| [Episcopal News Service]
Anglican Communion
Encouraged dioceses to urge their congregations and institutions to
pray for our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Jerusalem and the
Middle East; to visit the Christian congregations in the Holy Land;
to receive visitors from the Holy Land; to work for justice, peace,
and reconciliation in the Holy Land with renewed commitment; and to
urge elected officials and policy makers to seek solutions that will
realize these goals (A015).
Anti-Racism /Reconciliation
Applauded the training provided by the Anti-Racism Committee and Church Center staff (A092).
Archives
Authorized the Archives to proceed with exploration of plans to possibly relocate on or before January 1, 2010; to campaign for the necessary funds and, if successful, establish an endowment for maintenance of the Archives; if deemed appropriate, to access funding through a new 501-c-(3) tailored to ensure no diversions of assets or properties to any body other than the Episcopal Church. The Board of the Archives and the Archives Strategy Committee will be working with the Executive Council (A143). Endorsed the Archives website and the digital archives as an official site and electronic archive of the church; charged the Archives with responsibility to create an authentic, accurate, and trustworthy record; and requested budgetary funding (A145).
Budget
Adopted Pastoral Leadership Search Effort (PLSE) as an ongoing initiative and requested PBandF to consider a budget allocation of $385,906 (A089). Endorsed statement of mission priorities (in rank order: justice and peace, including support of the Millennium Development Goals); youth, young adults and children; reconciliation and evangelism; congregational transformation and partnerships) for the 2007-09 triennium and directed the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance (PBandF) to use these priorities in forming the Budget for the Episcopal Church (D031).
Clergy / Clergy Wellness
Approved a study of the optimum mandatory resignation age for clergy in collaboration with Church Pension Group, along with the implications for pension benefits (A083). Recognized need for an ongoing program devoted to the wellness of families of clergy and clergy, commend FOCUS for creation of a resource guide for asked for funds for the Office of Ministry Development to provide oversight and coordination with FOCUS and similar programs (B001). Requested the Standing Commission on Ministry Development (SCMD), in consultation with the Presiding Bishop, to convene a task force to review the purpose of the General Ordination Examinations (GOE) (C036).
Commendation / Courtesy
Congratulated the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and commend it for its continued work and witness (B005).
Communications / Technology
Directed the Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards (CCABs) of the General Convention to begin a process to accomplish an appropriate portion of their work more efficiently and economically by using online tools, conference calls and video conferences (A051) Endorsed a position of provincial communication specialist for each of the nine provinces, to assist the implementation of the communication strategy of the church and work directly with congregations and dioceses in the province to build connections for regional communication; requested PBandF consider a budget allocation of up to $9,000 for each year for a total of $27,000 for implementation (A052).
Constitution / Canons
Amended Article VIII of the Constitution to so that a bishop may permit certain denominations' ordained ministers to officiate on a temporary basis as an ordained minister of this church (A021, first reading). Amended the last sentence of Canon I.9.1 be amended to read as follows: "The Ninth Province shall consist of the Dioceses of this Church in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Puerto Rico and Venezuela" (A024). Amended Canon IV.3.21(c) to include the phrase "for an Offense of Doctrine" at the end of clause c. Canon pertains to the process of filing charges of presentment against a bishop. (A031). Directed Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons to study the definition and use in the Constitution and Canons, and elsewhere in the Church, of the term "canonical residence," and make recommendations to the 76th General Convention whether the term should be discontinued or modified, or whether some alternative should be instituted (A034). Amended Canon 1.2.2 to conform with Title III canons on resignation age of the Presiding Bishop to be 72 if that occurs before a term of nine years has been completed (D010). Amended Joint Rules of Order IV.15 to provide that resolutions calling for expenditure of any monies will be unfunded if coming to the floor after the adoption of the triennial budget (D013).
Domestic Mission
Directed the offices of the Director of Mission to develop new leadership programs and/or to endorse existing leadership training programs for use at the diocesan level which help bishops and diocesan leadership in developing strategies, quantifiable action plans and timelines for accelerating their mission performance; to develop quantitative measures of accountability for diocesan mission performance; requested programs include a mechanism for dioceses to share their "best practices" and "lessons learned" in the process of accelerating their mission performance (A038). Directed the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism to explore the possibility of a new definition for "Missionary Dioceses" (A087).
Elections / Appointments
Elected the Rev. Dr. Gregory Straub as Secretary of the House of Deputies
(E003) and Secretary of General Convention (E005). Elected N. Kurt Barnes as Treasurer of
General Convention (E006). Elected Bonnie Anderson as President of the House of Deputies (E007).
Elected Bishop George E. Councell of New Jersey and Bishop Michael Bruce Curry of North Carolina, as trustees of the General Theological Seminary (E009). Elected to the General Board of Examining
Chaplains, Bishop William O. Gregg, Oregon (six-year term); Sandra D. Michael, Rebecca D. Snow, Peter W. Williams (six-year term): the Rev. Dr. Katharine C. Black; the Rev. Dr. Mark R. Kowalewski, the Rev. Juan A. Quevedo-Bosch (priest, six-year terms); the Rev. Canon Stephen Holmgren, the Rev. Dr. Vesta Kowalski, the Rev. Dr. Richard D. McCall (faculty, six-year term) (E010). Elected the Rev. Brian N.
Prior as Vice President of the House of Deputies (E015). Elected Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori as the 26th Presiding Bishop (E017). Elected to the Court for the Trial of a Bishop until 2015 bishops George Wayne Smith of Missouri, Gordon Paul Scruton of Western Massachusetts and Catherine M. Waynick of Indianapolis; and elected to the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop until 2015 bishops Michael Bruce Curry of North Carolina, Don E. Johnson of West Tennessee and Wayne P. Wright, Bishop of Delaware (E018) Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold appointed Bishop Mark L. MacDonald of Alaska as the Assisting Bishop of The Navajoland Area Mission effective July 1, 2006 upon the resignation of The Rt. Rev. Rustin R. Kimsey (E021).
Environment
Recognized that the use of fossil fuels harms air quality and public health and is contributing to changes in the global climate; affirmed that the Christian response to global warming is a deeply moral and spiritual issue; reaffirmed previous Convention resolutions and urged the church to consider prayerfully whether to partner with Interfaith Power and Light (C018).
Ethnic Ministries
Directed the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism to study the work of the Ethnic Congregational Development Unit and make policy recommendations to future General Conventions (A044).
Evangelism and 20/20
Acknowledged the report of the Joint Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism which states that the Episcopal Church "may be in systemic decline" (Blue Book, Page 103), asked for the Office of Mission and the Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelism to initiate a national consultation on methods and strategies to identify best practices to reverse the decline in mainline denominations and recommend strategies to the 76th General Convention (B023).
Executive Council
Elected Bishop David A. Alvarez of Puerto Rico and Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles to Executive Council for six-year terms (E008).
General Convention
Agreed to consider Charlotte, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Kansas City, Missouri for the 77th General Convention (A001). Rejected a constraint on dates for scheduling on future dates of General Convention (A046).
HIV/AIDS
Authorized the continuation of the Executive Council Standing Committee on HIV/AIDS for the next triennium (A131). Authorized the Communication Office to collaborate with the National Episcopal
AIDS Coalition (NEAC) in producing a working group of interested parties to design, fund and implement a campaign to raise awareness about the continuing HIV pandemic (A133).
Immigration
Received "The Alien Among You," Blue Book report of the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns; addressed other issues concerning the plight of refugees, immigrants, and migrants (A017).
Justice/Peace Issues
Reaffirmed the right of workers in the United States to organize and form unions, especially seasonal and migrant workers; and commend the work of Interfaith Worker Justice (C008). Supported the Episcopal
Network for Economic Justice in its facilitation of the training of congregations in economic justice and requested a budget allocation of $7,000 annually for training in economic justice (C012).
Hurricane Response
Offered continued prayers, thanks, support and advocacy for the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita; expressed deep appreciation and thanks, and urged continuing support for Gulf Coast churches and dioceses as they rebuild and minister to the congregations and individuals of their diocese (A066).
Lesser Feast and Fasts / Church Calendar
Approved principles for revision and substituted for the guidelines approved by the 1994 General Convention (2003 edition of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts," p. 477-479) (A057). Affirmed the work in anticipation of the revisions of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts," with accompanying materials, for consideration by Convention 2009 (A058). Entered Florence Li Tim-Oi, Janani Luwum, Philander Chase, William Temple and Clive Staples Lewis in the Calendar of the Church Year (BCP, p. 15-30) and in future revisions of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" (A059). Referred to the appropriate subcommittee for further research, consultation, and recommendation concerning the commemoration of the Rev. Dr. John Roberts (A060). Referred date change for Harriet Tubman Commemoration to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music during the preparation of the new revision of "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" (A061). Authorized changing the name for the commemoration of the "Martyrs of Lyons" to "Blandina and Her Companions, The Martyrs of Lyons," as found in "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" (A065). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to consider the commemoration of the Dorchester Chaplains as an addition to the Calendar of the Church Year (B008). Added the commemoration of the Martyrs of Sudan as an addition to the Calendar of the Church Year on May 16 (C003). Added Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to the Calendar of the Church Year on May 17 (C016). Added Joan of Arc to the Calendar of the Church Year on May 30 (C034). Added the Confession of Martha to the Calendar of the Church Year on April 13 (C035). Added Genocide Remembrance Day to the Calendar of the Church Year on April 24 (C043). Authorized, for inclusion in "Lesser Feasts and Fasts," a Common for Space Exploration, as the Commission's response to Resolution 2003-D049 adopted by the 74th General Convention (A062).
Liturgy / Music
Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to collect and develop materials to assist members of the Church to address anti-Jewish prejudice expressed in and stirred by portions of Christian scriptures and liturgical texts, with suggestions for preaching, congregational education, and lectionary use; and to report to the 76th General Convention (C001). Endorsed continuation of the Leadership Program for Musicians Serving Small Congregations (LPM) (A079). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop liturgies, which recognize and celebrate ministry in daily life, for inclusion in the next edition of the "Book of Occasional Services" with a report to the next Convention (A088). Provided for continuation of resolution 2003-A092, to be expanded to include both theological rationale for multi-sensory worship and training opportunities for those in the church who wish to introduce elements of multi-sensory worship in their liturgy (A066). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to continue development of liturgical materials for inclusion in the "Enriching Our Worship" series (A069). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop liturgical materials for inclusion in the "Enriching Our Worship" series for the pastoral issues in the context of the adoption of children (A070). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to create additional resources in the areas of Burial of the Dead and Reconciliation of a Penitent for inclusion in the "Enriching Our Worship" series (A071). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to gather a collection of music to broaden the cultural breadth of the music of the church; to make native-language materials available to non-English speaking worshiping communities; directed the Standing Commission to appoint a committee to oversee the collection of this music (A072). Directed the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to continue the work begun in the Praise and World Music Hymnal Supplement project (A073). Authorized continuing use of "Enriching our Worship Volume 1: The Daily Office, Great Litany, and Eucharist," and "Enriching Our Worship Volume 2: Ministry with the Sick and Dying, and Burial of a Child," during the next triennium, under the direction of the diocesan bishop or ecclesiastical authority (A074). Authorized the rite for "The Renewal of Ministry with the Welcome of a New Rector," to be included in the "Enriching our Worship" series, and changed proposed liturgies from pages 185-187 of the Blue Book (A075). Authorized use of Proposed Burial Rites for Adults, to be added to the "Enriching our Worship" series, for the next triennium, under the direction of the diocesan bishop or ecclesiastical authority, and changed second prayer, middle of the page from the Blue Book report, page 204 (A076). Directed that the Revised Common Lectionary shall be the Lectionary of this Church, amending the Lectionary on pp. 889-921 of The Book of Common Prayer, effective the First Sunday of Advent, 2007; with the provision for continued use of the previous Lectionary for purposes of orderly transition, with the permission of the ecclesiastical authority, until the First Sunday of Advent 2010 (A077).
Millennium Development Goals / Economic Development Received and affirmed "Call to Partnership," the communiqué presented to the United Nations Summit by participants in the Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty, commended the work of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the work of the church s officers, dioceses, congregations, baptized members, and Episcopal Relief and Development in undertaking and supporting partnerships for global development in impoverished countries and called for the expansion of this work (A010). Established working toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority for the coming triennium, and urged each diocese, congregation and parishioner to commit to 0.7 percent giving toward the goals by July 7, 2007 (07/07/07); endorsed The ONE Campaign, the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through the Episcopal Church's ONE Episcopalian campaign; called on all to join the ONE Episcopalian campaign and endorse The ONE Campaign's call for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty (D022).
Intergenerational
Rejected development of intergenerational worship resources (A103).
Ministry
Called upon the Executive Council and dioceses to affirm vital importance of college and university ministries; encouraged recognition of campus ministries with canonical status as mission congregations, when appropriate (A041).
Seminaries
Provided funding toward cross-cultural and international experience for seminarians (A117).
Small Churches
Directed the Office of Congregational Development to compile resources to promote vitality of mission and ministry in small congregations and communicate, disseminate and provide access to the larger church in a variety of formats; to develop and implement innovative ways of collecting and telling stories of vitality in mission and ministry occurring in small congregations (A098).
Stewardship
Built on resolution 2003-D033 passed by the 74th General Convention, urges the Episcopal Church to commit to the well-being of others, society, and the world by taking a leadership role in making the church a safe, skilled place in which to help people address the serious issues of debt, greed, hyper-consumerism, and cultural pressures which encourage people to spend beyond their means (A102).
Structure
Designated the Economic Justice Loan Committee and the Episcopal Council on Indigenous Ministries (ECIM) as committees of Executive Council (A108). Designated the Committee on Social Responsibility in Investments (SRI) as a committee of Executive Council and provided it with an official mandate that was paraphrased closely from its description in the Executive Council Handbook. No changes in the current operations, membership, or budget of this committee will result from this resolution (A109). Directed the Standing Commission on National Concerns to investigate issues relating to criminal justice in the United States and church ministry within the criminal justice system (A111). Requested all CCABs to evaluate suggested changes for placement within church structure and report one year before 76th Convention; charged Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church to review and correct the defined terms for CCABs and to propose structural changes to the CCAB system where changes would appear to be useful; to study and recommend to the 76th General Convention resolutions concerning any proposed changes to the Preamble of the Constitution with reference to the "official" name of this church, with particular consideration of being inclusive of our overseas dioceses and parishes; charged the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church to review, study and recommend to the 76th General Convention resolutions concerning changes to the process by which the Presiding Bishop would be nominated and elected (A112).
Youth and young adults
Directed the Office of Anglican and Global Relations, in collaboration with the Office of Ministries with Young People, to develop resources for the pastoral care and vocational formation of participants in the Young Adult Service Corps; increased number of annual placements from ten to fifteen per year (A114).
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