From February 29 to March 3, the General Convention (GC) Deputies of Color (DOC), with over 110 in attendance, convened for orientation, networking, and strategizing on GC legislative priorities among our Asian, Black, Indigenous, and Latino Caucuses.

Those in attendance lodged at the historic Seelbach Hilton Hotel in downtown Louisville. This is where F. Scott Fitzgerald frequented the Rathskeller Bar where he was inspired and write “The Great Gatsby.” It was also known that Al Capone gambled at Rathskeller en route to collect local bourbon shipments.

Representing DioCal were our “merry band” of Deputies of Color: Warren Wong, Joseph Dashiell, The Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson, myself, The Very Rev. Eric Metoyer, and The Rev. Dcn. Jennifer Nelson.

The Deputies of Color gathering commenced at the historic Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Louisville, with a welcome from DOC Convener Joe McDaniel. Long-time, veteran Deputies The Very Rev. Sandye Wilson and Diane Pollard of the Black Caucus outlined the legislative process. The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg, Staff Officer of the Office of Racial Reconciliation, delivered a presentation on the effects of intergenerational trauma and the importance of storytelling to find connections with one another.

The Opening Eucharist at the Cathedral featured Vice President of the House of Deputies (HoD) and a member of the Indigenous Caucus, The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, as Presider, and The Very Rev. Matthew Bradley, Cathedral Dean, delivered an excellent, thought-provoking homily which referenced the racist past of the Episcopal Church and of Christ Church Cathedral under the tenure of its first Dean, The Very Rev. James Craik.  (Craik was a slave owner and served as GC Delegate and President of the HoD in 1862-77, during the Civil War/Reconstruction.)  Dean Bradley ended his homily by encouraging us to persevere in our DOC work by bringing God’s dream to fruition, for the flourishing of all people and all Creation for the life of the world.

Our second day began soberly with a prayer offered by our own, the Very Rev. Eric Metoyer, who prayed for safety from gun violence and for healing for the victim who was shot earlier that morning in front of the Seelbach Hotel. The day continued with greetings from the GC Executive Officer, The Rev. Cn. Michael Barlowe, and from the President of the HoD, Julia Ayala Harris, who is a member of the Latino Caucus. The rest of the day consisted of presentations on:

• The history of the GC and DOC by long-time Deputy and former VP of the HoD, The Honorable Byron Rushing (former Congressman of Boston in 1982-2018 and member of the DioMass Deputation and the Black Caucus)
• An explanation of the GC schedule and Blue Book by GC Deputy Executive Officer, The Rev. Dr. Molly James.
• Clergy Demographics by the Church Pension Group. It was interesting to learn that women now constitute 39% of active clergy and 30% of active bishops and that bishops and deacons are slightly more diverse than priests.
• Office of Government Relations (EPPN) by Church Relations Officer Alan Yarborough
• Environmental Racism by The Episcopal Church Director of Creation Care and Justice, The Rev. Melanie Mullen.
• The Coalition of Racial Equity and Justice, which will be a 501(c)(3) organization in parallel to The Episcopal Church continuing the work begun with GC80 Resolution A125 and with the Presiding Officers’ Working Group on (Racial) Truth-Telling, Reckoning, and Healing. Co-conveners for the Coalition are Ryan Kusumoto and The Rt. Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas.
• The 2024-2027 Proposed Episcopal Church Budget by Kurt Barnes, Treasurer and CFO of The Episcopal Church.
• Farewell presentation of retirement gifts to Angeline Cabanban (who, for over 30 years, was the faithful, devoted, and hardworking Associate for Ethnic Ministries) by The Rev. Stephanie Spellers, The Rev. Anthony Guillen, Heidi Kim, and others.
• Individual Caucus gatherings. (Below is a photo of the Asian Caucus members, of which Warren Wong and Canon Debbie are members.)

On the final day, the closing Holy Eucharist was held in the hotel ballroom where The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton presided. DioCal members Canon Debbie read Psalm 19 and Rev. Jennifer led us in two Taizé chants. An excellent homily, delivered by The Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg, referred to John 2:13-22. It highlighted that Jesus up-turned the moneychangers’ tables in the Temple because the Temple authorities forgot that Jesus and his followers were family—that all are members of the family of God. Additionally, it affirmed that it is acceptable for us to be righteously angry when we use that energy to transform the Church, utilizing the power of our truth and concern for the marginalized to foster collaboration and manifest the fullness of God’s kingdom of love.

Author: Ellie Simpson