Episcopal General Convention gears up

Preparations are in the final stages for this week’s General Convention of the Episcopal Church, July 8-17 in Anaheim, Calif.

Held every three years, the General Convention brings together the governing body of the church, which is reported to be second largest legislative body in the world. The legislative body is comprised of the House of Bishops, with more than 200 members, and the House of Deputies, which includes about 850 lay and clergy representatives from the church’s 110 dioceses.

During the two-week meeting, deputies and bishops consider a wide range of issues facing the church. One of them will be a projected income shortfall of $9 million for 2010-2012.

Parts of the convention will be Webcast live and will be available on-demand through the homepage of the Episcopal Church.