Citing the “charism of relationality” it sees in the Episcopal Church’s constitution, the Standing Commission on World Mission in its 49-page report to this summer’s General Convention declares:
In a climate where the voices of isolationism and intolerance are weaving their threads into the very fabric of institutions, the Standing Commission on World Mission has sought to bring to the fore a new garment, donning our Baptismal Covenant whereby we present a counterculture based on the values of relationality, epistemic humility, and a celebration of diversity. Upholding these values is our way of reaching forth our hands in love and living out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).
In summarizing its activities over the two years since the 2022 General Convention, the commission prioritizes addressing what it sees as a colonial mindset:
To root ourselves in the missional work of the Church – to restore all people to unity with God and each other – we must live into deeper relationship with our Anglican siblings around the globe and, more broadly, with all of God’s people. To do so, we must first acknowledge that many of those relationships are broken or perhaps never existed in the first place. The work of undoing the colonial mindset that exists in the Episcopal Church is first and foremost about improving those relationships.
The commission organized itself into several working groups over the two years: Dismantling Colonialism, Rising Religious Nationalism, the Global Mission Advocates Network, and Gender-Based Violence. Other efforts were undertaken as well, with the result that the commission is presenting 11 resolutions for action at convention, which will be held June 23-28 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville (pictured above):
A080 Create a Task Force on Countering the Colonial Mindset
A081 Combat Rising Religious Nationalism
A082 Support the Episcopal Veterans Network
A083 Affirm Anglican Connections
A084 Join the Communion Forest
A085 Support for the Global Mission Advocates Network
A086 Create a Task Force for Youth Formation and World Mission
A087 Collect Data on Meeting Sustainable Development Goals
A088 Consult with the Office of Global Partnerships
A089 Address Violence Against Women and Girls
A041 Create a Task Force on the Episcopal Church-Anglican Communion Relationships
On Wednesday, June 5, 3-5pm Eastern, the World Mission Legislative Committee will hold an open hearing on: A080, A083, A085, A087, A088; D026 on support for Episcopal Migration Ministries; and A043 on support for Iraqi Christians. Interested persons may sign up to attend or present here.
The SCWM’s members are, with their dioceses, provinces and ending years:
Ms. Martha Gardner, Chair, Massachusetts, I 2024
The Rev. Manoj Mathew Zacharia, Ph.D., Vice-Chair, Maryland, III 2027
The Rev. Irene Tanabe, Secretary, Olympia, VIII 2024
The Rt. Rev. Lucinda Ashby, El Camino Real, VIII 2027
The Rev. Canon Walter B.A. Brownridge, Vermont, I 2024
The Very Rev. Dr. Caroline Carson, New Jersey, II 2027
Sra. Grecia Christian Reynoso, Dominican Republic, IX 2024
Canon Judith Conley, Arizona, VIII 2024
Mr. Thomas Diaz, Los Angeles, VIII 2027
Ms. Emily Elston, Southern Virginia, III 2027
The Rt. Rev. Alan Gates, Massachusetts, I 2024
Ms. Felicity Hallanan, Central New York, II 2027
Ms. Emily Keniston, Maine, I 2024
The Rev. Grey Maggiano, Maryland, III 2024
The Rt. Rev. José McLoughlin, Western North Carolina, IV 2024
Ms. Denise Reovan, Virgin Islands, II 2024
Ms. Angela Smith, Western Kansas, VII 2024
Ms. Diane Wright, Virginia, III 2027
The Rev. Canon Dr. Wilmot Merchant, Ex. Council Liaison, South Carolina, IV 2024
The House of Deputies World Mission Legislative Committee that is considering the resolutions has the following members, listed with their dioceses and provinces:
|
Crawford, Rev. Dr. Lee |
Chair |
Vermont, I |
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O’Neal, Ms. Yvonne |
Vice-Chair |
New York, II |
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Rodriguez, Mrs. Heather |
Secretary |
Central Florida, IV |
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Duff Popplewell, Rev. Elizabeth |
Asst. Secretary |
Iowa, VI |
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Brooks, Rev. Theodora |
Member |
New York, II |
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Callender, Rev. Randy |
Member |
Maryland, III |
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Conley, Canon Judith |
Member |
Arizona, VIII |
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Hsin-Fen Chang, Rev. Fennie |
Member |
Los Angeles, VIII |
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Jiménez, Sra. Coromoto |
Member |
Venezuela, IX |
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Malsan, Mr. David |
Member |
Albany, II |
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Mysen, Te Rev. Andrea |
Member |
Chicago, V |
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Padró, Sra. Lymari |
Member |
Puerto Rico, II |
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Rivera, Angel |
Member |
Puerto Rico, II |
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Skimina, Mr. Timothy |
Member |
Northern Indiana, V |
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Sprauve, Mr. Elton |
Member |
the Virgin Islands, II |
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Ayala Harris, Ms. Julia |
Ex Officio |
Oklahoma, VII |
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Yarbrough, Rev. Rebecca |
Dispatch Liaison |
North Carolina, IV |
The House of Bishops World Mission Legislative Committee, which meets with the deputies’ committee, has the following members:
|
Ashby, Bishop Lucinda |
Chair |
El Camino Real, VIII |
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Van Koevering, Bishop Mark |
Vice-Chair |
Lexington, IV |
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Sumner, Jr., Bishop George R. |
Secretary |
Dallas, VII |
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Monterroso, Bishop Hector |
Member |
Texas, VII |
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Quiñonez, Bishop Juan Carlos |
Member |
Central Ecuador, IX |