The 80th General Convention of the Episcopal Church is currently scheduled for July 8-11, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 80th General Convention was postponed from its original date (July 2021) and has been drastically reduced in length and size.
The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. Every three years it meets as a bicameral (two-branched) legislature composed of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. The House of Deputies includes laypeople and clergy from each Diocese (our diocese’s deputation to the 80th General Convention was elected in 2019 at our 151st Diocesan Convention). The House of Bishops includes all bishops in the church.
Between General Convention sessions, the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council leads the church and is responsible for executing the program and policies of Convention.
Among the powers of General Convention are:
- Amend the Constitutions and Canons (laws) of the Church;
- Adopt the Church’s budget;
- Authorize liturgies used by the Church, including amendments to the Book of Common Prayer.
As the General Convention‘s website states, “the legislative process of General Convention is an expression of The Episcopal Church’s belief that, under God, the Church is ordered and governed by its people: laity, deacons, priests, and bishops.”
