The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #1 on Resolution A039 (Affirm the Work of The Episcopal Church at the United Nations) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A039)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church rejoice together in being granted Economic and Social Council consultative status at the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Church encourages all Episcopalians to educate themselves about the work of the United Nations and the many ways in which our collective call as Christians to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” links with the work undertaken at the United Nations, and to partner with the United Nations and its agencies to achieve these goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention encourages all Episcopalians to avail themselves of the resources and opportunities presented by this status, in particular partnering with the Global Partnerships team and the Church’s official representatives to the United Nations.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Episcopal Church rejoice together in being granted Economic and Social Council consultative status at the United Nations, which status provides the opportunity for representatives and delegates of The Episcopal Church to provide input to decision and policy makers of the United Nations, such input provided being in accordance with resolutions passed by the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention encourage Executive Council and its committees be in closer dialogue with the official representatives of The Episcopal Church to the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That this Church encourage all Episcopalians to educate themselves about the work of the United Nations, through resources provided by the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Church and the United Nations, and to explore the many ways in which our collective call as Christians to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” links with the work undertaken at the United Nations, and to partner with the United Nations and its agencies related funds and programs to achieve these goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention encourage the Global Partnerships team and the Church’s official representatives to the United Nations to provide access to educational materials, resources, and information in English, French, and Spanish regarding opportunities presented by this status on The Episcopal Church website, Episcopal News Service, and at diocesan conventions; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention encourages all Episcopalians to avail themselves of the resources and opportunities presented by this status, in particular partnering with theprovided by the Global Partnerships team and the Church’s official representatives to the United Nations and encourage those who participate as delegates representing The Episcopal Church to share their experiences as broadly as possible in their parishes, dioceses, and beyond with the support of the Domestic and Foreign Mission Society; and be it further

Resolved, That our representatives continue to work in partnership with the representatives of the Anglican Communion, and actively seek to collaborate as far as possible with representatives of other faith-based organizations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Episcopal Church rejoice together in the relationships built between the delegates of The Episcopal Church and the representatives of the Anglican Communion, deepening understanding and sharing stories.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #7)