Elected to Executive Council at #GC81! MAP Mdiv seminarian Warren Hawk, deputy from the Diocese of South Dakota.
Nurya Love Parish (center), SW ’11, celebrates approval of the conjuncture of the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan with the deputation looking forward to the Diocese of the Great Lakes this fall!
The Bexley Seabury community was truly blessed to share a joyful time of fellowship and spiritual renewal with so many alums and friends during the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church June 21 – 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Whether visiting our exhibit booth or attending our seminary reception on June 25 (or both), our President Micah T.J. Jackson, PhD expressed his heartfelt gratitude that the “presence and participation were a testament to the strength and unity of our community,” further observing the “collective commitment to honor our legacy and inspire a brighter tomorrow.”
Despite a surprising downpour of rain, over 80 of our alums and friends reunited from across the country (and the world) for a festive reception on June 25. Joining together for food and fellowship, we were delighted to kick-off the momentous occasion of our 200th anniversary and welcome Dr. Thomas C. Ferguson for remarks delving into the exhilarating yet challenging history of Bexley Seabury Seminary. Dr. Ferguson, former Academic Dean and affiliate professor, has joined us again this year as Associate Professor of Church History and has been working diligently on a book based on his research of the seminaries and their path to federation, anticipated to be available in time for our 200th Anniversary Gala on October 4, 2024.
This being the first fully in-person gathering of the convention since 2018, a sense of joy was felt throughout the time at the Kentucky International Convention Center. The highlight, of course, was passing the torch of leadership to a new generation with the election of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Sean Rowe as Presiding Bishop. In his congratulations, President Jackson noted that Rowe’s “expertise in Organizational Systems and his commitment to organizational health will be needed as our church responds to a changing world,” and emphasized “I look forward to working with him to educate and form leaders for the church of the future.”
Highlights included the creation of two new dioceses through the conjuncture of the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan to become the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes, and the reunion of the Dioceses of Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and Milwaukee, into the Diocese of Wisconsin. The House of Deputies also approved a resolution to make Navajoland a missionary diocese, and for The Episcopal Church in Micronesia to be incorporated into the Diocese of Hawai’i.
Deputies elected six lay and two clergy members to Executive Council, including our MAP Mdiv seminarian, Deputy Warren Hawk of the Diocese of South Dakota. Hawk has been co-chair of the team tasked with guiding the Episcopal Church into a process for Truth, Healing, and Reconciling with our history with Indigenous Boarding Schools.
Much additional business was conducted, notably the House of Deputies passage of a resolution to create a task force to respond to the historic and ongoing legacy of slavery and make recommendations on reparations, including the creation of a Reparation Fund, while the House of Bishops voted to adopt a resolution to create a task force on countering the colonial mindset. Resolutions were also approved to adopt A Prayer to Remember the Innocents and express remorse for the role The Episcopal Church played in the irreparable harm suffered by Indigenous children who attended Indigenous boarding and residential schools in the 1800s and 1900s, as well as continuing the Task Force on Indigenous Liturgy, renouncing the Theology of Slavery held by the Rev. James Craik, 11th President of the House of Deputies, and ensuring no-one is denied access to the discernment process or employment because of their race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.
Many other resolutions were also passed included creating a Task Force for Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+, working for equity, support, and protection of all LGBTQIA+ Anglicans, and creating a staff position for Director of LGBTQI and Women’s Ministries, as well as the establishment of a Standing Commission on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism, and to advocate for water rights for Indigenous communities and lands.
Photo Gallery: At the Exhibit Booth
Photo Gallery: At the Reception
