- From left: the Rev. Matthew Dutton-Gillett (clergy alternate), Lynn Schmissrauter, the Rev. Peter Keese, Herb Berl, the Rev. Maggie Zeller and the Rev. Cal Calhoun.
From left: James Johnson (lay alternate), Katie Piper, Jim Shearouse and the Rev. John Talbird. Not pictured are Bob Strimer, the Rev. Ann Markle (clergy alternate), the Rev. Kay Reynolds (clergy alternate) and Gregg Duncan (lay alternate).
The General Convention is the bicameral governing body of The Episcopal Church (TEC) that meets every three years; it includes the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops.
The work at Convention is carried out by deputies and bishops representing each diocese, who consider a wide range of important matters facing the Church. Legislation considered at General Convention must pass with exactly the same wording in both Houses to be official policy of The Episcopal Church.
Each of the 110 dioceses of The Episcopal Church may elect up to four clergy and four laity, plus up to four alternates, to serve as deputies in the House of Deputies. Bishops are automatically members of the House of Bishops.
Elected deputies vote their conscience for the good of the church, so they are not representatives and cannot be instructed to vote one way or another. However, members of the church may share their thoughts on the business to come before General Convention. Regional pre-convention meetings, completed in June, provided opportunities for face-to-face conversation with deputies.