The General Convention is the primary governing and legislative body of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. With the exception of the Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons, it is the ultimate authority in the Episcopal Church. General Convention comprises two houses: the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. It meets regularly once every three years; however, the House of Bishops meets regularly in between sessions of General Convention. The Bishops have the right to call special meetings of General Convention.

All diocesan, coadjutor, suffragan, and assistant bishops of the Episcopal Church, whether active or retired, have seat and vote in the House of Bishops. Each diocese of the Episcopal Church, as well as the Navajoland Area Mission and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, are entitled to representation in the House of Deputies by four clergy deputies, either presbyters or deacons, canonically resident in the diocese and four lay deputies who are confirmed communicants in good standing. Resolutions must pass both houses in order to take effect.

The convention is divided into committees which consider resolutions. Resolutions arise from four different sources: 1) "A" resolutions from interim bodies whose work is collected in what is referred to as the "Blue Book" 2) "B" resolutions which come from Bishops 3) "C" resolutions which come from diocesan conventions and 4) "D" resolutions which originate from Deputies. Each properly submitted resolution is referred to a convention committee which makes its recommendation to the House. When one house has acted on the resolution it is sent to the other house for consideration.

Learn more at www.generalconvention.org

The 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 5-12, 2012.  Along with Bishop Stephen Lane, four lay deputies and four clerical deputies will attend.  In addition the first lay and clerical alternate deputies will attend. 

Visit the Diocese of Maine's deptuation blog at "Mainers in Indianapolis" www.gc2012.net.

General Convention Deputies – Lay
Mr. Peter Bickford – Christ Church, Norway
Ms Brenda Hamilton – St. Andrew’s, Newcastle
Mr. Alan Shaver – Grace Church, Bath
The Hon. Marge Kilkelly – St. Matthew’s, Hallowell

General Convention Deputies – Clergy
The Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh – Cathedral of St. Luke, Portland
The Rev. Martha Kirkpatrick – St. Margaret’s, Belfast
The Rev. Lev Sherman – All Saints, Skowhegan, and St. Martin’s, Palmyra
The Rev. Michael Ambler – Grace Church, Bath

General Convention – Lay Alternates
Mr. Tom Beecher – St. George’s, York Harbor
Mr. Mark Spahr – St. Patrick’s, Brewer
Ms Rita Redfield, St. Andrew and St. John, Southwest Harbor
Ms Maria Kovacs, St. Michael’s, Auburn

General Convention – Clerical Alternates
The Rev. Patricia Robertson – St. Mary and St. Jude, Northeast Harbor