[February 7, 2017] The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer of General Convention, announced the draft schedule for the 79th General Convention, availablehere in both English and Spanish.

The 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held Thursday, July 5 to Friday, July 13, 2018 at The Austin Convention Center, Austin, Texas (Diocese ofTexas).  #GC79

Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry and President of the House of Deputiesthe Rev. Gay Clark Jennings will make their presentations to General Convention on Wednesday, July 4.

The first legislative day is Thursday, July 5. On that day, the opening Eucharist will be held at 9:15 am. After that, daily worship is slated for the conclusion of each day’s session.

The major Eucharist with the Diocese of Texas will be held on Saturday, July 7 at Palmer Events Center.  In addition to the traditional United Thank Offering Ingathering, this Eucharist will feature elements of a Revival with innovative worship and music.  A Diocese of Texas event will follow worship on Saturday. 

On Sunday, July 8, deputies and bishops are invited either to worship in local parishes or to attend a Eucharist in the Convention Center at 10:30 am.

“The Diocese of Texas is excited to host the 79th General Convention,” noted the Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan of Texas. “We envision the Convention as a welcome mat, not only to the Episcopal Church, but also to the world. With the enhancements to the schedule, we will invite people from around Texas and beyond to join in the Jesus Movement, especially through the Saturday evening worship and revival event, all with a touch of Texas hospitality.”

He explained that the lively worship planned for Saturday evening in the spirit of the revivals being held throughout the Episcopal Church over the next few years. It will be held at Palmer Events Center, a larger venue, to allow more people to attend from neighboring dioceses “and be inspired by the Presiding Bishop’s preaching. Food and entertainment to follow in the spirit of true Texas hospitality,” Bishop Fisher added.

The Palmer Events Center, located within walking distance of the Austin Convention Center, is able to seat all the General Convention deputies and bishops as well as visitors from the surrounding dioceses.

Theme
Barlowe announced that The Jesus Movement: Loving, Liberating and Life-giving will be theme for the 79h General Convention.

“The theme of The Jesus Movement: Loving, Liberating and Life-giving mirrors the dedicated work of our deputies and bishops, and connects the important work of governance with the other mission and ministry of the church,” Barlowe explained. “The Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements approved this theme with enthusiasm.”

General Convention
The General Convention is the governing body of the Episcopal Church that meets every three years. It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, composed of bishops and deputies from each diocese. During its triennial meeting bishops and deputies consider a wide range of important matters facing the Church. In the interim between triennial meetings, various committees, commissions, agencies, boards and task forces created by the General Convention meet to implement the decisions and carry on the work of the General Convention.

Over the next seventeen months, the General Convention Office will provide information, materials, educational items and other features about the General Convention, the Diocese of Texas, and Austin, TX.