...Episcopal Life News is in Question
Discussions have begun at General Convention surrounding Episcopal Life and its proposed transition from a monthly newspaper to a quarterly print magazine, with a move toward electronic news as the main source of communication sharing and the opportunity for its quarterly publication to expand and examine more in-depth stories.
Those in favor of the transition argue cost as a large factor but say the move is largely a strategic one, noting similar decisions by large public news media elsewhere across the country. As electronic news increases its communication effectiveness --both in efficient use of cost and time-- print news simply loses its value by the time it reaches paper.
Arguments opposing the change maintain that those who are not connected electronically depend heavily on Episcopal Lifefor National-level Church news, adding "to those who are not online, it is still news when they receive it in print." While cost is an understandable factor, primarily in these economically-challenged times, opponents raised additional concern that no numbers to-date have been presented to reflect savings in moving from a monthly print newspaper to a quarterly print magazine.
Additional discussions continued surrounding readership needs, along with those of diocesan level communicators and print partnerships already in place. Both sides agree it is important to evaluate and determine need and preferences --whether electronic or print, quarterly or monthly, etc-- by readership and print partnerships alike; although no agreement was made as to whether this would be done prior to, or following the proposed transition.
Discussions will continue at tomorrow's hearing at 2 p.m.
Jul 8, 2009
And it is only day one!
I got into Anaheim yesterday morning. After getting settled in the Hotel room, I headed off to register for General Convention. As I took my initial walk through the center, I started to see many people I knew. It was great to catch up with them. After orientation, I headed into Downtown Anaheim to attend the young adult reception hosted by Episcopalians for Global reconciliation. I met many wonderful young deputies from throughout the church. It was great to discuss upcoming legislation that we were passionate about. There was a lot of great conversation about the 2006 B003 resolution, evangelism, education, and the upcoming resolutions on same sex blessings.
This morning I attended a Chicago Consultation meeting headed by Deputy Bonnie Perry, and Bishop Gene Robinson. I think that this group will be doing many great things throughout the course of convention. After worship I had some time to walk around the exhibit hall. There were many great exhibitors. The highlight of my day was when Bishop +Barry introduced me to The Archbishop of Canterbury! It was absolutely wonderful to meet such an amazing church leader!
In the afternoon I attended the Public Narrative training hosted by guests from Harvard University. We are trained in how to coach people on telling their personal faith story, their community story, and their current call/challenge. It is the hope of the General Convention that this will be a rich opportunity to discuss the mission of the church. I am assigned to coach the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Although I am sad that I do not get to engage in conversation about mission with our Deputation, I look forward to meeting new people and having great conversation.
Tonight we had the pleasure of hearing Archbishop Rowan Williams talk on the global economic crisis. He had great thoughts and meditations to offer. We all need to be more conscious of the impact we have on this planet and our care for our neighbors. Every act, no matter how large or small, can contribute to making the planet better for all people. We are all made in the image of God. We must care for each other with this is mind.
I meet with the past and present Official Youth Reps tonight for dinner. It was wonderful to see new friends and to hear the hope on excitement of the new representatives! I am excite for the great things to come!
This morning I attended a Chicago Consultation meeting headed by Deputy Bonnie Perry, and Bishop Gene Robinson. I think that this group will be doing many great things throughout the course of convention. After worship I had some time to walk around the exhibit hall. There were many great exhibitors. The highlight of my day was when Bishop +Barry introduced me to The Archbishop of Canterbury! It was absolutely wonderful to meet such an amazing church leader!
In the afternoon I attended the Public Narrative training hosted by guests from Harvard University. We are trained in how to coach people on telling their personal faith story, their community story, and their current call/challenge. It is the hope of the General Convention that this will be a rich opportunity to discuss the mission of the church. I am assigned to coach the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Although I am sad that I do not get to engage in conversation about mission with our Deputation, I look forward to meeting new people and having great conversation.
Tonight we had the pleasure of hearing Archbishop Rowan Williams talk on the global economic crisis. He had great thoughts and meditations to offer. We all need to be more conscious of the impact we have on this planet and our care for our neighbors. Every act, no matter how large or small, can contribute to making the planet better for all people. We are all made in the image of God. We must care for each other with this is mind.
I meet with the past and present Official Youth Reps tonight for dinner. It was wonderful to see new friends and to hear the hope on excitement of the new representatives! I am excite for the great things to come!
Day One: Reflections by Brian Baker
Today started at 7am when I registered and looked for something to eat. My committee (Liturgy, Prayer and Music) met from 8am ’till noon. We planned our work through Saturday. We have several interesting issues, the most controversial will be the blessings/marriages of same sex couples.
Resolutions come in from around the church and are sent to committees. Before we can discuss any resolution, we need to have public hearings. After lots of various opening presentations and orientations, we held our first committee hearings from 7-9pm. These were on resolutions relating to adding folks to the church calendar. We are considering an huge change away from Lesser Feasts and Fasts to a new collection of “saints” called Holy Women, Holy Men that includes lots of new, and a wide variety of, folks.
After work was over at 9pm, I found the Idaho deputation and visited with them for a while.
Click here to view photos and additional blog entries by Dean Brian Baker.
Opening Remarks by Bonnie Anderson
This morning was my first official legislative session as a brand new deputy for Northern California. I want to share what stood out for me in Bonnie Anderson's opening remarks. She reminded us all that the Episcopal Church is not a national church. We are an international church. We have representatives from Liberia, South and Central American and Europe in attendance. We are very diverse, which is one of our gifts from God.
She also shared some statistics of interest. We have 847 clergy and lay deputies. We have 43% female deputies. Of note is the fact that in 1970, at the General Convention in Houston, the Episcopal Church had female deputies for the first time - 28 in total! That was almost 40 years ago! I don't know about you, but 1970 doesn't seem that long ago to me.
The General Convention also has 67 Senior Deputies, which are those that have represented the Church at 7 or more conventions. The Diocese of Northern California is blessed to have two such Senior Deputies - our very own Cookie Clark and Stephen Carpenter! Be sure to congratulate them on their special status when you see them!
She also shared some statistics of interest. We have 847 clergy and lay deputies. We have 43% female deputies. Of note is the fact that in 1970, at the General Convention in Houston, the Episcopal Church had female deputies for the first time - 28 in total! That was almost 40 years ago! I don't know about you, but 1970 doesn't seem that long ago to me.
The General Convention also has 67 Senior Deputies, which are those that have represented the Church at 7 or more conventions. The Diocese of Northern California is blessed to have two such Senior Deputies - our very own Cookie Clark and Stephen Carpenter! Be sure to congratulate them on their special status when you see them!
Cleaned up for JesusSeeking God's Spirit
Respectability is the number one sine qua non of General Convention. Whether you are a liberal or a conservative, you will find your place at the table as long as you look more or less like an Episcopalian. This is hard to define but you know it when you see it - from the bow ties and Brooks Brothers blazers sported by eager-beaver conservatives, to the Hawaiian shirts worn by the winsome Californians, everyone looks more or less respectable within the parameters of their given culture.
This presented my first challenge after arriving in Anaheim. I had spent the previous 2 1/2 months camping and studying while on sabbatical, and had gleefully let my respectability - always fragile in the first place - go to the dogs. But after a quick haircut, a trimming of my chin hair, and the donning of a clergy shirt for the first time since Easter, I am happy to report that I now fit in, more or less. It took some work, but I haven't been shown the door yet.
We are now, in our carefully dressed manner, seeking after the Holy Spirit. To my eye, She has visited us a few times: in the passionate testimony of Latino Episcopalians hoping to secure greater support for Hispanic ministries; in the outbreak of Gospel and South African rhythms at worship, in the prayerful manner in which all of us are attending to issues of inclusion for gay, lesbian, and transgendered members of our community.
We still have our divisions, to be sure; but if in nothing else, we are united in our prayers, and in our fashion sense. I get the sense that the Episcopal Church will prevail wherever well-dressed Christians bow their heads in prayer. This is some comfort, perhaps enough to get us through the days to come.
Matt Lawrence
This presented my first challenge after arriving in Anaheim. I had spent the previous 2 1/2 months camping and studying while on sabbatical, and had gleefully let my respectability - always fragile in the first place - go to the dogs. But after a quick haircut, a trimming of my chin hair, and the donning of a clergy shirt for the first time since Easter, I am happy to report that I now fit in, more or less. It took some work, but I haven't been shown the door yet.
We are now, in our carefully dressed manner, seeking after the Holy Spirit. To my eye, She has visited us a few times: in the passionate testimony of Latino Episcopalians hoping to secure greater support for Hispanic ministries; in the outbreak of Gospel and South African rhythms at worship, in the prayerful manner in which all of us are attending to issues of inclusion for gay, lesbian, and transgendered members of our community.
We still have our divisions, to be sure; but if in nothing else, we are united in our prayers, and in our fashion sense. I get the sense that the Episcopal Church will prevail wherever well-dressed Christians bow their heads in prayer. This is some comfort, perhaps enough to get us through the days to come.
Matt Lawrence
GC Reflections by Charles Mack
I have two initial reflections on General Convention. The first is a high. It is the tremendous sense of renewal and excitement. This is the Church into which I was baptized so many years ago. The second is the mundane. I watched the Canons Committee pick apart a poor petitioner ill served by his chancellor in drafting a very innocuous housekeeping matter. The multitude of lawyers and priests then proceeded to redraft the proposal using a big screen and asking all the basic questions the proponent failed to think through. I am going back to the committee now to see if all of the redraft makes sense. The Presiding Bishop's sermon during Eucharist was a dramatic call to mission. Charles Mack.
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