1.  Appointment of an Assistant Bishop

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California hereby approves the creation of the position of Assistant Bishop and authorizes the Bishop of California to appoint a Bishop for that position, whose appointment is subject to the consent of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of California.


2.  Sudan Divestment

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California urges the Executive Council to exhort the Church Pension Fund (CPF) to divest all holdings of companies that are doing business in Sudan from any retirement plan, directly or indirectly controlled by CPF; and also exhort CPF to employ the Episcopal Church’s Sudan Investments Screen for all further investments.


3.  Protection for Immigrants and Their Families

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California condemns the U.S. government’s singular focus on immigration enforcement without any corresponding reform to allow undocumented aliens a reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency, and further to condemn the mounting efforts at every level of society to remove all undocumented immigrants from this country and to deprive undocumented immigrants of their livelihood, Constitutional rights and human rights;

Resolved, That the Convention lauds the efforts of jurisdictions and organizations which act in the spirit of Resolution A017 (passed by the 75th General Convention in June, 2006) and the Resolution on Migration and Immigration Issues (passed by the 157th Convention of the Diocese of California in October, 2006) in order to mitigate the suffering which is caused by the lack of comprehensive immigration reform, and offers these jurisdictions and organizations support in their efforts to treat undocumented immigrants with the respect and dignity due to every human being;

Resolved, That the Convention encourages wide participation by Episcopalians in educational events and forums, such as those developed by the Diocesan Migration and Immigration Task Force, to learn about the plight of immigrants, to listen to people’s experiences of enforcement and its impact on their lives and their families, to learn about the root causes of migration, and to discuss long-term solutions to the immigration crisis; and

Resolved, That the Convention calls upon Episcopalians, including congregations, deaneries, diocesan groups and individuals, to assist undocumented immigrants who find it impossible to make a living and support their families, or who seek protection from detention and deportation, by the provision of support such as shelter, material support, legal assistance, pastoral support, and participation in the New Sanctuary Movement, and by visible expressions of solidarity through participation in actions such as vigils, fasts, marches, and advocacy campaigns for long-term solutions to the crisis brought about by the need for reform to immigration policy.

 
4.  Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California encourages each congregation and diocesan institution with a building or buildings to change at least one light bulb to a compact fluorescent light bulb by December 31, 2007;

Resolved, That each congregation and diocesan institution encourage all of its members to change at least one light bulb to a compact fluorescent light bulb by December 31, 2007; and

Resolved, That the Pacific Church News report on the impact it would have on the environment if every congregation and every Episcopal household changed one light bulb.


5.  The Five-Year Strategic Plan for Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of California, 2008-2012

Resolved, That the 158th Diocesan Convention adopts the Five-Year Ethnic and Multicultural Strategic Plan, concluding with the 163rd Convention, to grow vigorous ethnic-specific, multicultural, and multi-ethnic ministries by re-building vitality in our already existing ministries; planting at least two vital, new ministries; fostering reconciliation to help heal the history of marginalization of these ministries; nurturing leadership for these ministries at every level of the Diocese; and building advocacy and support for immigrant and indigenous communities and all in need in the Bay Area;

Resolved, That the Convention commends the diocese in the establishment of a position of Ethnic and Multicultural Missioner and calls upon the office of the Bishop to appoint and install an incumbent by June, 2008, and make this position permanent;

Resolved, That the Diocese of California further implement General Convention Resolution A-047 adopted in 2000, by requiring that all those studying for Holy Orders, Clergy in Training, and clergy in transition receive anti-racism training, and that those heading these programs be charged with ensuring such training is incorporated into their curricula;

Resolved, That the Diocese of California strongly recommends that all clergy of the Diocese, lay professionals, and lay leadership of all committees throughout the Diocese attend at least two successive sessions of anti-racism training in the next 5 years and that the Diocese continue to discern ways to encourage adherence to this resolution; and

Resolved, That the Diocese explore developing intensive weeks of cultural and linguistic immersion in the Bay Area for lay and ordained leadership.


6.  Liturgical Covenanting, Blessing, and Sending Forth of Couples in Committed Same-Gender Relationships

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California commends to the Bishop of California the lectionary, rubric entitled “Concerning the Service,” and three rites endorsed by the Commission on Marriage and Blessing, and urges the Bishop to approve the trial use of these forms as resources in the Diocese of California for formalizing the blessing of same-gender unions.

 
7.  Building the Beloved Community in the Spirit of Transparency, Communication, and Mission

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California calls upon the Bishop to convene a Special Convention on May 10, 2008 to consider and give final approval to proposed changes to the Canons of the Diocese of California;

Resolved, That consideration of all proposed changes to the Canons of the Diocese of California submitted to the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California be postponed until said Special Convention;

Resolved, That amendments to the proposed changes to the Canons shall be in order at the Special Convention only if they have been submitted to the Standing Committee and the Committee on Canons no later than January 31, 2008; and

Resolved, That the Standing Committee and the Committee on Canons shall report all proposed amendments to the Special Convention, unless withdrawn, along with their recommendations and such revisions and substitutions as they may deem appropriate.


8.  Approval of a Companion Relationship Between the Dioceses of California and Curitiba, Brazil

Resolved, that the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California endorses the formation of a Companion Relationship between this diocese and the Diocese of Curitiba, beginning upon approval of this resolution and subsequent ratification by Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, and continuing until the 2012 Convention of the Diocese of California or until terminated by mutual consent; and

Resolved, that the Diocesan Council, with the advice and consent of the Bishop of the Diocese of California, be empowered to set up a representative Companion Relationship Commission to implement this relationship, including the recruitment of persons and congregations in the diocese to participate in this relationship.

 
9.  Response to the House of Bishops’ Statement

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California considers the statement made by the House of Bishops at their September 2007 New Orleans meeting to be non-binding on The Episcopal Church unless adopted by General Convention;

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California affirms the unanimous decision of the Standing Committee to refuse to discriminate against partnered gay and lesbian bishops-elect in the consent process as called for in General Convention 2006 resolution B033;

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California deplores the lack of access to adequate pastoral care and liturgical rites for the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in most dioceses of The Episcopal Church, and the refusal of the majority of our bishops to make provision for it, and calls upon the House of Bishops to publish guidelines for such care;

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its call to increase implementation of the Communion-wide listening process as a real process of engagement, and calls upon the Presiding Bishop and her staff to develop such a process within the Episcopal Church, recognizing that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people continue to be marginalized in many parts of our Church;

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its call for the full participation of the Bishop of New Hampshire in the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and acknowledges the basic contradiction between support for Bishop Robinson and the implementation of B033; and

Resolved, That the 158th Convention of the Diocese of California commends the House of Bishops for its support for the civil rights, safety, and dignity of gay and lesbian persons, and calls upon the General Convention to work to resolve speedily and justly the basic contradiction between such support in civil society and the absence of such support within the Church’s own pastoral and sacramental life.

I certify that the above nine resolutions were adopted by the 158th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of California, meeting at Grace Cathedral on October 20, 2007, substantially as presented, with only minor corrections having been made to put them in proper form.