The 79^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church is scheduled for July 5 through July 13, in Austin, Texas. The convention meets every three years and is modeled after the legislative body of the federal government. Business includes adopting legislation of concern to the Church; amending the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution, and the Canons; adopting a triennial budget; and electing candidates to offices, boards and committees. A primer on how the convention works can be found here.

The Rt. Rev. George Sumner will serve as a member of the House of Bishops.

The Dallas deputies who will participate and vote at the convention are: The Rev. Canon Victoria Heard, the Rev. Dr. Samira Izadi Page, the Very Rev. Neal Michell, the Rev. Canon Michael Gilton, Carrie Headington, Bill Murchison, Lee Spence and Lana Valenta.

The diocesan deputy alternates for General Convention are: The Rev. Greg Methvin, the Rev. Matthew Olver, the Rev. Craig Reed, Jolayne LaCour, Anne Schmidt, Bill McGannon and Don Mills. 

Valenta said she looks forward to participating in her first General Convention and has been studying the issues ahead of time in preparation but is particularly interested in the budget. She also hopes to develop new relationships.  “It is my hope to meet many Episcopalians from around the United States and its provinces.  I want to listen compassionately to the perspectives and journeys, because I truly believe everyone just wants to be heard,” Valenta said. “I pray that God's preferred plan will be manifested.”

Gilton said he plans to follow committee meetings focusing on church planting and looks forward to mixing it up with those from other dioceses. “I know this may sound trite, but I’m looking forward to spending times with folks I’ve not met before, he said. “I made a number of new friends in Salt Lake City, and I expect to do so in Austin.”

LaCour concurred saying she plans to build relationships with those from other parts of the country. And she hopes the experience is spiritual. “I pray that this 79^th General Convention will be grounded in scripture and guided through prayer by the Holy Spirit in discernment of all matters put before it,” she said.  “I also pray that we are able to come together as brothers and sisters in Christ’s love for one another to do His will for the Episcopal Church.”

Murchison said, “I'm serving on the liturgy committee, and my hope is to help prevent needless tampering with a prayer book whose resources we have yet to plumb after the dissensions and dust-ups that the book's introduction precipitated in 1979,” he said. “If we retain the present Book of Common Prayer as a vehicle of our belief and witness, and preserve it from serious harm, I believe we will owe General Convention substantial gratitude.”

Spence said she is interested in following the racial reconciliation discussions at the triennial meeting. "I expect General Convention to reiterate and reinforce what happens at the altar when we celebrate the Eucharist.  Our Prayer Book contains the accepted tenets of our faith," she said. "I believe the work of General Convention cannot be done without total reliance on God’s word as found in Scripture. We all search for affirmation and love in order to validate our efforts.  God is faithful and will provide all we need."

McGannon, who is an alternate said he mostly plans to observe and witness history.

Michell, who is serving on the Constitution and Canons Committee, said “I’ve been a General Convention watcher and participant, and I can honestly say that I have no idea what will come out of General Convention this year.”

Read Bishop Sumner's Message on General Convention Here