General Convention Highlights: ​Miriam Casey Interview

Our parishioner Miriam Casey attended the Episcopal Church's General Convention last month as an elected alternate deputy from our Diocese of Northern California.

Miriam, what are the highlights from G81 in Louisville that you’d like to share?

New Presiding Bishop: The Right Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Bishop of the Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Bishop Provisional of Western New York, was elected by the House Bishops to be the new Presiding Bishop on the first ballot. He graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary and earned a PHD in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University. At the final Convention Eucharist in his first sermon as Presiding Bishop Elect, Bishop Rowe said, “The Episcopal Church needs to be ready to tolerate uncertainty, make sacrifices and think differently about how the church should work so it can better share the Gospel of Jesus with a world that needs to hear it.”

Creation Care Legislation: There was a groundswell of support in the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops for Creation Care resolutions, including resolutions calling for funding. D050 a Resolution to Complete the Journey to Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030 was Co-authored by Miriam Casey and Rev Dr Pamela Dolan. This amended resolution, which funded an additional staff person in Creation Care Ministries, was passed.

Covid: Unfortunately, many of our diocese’s deputation developed Covid while in Louisville or shortly after, including myself. Apparently, many other attendees to the convention were infected.

Exhibit Hall: 100s of Exhibitors presented a wealth of information that is useful for the ministries of the churches and dioceses. Bob Wohlsen helped staff the Episcopal Migration Ministries exhibit booth.

EDNC Deputation participation: Many deputies participated in the legislative debates by testifying in the House of Deputies on a wide range of resolutions. I served as an alternate lay deputy.