EPF events at General Convention were wonderful. This Brief Report will only give you a glimpse. A full report of EPF at General Convention will be written by our Young Adult Team and be published in the next Issue of Episcopal Peace Witness.
Please see below for RESOLUTION RESULTS
If you have specific questions, don't hesitate to call the office at 312-922-8628 or epfnational@ameritech.net.
General Convention: A Brief Report
Because of EPF members' generous contributions, our wonderful volunteers, and our incredible leadership, EPF was able to have a major presence at the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church held last month in Columbus, Ohio.
As you know, EPF introduced resolutions regarding our nonviolence training program, the war in Iraq, Iran and pre-emptive strikes and supported resolutions to stop torture, to enable peace in the Middle East and many others. The Iraq and nonviolence resolutions passed with $21,000 designated for nonviolence training. Due to time restraints, the others will be forwarded to the Executive Council (see Resolution Results below)
With the Interfaith Community of Columbus, the American Friends Service Committee, EPF brought the Eyes Wide Open exhibit to the Ohio Statehouse (only 7 blocks from the convention center). With 2,497 pairs of boots (at the time) one pair representing each American soldier killed in this conflict and 3,000 pairs of shoes representing the over 100,000 Iraqis killed, the exhibit was very impressive. Many GC Episcopalians along with Columbus natives were moved when visiting the exhibit (please see enclosed Living Church article).
EPF’s Young Adult Presence was graced with ten incredible young adults coming from ten different dioceses across the country. They were full participants at General Convention, testifying before several committees including the Program, Budget and Finance. Based on their testimony around immigration, they were asked to write a resolution. They were full participants in the Eyes Wide Open exhibit, wrote articles for the Issues publication and were invaluable at the our booth space and the Sayre Award reception. Look for their coverage of GC in the next issue of Episcopal Peace Witness!!
The EPF/Witness reception honoring the Rev. Canon Naim Ateek and Madeleine Trichel with the John Nevin Sayre Award and the Witness awardees: Marge Christi, The Rt. Rev. Steve Charleston, and the Rev. Canon Brian Grieves was powerful, fun, cool and convenient. Many folks who wanted to be there were unable to come since the convention schedule was changed to add an additional legislative session.
Lunchtime speakers at the Consultation booth in the exhibit hall were very well attended, sometimes pulling in over 200 people. The Consultation groups, in addition to EPF: Associated Parishes for Liturgy & Mission, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry Advocates, The Witness/ECPC, Episcopal Network for Economic Justice, Episcopal Urban Caucus, Episcopal Women's Caucus, Integrity, Union of Black Episcopalians shared booth space joyfully.
EPF Prayer Cards were available daily and will be available very soon on our web site along with new EPF t-shirts, a new EPF button, three cool tattoos and an attractive and useful snack pack for packing a lunch peacefully. Submitted by Jackie Lynn, Executive Director
