General Convention

Though the 81st General Convention officially started June 23, several noteworthy events took place on Friday.

• Opening press conference: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris, and Secretary of the General Convention and Executive Officer Michael Barlowe answered questions during a 10 a.m. opening press conference hosted by the Office of Public Affairs. WATCH.
• ‘Meet the Nominees’ for presiding bishop: The Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop hosted a forum with the five nominees for presiding bishop in the Louisville Marriott Downtown Grand Ballroom. Questions focused on topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership and administration; reconciliation; spiritual and self-care; and care of creation. Watch the forum online.
• Presidential nominees forum: General Convention Secretary and Executive Officer Michael Barlowe hosted a forum for official candidates for the position of House of Deputies president in the Louisville Marriott Downtown Grand Ballroom. Nominees are incumbent President Julia Ayala Harris; the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton; and Zena Link. Watch the forum online.

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)
  • Opening remarks by Presiding Bishop Curry

• WATCH: The Love.Always.Episcopal Revival
  • Presiding Bishop Curry’s sermon

• GC81 Daily Digest: June 23, 2024
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

RECAP:

• GC81 Daily Digest: June 24, 2024
  • Demonstrators call out bishops for inaction on Holy Land resolutions; bishops later change course on one
  • Deputies reject proposal calling for Episcopal Church to sharply reduce diocesan assessment by 2033
  • Birthday party celebrates Episcopal Church Women’s 150th birthday
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

RECAP:

• GC81 Daily Digest: June 25, 2024
  • House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris reelected on first ballot
  • Deputies celebrate advance of Navajoland resolution creating missionary diocese
  • Bishops pass ceasefire resolution, debate use of ‘genocide’
  • Op-ed by Presiding Bishop Curry (appeared in the Courier Journal, June 25)
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

• GC81 Daily Digest: June 26, 2024
  • Bishop Sean Rowe elected 28th presiding bishop, will begin nine-year term Nov. 1
  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrations call on convention to listen to Palestinian Christians
  • Indigenous Ministries hosts boarding schools panel discussion at 81st General Convention
• Election of the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as 28th Presiding Bishop
  • Announcement from The Episcopal Church
  • Press conference with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

Meet the slates of candidates

Press conference with nominees

RECAP: THURSDAY, JUNE 27

• GC81 Daily Digest: June 27, 2024
  • Bishops, youth working to end gun violence unite in Louisville rally
  • Kentucky priest elected vice president of House of Deputies
  • Convention’s Official Youth Presence delegates represent future of the church
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

RECAP: FRIDAY, JUNE 28

• 81st General Convention wraps up in Louisville
  • Closing Eucharist sermon by Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe
  • Presiding bishop-elect to forego installation at National Cathedral; scaled-back event to be held at church’s New York headquarters
  • Bishops, deputies unanimously vote to adopt prayer to remember Indigenous children forced to attend boarding schools
  • C81st General Convention finalizes reunion of the Diocese of Wisconsin
  • Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan celebrate approval of merger as Diocese of the Great Lakes
• Daily recap with DioNC Deputation:

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):

“I’ve known Kevin since I was in the ordination process. If I ever needed help understanding something (which was often) Kevin was a non-anxious presence with clarity, not afraid to speak his mind or speak up for justice. In addition to the experience listed above, Kevin is uniquely qualified for this role because he is insightful, incredibly smart, and sees both the big picture and how decisions effect ministries on the ground. Kevin is a team player and brings others alongside to collaborate on diocesan-wide or community-wide initiatives. Kevin’s voice is much needed wisdom for this role: he is a fount of knowledge and able to understand the inner workings and dynamics at play in any situation. I feel better knowing that someone capable, level-headed and wise will be representing us—to vote, question and contribute/convey concerns based on knowing what is best for us here in this diocese.”

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.”

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.”

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.

My experience has always involved introducing possibility and helping others go further than they thought possible, to improve lives. How? Listening, discerning together, teaming, finding resources, accompanying and celebrating. The next General Convention will face challenges but must ensure that critical initiatives to support racial and social justice, revitalizing congregations, etc. continue and expand, and continue to walk (run!) the Way of Love. I’d like to help bring those possibilities about.”

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.

Personal statement from nomination (submitted by the Rev. Chip Edens):

“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.

Martha is presently a member of the Executive Council Committee on the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

One of the skills she brings is the knowledge and workings of the General Convention and The Episcopal Church. She is committed to learning, discussing and reflecting on the issues brought before the church, as well as keenly listening to the many creative voices within the church, working with others to solve them. She will bring careful and prayerful consideration to all matters. And she will work with the others within our deputation. Martha would consider it a privilege to serve as one of the deputies to the 81st General Convention.”

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.”

Personal statement from nomination:

“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 believe my experiences qualify me to represent the Diocese of North Carolina, but more importantly, I am passionate about my love of this church and the Gospel. There have been and are times when I bring a different perspective to the conversation and often speak for those who feel they have no voice.

I welcome the opportunity to be a voice at General Convention.”

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.

Personal statement from nomination (submitted by the Rev. Kevin Lloyd):

“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.”

Holy Family, Chapel Hill

Bryan Dougan is a returning deputy, having attended the 80th General Convention in 2022 as a first alternate. He serves on the Task Force for Household and Family Diversity, an interim body of General Convention that seeks to understand the present demographics and structures of family and household life in the church.

Personal statement from nomination:
“I was one of the two youngest lay members of the NC deputation to the recent General Convention (GC80) in July 2022. Since then, I have been participating in conversations over WhatsApp with other deputies under 40 as we as young people consider the future of the Episcopal Church. One of the key legislative actions from GC80 concerned anti-racism efforts. Since July 2021, I have served on Church of the Holy Family’s Racial Equity and Land committee that has sought to understand the history of racism in Chapel Hill. We as a Church will certainly continue these conversations at the 2024 General Convention. Alongside this work, as an anthropologist, I am well-poised for this work as well as other conversations that require working with people across different identities and different ideological perspectives. I am excited about hopefully returning to General Convention to represent NC once again!”