Reports to the 79th General Convention, Volume I

540 Pages·2017·5.75 MB·English

The Episcopal Church
Reports to the
th
79 General Convention
Otherwise known as
The Blue Book
Volume I
Reports of the Interim Bodies to
The General Convention of The Episcopal Church
Austin, in the State and Diocese of Texas
th th
July 5 – 13 , 2018
Copyright 2018. The Episcopal Church
Office of the General Convention
815 Second Avenue
New York, New York, 10017
PREFACE
A.D. 2018
The Episcopal Church is quite different than it was on the eve of the last General Convention,
just three years ago. There is a hopefulness, an energy, and a sense of direction that have made
our many challenges and cultural vicissitudes seem less daunting.
Perhaps this new optimism arises from recla iming our identity as – in the words of the Presiding
Bishop – “the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.” Perhaps this new energy comes from
repudiating an ecclesial culture where some were said to value loyalty more than competence.
Perhaps this new direct ion comes from a recovered commitment to consultation, collaboration,
and diverse opinion.
Whatever its causes, I have seen this new life in many forms this past triennium: in the recovery
of Executive Council’s voice in the leadership of the church; in the daily, named prayers for one
another among the officers and senior staff; in the spiritual calmness amid the complexities of
decision-making; in the creative and often courageous work of the task forces, commissio,n s
and other interim bodies of General Convention; and in the quiet faithfulness of Episcopalians
in our communities and churches. We seem to be more in harmony with truth and reality, and
less inclined toward manufacturing facsimiles.
That’s no small attribute in a political environment that echoes Pilate’s infamous question,a nd
where “reality” has often been manipulated for partisan ends or personal power.
Furthermore, we live in a time whene ven determining reality may be difficult. For example,
what is the realB lue Book? Is it the paperback edition that some of you hold in your hands,
courtesy of printing-on-demand? Is it the digital images on the Virtual Binder, brought into view
through algorithmic manipulation of 0s, 1s, and 2s? Is it the research, experience, deliberation,
and prayer that formed the thoughts and recommendations captured by the digits?
For that matter, why a “Blue” Book at all, let alone a particular shade called International Klein
Blue (IKB)? It might seem a conceit to have any color associated with something thoantl y
incidentally will be seen in the physical world.
The reason lies in one particular aspect of the fascinating narrative of Yves Klein’s invention of
IKB – and, admittedly, one only a painter might love: Klein invented a paint where the matrix
allows the intensity of the pigment to luminesce.I n other words, IKB allows the true color to
shine forth; rather than approximating a color, IKB expresses the reality of that color.

I see IKB as a symbol for th ispast triennium. We began an ecclesial renewal by embracing a
liberating humility: that we are the matrix, and not the pigment; that the luminescence is not
from us, but from the living God – seen most fully in the person of Jesus. We are remembering
that all we do – our worship, our mission, our service, our witness– are windows from which
the True Light may shine.

Such humility allows us to imagine, with confidence, a path through the cacophonic perils of our
th
times. The reports presented to the 79 General Convention are testimony to that truth and
reality.

Faithfully,
Acknowledgements
Although preparation for the triennial gathering of the Church at General Convention is but a
part of the work of the extraordinapreyo ple in the Executive Office of the General
Convention (GCO), these past months have been a creative blur of activity . In the excitement
and challenges of coordinating the many strands, pieces, and processes that come together
to support the Church’s collective decision- making, the GCO has been abuzz with software
testing, survey development, Blue Book preparations and editing, contract negotiations,
hotel and volunteer coordination, and a thousand and one other activities that come together
to prepare our Church for a time and space where the Spirit can freely move.
As we gather in Austin, I hope you will join me in thanking the amazing staff of the General
Convention:
• Marian Conboy Executive Assistant/Deputy for Legislation
• Jennifer Gonzalez Administrative Assistant
• Patrick Haizel Manager for Finance and Meetings
• Lori Ionnitiu Director of Meetings and General Convention Manager
• Iris DiLeonardo Data and Research Specialist
• Brian Murray Staff Assistant for Meetings
• Laura Castells-Ortlieb Administrative Assistant
• Twila Rios Manager of Digital Information Systems
I also thank David Michaud, who has assisted the GCO throughout the triennium in the
development of the Virtual Binder and related software; and Sandy Webb, who is completing
an organizing role with General Convention worship that began when he was a seminarian.
I am grateful to Mark Duffy, the Canonical Archivist of the Episcopal Church, and the entire
staff of the Archives, whose tireless work in support of the General Convention, its officers,
and its many activities is essential.
Finally, to President Jennings and Presiding Bishop Curry; to the members oft he Executive
Council and the various Interim Bodies of the General Convention; and to the talented staff
of The Episcopal Church: thank you for your creativity, energy, faithfulness, and commitment
to the work of the General Convention. May God continue to bless us and church we love.
TH
REPORTS TO THE 79 GENERAL CONVENTION
Contents
Volume I
Preface ...............................................................................................................................................................3
Acknowledgements ..........................................................................................................................................5
Executive Council Reports
Executive Council ...................................................................................................................................... 10
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee for Advocacy and Networking for Mission ............ 13
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Finance for Mission ............................................ 17
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Administration for Mission .... 19
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Local Ministry and Mission ................................ 22
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on World Mission .................................................... 29
A Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil ............................................................................................... 35
Report of the IARCA Covenant Committee ..................................................................................... 36
Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism ................................................................................. 39
Executive Council Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility ................................................. 99
Executive Council Committee on Historically Black Colleges and Universities ............................. 102
Executive Council Economic Justice Loan Committee ................................................................... 106
Executive Council Investment Committee ...................................................................................... 107
Joint Audit Committee of Executive Council and the DFMS ........................................................... 111
The United Thank Offering Board .................................................................................................... 115
79th General Convention Resolutions Approved by Executive Council ........................................ 120
Report on Resolutions Referred to Dioceses ................................................................................. 133
Assessment Review Committee ............................................................................................................. 135
Councils of Advice
President of the House of Deputies Council of Advice ......................................................................... 139
Advisory Committee Acting as Council of Advice to the Presiding Bishop .......................................... 140
Standing Commission Reports
Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music ......................................................................................... 142
Sub-committee on The Book of Occasional Services .................................................................... 153
Sub-committee on the Church Calendar ...................................................................................... 159
Sub-committee on Congregational Song ...................................................................................... 171

6
TH
REPORTS TO THE 79 GENERAL CONVENTION
Sub-committee on Racial Justice & Reconciliation ..................................................................... 175
Sub-committee on Same-Sex Marriage Rites .............................................................................. 190
Sub-committee on Revision of The Book of Common Prayer ...................................................... 193
Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution & Canons ......................................... 369
Joint Standing Committee Reports
Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop ............................................. 464
Joint Standing Committee on Nominations ......................................................................................... 465
Nominees for Election.................................................................................................................. 470
Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements ................................................................ 530
Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance ............................................................. 536
Volume II
House of Bishops Committees
House of Bishops Committee on Pastoral Development .....................................................................547
House of Bishops Committee on Theology ........................................................................................... 552
House of Deputies Committees
House of Deputies State of the Church ................................................................................................. 555
Task Forces of General Convention
Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation.................................................................................574
Advisory Group on Church Planting ...................................................................................................... 593
Committee to study the Relationship of the General Theological Seminary and the
General Convention ............................................................................................................................... 609
Task Force for Latino-Hispanic Congregational Development and Sustainability ............................. 630
Task Force on Clergy Leadership Formation in Small Congregations ................................................. 646
Task Force on Leveraging Social Media for Evangelism ...................................................................... 659
Task Force on Review of PB Election and Transition Process ............................................................. 678
Task Force on the Episcopacy ............................................................................................................... 698
Task Force on The Episcopal Church in Cuba......................................................................................... 771
Task Force on the Study of Marriage .................................................................................................... 776
Task Force to Study Church Leadership and Compensation ................................................................ 897
Task Force to Study Dual Call Couples .................................................................................................. 911

7
TH
REPORTS TO THE 79 GENERAL CONVENTION
Task Force to Study Provinces .............................................................................................................. 916
Task Force to Update Sexual Misconduct Policies ............................................................................... 932
Other Reports to the 79th General Convention
Board for Transition Ministry ................................................................................................................ 980
Board of Episcopal Relief and Development ........................................................................................ 988
Board of the Archives of The Episcopal Church ....................................................................................994
Board of Trustees of the Church Pension Fund ...................................................................................1012
Board of Trustees of the General Theological Seminary .................................................................... 1036
Disciplinary Board for Bishops.............................................................................................................. 1049
Forward Movement .............................................................................................................................. 1052
General Board of Examining Chaplains ................................................................................................1056
Investigation of Prison Conditions ....................................................................................................... 1063
Response to Racial Injustice (2015-C019) ............................................................................................. 1084
Additional Reports
Report of the Staff of the Presiding Bishop ......................................................................................... 1096
Indices
Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in the Blue Book .............................................................................. 1121
Index of Proposed Resolutions ............................................................................................................. 1123

8
REPORTS TO THE 79TH GENERAL CONVENTION
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REPORTS
Executive Council Report (Main Report)
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee For Advocacy and Networking for Mission
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Finance for Mission
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Governance and Administration for Mission
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on Local Ministry and Mission
Executive Council Joint Standing Committee on World Mission
A Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil
Report of the IARCA Covenant Committee
Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism
Executive Council Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility
Executive Council Committee on Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Executive Council Economic Justice Loan Committee
Executive Council Investment Committee
Joint Audit Committee of Executive Council and the DFMS
The United Thank Offering Board
79th General Convention Resolutions Approved by Executive Council
Report on Resolutions Referred to Dioceses
Assessment Review Committee
9
REPORTS TO THE 79TH GENERAL CONVENTION
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Membership
Officers
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Chair North Carolina, IV 2018
The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, Vice Chair Ohio, V 2018
The Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe, Secretary, Ex-officio California, VIII 2018
Mr. N. Kurt Barnes, Treasurer, Ex-officio New York, II 2018
Mr. Thomas Alexander Arkansas, VII 2021
The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Emmanuel Allen Honduras, IX 2021
The Rt. Rev. David E. Bailey Navajoland Area Mission, VIII 2018
The Very Rev. Dr. Brian Baker Northern California, VIII 2018
The Rev. Jabriel Simmonds Ballentine Central Florida, IV 2021
The Rev. Susan Brown Snook Oklahoma, VII 2018
Ms. Diane P. Butler Rio Grande, VII 2021
Ms. Jane Cisluycis Northern Michigan, V 2021
The Rt. Rev. Clifton Daniel, 3rd Pennsylvania, III 2018
Canon Noreen Duncan New Jersey, II 2021
The Rev. John F. Floberg North Dakota, VI 2018
The Rev. Dahn Gandell Rochester, II 2018
Dr. Anita George Mississippi, IV 2018
Ms. Pauline Getz, Esq. (replacing J. Ferrell) San Diego, VIII 2018
Mr. Louis Glosson San Diego, VIII 2021
Ms. Mayra Liseth Gonzalez Polanco Honduras, IX 2021
Ms. Julia Ayala Harris Oklahoma, VII 2021
Sra. Pragedes Coromoto Jimenez de Salazar Venezuela, IX 2018
Mr. John B. Johnson, IV Washington, D.C., III 2018
Ms. Tess Judge East Carolina, IV 2018
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny Oklahoma, VII 2021
Ms. Nancy Koonce Idaho, VIII 2018
Ms. Alexizendria T. Link Western Massachusetts, I 2021
The Rev. Mally Ewing Lloyd Massachusetts, I 2021
The Rev. Canon Frank S. Logue Georgia, IV 2021
Ms. Karen Longenecker Rio Grande, VII 2018
The Rev. Marion Luckey Northern Michigan, V 2018
Canon Dr. Steven Nishibayashi Los Angeles, VIII 2021
The Rev. Nathaniel W. Pierce Easton, III 2018
Ms. Holli Powell Lexington, IV 2021
Mr. Russell V. Randle, Esq. Virginia, III 2021
The Rev. Dr. R. Stan Runnels West Missouri, VII 2018
The Rev. Dr. James B. Simons Pittsburgh, III 2018
The Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith Southwest Florida, IV 2021
Executive Council
10