GENERAL CONVENTION NEWS:

On July 8, 2009, the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church convened in Anaheim, California, for 11 days of committee hearings, legislation, business, budget negotiation, special events, worship, celebration, and fellowship. This triennial gathering, which began meeting in 1785, is the means by which The Episcopal Church acts as one body, making decisions on governance, administration, theology, and relationship. Our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick, will co-chair the Ecumenical Relations Legislative Committee. Our retired Bishop, the Rt. Rev. David Reed, will actively participate in the House of Bishops for part of the convention. Five deputies, who are returning for their second convention, will serve on legislative committees: Mary Abrams, World Mission; the Rev. Pat Connell, Church in Small Communities; Sam Dorr, Evangelism; Debbi Rodahaffer, Education; and the Rev. Libby Wade, Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music. Several members of our deputation, including The Rev. Amy Real Coultas, Sam Dorr and Debbi Rodahaffer, have been trained to serve as coaches for the Public Narrative Mission Conversations, which will set the tone for our work together and aid discernment of mission priorities for the next triennium. The Rev. Dr. Bill Watson and Hamp Moore round out the Kentucky deputation. As first-time deputies along with Coultas, they have not been assigned to legislative committees, but will be able to attend and speak at a variety of committee hearings. Others from our diocese will be present at General Convention in various capacities. P’tricia Egbert is assisting with the Official Youth Presence. The Rev. Dr. Tim Mitchell is a nominee for Trustee of the Church Pension Fund. Lay alternates Jack Hanstein and Don Kohler will be present as visitors for part or all of the convention. Deputies and others from our diocese will distribute bookmarks announcing the opening of the search for the next bishop of Kentucky. A great deal can happen in one day at General Convention. Your deputies will do their best to report from time to time on our perspectives and insights through the diocesan Web site. You can locate their blogs on the diocese's Convention Web pages. For information about General Convention resolutions and reports from The Episcopal Church’s commissions, committees, agencies, and boards, visit www.episcopalchurch.org/gc2009 and select “legislation” or “publications.” The Media Hub of the Office of Communication of The Episcopal Church (www.episcopalchurch.org) will tell the story of General Convention through Episcopal News Service reports, videos, blogging, twitter feeds, photo galleries, live webcasting, legislation tracking, and commentary. Check it out! (By the Rev. Libby Wade)

For General Convention information click on the shield above.