The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, comprising deputies and bishops from each diocese.
The 81st General Convention takes place June 23-28, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Follow along: #diomassGC81, #gc81
• Visit the 81st General Convention site for the schedule and links to information and materials.
• Livestreaming and on-demand viewing of daily morning worship services, legislative sessions in both the House of Bishops and House of Deputies and more are available via the General Convention Media Hub.
• Peruse the 350+ resolutions and follow their progress through both houses via the Virtual Binder.
• Episcopal News Service coverage is available via the Media Hub and on the ENS site.
• Follow on Facebook for dispatches from our deputies, posting as their schedules allow.
Diocese of Massachusetts Deputation
Lay deputies (in order of election and pictured above, top row from left):
- William C. Boyce, Grace Church, New Bedford
Serves on the Dispatch of Business Committee
"I'm following the budget reconciliation process with millions of dollars in requests coming from GC81 and a small amount of funds to meet those requests. This combines with a new budget reconciliation process, a new presiding bishop and potentially a new president of the House of Deputies."
- Betsy Ridge, Church of the Advent, Boston
Serves on the Social Justice and U.S. Policy Legislative Committee
Following/looking forward to: "Primarily social justice issues, and the presiding bishop election!"
- Brian Litzenberger, Trinity Church, Concord
Serves on the Safety, Wellness and Mental Health Legislative Committee
"Looking to help to embody our future church. In particular, following resolutions relating to liturgy, LGBTQ+ issues, ecumenism and the developing church."
- Kevin Miller, Epiphany Parish, Walpole
"I will be following very closely the work of the Liturgy and Prayer Book Committee, in order that we maintain our precious balance between inclusion and adherence to tradition. Also following the elections, especially in the House of Deputies, and Middle East resolutions: How do we address the injustices happening in that part of the world without contributing to the problems of hate already present?"
- First alternate: Alec Vaughn, Trinity Church, Boston
Following: Interreligious and interfaith dialogues. "As a postulant who attended a historically Methodist seminary I am very intrigued to follow The Episcopal Church's relationship with the United Methodist Church. I am also interested in the ongoing discussions regarding prayer book reforms, as a person who thoroughly enjoys the history and theology reflected in the BCP and its legacy."
Clerical deputies (in order of election and pictured above, bottom row from left):
- The Rev. Edwin Johnson, Episcopal City Mission
Serves on the Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing Legislative Committee
Following: "Reparations: The general church is seeking to follow the dioceses like ours that have made important statements and steps towards repair."
- The Rev. Dr. Karen Coleman, Boston University Chaplaincy and Trinity Church, Boston
Serves on the Title IV Disciplinary Canons Legislative Committee
Following: Work on the legislation and resolutions for Title IV,
- The Rev. Isaac Martinez, Trinity Church, Melrose and Allston Abbey, Allston
Serves on the Evangelism and Future Church Legislative Committee
Interested in: "Changing how we talk about church decline, church growth and revitalization."
- The Rev. Chris Wendell, St. Paul's Church, Bedford
Serves on the Title III Ministry Canons Legislative Committee
Following Title IV revisions: "I've been active in Title IV ministry at the diocesan, provincial and churchwide level for the past decade-plus. Also two resolutions from the Ministry Committee, related to funding for the Association of Episcopal Deacons and the mandatory age of resignation."
- First alternate: The Rev. Deborah Phillips, Grace Church, Salem
Following: Racial justice issues (as a member of the diocesan Racial Justice Commission), Holy Land (as a pilgrimage leader) and Liturgy and Music.
Our bishops
- Bishop Alan Gates
Serves on Standing Commission on World Mission
- Bishop Carol Gallagher
Serves on the Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing Legislative Committee
and the Task Force on Indigenous Liturgy
Official Youth Presence
Also attending from the Diocese of Massachusetts as a member of the Episcopal Church Official Youth Presence and representing the New England dioceses of Province I, along with Catherine Mansir of the Diocese of Maine:
- Gabriella Entrican, St. James's Church in Amesbury
Following: Faith formation and discipleship, accessibility and inclusion