ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution A141

Title:   Open Dialogue on Difficult Issues

Topic:   Reconciliation

Committee:   Education

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   Status of Women

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commit itself to foster moral deliberation on social and theological questions, seeking to be a community where open, passionate, and respectful deliberation of challenging, contemporary issues is expected and encouraged; engage those of diverse classes, genders, ages, races, cultures and perspectives in the deliberation process so that our limited horizons might be expanded and our witness in the world enhanced; address the issues faced by the people of God, in order to equip them for their discipleship and citizenship in the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention direct the Peace and Justice Ministries Office, Ethnic Congregation Development Office, and Women’s Ministries Office to collaborate in developing models and trainers, lay and ordained, across the Church to guide conversations on difficult issues facing our country and church today; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $28,000 be allocated for this work, including $6,000 for planning the process and printing materials, $20,000 to bring trainers from dioceses and provinces together to learn the process and $2,000 to sustain the process.
 

EXPLANATION

Since the last General Convention events in the Anglican Communion and within the Episcopal Church have underscored the need for ways to talk about potentially divisive and difficult issues of tremendous consequence for all members of the church. The Windsor Report has further underscored the importance of genuine conversation. Good materials exist that could be adapted and adopted for occasions of dialogue; people trained to use them and a church committed to their use are necessary now. Using Church Center staff and trainers already in dioceses or provinces will keep costs low.