General Convention 2006 
Follow-up The following resources are offered to assist you in interpreting some actions - and subsequent media interest - of the 75th General Convention and the mission of the Episcopal Church. Interviews and Articles Two National Public Radio interviews are especially instructive in framing current developments: an interview with Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold on Terry Gross’ “Fresh Air” program 06/28, and with the Presiding Bishop-elect on the Diane Rehm Show 06/29. These programs are posted online via www.npr.org. Transcripts may also be requested. Regarding the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reflection released earlier this week (www.anglicancommunion.org/acns), Bishop Griswold’s June 28 statement and international reaction, including a brief response from Bishop Jefferts Schori, are available through the Episcopal News Service (www.episcopalchurch.org/ens), The requests of four diocesan Standing Committees for “alternative primatial oversight” is addressed in a June 28 ENS article also available online. As you know, these requests do not reflect the votes of diocesan conventions, as the Diocese of Pittsburgh has carefully and helpfully pointed out in its communication around the matter. Pittsburgh will ask its Convention to ratify the standing committee’s decision during the next meeting of its Convention, November 3-4 (the 4th being the same day as the investiture of the 26th Presiding Bishop). In the June 29 New York Times report, Neela Banerjee took care to speak with persons on all sides of the issues, including Joan Gunderson in Pittsburgh, who is in close contact with some 13 of the diocese’s congregations that would describe themselves as disagreeing with the Standing Committee’s actions. Membership Dioceses, like congregations, do not “leave” the Episcopal Church. Dioceses are creatures of the General Convention and continue in place unmoved by the choices of individual persons who may choose to pursue paths other than sharing in the common mission of the Episcopal Church. Should the need arise to declare a diocese vacant, the Presiding Bishop would be called upon to do so, and to engage a process of healing and restoration, including the eventual call for the election of a new diocesan bishop locally. Statistically, there are some three dozen congregations known to the Episcopal News Service in which a majority of members have chosen to consider themselves part of overseas Provinces of the Anglican Communion. In many of these cases, the continuing Episcopal Church congregation – albeit smaller – has moved forward with the election of a new vestry and in pursuit of longstanding local mission. According to most recent figures (based upon 2004 parochial reports), there are more than 2.4 million Episcopalians worshipping in 7,679 congregations (7,200 domestic and 470 overseas). Millennium Development Goals The Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C., and Episcopal Relief and Development are available to assist you in your local engagement of the Millennium Development Goals, endorsed in Columbus and emphasized repeatedly by both the Presiding Bishop and the Presiding Bishop-elect as a central focus of the Church’s mission. 
The Diocese of Georgia deputation to General Convention
Seated (L-R): lay deputies Buck Crosby, Sierra Wilkinson, Molly Greneker, and Sister Magdalene OSH; Standing (L-R): clerical deputies Frank Logue, Neal Phelps, Billy Alford and Joy Fisher. Not pictured are the two alternates on hand the Very Rev. William Willoughby III and William Steinhauser. 75th General Convention: June 13-21. Columbus, Ohio | 
