epiScope

Strategic Planning Committee survey available in Spanish and French

The Strategic Planning Committee survey is now available in Spanish and French, as well as for downloading, printing, and returning by mail.

To access the survey in Spanish

To access the survey in French

Additionally, a version of the survey is available for downloading and printing. To receive a print version for downloading, printing, and returning by mail, contact alummis@episcopalchurch.org.

Since the survey link for English was released on June 24, nearly 4000 responses have been submitted, which the Rev. Suzanne Watson, secretary of the Strategic Planning Committee, said “exceeded our expectations.”

The survey will also be available to be completed at the Episcopal Church Center booth at General Convention in Anaheim, California July 8-17.

The deadline to complete the survey is July 28, 2009.

Strategic Planning Committee maps the future

A newly named Strategic Planning Committee has already set to work, announcing that its first step will be to solicit opinions from throughout The Episcopal Church.

The Strategic Planning Committee was established by Executive Council in January 2009 to develop a strategic plan for the Episcopal Church Center and the Executive Council which addresses mission and ministry, growth, finance, challenges and opportunities, issues and concerns, and to map a way to address all these topics.

Committee members were appointed by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson.

Gathering for a recent three-day retreat and meeting, the committee outlined goals, identified issues to be addressed in the strategic plan, and detailed steps in their process.

Clearly apparent throughout the three-day discussion was the desire and need to tap into the resources and knowledge of the church and to seek comments from all people and areas.

To do so, the Strategic Planning Committee developed survey and encourages all Episcopalians to complete it. The survey is currently in English; Spanish and French will be available shortly.

Among the areas addressed in the survey are: evangelism; multicultural issues, worship, music, and liturgy; youth and young adults; mission; leadership; congregational development; church administration; stewardship; advocacy and social justice.  Additionally, there are a series of options and possible responses to the question: “To achieve your vision of a vital Episcopal Church in 2019, how much effort needs to be given to each of the following paths or strategies?"

To access the survey:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Wu5I75KPqOhmGku87xaL6A_3d_3d

The survey will also be available to be completed at the Episcopal Church Center booth at General Convention in Anaheim, California July 8-17.

The deadline to complete the survey is July 28, 2009.

Resolutions will be presented to General Convention 2009 that will address the work and importance of a Strategic Planning Committee.

A draft of a Strategic Plan will be submitted to Executive Council by December 31, 2009.
 
For more info and complete release, see News & Notices

General Convention Examines Global Economic Crisis

The General Convention of The Episcopal Church will examine economic issues facing the world through a forum featuring Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, and three prominent lay leaders in the Anglican Communion.

Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori and President Anderson are hosting Christian Faithfulness in the Global Economic Crisis on Wednesday, July 8 at from 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm Pacific in the Pacific Ballroom of the Anaheim Hilton. (7:15 pm to 8:30 pm Mountain, 8:15 pm to 9:30 pm, Central, 9:15 pm to 10:30 pm Eastern.) The forum will be webcast live.

Joining the panel are: Dr. Stephen Dzisi, a physician dedicated to addressing malaria and the Technical Director for NetsforLife®, an Episcopal Relief & Development program partnership;  Sarah Eagle Heart, Program Officer for Native American/Indigenous Ministries for The Episcopal Church; and Michael Schut, Economic and Environmental Affairs Officer for the Episcopal Church and an environmental activist.

The forum will be a key event during the Episcopal Church’s General Convention 2009 (GC09), July 8 – 17 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California (Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles). 

This year marks the first time Archbishop Williams has attended a General Convention of The Episcopal Church.

The forum will be live webcast on the Episcopal Church’s Media Hub, and will be available on-demand following the event. The Media Hub website, created by the Office of Communication, will bring the actions of General Convention to those who are there and those who can’t be there.  Access will be through the homepage of The Episcopal Church, www.episcopalchurch.org.

For more information and complete release, see News & Notices