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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2024-A027
Title: Increase Representation of People of Color in Church Positions
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church (“TEC”) hereby commit to developing greater representation and retention of People of Color in all church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That, the 81st General Convention direct TEC staff in the Office of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, in partnership with others, to complete the development of and dissemination of a set of guidelines and best practices to all parishes, dioceses, and institutions for the recruitment, hiring, appointment, retention, and representation of People of Color in hired and appointed church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That TEC strongly urges all parishes, dioceses, and institutions to follow these guidelines and best practices reporting the results of their efforts through the annual parochial report.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Louisville, 2024 (New York: General Convention, 2024), pp. 867-868.

Legislative History

Author: Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism and Reconciliation
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing presented its Report #5 on Resolution A027 (Increase Recruitment, Hiring, Appointment, Retention, and Representation of People of Color in Church Positions) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A027)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church (“TEC”) hereby commit to developing greater representation and retention of PoC in all church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That, the 81st General Convention urges TEC staff in the Office of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism & Reconciliation and others, to complete the development of and dissemination of a set of guidelines and best practices to all parishes, dioceses, and institutions for the recruitment, hiring, appointment, retention, and representation of People of Color in hired and appointed church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That TEC strongly urges all parishes, dioceses, and institutions to follow these guidelines and best practices reporting the results of their efforts through the annual parochial report.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church (“TEC”) hereby commit to developing greater representation and retention of PoC People of Color in all church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That, the 81st General Convention urges direct TEC staff in the Office of Racial Justice and Reconciliation, in partnership with the Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism & Reconciliation and others, to complete the development of and dissemination of a set of guidelines and best practices to all parishes, dioceses, and institutions for the recruitment, hiring, appointment, retention, and representation of People of Color in hired and appointed church positions; and be it further

Resolved, That TEC strongly urges all parishes, dioceses, and institutions to follow these guidelines and best practices reporting the results of their efforts through the annual parochial report.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #34)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Racial Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Healing presented its Report #20 on HD Message #34 on Resolution A027 (Increase Recruitment, Hiring, Appointment, Retention, and Representation of People of Color in Church Positions) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #238)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 27.

Report Reference:   Executive Council: Report of the Committee on Anti-Racism, Reports to the 81st General Convention, 2024.
Abstract:   The 81st General Convention directs the Office of Racial Justice and Reconciliation to develop guidelines to increase representation of people of color in hired and appointed church positions and urges parishes, dioceses, and institutions to follow these guidelines.
Notes:  

Many actions completed by the House of Deputies resulted in two messages being sent to the House of Bishops. The Acts of Convention followed the Journal Editor’s lead in using the first message number as the official message. House of Deputies Message #34 was followed by House of Deputies Message #76.