Delegates to the 2019 Diocesan Convention passed several resolutions.
After hearing an address from Bishop Eugene Sutton of Maryland about racial reconciliation and reparations, delegates passed the following resolution:
Creation of a Diocesan Commission on Racial Justice and Reparations
Resolved, that this 37th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, in response to Bishop Eugene Sutton’s address, heed his call to action by creating a Diocesan Commission on Racial Justice and Reparation to explore the history of racial injustice in our diocese and formulate a meaningful response including, but not limited to:
- Support for the Lynching Memorial Project in Tarrant County
- Civil discourse training and conversations in every congregation
- Recommendation to the 38th Diocesan Convention for further action
Further, That this Convention charge the Commission on Racial Justice and Reparation to report its progress throughout the coming year to Executive Council with the goal of determining real and substantial actions going forward.
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In response to Bishop Scott Mayer’s Address, delegates passed the following resolution:
A Resolution in Response to the Bishop’s Address
Resolved, That the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, enjoined and encouraged by our bishop, go into the world from this 37th Convention turning toward the light of lively faith, being the church and blessing the world energized by daily prayer, rest, corporate worship, and continuous learning.
Further, We renew and reaffirm our resolve to be the hands of Christ to heal, the heart of Christ to love, and the feet of Christ to carry the Good News into a challenging and polarized context.
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Two other courtesy resolutions were passed.
Resolution in Appreciation of the Life and Work of Eugene Sutton
Resolved, That this 37th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth commend and thank the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton for his presence among us and words to us, exhorting us to find the win-win in a world of loss, to embrace the dishonest managers and those unlike us, even unto the National, the Redskins, and the Ravens, which we in Texas, when we do consider them, consider them a nuisance.
Further, We rejoice that when the Star (which surely had five points and was blue with a white border) settled over Decatur, he stopped to set a spell with us.
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Resolution in Appreciation of Staff of Fort Worth and Northwest Texas
Resolved, That this 37th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth commend and thank the staffs of the Diocese of Northwest Texas and the Diocese of Fort Worth as they strive to make our unique arrangement work (most of the time) and show incredible grace and patience when it doesn’t.
Further, That we show our appreciation heartily.
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The text of all pre-filed resolutions can be found here.
Delegates to the 2019 Diocesan Convention passed Resolution FC1 – Approve the 2020 Table of Assessments and Resolution FC2, the Proposed Budget for 2020.
They also passed a Substitute Resolution to Resolution R1: Defining Policy Concerning Weapons in Places of Worship.
Convention also passed three canonical changes:
- Resolution CC1 – Proposed Canonical change to clarify election of Deanery Representatives to Executive Council and officers of the Deanery as required by term schedules
- Resolution CC2 – Proposed change to the allowable scheduling of Annual Meetings in parishes and missions
- Resolution CC3 – Change to Canon III.10.5 to incorporate a change from the 79th General Convention Resolution D074
And finally, delegates passed Resolution R2 – Approve Location of the 38th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth on November 13 and 14, 2020, at the Cleburne Conference Center in Cleburne, TX.