The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #22 on Resolution A155 (To Establish a Program for the Alleviation of Domestic Poverty) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A155)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention commend the Presiding Bishop’s Summit on Domestic Poverty that met in May 2008, recognizing with gratitude the witness and ministry of all those who work to address domestic poverty and stand with the poor and marginalized; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church recognize the pressing challenges to those living in poverty and the working poor throughout this nation and call for new and innovative strategies to address issues related to nutrition, employment, childcare, education, healthcare, environment, housing, as well as equal protection under law and cultural affirmation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church, as a special focus in the new triennium, recognizing that many of the poorest counties in the United States are among Native Peoples living on reservations, gives priority to our sisters and brothers of this land whose population has increased while disparities in income, economic security, health and health care and quality of life continue unabated; and be it further

Resolved, That a program be developed at the Church Center, reporting to Executive Council, with measurable goals for an advocacy program to federal, state and local governments to reduce poverty in these counties, and measurable goals to build capacity and sustainable communities through development initiatives, working with local dioceses and tribal governments, and that a minimum funding level of $400,000 be made available from the General Convention for these initiatives; and be it further

Resolved, That primary coordination be in the Advocacy Center, particularly the Office of Jubilee Ministries and Domestic Justice, the Office of Native American Ministries and the Office of Government Relations, working with the Executive Council Committee on Indigenous Ministries and in partnership with other appropriate offices from the mission centers and other bodies as may be identified, such as the Episcopal Church Foundation; 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 $400,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That The Episcopal Church recognize the pressing challenges to those living in poverty and the working poor throughout this nation and call for new and innovative strategies to address issues related to nutrition, employment, childcare, education, healthcare, environment and housing, as well as equal protection under law and cultural affirmations; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church establish a community development initiative in Native People’s communities in the new triennium, recognizing that Native People live in some of the poorest counties in the United States experiencing increasing disparities in income, economic security, health and healthcare, and quality of life; and be it further

Resolved, That this community development initiative emerge from the visions and voices of the local Native People’s communities, address community development opportunities using asset-based community development models, identify key federal, state and local advocacy issues, and access the abundant human and financial resources of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council, working closely with the Advocacy Center, evaluate the community development initiative in Native People’s communities; and be it further

Resolved, That the Advocacy Center sponsor asset-based community development training held regionally throughout The Episcopal Church to hear the voices of people living in poverty and the working poor who are members of our Episcopal congregations and institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council report to the 77th General Convention a strategic plan for establishing domestic development programs for The Episcopal Church in the 2013-2015 triennium and beyond; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention authorize a budget allocation of $400,000 per annum in the 2010-2012 triennium for the implementation of this resolution.

The Bishop of Texas moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the final resolve clause, replace the word “authorize” with the words “request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on substitute Resolution A155 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #115)