The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it meets as a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, composed of deputies and bishops from each diocese.
The General Convention is a legislative body. It is not a conference. The Convention is invigorating, exciting and full of energy, but its main purpose is to do legislative work, and deputies are elected to exercise leadership on behalf of the whole church. Worship frames our Convention. Meeting people from all over The Episcopal Church enlivens our Convention. But the majority of the Convention is discussing resolutions (legislation) that set the policy of The Episcopal Church.
The Deputies from the Diocese of Newark report on the work of the General Convention at the next Diocesan Convention.
Anyone who feels called to governance work feels at home at General Convention.
Here are some items to consider:
- The General Convention is meeting in Phoenix, AZ, July 1-8, 2027. July 1 and 2 are required pre-meetings. Deputies must be able to attend the entire convention, arriving the day prior and leaving the late evening of the 8th. Days can be 8-10 hours long.
- The diocese covers the cost of attendance for the 4 lay and 4 clergy deputies, and the first alternates from each order.
- Legislative Committees, which you may be placed on, meet on Zoom during the months of January to June of 2027.
- The diocesan Deputation meets monthly in 2026 and 2027 to prepare for convention. Some meetings are in person.
- To prepare for General Convention, there is an extensive amount of reading prior to Convention. At each meeting of the Deputation, Deputies will be asked to report out on the assigned reading and discuss assigned resolutions. Deputies and Alternates are expected to attend these monthly meetings.
- You will be expected to attend the 2027 Diocesan Convention to report on the work of the 2027 General Convention.
If you are considering running for Deputy, the General Convention Deputies of 2024 would love to talk to you about it. Feel free to reach out to any one of us!
The Rev. George E. Dredden III, Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral, Newark
The Rev. Grant Mansfield, St. George’s, Maplewood
The Rev. Cynthia Black, retired
The Rev. Anne E. Kitch, St. Luke’s, Phillipsburg
The Rev. Dr. Elaine Ellis Thomas (first clergy alternate)
Janelle Grant, St. Paul’s, Paterson
Laura A. Russell, All Saints, Hoboken
Paula Cappel, St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange
Jewels Quelly, St. James’, Hackettstown
Rhonda Lutz, Church of the Saviour, Denville (first lay alternate)
