Getting Closer! 6/21/24

Al Borg-Borm

I’m Al Borg-Borm. I’m currently Senior Warden at All Saints in Boise. My wife and I have 8-year-old twins, Cora and Silas, and 5-year-old twins, Virginia and Ruby.  I’ve served on the diocesan Commission on Ministry and was a member of the search committee for the 14th Bishop of Idaho.

This is my first time to General Convention and I am excited to go and see what all the fuss is about! I am a church and rules nerd and I’m looking forward to seeing how resolutions are presented, discussed, and voted upon. I’m also anticipating a deepening of my faith and love of the Episcopal Church surrounded by like-minded people.

I had the opportunity to read through many of the resolutions being proposed by the Constitution and Canons committee. The proposed changes to how the church will handle Title IV issues I believe will provide more transparency and strengthen the ability for the Spirit to do the necessary work of healing and reconciliation in the best way possible.

I know I won’t agree with everyone at GenCon. But I know we will all work diligently to hear what the Spirit is saying as we move forward into the mission field of life together as a community in Christ. Please keep us all in prayer!

Pictured: Al with Cora, Ruby, and Virginia who thought she could cut her own bangs.

The Rev. Tammy Jones

Who are you, and how are you serving in your local context for ministry?

The Rev. Deacon Tammy Jones, I serve at St. Matthew’s, Rupert and serve once a month at Good Shepherd, Fort Hall.  This will be my 4th General Convention serving as a Deputy.  I also attended  General Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah as a volunteer.  

I am serving on Committee 19- Title III Ministry for this General Convention.  This is my second time serving on this committee.

Which resolutions/topics are you particularly interested in at GC81?

There are two Resolutions from Committee 19-Title III Ministry I will be following:

Resolution D023 – Support of AED (Association of Episcopal Deacons).  

According to Church Pension Group there are now over 3,000 deacons in The Episcopal Church.  The Diaconate is the fastest growing order of ordained ministry in the Church.  As the sole professional organization for Episcopal deacons, AED is called upon to represent this order at all churchwide gatherings and to serve as a resource for programs and liturgies for those gatherings. This presence demands significant resources of the organization and of individual deacons, who often fund their own travel and related expenses. AED needs support from the Church to continue current programs and increase its reach and presence.  This resolution is asking for $450,000.00 over a three-year period for the support.

Resolution D032 - Raising the Clergy Mandatory Retirement Age to 75

This Resolution is asking to change the mandatory retirement age from 72 to 75.  The Explanation for this is as follows:

women and men are living longer (average life expectancy was 77.22 in 2020); and

age is not a determining factor in the effectiveness of those in clerical order to minister to the people of God; and many of those seeking ordination are responding to the call to ministry later in life and often deprived of the opportunity to share in the pension of the Episcopal Church; andthe Episcopal Church has endeavored to end prejudices that limit access to the ordained orders of ministries.

Both of these Resolutions were voted on by the committee to be taken off the Consent Calendar, which means they will both come to the floor for discussion and vote.  Both of these Resolutions will first go before the House of Bishops.  If the House of Bishops votes favorably on these Resolutions, they will then go to the House of Deputies for discussion and vote.  

What do you hope the Church learns or does differently because of this General Convention?

I am hoping that General Convention is able to learn and teach us how to respond to an angry country and world.   

I am most interested in the election of our new Presiding Bishop and the celebration and gratitude for the ministry of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.

Betsy Wiesmore

I have been a member of The Church of the Ascension, Twin Falls for 20+ years. I have been a vestry member and Sr Warden and am currently the treasurer. At diocesan level I have been a member and Vice President of Diocesan Council and a member of the Diocesan Finance Committee. My favorite ministry is overseeing the Ascension Community Garden.

I have been appointed to the Environmental Stewardship & Care of Creation Legislative Committee and I am on the nature-based subcommittee. My focus has been on the resolutions given to our committee .

I would like to see that the resolutions that are passed at this General Convention become part of our daily lives, as individuals, parishes, and dioceses. Many of the resolutions have actions that each of us can implement. We need to let it be known what the Episcopal Church stands for by being visible and taking action.

Sue Bolen

Hi! My name is Sue Bolen. I have been an Episcopalian since 1984, being confirmed by Bishop Birney at Holy Nativity in Meridian. I had previously been baptized in the LDS church as a child. For about 7 years, I taught Sunday school and served as church school.

My son Jonathan and I transferred to St. Michael’s Cathedral in 1991. I currently serve as a Eucharistic minister, Eucharistic visitor, and verger. Prior to CoVid I served as a pastoral caregiver as well as program coordinator for our senior luncheon, Second Saturday. This last is a ministry I hope to revive this fall.

On a diocesan level I currently serve as the dean of the Southwest Deanery which encompasses the 3 churches in Boise,: St, Stephen’s St. Michael’s, and All Saints. Holy Nativity in Meridian and St, James in Mt. Home are also part of this deanery. The dean serves as a liaison between the parishes and the Bishop and has seat and voice on diocesan Council. The deans are also responsible for organizing the diocesan convention.

This is my fourth General Convention, my third as a deputy. I served as full time volunteer

platform page in Salt Lake. This will be my second convention as a member of the Credential Committee. I truly enjoy working with dioceses from around the world in helping to make our church as a whole stronger. Convention is a lot of work, but the rewards are great.

The Rev. Nancy Koonce (Deputation Chair)

I am The Rev Dcn Nancy Koonce, and serve at Church of the Ascension, as well as provide supply as some of the Central Deanery parishes.

I am Chair of the House of Deputies Legislative Committee on Stewardship and Socially Responsible Investing, so my time has been spent on the resolutions that have come to my committee.  These have to do with investing in companies who materially participate in fossil fuels, weapons, and ethical issues related to investing. I am also interested in the work being done on the denominational health plan, and how to make it more equitable for the small dioceses.

I hope we continue to learn how to listen to others with differing opinions with an open mind and heart.