ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Hello St. Andrew’s friends. This was the first year I attended the Chicago Episcopal Diocese annual convention (in person), and recently I was asked by a few parishioners, “what do you do at Convention?” I thought I’d answer that question and provide an update on some of the important items reviewed.

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The annual convention is a time to unite, review concrete goals and aspirations plus manage some of the vital business that keeps the Diocese running. It also serves as a time of reunion and fellowship amongst committed Episcopal lay people and clergy from around the state. I found the 2 days of Convention both interesting and inspiring. Attending allowed me to experience the intersection of several things I enjoy in life-- being surrounded by intelligent, spiritual people; listening in on respectful and thoughtful debate; and the chance to challenge myself intellectually.

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This 186th Convention kicked off on Friday, November 17 with a series of workshops that were held at Episcopal churches in the western suburbs, all within about a 20-minutes’ drive from the main convention hub of the Westin hotel in Lombard. This helped the Diocese save money, as less hotel space was needed.

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The Workshops centered around a few different themes this year… all important, timely and some quite provocative. Topics included anti-racism, equity and the dismantling of oppression; the Israeli Palestinian conflict; tools for lay leaders; and the work Chicago is doing to welcome the recent influx of immigrants. The keynote speaker and guest preacher for the Convention, Western Louisiana Bishop Jake Owensby also presented a workshop with a reading from his book entitled, “A Resurrection Shaped Life.”

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I attended workshops, and each of St. Andrew’s other elected delegates, Jennifer Robbins and Christine Swanson, did as well. Father Gregg, Deacon Rose and Tara Dix Osborne also attended this year’s convention. Here is my report on the two workshops that I experienced on Friday:

 

Beyond Violence in Palestine/Israel

This workshop was described as a space for prayer, learning, and discussion on the violence that has erupted in the Holy Land and how we can apply our vow as Episcopalians to “strive for justice and peace among all people.” It included an explanation of one of the Convention’s resolutions titled Resolution F-186 “Solidarity with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement,” (BDS) which highlighted support for a nonviolent path to justice and equality for the people of Palestine and Israel. The speakers were very passionate and thoughtful, and it was clear they were all very supportive of the Resolution we’d be voting on the next day.

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During the workshop, a video was shared that did a moderate job describing the history of the Israeli Palestinian conflict, and a guest speaker shared her and her family’s difficult experience of what it was like to live in Palestine in the 70’s and 80’s and their eventual migration to the U.S. This speaker also provided her personal viewpoints on why the Diocese should pass the BDS resolution. It was unclear to me if she was a member of our Diocese. A few workshop attendees asked questions or made statements regarding the BDS resolution and about their personal feelings around effects of the ongoing conflict in the region.

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There were strong emotions and concern on both sides of the BDS resolution issue, and I’m sure it’s fair to say that everyone in attendance want peace, freedom and the end of suffering for all the people living in the Holy Land. I felt conflicted, and unsure of how I would end up voting on the BDS resolution during the business session the next day. I determined that I would reflect, look to God, and use my best instincts / judgement when the time came to cast my ballot.

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The Status of Our New Arrivals and the Ministry of Housing
The second session I attended was hosted by the Diocese Sanctuary Committee and featured an informational session led by Beatriz Ponce de León, the City of Chicago’s first-ever Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights. Ponce de León provided a myriad of information on how the city is working to welcome, house and transition the influx of immigrants and asylum seekers who are being bused into the city daily from our southern border.

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I learned that Chicago has received more than 21K new arrivals since August of 2022 and there are currently more than 12K residents staying in 25 active shelters. Approximately 1800 people are awaiting placement, with the majority waiting in Police Districts (either inside or in tent structures). The city’s goal is to have all new arrivals housed in brick-and-mortar buildings as soon as possible.

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One of the most interesting stats I heard is that out of the 495 buses full of people that have rolled into Chicago since August, 2022, 80% of the total arrived during Mayor Johnson’s first 7 months in office. I was impressed that he and his new staff have mobilized efforts as much as they have so far… yet they know that there is much more work to be done to help these new arrivals transition and resettle.

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It was discussed how and why the city has been able to support these immigrants and if doing so is taking away resources from local marginalized or unhoused community members. It was noted that the city of Chicago is managing a “both/and operation.” In addition to the resources structured for new arrivals, the City continues to invest in new, long-term homeless solutions, including developing new shelter spaces and increasing permanent housing options.

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During the last half of this workshop, 3 diocese members shared stories and resource ideas about how their parishes, or a combination of parishes, have sponsored and welcomed immigrants into their communities. We were urged to think about what we could do within our parishes to help.

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Here is a link to resources / ideas from the Chicago Episcopal Diocese Sanctuary committee.

Here is a link to learn more about what the City of Chicago is doing and how you can assist.

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Friday Afternoon
Friday afternoon at the Westin, the 400 or so attendees were welcomed by our Bishop Paula Clark, and treated to a philosophical keynote address and discussion session facilitated by Bishop Owensby. One of the topics surrounded thoughts on what is “Hope” vs. “Wishful Thinking.”  The afternoon session ended with a festive Eucharist and after dinner on their own, attendees were invited back to the Westin for music and conversation.

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Saturday Overview
Saturday’s session was held in the Westin’s main ballroom, where the day started with Morning prayer, led by a layperson from Bishop Clark’s staff. This is an important note because during the 2-day convention, I learned that a THIRD of the churches in our Diocese right now are going through some kind of clergy transition and being led by laypeople / parishioners! There is currently a clergy shortage with no immediate relief in sight, so laypeople throughout the Diocese are stepping up to lead their churches. Bishop Clark noted during one of her addresses that the Diocese is committed to providing resources and support to all churches without clergy, and she announced that she would be spending Holy Week in Aurora, where 3 of the churches in that area are currently lay-person led.

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The church business meeting as well as a break for a beautiful buffet lunch took place from approximately 10AM-3PM on Saturday. When we took our lunch break, I discovered that 2 of our very own parishioners Chloe Green and Paul Spitalli were there staffing the children’s area… keeping attendees’ children happily busy with crafts and games.

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The business we attended to on Saturday included voting for new members of the Bishop and Diocese staff, as well as voting on 1 piece of legislation and 5 resolutions. Voting is chaired by Bishop Clark and Canonical voting procedures were followed. In case of any conflicts (and there was one) we abide by Robert’s Rules of Order.

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The final resolutions as passed can be found here… four were passed by a wide majority with relatively minimal discussion. The one that garnered the most discussion and ultimately was not passed, was Resolution F-186, Solidarity with the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement. An alternative amendment was submitted for consideration, many speakers weighed in with their thoughts and concerns regarding the topic, and in the end it did not get a majority YES vote to pass. Approximately 30-35% of people voted NO and 10-13% of people abstained. My vote was one of the abstentions as I felt that there was no clear action plan associated with the Resolution, and although I agreed with much of it, I think it was not thought through enough to be voted on at this time.

 

Until Next Year

Next year’s Convention will be held online November 28 due to budgetary concerns… I am hopeful that the online format will not be a permanent situation. I want to thank St. Andrew’s for voting for me to be one of our delegates and please know I am happy to discuss Convention topics with you at any time.

Thanks for reading!
Nina Kuhlman