wfn.org | Episcopalians: Plans for Minneapolis General Convention entering final stage

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

March 20, 2003

2003-063

Episcopalians: Plans for Minneapolis General Convention entering 
final stage

by James Solheim

(ENS) Four months before the July 30 opening of the 74th General 
Convention in Minneapolis, "We are in good shape," according to 
the Rev. Rosemari Sullivan, secretary and executive officer of 
the General Convention Office. "The legislative software is 
ready, we are receiving resolutions, and the pieces for worship 
and special events are falling into place."

She said that there are a few more resolutions pre-filed in the 
Blue Book (which contains the reports of the committees, 
commissions, boards and agencies of the church) this year 
because "of the energy developed in the 20/20 initiative" to 
increase membership and participation in church life. There are 
158 resolutions in the Blue Book, which will be available soon 
with a variety of other resources by links at the church's web 
site at www.episcopalchurch.org. A special web site for the 
convention itself is nearing completion and will provide 
information and news coverage at 
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/gc/gc2003.

The Rev. George Werner, president of the House of Deputies, has 
also released the list of 531 appointments to legislative 
committees, although the list won't be final until people have 
accepted their assignments. He said that great care has been 
taken to make balanced appointments to create what he calls "a 
10,000-piece jigsaw of a Picasso abstract." Among the priorities 
in the procedure were finding young deputies, those with 
experience and continuity but also diversity and geographical 
representation, as well as those with special talents. "I sought 
people who were passionate but more than one-dimensional," he 
said. 

Theme of reconciliation

The theme of the convention, "Engage God's Mission," is based on 
an emphasis on reconciliation developed by Presiding Bishop 
Frank T. Griswold at the last General Convention and expanded 
during interim meetings and retreats of the House of Bishops. 
The four sub-themes will be "receive, repent, reconcile and 
restore." Banners in the worship space and the exhibit area will 
keep the theme in front of participants and visitors.

On July 30, the opening night of the convention, deputies and 
bishops will be offered an opportunity to discuss the events and 
trends that have affected the church in the past three years in 
conversations on five different topics: Christian hope in the 
wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks; Muslims, Christians and 
Jews, a way for the three religions to work together; War and 
Peace, looking at the ethical implications; A Different Drum, a 
look at how the 20/20 movement challenges us to grow and 
flourish; Receive, Repent, Reconcile and Restore, a look at new 
ways to become communities of forgiveness and healing in light 
of these ethical imperatives; and Jubilee Ministries, being 
developed by the Rev. Carmen Guerrero. 

Gathering at the table

In a pattern developed at recent General Conventions, the day 
will begin with Eucharist and Bible study around tables--and the 
main altar will be a round table, "reminding us of the Sacred 
Circle that is central to Native spirituality," according to the 
Rev. Clay Morris, the church's liturgical officer. "The 
Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts is gathering images that 
will be projected onto a scrim behind the altar platform at each 
occasion of worship."

Worship will blend the variety of cultural expressions in the 
church, including the use of the six languages of the Book of 
Common Prayer--English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean and 
soon Mandarin Chinese. All worship materials will be available 
in English and Spanish. Both traditional and experimental forms 
will be used for Morning Prayer. A labyrinth will be cut into 
the grass of a park just outside the Minneapolis Convention 
Center.

August 1 will be a Day of Prayer. The presiding bishop will 
preach at a Service of the Word and the morning will feature 
three workshops on the theme of reconciliation with Bishop Chet 
Talton, the Rev. Malcolm Boyd, Horace Boyer and the Rev. Ernesto 
Medina.

In recognition of the host Diocese of Minnesota, August 5 will 
celebrate the witness of Enmegahbowh, a Minnesota Ojibway who 
the first Native American priest to be ordained by the Episcopal 
Church. 

In the meantime, Sullivan is studying a "helpful visitor's 
guide" sent to her by a deputy from Minnesota: "How to Talk 
Minnesotan."

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--James Solheim is director of Episcopal News Service.