A041 (Create a Task Force on The Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion Relationships)

House of Bishops Message #127

The House of Bishops informs the House of Deputies that on Jun 26, 2024 it considered resolution A041 (Create a Task Force on The Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion Relationships). The house acted to:

Concur


Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention, pursuant to Joint Rule VII, create a task force on The Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion relationships, to work in collaboration with the Presiding Bishop, and whose mandate includes, but is not limited to, (1) conducting a study of issues impairing relationships of communion between The Episcopal Church and other Provinces of the Anglican Communion, and the development of proposals for engaging constructively across differences; (2) proposing systematic ways for the Episcopal Church to respond to theological statements issued by the instruments of the Communion; (3) proposing a means of establishing clear guidance for representatives of The Episcopal Church to the triennial meetings of the Anglican Consultative Council; and (4) supporting the work of the Offices of Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church as it relates to relationships with our Anglican Communion partners; and be it further (5) encouraging The Episcopal Church's participation in the life, councils, and budget of the Anglican Communion, its Office, and its programs; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force begin its work no later than January 1, 2025, with the task force concluding its work at the conclusion of the 82nd General Convention, unless its mandate is extended by the 82nd Convention; and be it further 

Resolved, That the task force report annually to the Executive Council’s Joint Standing Committee on Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church and a report with recommendations to the 82nd General Convention; and be it further 

Resolved, That the membership of this task force be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies and include up to three Bishops appointed by the Presiding Bishop; up to three Clergy and up to three Lay Persons appointed by the President of the House of Deputies; up to two members of the Standing Commission on World Mission (SCWM) appointed by the SCWM; up to two members of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations (SCEIR), appointed by the SCEIR; and up to four representatives with expertise in the history and polity of the Anglican Communion; and be it further 

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop appoint a member of staff from the Presiding Bishop’s Office to serve as consultant to the task force; and be it further 

Resolved, That $30,000 be budgeted for the implementation of this resolution.