The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Communications presented its Report #4 on Resolution A026 (Baptismal Parity) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A026)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention commit itself to baptismal parity for all members of all ages; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention direct the Executive Council to appoint a special task force for (1) interpreting our biblical and theological language and heritage about God and people in ways that include all those created in God's image, (2) offer guidelines to assure linguistic visibility, and (3) introduce same in the everyday worship, music, education, preaching, written materials, and clip art used at the congregational, diocesan and national levels of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force include theologians, members of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, the Committee on the Status of Women, the House of Bishops Theology Committee, the Executive Council Anti-Racism Committee, and the Episcopal News Service; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force publish by 2006 those principles and guidelines with recommendations for introducing them to congregations, the Episcopal Church Center, church-related organizations, staff and media. Many Protestant denominations have such guidelines and stated commitments to linguistic inclusion, which encompass art work as well as language; and be it further

Resolved, That Baptismal parity is the welcoming of all baptized persons into the Body of Christ, where all are included equally and the grace and gifts bestowed by God are recognized and fully utilized; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council provide $34,000 for two meetings of the Task Force and $1,500 for publication of the principles and guidelines.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 74th General Convention commit itself to using language and visual images that reflect the diversity of age, sex, ethnicity, and race among the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention direct the Executive Council to appoint a task force to (1) explore ways to include all who are created in God's image in our use of biblical and theological language and our use of visual images; (2) create guidelines that assure inclusion of persons of both sexes, and all ages, ethnicities and races; and (3) encourage incorporation of these guidelines in the everyday worship, music, education, preaching, written materials, and visual art used at the congregational, diocesan, and national levels of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force include theologians, members of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, the Committee on the Status of Women, the House of Bishops Theology Committee, the Executive Council Anti-Racism Committee, and the Episcopal News Service; and be it further

Resolved, That the 74th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $35,500 ($34,000 for two meetings of the Task Force and $1,500 for communication of these guidelines) for implementation of this resolution.

Deputy Dombek of Upper South Carolina moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Insert "those with disabilities" [sic] between the words "ethnicity" and "race" in the first resolve. Hearing no objection, the President ruled the acceptance of this amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Deputy Thornell of Southern Ohio moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Substitute the phrase "representatives of the ethnic desks" for "the Executive Council Anti-Racism Committee."

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution A026 as amended.

Substitute resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #20)