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.
The 80th General Convention to be held in July 2012 in Baltimore, MD
The 79th General Convention -July 5 - 13, 2018 in Austin, TX
2018 General Convention Deputation:
Lay Deputies
Elizabeth Hall - Christ Church, Gardiner
Elizabeth Ring - St. Bart's, Yarmouth
Dick Rozene - St. Ann's Windham
John Hennessy - St. Luke's, Portland
Clerical Deputies
The Rev. Nina Pooley, St. Bart's, Yarmouth
The Rev. Mary Lee Wile, St. Paul's, Brunswick
The Rev. Calvin Sanborn, St. George's, York Harbor
The Very Rev. Ben Shambaugh, St. Luke's, Portland
Lay Alternates
Mark Spahr - St. Patrick's, Brewer
Daniel Summers - St. George's, York Harbor
Clerical Alternates
The Rev. Maria Hoecker - St. Columba's, Boothbay Harbor
The Rev. Nathan Ferrell - St. Mary's, Falmouth
About the 2015 Convention:
Passed at the 198th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine, October 28, 2017: to waive the reading of Amendments to the Constitution of the Episcopal Church approved at the 78th General Convention in 2015. They are posted below.
B011 - Regarding Suffragan Bishops to the Armed Forces, First Reading
D003 - Regarding Admission of New Dioceses, First Reading
D008 - Regarding the Separation of the Two Houses of General Convention, First Reading