The Advocate May-June 2006
Deputies prepare for 2006 General Convention
By
Posted: Jun 11, 2006, 09:00

Each deputy was asked the following questions: Answers correspond numerically.

1. How many times have you served as a deputy to General Convention? If you have served in another Diocese, please list that, as well. If you have served in another Diocese, please list that, as well.

2. Do you have a committee assignment for this convention? What is the committee and what are you doing on it in preparation? What are your expectations for committee work while at convention?

3. How are you preparing for your work in the House of Deputies? How are you preparing for your work in the House of Deputies?

4. What would you like the people back home to know about your work, and the convention’s work? What would you like the people back home to know about your work, and the convention’s work? How can they be of assistance to you and the work of convention? How can they be of assistance to you and the work of convention?

5. Other comments?

CLERGY DEPUTIES

The Rev. Bob Sessum, Chair

1. I have attended as a deputy to General Convention three times for the Diocese of North Carolina (1985, 1988, and 1991). I moved to Lexington, and served as a Legislative Aide for the 1994 Convention, and will have served four times for the Diocese of Lexington (1997, 2000, 2003 and 2006).

2. Since 1988, I have served on the National and International Concerns Committee with the exception of the year I moved to Lexington. In that year (1994), I served as the Legislative Aide to the committee. The expectation is to meet early each morning with the subcommittee and full committee prior to the Bible studies. Usually this committee meets each day of the Convention. We have been known to have lunch meetings as well. This committee this convention will work with making known the Millennium Development Goals and ways to accomplish those goals at the diocesan and congregational level. As at every convention, I am sure the committee will reaffi rm Israel/ Palestine peace commitments and process. There has been considerable talk about a U.S. policy toward Cuba, Haiti, Liberia and Sudan as well as immigration reform. I am sure there will be other issues that will be raised by resolutions at the convention.

3. The best way to prepare for the work is to read, mark and inwardly digest the “Blue Book” which is green this time. In it are all the reports and resolutions from the committees, commissions, agencies and board of the Episcopal Church. One needs to read all the church and Episcopal publications and materials to get an idea where people may be coming from. It is very helpful to get a “feel” of what people may be saying about the issues coming before the convention. At the convention, it is important to attend the hearings and presentations. Also, I plan to try to get as much rest prior to the convention as possible, as a very rigorous schedule from early morning hours and late evenings throughout the nine days will be followed.

4. One of the best ways will be to look on line at the Episcopal News Service reporting of the convention. Be very cautious about what the newspapers report, as sometime they like to sensationalize the issues. I really hope that the folks back home keep up with what is going on through Episcopal Life and the Living Church magazine. We are deputies, not delegates instructed to act in a certain way, but it is very helpful to me to hear from the members of the Diocese so that I can get a feel of how they are responding to what they feel they hear.

5. I think we have a great team. Most of our deputies are on committees: Bishop Sauls on Constitutions; David Davidson on Canons, and Mary Ann Weiss, secretary of Structure. Austin Tuning will be on Social and Urban and Juanita Peterson on Education. Jan Dunnavant will cover Church Pension Fund. I will continue on National and International Concerns. I will also be a member of the Press Briefing Committee reporting each day. Two of our deputies are not assigned to a committee, Alan Sutherland and Morris Thompson, but this is great as they will cover those committees on which we have no representation. This is very important because there are some important resolutions coming out of committees where we do not have deputies present, such as Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion and the Committee on Ministry with Title III and Title IV.

Editor’s Note: Father Sessum will also serve as a media briefing officer from the House of Deputies and is a nominee for vice-president of the House of Deputies.

The Rev. Alan Sutherland

1. This will be my 4th general Convention. 1991 (Phoenix) and 1994 (Indianapolis) serving the Dioceses of Arkansas. 2003 (Minneapolis) serving the Diocese of Lexington.

2. I do not have committee assignments at this convention. I really enjoy being available to the delegation to follow the “hot” issues, and not serving on a committee allows me to roam, observe, listen, sometimes speak, and then report back to our larger delegation on developments of resolutions.

3. Prayer. Then a little more prayer. And then more prayer. The work of convention is rooted and grounded in a spiritual discipline of prayer, study, and Eucharist. It is important that we prepare ourselves for 10 days of hard work, discernment, listening, speaking if we need to, and then voting.

I received my blue book of reports today and I will begin to read it carefully so that there will be no surprises from it when we get to Columbus. Of course the real surprises come to us at Convention and we need to be prepared for whatever surprises are in store.

4. I ask that every person begin to pray intentionally for the work of Convention. It is important to remember that we are sent as deputies and not delegates so we do not go with the mind of a diocese to vote one way or the other. Our voting is done through prayerful consideration of where we believe the Holy Spirit is guiding, or not guiding, our church in the proclamation of the gospel.

5. It is an honor to serve our Diocese of Lexington. We may be small compared to other dioceses of the Episcopal Church but we have a heart that matches any in our beloved Episcopal Church. I am proud to serve in a church that has an arena for open and honest discussions about issues that affect all our lives. We may not agree on some things but we do agree that our Lord has called all of us to mission and that we are in this together. Our Anglican heritage may be questioned by some but we are a wonderful example of the good things about Anglicanism. There is no hard and fast doctrine of Anglicanism except the willingness to live together despite our differences.

The Rev. Dr. Jan Dunnavant

1. This is my 4th time (Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Denver, Columbus) serving as a Deputy to General Convention. I served as an Alternate Deputy in Minneapolis (2003).

2. I have been assigned to the Church Pension Fund Committee. This is the fourth time that I have served on this Committee. My Committee only has a few resolutions to work on and consider. I suspect that the Committee will hear from several of our Church Pension Fund leaders about the important and ongoing work and ministry of the Church Pension Fund.

3. In addition to attending the Provincial Synod meetings in preparation and praying regularly for Convention, I have been reading The Blue Book! This is the book that contains reports of the committees, commissions, and agencies for this latest triennium. Although this book doesn’t contain the entire agenda, it is a good indication of issues and resolutions that will be addressed. I am paying special attention to those things that I know will be handled at Convention. For instance, we know that Convention will consider The Windsor Report. (Lambeth Commission on Communion issued at the request of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.) The Presiding Bishop created a committee to help frame the response and this will come before Convention. I have been studying (with my congregation) issues around The Millennium Development Goals. I expect there to be a lot of conversation and support for the MDGs to be named as one of the mission priorities of the Church. I understand that there is a resolution seeking a “day of prayer, fasting, education and advocacy” for the MDGs. Concerning other issues of Justice, Peace and Human Need, we anticipate resolutions on Palestine/Israel (reaffirming church positions on Palestine and anti-Semitism). We have also been provided with materials to read regarding our relationship with the United Methodists. This General Convention will decide whether to enter into an “Interim Eucharistic Sharing Agreement” between our Church and the United Methodist Church. There is always a lot of very interesting work concerning the Canons of the Church: This Convention will consider revision of canons governing the ministry of the Church (Title III, which covers the ministry of all baptized persons), and disciplinary canons, including discipline of lay persons (Title IV). The rationale for the latter was that since all are ministers of the Church (see the catechism in The Book of Common Prayer, p. 855), it was appropriate to talk about the disciplinary canons more broadly. In terms of liturgical revisions, Convention will consider the expansion of Enriching Our Worship, a collection of supplemental liturgical materials prepared by the Standing Liturgical Commission. I have been reading and praying about the election of the Presiding Bishop. This General Convention will choose our next Presiding Bishop! Finally, I should mention that General Convention will approve a budget for the next triennium (2007-09). I have spent some time going over the proposed budget.

4. General Convention is a nourishing and powerful experience. I would strongly encourage people to find time to come to some portion of Convention. There is much to be learned about the Church, its ministry and fellowship as Convention gathers. Bishops and deputies at General Convention do more than discuss resolutions and vote. Each morning we, together with alternates and delegates to the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Triennial, gather for Bible study and Holy Eucharist. Another fun and formative part of Convention includes The Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall presents goods and ideas from a huge variety of organizations and interest groups within the Church. You can learn quite a bit in there too!

5. I must add that one of my favorite moments of General Convention is at the festival Eucharist when the United Thank Offering is presented. Women from every diocese make a long procession to make their Diocesan UTO offerings. It is a moving, memorable and vivid reminder of the strength of the Body of Christ when we work together.

The Very Rev. Morris Thompson

1. This will be my first opportunity to serve as deputy to General Convention. I have been an alternate the past two conventions.

2. I have not been assigned a committee.

3. I have prepared by reading “The Blue Book” along with e-mails, articles and other informative information. I also attended the Province IV meeting to further understand the duties and responsibilities deputies have. Also, getting better acquainted with our deputies has been important and enjoyable.

4. I would like folks back home to know that the work at General Convention is important work. It is about listening to the voices of the people who have a passion for serving God in so many ways. It is also about listening with the heart to the gentle movement of the Holy Spirit. During the 11 days of General Convention I ask for our parishioners to pray daily for the work that will be taking place. Pray for God’s will to be lived out in love and affection for one another.

5. I am excited about the opportunity to serve in this capacity. At the same time I am a bit awed by all the work that will take place. It truly is a wonderful time to be an Episcopalian connected to millions of other Anglicans all over the world. I hope the people of our diocese will travel to Columbus and experience the excitement.

The Rev. Canon Johnnie Ross, Alternate

1. While I have attended every convention since the last PB election in Philadelphia, I have served as a deputy or alternate now for three conventions.

2. As an alternate I did not receive a committee assignment this convention. In the past I have enjoyed a seat on The Standing Committee on the Structure of the Episcopal Church whose mandate it is to examine.

3. There are a number of ways I have prepared for GC including the reading and studying of material sent to me: prayer and discernment, e-mails, dialogues, reading the “The Blue Book” and associated materials, viewing related DVDs, speaking with colleagues, participating in telephone conferences, visiting Web sites, and relying on the experience of attending three previous conventions, one of which included a presiding bishop election.

4. I would like the people of the Diocese to know that I take my work as a deputy (in this case first alternate) very seriously, as I do my seat among the many councils of the church where I have been privileged to sit. To the extent that the power lies within me, I want to do nothing but respond to the revelation of God that manifests itself every time there are two or three gathered in His name. Upon returning from my first visit to an Episcopal Church, Christ Church, Richmond (1978), I wrote in my journal: “these people are either crazy or something profoundly holy happens every time they gather… I hope I am able to stay long enough to discern which is true.”

There is something “profoundly holy that happens every time we gather” as Episcopalians, whether in vestry meetings, around the altar or in convention and I desire nothing more that to make myself available to the Holy in the sincere hope that I, and indeed we, will get it right. Yet even in the struggle, I know that God is pleased – if not with the outcome, at least in the divine engagement.

5. I would wish of those not attending GC to know just how important their prayers are for me, for us, and for the Church. In 2003, my children called me two and three times a day to check in, to make sure I was okay, and to assure me of their love and prayers. Every single call sustained me during this difficult work. We in this diocese are family just as sure as I am related to my children and they to me. The one thing I know about family, particularly mountain families, is that they hold one another in their hearts and mention them often in their prayers. The people of this diocese are often in my prayers and certainly never far from my heart. As the Church gathers in convention, I ask nothing less from you. Keep our bishop and deputation in your prayers. Pray for the Church. Pray for our new presiding bishop. And trust God to answer your prayers and the Spirit to inform and guide us.

LAY DEPUTIES

David Davidson

1. This is my second time to go to convention as a deputy. I was an alternate to convention on one other occasion but did not actually attend the convention.

2. I have been appointed to the Canons Committee. At this point I do not know of anything that has been done by the committee as a whole to prepare. I expect the committee to review every piece of legislation that comes before the convention that will change or affect the canons of the church. So, I expect us to have a lot to do, both to prepare for convention and during the convention as well.

3. I am preparing by praying for convention on a daily basis. I am also reading the major proposals that have been released. As soon as I receive my copy of the Blue Book (I understand that it is green this year), I plan to read the reports and the proposals there. I have read and commented to other Chancellors on the proposals to modify Title IV of the Canons (the section of the Canons that is now for discipline of the clergy) and expect to be involved in some way in opposing those proposals. The reasons for that opposition are too many to mention here, but I would be happy to discuss them further if anyone would like to contact me at ddavidson@droslaw.com.

4. I would like the people of the Diocese of Lexington to know that this convention is about more than sex. Many things that will profoundly affect the church are under consideration. For example, the proposed Title IV changes would allow for discipline of the laity and would strip from the clergy rights of due process that have been part of the canons for many years. Conventions can be divisive for many reasons, not just the hot button topics.

5. Pray for the work of this Convention. It is in Columbus, Ohio, so you can come and watch the work that we do.

Juanita Betz Peterson

1. This is my second call to serve as a deputy to General Convention. I served as fourth deputy in 2003.

2. I have been appointed to serve on the Education Committee for this convention. I was assigned to serve on the Education Committee in 2003 as well. Primarily, preparation requires all deputies to read a comprehensive report on the 75th General Convention. It is known as “The Blue Book,” but it is green this year. Additionally, there will be committee meetings, discussions and interactions with members of the committee, more reading materials, hearings and comprehensive reports that guide the members to make prayerful, informed decisions.

3. Preparation for participation in the House of Deputies requires deputy fitness…spiritually, mentally, physically, organizationally and nutritionally. I have attended two pre-convention conferences. I am taking more time for praying, reading, exercising, eating properly and multi-tasking. In order to prioritize my personal and business affairs, time management and organization are critical. Therefore, I have to stay focused and fit. It takes a lot of love and commitment to do the right thing.

4. The work of a deputy is far greater than anyone can imagine. There will be daily committee meetings to attend, worship through the Eucharist, group discussions on scripture, legislative sessions, Diocesan causes, hearings, provincial gatherings and interactions with other deputies, visitors and people from all over the world. Please pray for us and all deputies and Bishops. We are called to do God’s work at the convention. Pray for Bishop Sauls and all Bishops who are nominees for Presiding Bishop. Pray that we will grow, be healed and become transformed as Christians.

Austin Tuning

1. This will be my first experience serving as a deputy to the General Convention.

2. I have been invited to serve on the Legislative Committee for Social and Urban Affairs. As such I am targeting my readings on those items of legislation that will be addressed by the committee. Additionally, I am in communication with a deputy from the state of Michigan that has had the prior experience both as a deputy and a member of the Social and Urban Affairs Committee. Also, I have been conferring with persons within the diocese who have had prior experiences as General Convention deputies. Most importantly, I am praying for spiritual guidance on those decisions that I must make during the deliberations of Social and Urban Affairs issues.

3. At this juncture, I am praying for the wisdom and the patience to act responsibly to what is before me to read and to digest before it is time to make decisions.

4. Considering the results of the 2005 Diocesan Convention election, I assumed that the convention delegates that voted for those of us who were elected deputies did so with the understanding that we would not act independently of God’s will. Therefore, while my actions may not always reflect their views or positions, I pray that the long hours and the stress of the moments will be consistent with what is pleasing to God. It is my hope that the “people back home” will care enough to pray that God’s immense divine power and inscrutable divine wisdom will be reflected in those decisions we must make during the 2006 General Convention.

Mary Ann Weiss

1. This will be my sixth convention as a deputy (I was previously a deputy at LA, Detroit, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Denver; I was on staff at Minneapolis).

2. I am secretary of Structure. The Structure Committee looks at issues related to the structure of the church such as the system of Committees and Standing Commission, or the relationship among various segments of the church. I expect much of the work of the committee will stem from the work of the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church over the last three years -- I am on that Commission.

3. I am preparing for the work ahead by reading, listening, thinking and praying.

4. The work of the convention is quite broad based -- I hope folks will follow a variety of issues. Also, the 800+ deputies are a diverse group who reflectthe complexity of our church. It would be fun to have many people from our diocese visit the convention in Columbus, even if just for a day, to see this broader view of our church for themselves. It is not often the Convention is this close to home.

J.P. Brantley

1. I have served once as a deputy (1991), three more times as second, third, or fourth alternate and not attending (1994, 1997, 2000), and twice as the first alternate, attending (2003, 2006). Each time has been in the Diocese of Lexington.

2. I do not have a committee assignment. Alternates do not receive committee assignments. I will be available to visit different committee hearings at the request of the bishop and other members of the deputation.

3. In my preparation for the work to be done in the House of Deputies, I have followed the conversations on the House of Bishops/Deputies listserv, have read the Windsor Report and “To Set Our Hope on Christ,” and have begun reading the Report to the 75th General Convention, otherwise known as “The Blue Book,” even though it’s green this year. I also have purchased (but have not yet read) the Fall 2005 volume of The Anglican Theological Review, which is dedicated to articles about the Windsor Report. I also attended the Province IV meeting at Kanuga, April 25-28, and the meeting of the deputation on May 20.

4. I would like the people back home to know that the work of convention is spiritually uplifting (the variety of liturgies and the intensity of the daily Bible study widen our understanding of and commitment to our faith), intellectually broadening (the issues that are raised and discussed are much broader than what is covered in the news media), and physically demanding (meetings begin before breakfast and last into the night). Since this year’s convention is so close (Columbus, Ohio) and since Bishop Sauls has been nominated for Presiding Bishop (an election that happens only once every nine years), I encourage you to attend part of the convention if you can. Experiencing the worship, observing legislative sessions, and browsing the displays in the exhibition hall will give a good sample of convention activities as well as ample evidence of the diversity of The Episcopal Church. If you can’t attend, follow the activities and get news reports on the internet (go to http://www.episcopalchurch.org/, then click on The General Convention). But most of all, pray for us. Pray for wisdom, understanding, love, and a renewed sense of mission in the Anglican Communion as a whole, in The Episcopal Church, in our Bishop, and in the individual members of the deputation from the Diocese of Lexington.