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Today’s guests are some of ECCT’s elected deputies and alternates who went to Austin, Texas for nearly two weeks in early July to be part of the triennial General Convention of The Episcopal Church. They share their reflections and some of the highlights from their time as official participants there.

 The General Convention of The Episcopal Churchtook place July 5-13 in Austin Texas and ECCT was among more than 100 dioceses that sent their bishops and elected deputies (and alternate deputies) to participate, listen, pray, discern, and vote (in either the House of Bishops or the House of Deputies) on what turned out to be more than 500 resolutions. True, a good number came “bundled” together for a single up or down vote. Other considered one at a time garnered more press, notably the revision of the Prayer Book, welcoming the Church in Cuba back into The Episcopal Church, and approving marriage rites and expansive language liturgies. Still more set policies to form the basis for advocacy in Washington, D.C. while dozens of others made small changes to the canons (church laws) that will reshape the way we act, and respond, as an institution. (Direct linkto official Summary of Actions for a list of resolutions and their final status; direct linkto the Virtual Binder for the text of the resolutions in final, adopted language.

There were legislative committee meetings and hearings, a series of resolutionsas well as a poignant service of Lamentthat emerged out of the #metoo movement, public witnesses by Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a visit to stand in solidarity with womenat a residential immigrant detention center, daily worship including a revival, vendors and exhibitors telling their story or selling their products and services, gatherings (seminaries, affinity groups, partnership members, provinces), three topical convention-wide conversations, an invitation from our Presiding Bishop into the “Way of Love,” and so much more. 

Episcopal Church in Connecticut's Deputation to General Convention 2018: 

• Bishops: the Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas and the Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
• Lay Deputies: Suzy Burke; A. Bates Lyons; Alli Huggins; Don Burr. Lay alternates: Shirley Wick; Ted Mollegen
• Clerical Deputies: The Rev. Molly James; the Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell; the Rev.Linda Spiers; the Rev. Carlos de la Torre. Clerical alternates: The Rev. Sandra Cosman; the Rev. Jonathan Folts