General Convention 2009

Diocese of Fond du Lac

Deputies attend General Convention

Read a Summary of General Convention Actions.

Read what Deputies have to share on the Deputies share page. Check out Fond du Lac's pictures from GC on flickr.com. General Convention has adjourned. The Deputies and Triennial Delegates have returned.

Friday, July 17th, 2009 - The voting pigeon that wanders the floor of the House of Deputies was brave enough to approach the Diocese of Fond du Lac deputations. Deputy Ray Dodge shares that "Of course, a little gold fish crackers helped the pigeon to gather up the courage."

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 - All nine Deputies from the Diocese (Bishop, Clergy and Lay) together on the floor of the House of Deputies prior to the report from the Program, Budget and Finance Committee on the Budget for the Episcopal Church for the next Triennium.

Our ECW Triennial Delegates, Carol Gottard and Karen Powers, are pictured in front of their sign on the floor of the Trienneial meeting. Be certain to click on either picture to open a full size image.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 - ECW Triennial Delegate and Diocesan UTO Coordinator Carol Gottard (pictured here with the reports that 63 UTO grants were approved for a total of $2,065,472.43. UTO in-gathering from FdL in the last Triennium (2006 - 2008) was $27,018.76, which is double what was given during the last Triennium.

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

A report has been received that the Venerable Rev. Edwin Smith, Deputy from the Diocese of Fond du Lac, was attacked today while attending the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

The five armed assailant, a local fire hydrant who lives smack dab in the middle of the side walk in the pedestrians right-of-way, refused to budge or come in for questioning by authorities. Witnesses described the assault as one where 'the assailant clearly stuck its arms out and grabbed the good Father.' While no criminal charges were made, the Deputation of the Diocese of Fond du Lac wanted to share this information as a public service.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 - The Fond du Lac Cheesehead made an appearance on the screens at the House of Deputies during a recent legislative session. Deputies from many dioceses put unique items on their nameposts. Click on the picture to see a larger image and a super-sized cheeshead in the distance!

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 - Deputies from the Dioceses of Fond du Lac and Eau Claire gather together to share a common meal and some stories too. The meal was hosted by Bishop Jacobus. According to Deputy Ray Dodge "We had a great time socializing with them, they are wonderful neighbors." !

Monday, July 13th, 2009 - ECW Triennial Delegates Carol Gottard and Karen Powers also enjoy their time at General Convnetion and participate in as full a slate of activitied as the Convention Deputies.

Monday, July 13th, 2009 - Deputy Anne Schuette shares this important communication: "This came to the House of Deputies yesterday afternoon from the committee responsible for presenting a budget for the next triennium. The name of the committee is the Standing Committee on Program, Budget & Finance, and its chair, Pan Adams-McCaslin, did a great service to St. James in Manitowoc a few years ago. They write:

“We are taking the extraordinary step of communicating to the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops in order to achieve a more transparent process for producing the budget for the next Triennium of the Episcopal Church. We want you to know that we began our deliberations with an approximately 24 million dollar gap between projected income and projected expenses and we are currently looking at an approximate shortfall of 14 million dollars. In order to help dioceses meet local expenses, we plan to propose a reduction in the diocesan asking for the next Triennium. In addition, we are preparing to make innovative proposals in regard to reducing the cost of General Convention. We appreciate your on-going prayers for us and we view this as an opportunity for creative and positive change in our church.”

Please keep Deputy Adams-McCaslin and her committee in your prayers.

Images of the House of Deputies from our Deputation's Perspective.

Friday, July 10th - The Deputies of the Diocese of Fond du Lac have been working hard through Committees and Legislative hearings. The biggest complaint heard has to do with tired feet from the miles of walking that has to be done. As Bishop Jacobus comments on the Deputies share page, "I am happy to be here." The lay and clerical deputation is pictured here on the floor of the House of Deputies. The House of Bishops meets in a different area. Deputies will work through the weekend, although the schedule allows a little bit more time for relaxation.

Wednesday, July 8th - Deputies got to work in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. The Opening Eucharist included a volunteer choir, of which our own Anne Schuette was a member. She even made it on the front cover of the Convnetion Daily (which you can open as a PDF by clicking here...). The Archbishop of Canterbury was also present with over 3,000 worshippers.

Tuesday, July 7th - Deputy Ray Dodge reports "We all went to the Mission Conversation. Bill Gagin, Fr. Wilson Roane, Fr. Ed Smith, Bishop Russell Jacobus, Fr. Tom McAlpine, Anne and I sat at Table 63. Fr. Peter Bird and Sue Roane sat at Table 64.

Then the Deputies went to the New Deputy Training, and we brought a "Packer Cheesehead" for the top of our Fond du Lac sign, so that everyone knows where Fond du Lac's table is located."

Monday, July 6th - All nine deputies are off to General Convention in Anaheim where they will get checked in to their hotel, get their Convention credentials, and prepare for a full two weeks of the General Convnetion of the Episcopal Church.

To see the schedule, click here...

Nine prepare

The 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will convene July 8–17, 2009 in Anaheim, California.

The roles and purpose of the General Convention – held every three years – are many and varied. It serves as the legislative authority for the Episcopal Church, making decisions regarding worship and governance. Each diocese of the Episcopal Church can elect up to four clergy and four laity to serve as deputies in the House of Deputies. Bishops are automatically members of the House of Bishops.

Attending the General Convention from the Diocese of Fond du Lac are

• Bishop:
• The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus
• Clergy Deputies:
• The Rev. Wilson Roane, retired priest of the Diocese
• The Ven. Dr. Edwin Smith, Interim Rector, St. Thomas, Menasha
• The Rev. Peter Bird, Vicar, Holy Trinity, Waupun
• The Rev. Tom McAlpine Rector, St. Peter's, Ripon (Replacing Rex Perry)
• Lay Deputies:
• Mr. Bill Gagin, Grace Sheboygan
• Dr. Anne Schuette, St. James, Manitowoc
• Mrs. Susan Roane, Intercession, Stevens Point
• Mr. Ray Dodge, St. Anne’s, DePere

Elected Deputies vote their conscience for the good of the Church, so are not representatives and cannot be instructed to vote one way or another, for to do so may preclude godly debate and preempt the work of the Holy Spirit. However Deputies do appreciate members of the Church sharing their thoughts on the business to come before General Convention. Deputies are expected to serve on committees, if appointed; to attend forums and hearings; to read the reports to the church from its commissions, committees, agencies and boards; to listen to, and if so moved, to respond to resolutions on the floor of the house.

The Deputies held an open forum at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Fond du Lac on Saturday, June 6.