the Accessibility & Inclusion Committee, which focuses on inclusivity across “dioceses, congregations, structures, and faith communities.”
"Having gone to General Convention, I have established relationships over the years with fellow deputies. This makes working with others far more productive than would otherwise be possible.
I welcome the opportunity to be a voice at General Convention."
Delois Ward
Christ Church, Raleigh
Delois Ward is a first-time deputy for the Diocese of North Carolina and is serving on the Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, & Safeguarding Committee.
"Delois Ward (Dee) has an extensive background serving others, through both volunteer and professional experiences. Her volunteer experiences are vast and have benefited multiple dioceses within the Episcopal Church. Professionally, she has directed organizations supporting children and families at risk. Her volunteer and professional accomplishments point to her lifelong commitment to helping those in need. Her experiences as an administrator provide her with a perspective based in reason. Her experiences leading various organizations provide her with an understanding of legislative operations in a large, complex organization. Most importantly, in all of her experiences, her passion and commitment to helping others demonstrate her eagerness, as both a leader and a tireless worker, to further the Kingdom of God. As a delegate to General Convention, she would conscientiously seek opportunities to help the marginalized and the hopeless and to further the work of our church in the world."
WATCH: Delois Ward and fellow deputy the Rev. Jamie Edwards discuss the work of the Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation, & Safeguarding Committee.
Megan Carlson
St. Stephen’s, Durham
Megan Carlson is also a returning deputy for the Diocese of North Carolina. Once again, she is a member of the Resolution Review Committee, serving this time as the committee’s secretary. She also serves on the Task Force on Mental Health.
"Megan is a young adult in a church seeped in traditions looking to the future. She has matured in a church mired by division seeking reconciliation. She was born into a faith that knows that differences exist only to show us the many faces of God. Megan is grounded in the freedom of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement. This foundation allows her to see the possibilities that change affords while remembering the road which we have walked. Megan is ready to listen, but not afraid to jump. For practical skills, she is well-versed in current technological advancements, budget planning and has an aptitude for legal comprehension. Additionally, Megan is committed to creating an accessible Church where all feel invited to participate. Megan is driven to use her skills to help the full convention delegation as needed. She is a faithful, intelligent, articulate leader and a team player."
Alternates to the Lay Order:
- First alternate: Bryan Dougan
- Second alternate: Jeremy Clos
- Third alternate: Mars Nealson
ABOUT GENERAL CONVENTION
The business of The Episcopal Church is conducted during triennial General Conventions. The Convention is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies, which has more than 800 members, and the House of Bishops, which is comprised of nearly 300 active and retired bishops. Each diocese elects, at one of its annual meetings, up to four clergy and four lay deputies to attend the General Convention, take part in its deliberations and vote on resolutions.
The Convention has the authority to amend the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church; adopt the budget for the church for the next three years; authorize liturgical texts and amend the Book of Common Prayer; adopt communions and covenants with other churches; set qualifications for orders of ministry and office-holders; elect officers of the General Convention, the Executive Council and members of boards; and delegate responsibilities to the committees, commissions, agencies and boards of the Episcopal Church.
ABOUT THE 80TH GENERAL CONVENTION
Originally scheduled for 2021, General Convention continues to balance the need to meet in person to attend to the business of the Church with ongoing COVID concerns. On May 11, 2022, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, House of Deputies President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings and members of Executive Council met to address the concerns of holding a large gathering like General Convention. At that meeting, it was shared that the 80th General Convention would be "shorter and smaller" with only business considered “essential legislation that cannot wait until 2024” conducted.
With the announcement of the revised date, it was also shared only bishops, deputies, essential staff and volunteers, and a limited media presence will attend, and all church-affiliated organizations were asked to refrain from holding events.
The revisions were determined by a special working group tasked with restructuring the shorter, smaller General Convention. The group focused on key issues such as the length of General Convention, who may attend, the safety protocols to be in place, protocols and support for those who may contract COVID while there, and the proposed business and legislative matters, which are expected to include approval of the budget, elections – including the next president of the House of Deputies and members of Executive Council - and other critical issues. Decisions were made unilaterally; the working group presented their recommendations to Curry and Jennings, who were then canonically required to consult with the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements and Executive Council.
