Day 5– June 25
OK, we picked up the pace and got a few things done today.
1. We approved the budget for The Episcopal Church for the next three years.
2. We voted for the President of the House of Deputies. As I explained in an earlier post, the President we elected two years ago in Baltimore had been challenged by her Vice President. A third individual also came forward for the position. The results were:
Ms. Julia Ayala-Harris 521
Ms. Zena Link 241
The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton 64
So, the current President retained her position. In a few days we will vote for a new Vice President.
3. The Diocese of Hawaii merged with the Episcopal Church in Micronesia and will now be a much larger Diocese of Hawaii.
4. We made several incremental changes to Title IV rules dealing with claims of misconduct by clergy.
5. Lots of courtesy resolutions giving thanks to nice people who did nice things.
6. And probably the emotional highlight of the day, a vote to make the Episcopal Church in Navajoland a missionary diocese. From the ENS article: “The Episcopal Church created Navajoland as an area mission in 1977 to serve Episcopalians in regions of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah where the Navajo Nation reservation is located. Area missions’ bishops are appointed to the role by the House of Bishops rather than a local convention. By becoming a missionary diocese, Navajoland’s members could elect their own bishop while continuing to receive financial and other support from the wider church.” https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/06/25/deputies-celebrate-advance-of-navajoland-resolution-creating-missionary-diocese/
Their deputation spoke about how it wanted to share its gifts of culture and spirituality with the wider church and grow to sustain itself as a self-sufficient Diocese.
Then in the evening the deputation went to a restaurant called Doc Crow’s, the LOUDEST restaurant in Louisville. Honestly, the noise was deafening. The BBQ was good, though, and we shared a slice of Derby Pie that was simply marvelous.
Tomorrow: The Bishops will elect a new Presiding Bishop!