GC81 Daily Update: Sunday, June 23
Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky, the site of The Episcopal Church’s 81st General Convention, which officially began today and runs through June 28 at the Kentucky International Convention Center. These daily updates from the Office of Public Affairs include news, events, and resources related to GC81.
Attending GC81 in Louisville? Search for the “Cvent Events” app from the App Store or Google Play, or scan this QR code to download the app to track all events and information on-site. The full schedule and overview calendar can also be found online.
Tuning in to GC from home? Watch worship services, legislative sessions, press conferences, and special forums live or on demand on the GC81 Media Hub.
Today’s highlights
- Opening Eucharist: Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky Bishop Terry White presided, and House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris preached at a Eucharist service in the ballroom of the Kentucky International Convention Center. Watch the service online.
- Legislation update: Legislative sessions opened at 11 a.m. and continued throughout the day in the House of Deputies and House of Bishops.
- Episcopal Church Women 150th anniversary party: GC81 attendees joined the ECW in a festive evening celebration of its 150 years at the Hyatt Regency. The ECW is holding its 51st Triennial at the Galt House Hotel in conjunction with General Convention.
- ‘A Case for Love’ documentary, Q&A with filmmakers: In celebration of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s ministry and the film’s Episcopal roots, two free screenings of this feature-length documentary were offered Sunday at the Moritz von Bomhard Theater. Filmmakers responded to questions and provided sample discussion guides in advance of the film’s scheduled digital release this fall. Learn more.
About 2,000 people gathered at the KFC Yum! Center June 22, in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, for a pre-General Convention revival, and about 2,500 gathered at the Kentucky International Convention Center for the opening Eucharist of the 81st General Convention, Sunday morning, June 23. / Photos by Randall Gornowich
In case you missed it
- Opening remarks by House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris – June 22
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
- Opening remarks by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry – June 22
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
Monday’s livestream schedule
On the GC81 Media Hub site, click on the links beneath the House of Bishops, House of Deputies, and “Love. Always” boxes to watch worship services and legislative sessions live or on demand.
- 9-10 a.m. ET: Morning Prayer, ballroom of the Kentucky International Convention Center (worship bulletin).
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. ET: Joint session in the House of Deputies featuring presentation of proposed churchwide budget for 2025-2027
- 2-6 p.m. ET: Legislative sessions in both houses
Monday’s legislation
Check the General Convention Office’s virtual binder to find the most up-to-date legislative and consent calendars for the House of Deputies and House of Bishops. The vbinder also contains links to elections, memorials, church budget information, and more.
Looking for a specific resolution? View all resolutions or search by number or keyword.
- As of Sunday evening, the House of Deputies has 29 resolutions on its consent calendar for Monday, and 16 on its legislative calendar.
- Check the House of Bishops calendar Monday morning for which resolutions are scheduled for the day.
- Current number of GC81 resolutions: 347 | Completed after Day 1: 29
Wonder how a resolution moves through General Convention? View this infographic from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Monday events in Louisville
- Sacred Ground meetup, 1-2 p.m., Racial Justice and Creation Care booth, Exhibit Hall
Hosted by the Sacred Ground team, this meetup offer a chance to connect with other Sacred Ground community members, ask questions, and seek help with the program.
GC81 in the News
- GC Daily Digest, June 23: Legislative sessions commence
Episcopal News Service
By the afternoon session, the tally of certified deputies had increased to 823 in 108 deputations. House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris singled out one of those deputations for recognition. “The Diocese of Cuba is here for the first time with seat, voice and vote,” Ayala Harris said, inviting applause. “It’s a joy to have you voting with us, Cuba.”
- Curry exudes optimism and good health
The Living Church
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry addressed a plenary session of the General Convention for the last time as Presiding Bishop on June 22 in Louisville, Kentucky. The speech was vintage Curry: Soaring words and soaring hands, a style inherited from the Black Baptist preachers in his family tree. Self-deprecating humor. Scripture passages, cited chapter and verse from memory.
- Revival rocks the arena
The Living Church
The KFC Yum! Center was rocking and rolling with a lively sermon, music, dancing, and a joyous time on June 22 at the Episcopal Church revival promoted as Love. Always. More than 2,000 people, plus an online audience, joined Presiding Bishop Michael Curry in his last revival in that role. Applause, laugher, and cheers punctuated his sermon. - Presiding officers’ opening convention speeches offer hope for future of The Episcopal Church
Episcopal News Service
Curry’s remarks, along with those of House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris, also set the tone for a weeklong General Convention that will spend part of its time looking necessarily inward. In addition to electing and confirming Curry’s successor as presiding bishop and a churchwide budget for the 2025-27 triennium, much of the conversation so far in Louisville has focused on how The Episcopal Church will respond to membership decline and denominational contraction after weathering pandemic disruptions to congregational life. - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry headlines his last revival ahead of General Convention’s first official day
Episcopal News Service
“This revival is not about what church you go to. It’s not about whether you are liberal or conservative. It’s not about whether you are Republican, independent or Democrat,” Curry said during his sermon. “Love is an equal opportunity employer. Love is bipartisan. Love is interreligious because love comes from God and love knows no bounds.”
Informational resources
- Office of Public Affairs’ GC81 resource page
- General Convention Office GC81 information page
- General Convention Office virtual binder
- House of Deputies website
- Episcopal News Service
- Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky GC81 page
Social media links
- The Episcopal Church: Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube
- House of Deputies: TikTok | Instagram | All sites
Note: Events or legislation highlighted in this roundup might have changed or been updated by the time you read this email. Please refer to the GC81 Media Hub for links to the latest information.
