Diocesan Dailies
Happenings and updates from the 78th General Convention
By Diocesan Staff
Keep up with the daily happenings and updates from the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
JULY 3, 2015
The 78th General Convention adjourns today. It has been nine-plus days of work, wonder, excitement, inspiration and hospitality. We’ve elected a new Presiding Bishop and paid well-deserved tribute to our current Primate. We’ve seen bishops, clergy and lay folk rally and speak out in one voice to end gun violence, and heard extraordinary sermons from preacher after preacher at the daily Eucharist. We’ve approved historic legislation and made our Church that much more welcoming to any and all who want to be a part of the Jesus Movement. Above all, we have come together – both in Salt Lake City and, thanks to technology, around the world – to remember who we are, to feel the strength we share when we work and pray as one, and to prepare for the work that lies ahead of us.
Before the Communications team heads for home, we have to report on a very special occurrence that took place at this morning’s Eucharist. We’ve already shared it as a separate story, but case you’re hearing it for the first time here, Bishop Curry preached at this morning’s Eucharist, which was no surprise as it has long been a tradition that the Presiding Bishop-Elect delivers the sermon at General Convention’s Closing Eucharist. And it was no surprise that Bishop Curry held the congregation rapt, by turns laughing, cheering and drying their eyes as he walked the altar and challenged them to “Go!”.
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But it was a surprise – especially for Bishop Curry – when before the Prayer of Thanksgiving, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori delivered a very special message in the form of a letter from President Barack Obama to Bishop Curry.
The text of the letter read:
Dear Bishop Curry,
As you prepare to begin serving as Presiding Bishop, I send warm congratulations.
Since our nation’s earliest days, faith communities across our country have shown us how a willingness to believe and a dedication to care for others can enrich our lives. Your leadership over the years has reflected your powerful vision for a more inclusive tomorrow. Guided by your commitment to a future of greater compassion and opportunity, I trust you will continue to use your gifts to bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together to realize the America we know is possible.
Again, congratulations. I wish you all the best.
The moment proved what we’ve learned to be true over and over again the last 11 days: The Episcopal Church is poised to do great things in the coming years, and with all of us a part of the Jesus Movement, we truly can change the world.
JULY 2, 2015
With the days winding down at General Convention, the momentum in the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies gathered momentum as they worked toward the completion of their appointed business before Convention adjourns tomorrow.
As they have each morning of the previous seven days, bishops and deputies joined other worshipers at the morning Eucharist, at which the Rt. Rev. Julio Holguin, Diocese of the Dominican Republic presided, and the Rev. Colin Mathewson of St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego, preached. In his sermon, the Rev. Mathewson spoke of a word, “a single, eternal, and glorious Word whom we worship here today: the Word of God made flesh who dwelt among us, dies on the cross of shame, and rose victorious. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection form the basis of a story that has changed each of us in this room.”
With that, the Houses went to work.
In the House of Bishops (HOB), the two major items of business on the calendar were the question of divestment in Israel and the proposed budget for the coming triennium. After much discussion and deliberation, the HOB rejected the resolution to divest investments from Israel, citing the wishes of bishops in the Palestine region that The Episcopal Church not take divestment action, as well as the reasoning that divestment in Israel would be contrary and aggravating to the peace-making efforts being made in the region.
HOB did, however, concur with the House of Deputies (HOD) on the proposed budget, including amendments added earlier in the day in the HOD to increase funds intended for church planting and TENS, which was not funded in the budget originally presented, as its previous funding came from a one-time grant.
As reported above, the HOD began their almost nine hours of sessions approving the budget for the upcoming triennial with the amendments to move $2.8 million from unrestricted reserves to put toward church planting efforts, and to take funds from the Development Office to fund TENS, which did not have funding following the expiration of a one-time grant. Also among their major decisions were:
- the passing of Resolution A002, which provides for the exploration of a unicameral model of governance
- Resolution D037, creating a task force to study requests to amend church records to match legal name changes
- Resolution D021, allowing faith communities to petition for health insurance outside the Denominational Health Plan
- Concurrence on Resolution C045, calling on TEC, the Episcopal Church Endowment Fund & the Episcopal Church Fund to divest from fossil fuels
- Concurrent on Resolution A042 to explore and consider the potential sites for the 80th General Convention in 2021
- Concurrence on Resolution D047, directing Trustees of the Church Pension Fund to continue reviewing and revising the pention plan to include same-gender spouses
The 78th General Convention adjourns tomorrow.
JULY 1, 2015
The country woke today to news outlets across the nation carrying stories of the expectation that the Episcopal Church would vote on same-sex marriage during its General Convention. If passed, marriage in the Church would become equal for all. The interest ran so high, mainstream media outlets came to the Salt Palace Convention to witness the historic event.
And it was, indeed, a historic day.
It began with the community Eucharist, at which the Rt. Rev. Scott Hayashi, bishop of the Diocese of Utah, presided, and the Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene and Thistle Farms, preached.
Before the respective Houses met in their legislative sessions, they came together for a Joint Session on Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F) to hear about the proposed triennial budget. For the first time, the budget had been released the day before the joint session to allow time for review and familiarization before hearing details on it and having the chance to ask questions. At the session, a presentation was given on the proposed budget, giving an overview to the approach and thought process of the committee and walking the attendant bishops and deputies through some of the more significant changes, including the addition of $2 million dollars for grants dedicated to the work of racial reconciliation, and the reduction of diocesan assessments from 19 percent to 15 percent.
After a short break, bishops and deputies convened in their respective houses. Though the spotlight was most assuredly on the House of Deputies (HOD), the House of Bishops (HOB) went to work on several key issues, including those related to structure and governance. They concurred with the HOD on resolutions reducing the number of standing commissions to two: the Standing Commission on Structure, Constitutions and Canons, and the Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music. Discussion on the TREC report and Resolution A004 (the future structure and role of Executive Council) was so deep, the vote was postponed until tomorrow. The bishops also spent time on the Church’s response to the updated alcohol policy and responses to alcohol and drug abuse issues, including how we help those who need it get treatment as well as support those already in recovery.
In the House of Deputies, the day resumed where it has left off yesterday. All materials now available in Spanish, the HOD resumed the conversation on TREC and its proposals, eventually adopting substitute Resolution A004, adjusting the role of Executive Council, but keeping the serving member numbers closer to their existing level instead of the report’s proposed reduction. Next came the passing of Resolution D013, which addresses the budget process and potential repercussions should dioceses fail to pay their assessment to the general church budget.
From there, HOD moved to the Special Order Debate on Marriage to consider the resolutions passed earlier by the House of Bishops. After hours of thoughtful and considerate debate, in two historic moments the House of Deputies concurred with Resolution A054, authorizing rites for all marriage, and Resolution A036 and the amendment of the Canons. Both decisions were reached by Votes by Order; the overwhelming majority voted to adopt the resolutions with (total) 184 in for, 23 against and five divided.
The concurrence garnered almost immediate national headlines, with major outlets reporting and tweeting the outcome as breaking news. “What the Supreme Court did and what we did today go hand in hand,” said the Rev. Stan Baker, a deputy from the Diocese of Vermont, as he spoke with the media in a briefing after the Houses adjourned. “The more inclusive we are, the stronger our fabric.”
JUNE 30, 2015
The excitement is building in the House of Deputies as resolutions pertaining to some of the “hot topics” of General Convention reached the floor. But that was not the first order of the day.
Worshipers gathered for the daily Eucharist, at which the Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs of the Diocese of Michigan presided and the Rev. Kimberly Jackson, chaplain and vicar of the Absolom Jones Episcopal Center in Atlanta, Georgia, preached. In her sermon, she spoke of the resurrection of hope. “I invite you to find your song. I invite you to sing that song that inspires, that enlivens, that gives you the courage to run on. And don’t just sing it in the shower! Sing in the car and hum in the grocery store. Share your song. Share it with friends and family in times of joy and in heartache. Sing the song that reminds you that we are all just leaning on the everlasting Arms.”
After Eucharist, both Houses gathered again for a Joint Session on Mission. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presented the five Marks of Mission, and a video was shown illustrating the work being done on each. Those in the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops were then charged with breaking into groups to discuss questions on each Mark, such as “How are we proclaiming the Good News to different demographic groups?” (Mark 1 – To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom) and “What is the relationship between outreach and evangelism?” (Mark 3 – To respond to human need by loving service)
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The gathering didn’t end there; before it adjourned, Bishop Jefferts Schori was honored for her nine years of service with video retrospectives, laudatory speeches and standing ovations. Among those there to honor her were her predecessor, former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswald, the 25th presiding bishop, and her successor, Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry, who will be the 27th presiding bishop.
In the afternoon, the Houses got to work. The House of Bishops (HOB) moved swiftly through several items of business into congregational vitality, providing $5 million toward faith-community startups and church planting, and $750,000 toward church redevelopment (existing churches). They also passed resolutions authorizing the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to present a report at the 79th General Convention proposing changes to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer; and approved $1.2 million toward the work of racial reconciliation, a clear and top priority of the Church. All was not passed, however, as HOB also defeated a proposal to open a conversation about communion with baptism.
The House of Deputies got to work on some of the key issues of convention. They passed Resolutions A158 and A159, which between them updated the Church’s alcohol policy of 1985 and resolved to increase awareness of alcoholism and substance abuse, and to work to increase advocacy, treatment and recovery resources. From there, the floor received a presentation about TREC and the proposed structural changes, and the proceedings were just entering the debate stage when discussion was suspended in the interest of fairness when it was discovered that not all materials were available in Spanish.
The discussion resumes tomorrow.
JUNE 29, 2015
Today began and ended with the gathering of worshipers to celebrate and pray over the work of the day.
The morning’s Eucharist was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Mike Klusmeyer, Diocese of West Virginia, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church in America preached. His sermon spoke of how history can reveal to us the moments in which Jesus was found. “There are times when the weight of our historic experience seems like it is unbearable. And yet, it is precisely at such moments that Christ can become most powerfully present to us.”
The day continued with substantial and potentially historic work in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops passed two resolutions regarding marriage equality: Resolution A054, which approved three trial rites for marriage and allows bishops to decide whether they can be used in their respective dioceses; and Resolution A036, which changed the canons regarding marriage so that they no longer say “holy matrimony,” but now refer to “marriage,” and the language is now gender neutral. The resolutions now move to the House of Deputies and must be passed there before they are adopted.
In the House of Deputies several resolutions passed, including approval to create a task force for Latino-Hispanic congregational development (A086); the approval of resources to allow for the planting of churches (D005); and the approval of funding for online and digital evangelism and ministry (B009).
The day ended with the Integrity Eucharist, held for the first time on General Convention property. More than 2,000 attended the service at which President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings preached and celebrated Integrity’s 40th anniversary.
JUNE 28, 2015
The day began early with the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) leading the charge – literally. At 6:30am, the ECW 5K Run/Walk kicked off with several dozen runners getting their early morning exercise.
Upon finishing, many stayed to take part in the morning’s next activity, the Bishops United Against Gun Violence. Organized by bishops Mark Beckwith (Diocese of Newark), Ian Douglas (Diocese of Connecticut) and Eugene Sutton (Diocese of Maryland), more than 1,500 bishops, clergy and layfolk gathered to protest the gun violence suffered every year, and to pray and rally for peace and safer gun laws.
Before departing, Bishop Sutton spoke of the effects of violence on several neighborhoods in his Baltimore home. The Rt. Rev. Scott Hayashi, Diocese of Utah, shared his experience of being shot at point-blank range; even harder than the two months he spent in the hospital was seeing the effects on his family.
Halfway through the march, the procession stopped to hear more stories from those affected by gun violence and a sermon by Presiding Bishop-Elect Michael Curry. All who participated returned feeling deeply moved and incredibly inspired.
That feeling only deepened with the special United Thank Offering (UTO) Intake and Eucharist, at which Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presided and preached. Her sermon spoke of the story of a girl who was left for dead, but is healed when she finds the courage to reach out and touch Jesus’ robe. “Get up, girl, you’re not dead yet. Jesus might just as well be speaking to this Church.”
Before the afternoon sessions began, the ECW held their Distinguished Women Luncheon. The national board presented their first-ever board-awarded Distinguished Woman honor to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, and then recognized one woman from each diocese in every province, selected for her dedication and contributions to her church and diocese.
Mary Hawkins was named the Distinguished Woman from the Diocese of North Carolina. A member of St. Titus’, Durham, she is a pillar in her church and her community. A retired associate professor, she continues to volunteer at North Carolina Central University, where she taught. She works within her community on public health initiatives. The first female senior warden at St. Titus’, she has served as church newsletter editor, church treasurer, a LEM and LEV, and diocesan convention delegate. She’s served on Diocesan Council, the Bishop’s Committee for Racial Justice and Reconciliation, and the Commission on Ministry. Her decades of service to ECW have included secretary and treasurer to the Board, editor of an award-winning newsletter, and delegate to three Triennial Meetings. With a quiet, can-do spirit, Mary moves easily between the secular and the sacred, offering the gifts she’s been given whenever and however they’re needed.
The excitement of the morning’s activities gave way to the serious work of legislative sessions in the afternoon.
For North Carolina, the highlight of the House of Deputies was the election of Martha Bedell Alexander to the Church Pension Group board. She garnered more votes than anyone in the running, making her the Head of Deputation.
Resolution news from the House of Deputies included the adoption of a resolution to develop Title IV disciplinary training materials; the referral of a resolution regarding the site of the 2021 General Convention back to committees out of concern choosing sites with limited information; and the passing of a resolution encouraging congregations to work toward the dismantling of mass incarceration systems.
The House of Bishops held a private conversation before opening their session to the public; only a resolution to examine the state of investments in fossil fuels passed before the session was adjourned for both houses to attend Provincial Caucus meetings.
JUNE 27, 2015
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| PB-Elect Michael Curry |
In a historic election today, North Carolina’s bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, was elected the 27th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.
Elected on the first ballot, Bishop Curry received 121 of the 174 votes (89 were needed to be elected). After the House of Deputies certification committee certified the bishops’ selection, the House of Deputies voted to accept the election result 800 to 12.
The news of Bishop Curry’s election was quickly global news, sharing the joy and high spirit that dominated the day in Salt Lake City. Headlines carried the notable fact that Bishop Curry is the first African American to lead The Episcopal Church, but that is not the only first his election represents.
- Bishop Curry is the first Presiding Bishop ever elected on the first ballot.
UPDATE (6-30-2015): The Episcopal Archivist has shared information with GC that there was one other Presiding Bishop elected on the first ballot: Bishop Sherrill in 1947.
- Bishop Curry and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori represent the first and only bishop class ever to produce two Presiding Bishops (both were consecrated in 2000).
- Bishop Curry is the first Presiding Bishop ever elected from the Diocese of North Carolina.
For those who serve, work and worship with Bishop Curry in North Carolina, his election understandably is generating a complex web of emotions. But most can agree that we know as well as anyone the gifts and blessings he bestows on those around him, and it is exciting to think what might happen when those gifts are shared with the wider world. And we, in the Diocese of North Carolina, will honor those gifts as we continue the work begun under his leadership.
Video of his post-election press conference is included below.
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| Lisa Towle |
In other news, Bishop Curry’s election was not the only reason North Carolinians had to be proud today. In a landslide election, Lisa Towle of the North Carolina chapter of Episcopal Church Women (ECW) was elected president of the national ECW. She, too, captured her election on the first ballot, receiving two-thirds of the votes. Her election and the wonderful work of the ECW will be celebrated at a luncheon tomorrow, and we look forward to sharing it with you.
The excitement of the elections was not all the day held. Before the bishops left for St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral to elect the Presiding Bishop, worshipers gathered for the community Eucharist, at which the Rt. Rev. Michael Smith, Diocese of North Dakota, presided and the Rev. Cathlena Plummer of Navajoland preached. In her sermon, she talked about the Good Shepherd, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
After the Eucharist, the bishops boarded waiting buses and departed for St. Mark’s, an the House of Deputies began their session with a celebration of the 230th anniversary of the first meeting of the House of Deputies. Complete with party hats and noisemakers, those in attendance enjoyed a retrospective and memories of those who served the House in the past. In their afternoon session, the discussed and debated several resolutions; among the results were the decision to postpone discussion of online and digital evangelism until after the Programs, Budget & Finance (PB&F) meeting, and the passing of a resolution approving $1.2 million to be used in the work of racial reconciliation.
The day concluded with a high-energy, spirited 75th anniversary celebration of Episcopal Relief and Development, where attendees danced, shared memories and learned about the remarkable work of this organization.
JUNE 26, 2015
In a stroke of timing that couldn’t be scripted, as the news came of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to make same-sex marriage legal nationwide, the Special Legislative Committee on Marriage was meeting to discuss amendments to the Church’s marriage rites. As Bishop Anne so eloquently put it in a video recorded early this morning, “the civil rights of our citizens are now clearly defined…isn’t it remarkable that the Church has a different discernment process right now – it’s related, but it’s different – about marriage rites.”
Shortly after the news was announced, the daily Eucharist gathered; the Rt. Rev. Mary Glasspool, bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Los Angeles presided, and President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, preached. In her sermon, she contemplated visions, and the difficulties we can have interpreting them. “The work of disciples is spinning the golden threads that tie the ecstatic vision of a loving, powerful God to your life, to mine and to the life of the church on earth. And we weave those threads between holy vision and ordinary life when we gather to order our common life, to discern what God is calling us to do and how God is calling us to do it. It isn’t easy to spin these threads, and it isn’t necessarily exciting every minute….count is all as blessing, to understand that the labor required to see and then serve a shared vision is holy work.”
After the Eucharist, the first joint session convened for the Presiding Bishop Nomination & Structure Conversation. We know what you’re thinking – the nominations were announced weeks ago! That’s true, but there is a rule that states that the nominees must be officially nominated to the joint Houses 24 hours before the election. The formality done, deputies and bishops spent the remaining time discussing the structure of the Church and resolutions related to the question.
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| St. Mark’s Cathedral |
When the joint session adjourned and the afternoon legislative committees met, the communications team had the opportunity to visit and tour St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, where the 27th Presiding Bishop will be elected tomorrow. More photos and video were taken than we could process tonight, but we promise to share it with you as soon as we can.
Just before the resolution filing deadline at 5pm, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies convened for their afternoon sessions. Of note was the House of Bishops’ decision to continue the work of the Task Force on Marriage, and the House of Deputies re-elected the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings to serve another three-year term as President of the House of Deputies. The Hosue of Deputies also struck down a donors’ bill of rights.
The evening concluded with a celebration of the 125th anniversary of UTO, during which Caitlin Darnell received a special 125th anniversary young adult grant for A Movable Feast.
Tomorrow there’s a party in the House of Deputies to mark the 230th anniversary of the first meeting of General Convention, in which only clergy and lay folk participated.
The bishops were busy with an election that first go round, just like they’ll be again tomorrow.
JUNE 25, 2015
The 78th General Convention officially convened this morning in Salt Lake City, Utah. More than 150 bishops, 800 deputies and thousands of volunteers, visitors, media and more assembled in the Salt Palace Convention Center to celebrate The Episcopal Church and work together on its next steps.
The day began with organization sessions for both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. With the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings presiding, the House of Deputies organized its procedures, including a debate over the newly crafted Rules of Order, which were completely rewritten after the close of the last General Convention. The session concluded with every deputy born after 1990 walking to the House of Bishops to inform the assemblage the House of Deputies was ready for business.
The House of Bishops started their session with a roll call, beginning with the oldest living bishop, the Rt. Rev. Reid, and including bishops consecrated since the last General Convention, those deposed and those deceased. Before the Rt. Rev. Anne E. Hodges-Copple (Diocese of North Carolina) and the Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe (Diocese of Kansas) departed to inform the House of Deputies the bishops were ready for business, the bishops stood and sang Happy Birthday in beautiful harmony (a bishops’ choir!) to the Rt. Rev. Arthur Williams, who turns 80 today.
The Opening Eucharist followed the first session, at which Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori presided and preached. Her sermon spoke of the road we must build and travel to “follow Jesus into the neighborhoods.” As she said, “This road will be built by the bruised and broken, imperfect body of Christ. We’re in transit in this world, on our way to the beloved community and the peaceable kingdom. Stony the road may be, it’s built by blood, sweat, and tears, and bound together by the solidarity of countless feet, marching upward to Zion.”
Inspired by her words, the legislative committees got to work. In two sessions over the course of the day, they discussed and heard testimony on the hundreds of resolutions submitted for consideration to General Convention. Topics included marriage – specifically, marriage equality – the divestment of investments in Israel, evangelism and communication, Creation Care and the divestment of investments in fossil fuels. Several of these sessions were standing room only, including marriage equality, Israel/Palestine and fossil fuel divestment.
Legislative sessions continued throughout the afternoon and will go through the evening. Livestreams of both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies are available and can be found on the diocesan website.
JUNE 24, 2015
The day’s highlights included two separate sessions in the House of Deputies.
The first session was the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies presentation to Convention. The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori spoke of the work we have done and the work still waiting to be done (if you didn’t watch the livestream, her remarks are available on demand). “We’re bound for the galaxy called Galilee and the edges of the known world, because that’s where Jesus sent us and that’s where he promises to meet us. The journey is likely to be a long one, in spite of the glimpses of heaven around us…..We’re in this for the long haul, as we call on ancient truth while responding to the new thing that God continues to do in our midst.”
The Rev. Gay Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, followed Bishop Jefferts Schori to reflect on biblical teachings appropriate to the work facing the bishops and deputies gathered in Salt Lake City (watch). She set the tone because “We’re talking about the fact that god isn’t done with us yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do in the next nine days. Not just meetings and hearings and legislative sessions, but also listening to each other and paying attention to what new things are arising among us.”
After a welcome from the president of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), breakout orientation sessions for the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, and a quick lunch, bishops, clergy and layfolk gathered for the Presentation of the Presiding Bishop Nominees.
For three hours, attendees of this inaugural event watched introductory videos produced by the nominees, heard them speak and provide a personal introduction, and listened as they answered questions submitted ahead of time. The order in which the bishops answered varied with each round, and the questions they answered were drawn at random. Topics included matters related to reconciliation, LGBTQ community, church structure, leadership, theology and liturgy, faith-based issues, spiritual life and self care and divestment. The nominees had two minutes to answer each question posed to them before offering a concluding statement.
This marked the first time Convention attendees and the Church at large (it was livestreamed, and the on demand video is available) were provided this kind of chance to get to know Presiding Bishop nominees. All four bishops were engaging, thoughtful, honest and candid. The audience responded: All attending were enthralled for the three-hour session, and social media became so active that #GC78 was trending before the presentation ended.
The session and time with the Presiding Bishop nominees provided the perfect launching point for the 78th General Convention: all who watched left the House of Deputies galvanized, inspired, enthusiastic and ready to go to work.
JUNE 23, 2015
The Salt Palace Convention Center is quiet, but it is not still. The 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church is still officially two days away, but the mounting anticipation is already giving way to the work waiting to be done.
Soon after picking up credentials, Convention Deputies and bishops got to work with the first session of legislative committees. Approximately 250 resolutions have been submitted for discussion and decision over the next 10 days, with topics ranging from marriage equality, the reimagining of the Episcopal Church, governing restructuring, racial reconciliation, responding to climate change, triennial budgets and so much more.
We’ll do our best to bring it all to you. We’d better get to work.
Later that evening – The Union of Black Episcopalians hosted a Legendary Tribute & Gala to recognize and celebrate the work of our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori and her faithful service these past nine years, and to acknowledge with thanksgiving all the bishops of color (Native/Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic/Latino and of African Descent) and the ministries and richly diverse communities they lead. The evening also honored three individuals for their leadership and contributions. The evening’s honorees and the awards they received:
The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award
The Honorable Byron Rushing
The Rt. Rev. Walter Dennis Honors Award
The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings
The Rt. Rev. Quintin Primo Honors Award
The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry
It was an evening filled with warmth, remembrance, honor, memories, prayer, respect and joy.
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