GC81 Daily Update: Tuesday, June 25
Greetings from Louisville, Kentucky, the site of The Episcopal Church’s 81st General Convention, which 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 onthe GC81 Media Hub.
Today’s highlights
- The third day of the 81st General Convention began with Morning Prayer in the ballroom. Watch the service online.
- Legislative sessions: Both houses met in joint session in the House of Deputies for a morning presentation by the chairs and members of the Joint Nominating Committee for the Election of the Presiding Bishop. Legislative sessions continued in the afternoon. Read more about what happened today in the Episcopal News Service’s GC81 Daily Digest and its other convention coverage.
- Election of House of Deputies president: The House of Deputies reelected Julia Ayala Harris as president Tuesday afternoon. Ayala Harris’ second term begins on June 28 at the close of convention. Read more. Ayala Harris took questions from media at a press conference Tuesday afternoon hosted by the communications office of the president of the House of Deputies.
- Introducing new ‘Way of Love’ discipleship resource for kids
The “BIG Way of Love for Kids”—on display at the Evangelism booth in the Exhibit Hall and available online in English, Spanish, and French—offers a set of playing cards and activities that invite and guide children into spiritual practices, including exploring, listening, praying, learning, and practicing. The cards are supplemented by seven audio recordings featuring paraphrased Bible stories, and a “Grown-ups Guide to the BIG Way of Love.”
In case you missed it
- ‘A Case for Love’ film: On Sunday, GC81 attendees, including primates from the Anglican Communion, enjoyed two free screenings of the Bishop Michael Curry-inspired documentary, “A Case for Love.” The film will be available on pay-per-view across the U.S. and Canada in October. To learn more about the film, its upcoming digital release, and how to use it in your diocese/parish, visit www.acaseforlove.org.
Wednesday’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.
- 8:30-10:30 a.m. ET: Eucharist service in Spanish, ballroom of the Kentucky International Convention Center (worship bulletin). The Rev. Yejide Peters Pietersen will preach; the Rev. Connie Sanchez will preside.
- 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET: Legislative sessions (House of Bishops will be off-site holding its election for presiding bishop)
- 2-6 p.m. ET: Legislative sessions. NOTE: Watch the House of Deputies livestream to learn about presiding bishop election results and watch the confirmation vote by deputies.
- 7-9 p.m. ET: Legislative sessions as needed
Presiding bishop election process
- After Wednesday’s Eucharist, bishops will gather at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral to elect a presiding bishop in executive session.
- Once there is an election, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry sends a delegation to report the result to the House of Deputies president.
- The president refers the name to the House of Deputies legislative committee on the Confirmation of the Election of the Presiding Bishop without announcing the name to the whole house.
- The committee will then meet to adopt a report and resolution to present to the House of Deputies on whether to confirm the choice of the House of Bishops.
- The House of Deputies will receive the report and vote on the recommendation.
- At the conclusion of that vote, the president of the House of Deputies will appoint a delegation from the House of Deputies to notify the House of Bishops of the action taken.
- The bishops remain in the cathedral and must refrain from any outside communication throughout the election and until the confirmation is received.
- Once the House of Bishops receives the confirmation, the presiding bishop-elect, at the invitation of the House of Deputies, is then presented to the House of Deputies, along with family members, and may address the house.
- A press conference with the presiding bishop-elect and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be hosted by the Office of Public Affairs following election and confirmation. Watch the press conference online.
Wednesday’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.
- The House of Deputies has 10 resolutions on its consent calendar for Wednesday, and 22 on its legislative calendar.
- Check the House of Bishops calendar each morning for which resolutions are scheduled for the day.
- Current number of GC81 resolutions: 357 | Completed after Day 3: 85
Wonder how a resolution moves through General Convention? View this infographic from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
GC81 in the News
- Christians view themselves differently than others view them. It’s time to change that gap.
Louisville Courier Journal (KY)
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, writes in this opinion piece: As I have said before, our commitment to being an inclusive church is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture, but on our belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are a sign of the very love of God reaching out to us all. And if it’s not about love—it’s not about God. - House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris reelected on first ballot
Episcopal News Service
House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris was reelected June 25 at the 81st General Convention, winning decisively on the first ballot and fending off challenges from the Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, the deputies’ vice president, and Zena Link, a former Executive Council member.
- Neuhauser honored for half-century of responsible investing
The Living Church
Paul Neuhauser, now 90, remained active on what is now the church’s Committee for Corporate Social Responsibility for more than half a century. On June 24, Presiding Bishop Michael B. Curry and others honored him at the 81st General Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, at a luncheon attended by about 100 bishops, deputies, and others.
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.
