The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That Canon I.1.2 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2 (a) The General Convention by Canon may establish Standing Commissions, to study and draft policy proposals make recommendations to the General Conventionon major subjects considered to be of continuing concern to the mission of the Church. The Canon shall specify the size, composition andduties of each such Commission. Standing Commissions shall be composed of three (3) Bishops, three (3) Priests and/or Deacons of this Church and six (6) Lay Persons, who shall be confirmed adult communicants of this Church in good standing. Priests, Deacons and Lay Persons may but need notare not required to be members of the House of Deputies.

(b) The terms of all members of Standing Commissions shall be equal to the interval between the regular meeting of the General Convention preceding their appointment and the adjournment of the second succeeding regular meeting of the General Convention, and such terms shall be rotated so that, as near as may be, the term of one half of the members shall expire at the conclusion of each regular meeting of the General Convention. The term of a member shall become vacant in the event of two absences from meetings of the Commission occurring in the interval between successive regular meetings of the General Convention unless excused by the Commission for good cause.

(c) The Presiding Bishop shall appoint the Episcopal members, and the President of the House of Deputies the Lay and other Clerical members, of such Commissions as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the General Convention, but not later than ninety (90) days following the close of General Convention. Episcopal members appointed after the adjournment of any General Convention at which a Presiding Bishop is elected shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop-elect. Vacancies shall be filled in similar manner; provided, however, that vacancies occurring within one year of the next regular General Convention shall not be filled unless so requested by the Commission.

(d) The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies mayshall jointly appoint members of the Executive Council as liaison persons to provide for communication between the Executive Council and any each Commission. Notice of such appointments shall be given to the Secretaries of both Houses. Such appointed liaison persons shall not be members of the Commission and shall have voice but not vote. The reasonable expenses thereof shall be provided for by the Executive Council. Each such Commission shall have a member of the Presiding Bishop’s staff appointed by the Presiding Bishop to assist in its work. Each such Commission shall have the power to constitute committees, from among members or non members of the Commission, and to request the services of Executive Council staff, and, subject to the Commission’s budget, engage the services of consultants and coordinators necessary to the carrying on of its work.

(e) The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies shall be members ex officios of every Commission with the right, but no obligation, to attend meetings, and with seat and vote in the deliberations thereof, and shall receive their minutes and an annual report of their activities; Provided, that the said presiding officers may appoint personal representatives to attend any meeting in their stead, but without vote.

(f) The Executive Officer of the General Convention shall, not later than the month of Januaryone hundred and twenty (120) days following the meeting of the General Convention, notify the members of the respective Houses of theirthe appointments upon Commissions and theirthe duty to present Reports to the next Convention. One year prior to the opening day of the Convention, the Executive Officer of the General Convention shall remind the Chairs and Secretaries of all Commissions of this duty.

(g) Every Commission appointed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies, and when convened shall be organized by electing a chair, vice-chair and secretary. In the event that the Commission is not convened as above provided within six months from the date of adjournment of each Convention, one-third of the members may take such action as shall be necessary to convene the Commission. After the Commission shall have been convened, and its officers chosen, the Chair or, in the absence of the Chair or in the Chair’s inability or refusal to act, the Vice-Chair shall be empowered to call a meeting and fix the time and place and shall do so upon signed request of one-third of the members.

(h) It shall be the privilege of either House to refer to a Commission any matter related to the subject for which it was appointed; but neither House shall have the power, without the consent of the other, to instruct the Commission as to any particular line of action.

(i) It shall be the duty of each Commission to give appropriate notice in the Church press of issues before it and the time and place of meetings at which such issues are to be considered, together with instructions as to the manner in which members of the Church may address their views to such Commission.

(j) Every Commission shall prepare a Report, which, together with any minority Report, shall be sent, not later than 150 days prior to the opening day of each Convention, to the Executive Officer of the General Convention, who shall print and distribute the same, as far as practicable, to all members of said Convention.

(k) The Report of every Commission presented at the General Convention shall:

(1) Set forth the names of its original members, any changes in membership, the names of all those who concur in and all those who dissent from its recommendation, and shall further state, if less than a majority of its entire membership sign the Report, their authority for presenting it.

(2) Summarize the work of the Commission, including the various matters studied, the recommendations for action by the General Convention and drafts of Resolutions proposed for adoption to implement the recommendations of the Commission.

(3) Include a detailed report of all receipts and expenditures, including moneys received from any source whatsoever, during the preceding interval since the last meeting of the General Convention, and if it recommends that it be continued, the estimated requirements for the ensuing interval until the next regular meeting of the General Convention.

(l) Every Commission, as a condition precedent to the presentation and reception of any Report in either House, in which such Commission proposes the adoption of any Resolution, shall, by vote, authorize a member or members of that House, who, if possible, shall be a member of the Commission, with such limitations as the Commission may impose, to accept or reject, on behalf of the Commission, any amendments proposed in such House to any such Resolution; Provided, however, that no such amendment may change the substance of the proposal, but shall be primarily for the purpose of correcting errors. The name of the member or members of the particular House upon whom such authority has been conferred, and the limitations of authority, shall be communicated in writing to the Presiding Officer of such House not later than the presentation of such Report in that House. The application of this Rule in either House may be suspended, in any particular case, by the majority vote of the members of such House.

(m) Every Commission whose Report requests expenditure out of the funds of the General Convention (except for the printing of the Report) shall present to the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance its written request, on or before the first business day of the session, and all Resolutions providing for any such expenditures shall be immediately referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance. No proposition involving such expenditures shall be considered unless so presented and until after report of the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance.

(n)There shall be the following Standing Commissions:

(1) A Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns. consisting of 14 members (4 Bishops, 4 Priests and/or Deacons and 6 Lay Persons).It shall be the duty of the Commission to develop recommendations and strategies regarding common ministry opportunities and concerns with other Provinces of the Anglican Communion as to the work of this Church and the Anglican Communion on issues of international peace with justice and to make recommendations pertaining thereto to the Presiding Bishop, the Executive Council and the General Convention.

(2) A Standing Commission for Small Congregations, consisting of 10 members (3 Bishops, 2 Priests and/or Deacons, and 5 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to concern itself with plans for new directions for Small Congregations.

(3) A Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, consisting of 12 members (3 Bishops, 3 Priests and/or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons). The Standing Commission shall: It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) Review such proposed amendments to the Constitution and Canons as may be submitted to the Commission, placing each such proposed amendment in proper Constitutional or Canonical form including all amendments necessary to effect the proposed change. The Commission shall express its views with respect to the substance of any such proposal only to the proponent thereof; Provided, however, that no member of the Commission shall, by reason of membership, be deemed to be disabled from expressing, before a Legislative Committee or on the floor of the House of membership, personal views with respect to the substance of any such proposed amendment.

(ii) Conduct a continuing comprehensive review of the Constitution and Canons with respect to their internal consistency and clarity, and on the basis of such a review propose to the General Convention such technical amendments to the Constitution and Canons as in the opinion of the Commission are necessary or desirable in order to achieve such consistency and clarity without altering the substance of any Constitutional and Canonical provisions; Provided, however, that the Commission shall propose, for the consideration of the appropriate Legislative Committees of the two Houses, such amendments to the Constitution and Canons as in the opinion of the Commission are technically desirable but involve a substantive alteration of a Constitutional or Canonical provision.

(iii) On the basis of such review suggest to the Executive Council and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society such amendments to their respective By-laws as in the opinion of the Commission are necessary or desirable in order to conform the same to the Constitution and Canons.

(iv) Discharge such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned by the General Convention.

(4) A Standing Commission on Domestic Mission and Evangelismconsisting of 16 members (2 Bishops, 6 Priests and/or Deacons and 8 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider major general policies, priorities and concerns as to the domestic mission of this Church. This shall include a review of the shaping of new patterns and directions for evangelism particularly in rural and metropolitan areas. The Commission shall develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.

(5) A Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relationsconsisting of 18 members (6 Bishops, 6 Priests and/or Deacons and 6 Lay Persons). Its duties It shall be the duty of the Commission to recommend to the General Convention a comprehensive and coordinated policy and strategy on relations between this Church and other Churches, and this Church and other religions, to make recommendations to General Convention concerning interchurch cooperation and unity, and interreligious dialogue and action, and to carry out such instructions on ecumenical and interreligious matters as may be given it from time to time by the General Convention. It shall also nominate for appointment by the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, persons to serve on the governing bodies of ecumenical and interreligious organizations to which this Church belongs by action of the General Convention, who shall report to the Presiding Bishop, Executive Council and the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations.

(6) A Standing Commission on Liturgy and Musicconsisting of 16 members (4 Bishops, 4 Priests and/or Deacons and 8 Lay Persons). In addition, theThe Custodian of the Book of Common Prayer shall be a member ex officio with voice, but without vote. The Standing Commission shall:It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) Discharge such duties as shall be assigned to it by the General Convention as to policies and strategies concerning the common worship of this Church.

(ii) Collect, collate and catalogue material bearing upon possible future revisions of the Book of Common Prayer.

(iii) Cause to be prepared and to present to the General Convention recommendations concerning the Lectionary, Psalter, and offices for special occasions as authorized or directed by the General Convention or House of Bishops.

(iv) Recommend to the General Convention authorized translations of the Holy Scripture from which the Lessons prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer are to be read.

(v) Receive and evaluate requests for consideration of individuals or groups to be included in the Calendar of the Church year and make recommendations thereon to the General Convention for acceptance or rejection.

(vi) Collect, collate, and catalogue material bearing upon possible future revisions of The Hymnal 1982 and other musical publications regularly in use in this Church and encourage the composition of new musical materials.

(vii) Cause to be prepared and present to the General Convention recommendations concerning the musical settings of liturgical texts and rubrics, and norms as to liturgical music and the manner of its rendition.

(viii) At the direction of the General Convention, to serve the Church in matters pertaining to policies and strategies concerning Church music.

(7) A Standing Commission on Ministry Developmentconsisting of 24 members. Nine members shall be appointed on the nomination of the nine Provincial Presidents, one nomination from each Province. The remaining 15 shall include 3 bishops, 4 priests and/or deacons, provided that two shall be deacons, and 8 lay persons. It shall be the duty of the Commission:

(i) to recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development, affirmation and exercise of the ministry of all the baptized;

(ii) to encourage and facilitate networks of individuals, institutions and agencies engaged in education, training, deployment and formation for ministry by all four orders;

(iii) to study the needs and trends of theological education for all four orders with this Church, including issues of recruitment, training, deployment, evaluation and continuing education; to make recommendation to the several seminaries, the Executive Council and the General Convention; and to aid the General Board of Examining Chaplains in the exercise of its function;

(iv) to discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention.

(8) A Standing Commission on National Concernsconsisting of 16 members (2 Bishops, 6 Priests and/or Deacons and 8 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to identify, study and consider general policies, priorities and concerns about the theological, ethical and pastoral issues and strategies as to the ministries of this Church serving Christ, to strive for justice and peace among all peoples through the proclamation of the Gospel and to develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and strategies applicable to the same.

(9) A Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development, consisting of 12 members (2 Bishops, 2 Priests and/or Deacons, and 8 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to hold up before the Church the responsibility of faithful stewardship of time, talent and treasure in grateful thanksgiving for God’s gifts. It shall recommend strategies for stewardship education throughout the Church with special sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic diversity of our Church. It shall recommend programs for long-range planning and development, ensuring that other Church bodies, including the Executive Council, are part of the process. It shall assure that there is an official, periodic gathering, interpretation, evaluation and reporting of stewardship from throughout the Church. It shall help coordinate all church-wide fund-raising activities.

(10) A Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church, consisting of 12 members (3 Bishops, 3 Presbyters and/or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to study and make recommendations concerning the structure of the General Convention and of the Church. It shall, from time to time, review the operation of the several Committees and Commissions to determine the necessity for their continuance and the effectiveness of their functions and to bring about a coordination of their efforts. Whenever a proposal is made for the creation of a new Committee or Commission, it shall, wherever feasible, be referred to the Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church for its consideration and advice.

(11) A Standing Commission on World Mission, consisting of 12 members (3 Bishops, 3 Priests or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons),whose members shall include persons broadly representative of jurisdictions outside the United States of America, as well as persons having direct engagement with and experience in world mission. It shall be the duty of the Commission, as to all mission outside the United States, to review and evaluate existing policies, priorities and strategies, and to promote partnership for global mission among the various groups within the church, to plan and propose policy on overseas mission, and to make recommendations pertaining to the Executive Council and the General Convention.

(12) A Standing Commission on Episcopal Church Communicationconsisting of 14 members (4 Bishops, 4 Priests and/or Deacons, and 6 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to guide the policies, participate in the strategic planning, and share in the oversight of implementing a comprehensive communication strategy for The Episcopal Church.

(13) A Standing Commission on Healthconsisting of 11 members (3 Bishops, 3 Priests and/or Deacons, and 5 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to:

(i) Articulate and communicate positions adopted by The Episcopal Church on health care policy to Episcopalians, the public, and public policy makers;

(ii) Advocate, in cooperation with the Office of Government Relations, for a health care system in which all may be guaranteed decent and appropriate primary health care during their lives and as they approach death;

(iii) Bring together those within The Episcopal Church who develop, provide and/or teach health care and health policy to continue to develop a Christian approach to pressing issues that affect the health care system of this nation;

(iv) Understand and keep abreast of the rapidly changing health care market and developments in biomedical research that affect health policy;

(v) Collect and develop resources and teaching materials related to access to health care for the use of dioceses, congregations, and individuals;

(vi) Advocate health ministry in and through local Episcopal congregations; and

(vii) Discharge such other duties as shall be assigned by the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That this amendment shall be effective immediately; and be it further

Resolved, That the transition in number of members on the Standing Commissions whose number of members is changed by this resolution shall be achieved as follows:

1. All persons currently serving on any Standing Commission shall continue to serve to the normal expiration of their terms.
2. The Presiding Bishop-elect and the President of the House of Deputies shall, in accordance with the requirements of this resolution, appoint six (6) persons to each Standing Commission whose terms shall conclude at the end of the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
3. The President of the House of Deputies shall appoint one additional lay person to the Standing Commission for Small Congregations. This appointee’s term shall conclude at the end of the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
4. The Presiding Bishop-Elect and the President of the House of Deputies shall appoint six additional members to the Standing Commission on Health and to any Standing Commissions created by the 75th General Convention. These appointees’ terms shall conclude at the end of the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.