General Convention 1964
Diocesan Press Service. November 2, 1964 [XXVI-1]
"A church that lives to itself will die by itself. " The 61st General Convention ended with a pastoral letter urging the Church's 3.5 million members to give more money and support for the development of Christian attitudes throughout the world that will be "mutually responsible and interdependent."
Read by the Rt. Rev. Richard S. M. Emrich, Bishop of Michigan, the pastoral letter from the House of Bishops called for study and evaluation of the church organization and structure at every level; learning how to give and receive, as well as enter deep relationships with other cultures and churches; and opening channels of communication with all throughout the Anglican Communion and the wider Episcopal Fellowship.
This note of "church in the world" was first struck by retiring Presiding Bishop Lichtenberger's opening sermon. In a plea for Christian involvement in the world's problems he charged, "I am quite weary of listening to statements of principle given with the evident intent of putting off any action on such principles."
The Presiding Bishop's sermon was filled with stirring words of joy, hope and mutual encouragement.
Highlights of the 61st General Convention were:
Election of Presiding Bishop - The Rt. Rev. John E. Hines, Bishop of Texas, was elected as 22nd Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, to succeed the Rt. Rev. Arthur Lichtenberger, who is retiring because of physical disability.
Election of Bishops - Four bishops were elected: one to serve the Missionary District of North Dakota; one to head Armed Forces work, and two for overseas assignments.
For Brazil: Independence - In action pointing the way for greater impact of MRI proposals on the life of the Church, the Brazilian Episcopal Church became the 19th independent church in the world-wide Anglican Communion.
New Name - The National Council was renamed the Executive Council.
Budget Growth - Increased emphasis in the Church's program and budget in the next three years will be on overseas work, urban mission, theological education, and implementation on mutual responsibility. Few budget changes were made in other areas.
Political Statements - Strongly supported resolutions emphasized the Church's position that affiliate organizations and individual Church members can speak only for themselves and not officially.
New Province - A Ninth Province, consisting of eight Caribbean area Missionary Districts, was formed.
Racial Inclusiveness - Called upon Church men not to condone racial discrimination, segregation or exclusion of any person from the rites or activities of the Church.
Open Communion - No action taken. The House of Deputies and House of Bishops were unable to concur on a proposal.
Civil Disobedience - The House of Bishops endorsed civil disobedience to laws which do not reflect the law of God.
Women Turned Down - House of Deputies failed to pass a proposal to allow women of the Church to be seated in convention. The negative vote was by only a slim margin in the lay order.
Proclaim Faith - The House of Bishops stated that clergy making theological statements cannot deny the Christian faith or imply that the Church "does not mean the truth which it expresses in its worship. "
Are We Protestant? - A solution was found on the oft-recurring question of propriety of the word Protestant. We will remain the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, but "the Episcopal Church" will be recognized in law as well as usage.
Anti-Semitism Condemned - Rejection of the deicide charge against the Jews and condemnation of anti-Semitism was strongly endorsed.
Defeat NCCC Withdrawal - The membership of the Episcopal Church in the National Council of Churches of Christ was strongly reaffirmed.
1967 General Convention - Seattle, Washington was selected as the 1967 General Convention site, if proper dates can be agreed upon.