The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention adopt the following Resolution of Thanksgiving for the life and ministry of Pamela Pauley [sic] Chinnis, 1925- 2011.

For the life and ministry of Pamela Pauley [sic] Chinnis;

• For her distinction as the first woman President of the House of Deputies, and for her dedicated service for three terms, being elected in 1991, 1994, and 1997;
  
• For her leadership and faithful service in God’s Church, among her many roles; Senior Warden and Lay Leader at The Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D.C.; Chair of the diocesan United Thank Offering Committee (UTO) and President of the diocesan chapter of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), and presiding officer of the national ECW’s Triennial meeting in 1976; Delegate to the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and member of the General Board; Delegate to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC); and Member of the ACC’s delegation to the Lambeth Conference, 1988;
  
• For presenting to the church the archetype of female and male, working together to preach the Gospel and respect the dignity of every human being, by standing side by side with Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, and the Rev. Dr. Edgar Romig, former Rector, The Church of the Epiphany, Washington;
  
• For her advocacy of the ordination of women, working tirelessly to help the church understand the theological importance of women in clerical orders.
  
• For her leadership in advocating the full inclusion of LGBT people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) in the life of the church;
  
• For her prophetic witness in challenging and shaping The Episcopal Church on issues of justice and inclusion, particularly her tireless work to combat both sexism and homophobia, and her leadership in presiding over many landmark decisions on the road to inclusion.
• For her compassionate witness in showing The Episcopal Church’s support for those men, women, and children infected and affected by the AIDS pandemic;
  
• For her leadership in including the voices of all the baptized in the governance system she cherished and helped to lead;
  
• For her knowledge of the Bible, her faith, and her intellect which helped the church understand that all human beings are created in the image of God.
  
• For her personal courage, her grace, her wisdom, her humor, her vast knowledge of the legislative process, her care and concern for others, her brilliant communication skills, and for her unfailing love and commitment to The Episcopal Church and all its members;
  
• For her model of life, ministry, and leadership which continues to gives hope, inspiration, and strength to bishops, priests, deacons, and lay leaders in light of today’s challenges, divisions, and issues.