This particular blog post addresses concerns about changes that have been proposed to the Rules of Order for the House of Deputies of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. So, this is a heads up (warning label?) to those who follow my Greening Spirit blog that this particular post may induce you into a coma, unless you have real interest in Episcopal Church governance.

Both the Deputies of Color and The Consultation of the Episcopal Church have issued statements in response to the proposed changes, and as Vice-President of the House of Deputies, I was included among those whom the statements addressed. I appreciated both statements very much and the opportunity to respond to them. The Episcopal News Service article covers the dialog in an article published on August 15th: https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2023/08/15/house-of-deputies-considers-plan-to-finish-most-committee-work-online-ahead-of-general-convention/

Today, I have sent my response, with the awareness that there is much more discussion to be had and many more voices that need to be heard. You are welcome to add your thoughts in the comments to this post – please speak only for yourself and please be respectful to all, including those who’ve put in their time and effort serving on the appointed Special Committee.

My response to Deputies of Color and The Consultation is below:

To: Deputies of Color and The Consultation:

Dear Friends,

I am grateful to have been included among those addressed in the statements that you have provided regarding proposed changes to the Rules of Order of the House of Deputies reported by the Special Committee appointed for such purpose by the President of the House of Deputies, Julia Ayala-Harris. Madam President has characterized the Special Committee’s report as generating excitement. For my own part, what I am feeling is not so much excitement as perturbation. I share the concerns that you have collectively raised within your respective statements. I am grateful that the proposed changes have been presented for our consideration as a draft, since I cannot support or recommend the proposed changes in their current form.

The three-page preamble to the Special Committee report indicates that the proposed changes are informed by both feedback from deputies and the core values of the Episcopal Church and the House of Deputies. The document infers core values that are not specifically cited or referenced as core values of the organization. However, language within the document seems to highlight that the committee work is directed by goals of improved time management on the floor of convention and overall cost-savings for convention.

Values are like a compass that keep us headed in a desired direction and are distinct from goals. When an organization reflects on how it wants to operate, the community is focusing on values. Goals are the specific ways the community intends to execute its values. A goal is something that we aim for and check off once accomplished. Being responsible is a value. Changing rules of order is a goal. I do not believe that our organizational values are evinced within the proposed goals. As you have recognized, the proposed changes to pre-convention legislative committee work limits the role of elected deputies and the authority of legislative committees for what issues see the light of convention debate. The result has the effect of consolidating decision-making to an appointed few for greater control over the processes of General Convention, which seems to be the overarching goal throughout the proposed changes. For example, the proposed changes will be imposed as the rules of order for next year’s General Convention prior to any floor debate or voting consent by the House of Deputies.

I believe that the Special Committee anticipated push back to the proposed changes, which informs their preemptive framing of the changes as enhancing greater inclusivity and a broader democratic process, which I would argue that the changes do not in fact accomplish. Further, as your statements have noted, the challenges of months of legislative work prior to convention actually have an exclusive impact on lay deputies and the international diversity of our deputies, who struggle to meet across time zones (with challenged or no connectivity for online meetings) and who thrive best in the experience of in-person community development.

I believe that some of the values we hold as a faith tradition include values of community, compassion, equality, generosity, fairness, justice, and welcome. Pre-Convention listening sessions (not legislative sessions) offered for differing time zones and language needs are in keeping with the desire to hear from many voices, and the offering of scholarships supports in-person attendance for a more meaningful relationship across the Church.

I believe that we are called to value people as our most precious asset and that the cost of doing business ought not outweigh the value of community. Thank you for your statements.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, Vice-President of the House of Deputies

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church

Diocese of Olympia Clergy Deputy (C1) for GC81 (2024)