The second regional meeting of the New Commandment Task Force met at St. Christopher's Church, Dallas, Texas, June 12-16. A group of 13 people issued a statement endorsing the work of the first regional meeting [TLC, June 18] and proposing 11 suggestions to achieve reconciliation within the church.

In part, the group proposes that the General Convention proclaim the first four triennia of the 21st century as the "Season of Reconciliation" within the church; that the House of Bishops appoint a committee of lay and ordained leaders to study the scriptural and historic role of church leaders as reconcilers; and that all national boards, committees and commissions have membership that is diverse, to include theological diversity.

As a continuing effort, the task force asks that the church establish a "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" to promote "truth telling, justice, restitution, repentance and reconciliation." The commission would focus on "sins against groups within ECUSA, sins against other Christian traditions, (and) sins against other religious traditions."

It also proposed a mutual ministry review in three parts: To review each bishop every three years with public reports by diocesan standing committees; to review the Presiding Bishop at mid-term with a public report by the Executive Council; and to review the efficacy of the House of Bishops, the House of Deputies and the Executive Council once a decade with a public report by the committee to nominate the Presiding Bishop.