Resolution Number: 2018-A015
Title: Direct Interim Bodies to Undergo Anti-Racism Training
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention affirm that the “mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP 855, Catechism). And that the work of The Jesus Movement is articulated in the pursuit of the reconciliation of humanity in the pursuit of Racial Reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention acknowledge the work of the Church happening in Interim Bodies is done by groups of Episcopal neighbors, initially strangers to one another, under time and budget constraints and that, as Interim Bodies work, opportunities abound for conscious and unconscious bias to manifest itself and can take the form of oppression and aggression counter to the work of the Body and the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention require the constituted Interim Bodies of the 2019-2021 triennium to include an Anti-Racism/Diversity/Bias Awareness component at their initial meetings and that the cost of such trainings be folded into the budget for each Interim Body.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 689.

Legislative History

Author: Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Racial Justice and Reconciliation

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation presented its Report #5 on Resolution A015 (Anti-Racism/Diversity/Bias Awareness Training for Interim Bodies) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A015)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention affirm that the “mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP 855, Catechism). And that the work of The Jesus Movement is articulated in the pursuit of the reconciliation of humanity in the pursuit of Racial Reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention acknowledge the work of the Church happening in Interim Bodies is done by groups of Episcopal neighbors, initially strangers to one another, under time and budget constraints and that, as Interim Bodies work, opportunities abound for conscious and unconscious bias to manifest itself and can take the form of oppression and aggression counter to the work of the Body and the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention require the constituted Interim Bodies of the 2019-2021 triennium to undergo Anti-Racism/Diversity/Bias Awareness Training at their initial meetings and that the cost of such trainings be folded into the budget for each Interim Body.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention affirm that the “mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ” (BCP 855, Catechism). And that the work of The Jesus Movement is articulated in the pursuit of the reconciliation of humanity in the pursuit of Racial Reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention acknowledge the work of the Church happening in Interim Bodies is done by groups of Episcopal neighbors, initially strangers to one another, under time and budget constraints and that, as Interim Bodies work, opportunities abound for conscious and unconscious bias to manifest itself and can take the form of oppression and aggression counter to the work of the Body and the Gospel; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention require the constituted Interim Bodies of the 2019-2021 triennium to undergoinclude an Anti-Racism/Diversity/Bias Awareness Trainingcomponent at their initial meetings and that the cost of such trainings be folded into the budget for each Interim Body.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #261)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Racial Justice and Reconciliation presented its Report #2 on HB Message #261 on Resolution A015 (Anti-Racism/Diversity/Bias Awareness Training for Interim Bodies) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #442)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.

Report Reference:   Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 574-592.
Abstract:   The 79th General Convention directs that all Interim Bodies of the 2019-2021 triennium include anti-racism training and a diversity component to their initial meetings.