Highlights from GC81: Day 6, June 28
The six and final day of GC81 was a busy and joyful day. The day began with an uplifting service of Eucharist, and pictured to the right you will see Bishop Skirving in the center of a row of bishops at the service (Photo Credit: Randall Gornowich). Below are the highlights from the day, in order of occurrence and categorized.
Closing Worship
The final day of the 81st General Convention began with a service of Eucharist, with Presiding Bishop Curry as presider and Presiding Bishop-Elect Sean Rowe serving as preacher.
Watch the Closing Eucharist Service Recording Here
Watch or Read Presiding Bishop Elect Sean Rowe's Sermon Here
Legislative Sessions
Both houses met throughout the day and concluded their business in the afternoon, expressing gratitude for the outgoing Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Secretary of the General Convention and Executive Officer Michael Barlowe.
There was work around diocesan mergers and updates. General Convention approved the mergers of three Wisconsin dioceses (Resolution D051) and two Michigan dioceses (C025), and a much anticipated change in status to missionary diocese for the Episcopal Church in Navajoland (C009). Earlier it approved the expansion of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii to include Guam and Saipan, which formerly comprised the Episcopal Church in Micronesia.
In the House of Bishops, The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, was elected to serve as the vice president of the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church. Her tenure will begin Nov. 1, when Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe takes office. Read the press release here.
For all of the new from GC81, you can see this page on the Episcopal New Service website. For news coverage of today's legislative actions, see these articles from the Episcopal News Service:
- This article about the unanimous vote for a prayer remembering indigenous children forced to attend boarding schools. All are invited to download this prayer card remembering all Indigenous children who were in residential and boarding schools in Canada and the United States
- This article about East and West Michigan gaining approval to join together as Diocese of the Great Lakes.
- This article about the passing of a resolution in support of Palestine with compromises.
- This article about the reunification of the Diocese of Wisconsin.
- This article about legislation regarding Prayer Book liturgies and church calendar commemorations.
- This article about the wrapping up GC81.
- This daily digest piece covering highlights from the day.
With the joint adjournment of both houses and GC81 complete, the triennium before GC82 begins!
Presiding Bishop-Elect Installation News
Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe, together with the planning committees for his transition and installation, announced today that they will forego the traditional installation service in Washington National Cathedral in favor of a smaller, simpler ceremony in the chapel at the church’s New York headquarters that will utilize livestreaming and the technology that enables more of the church to be present. Read the press release here, and read ENS's coverage of this announcement here.
