The Officers and Members of the Assembly of Episcopal Healthcare Chaplains value our participation in the life of the Episcopal Church. Some of us are or have been Deputies to General Convention in the past, and we have had important support from members of the House of Bishops. With that in mind, on this page will will list Resolutions to the 80th General Convention that we want to support, and in which we feel chaplains have a particular interest and perspective. While this is not an exhaustive list, it reflects resolutions that affect our ministries, and/or where chaplains might be an important resource to the Church.
We would like to reflect on the following Resolutions:
A008 Additional Calendar Commemorations: The text includes recognition of Episcopal Deaconesses, many of whom served in care ministries; and Frederick Howden, Jr, Military Chaplain. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A027 Support of the World Health Organization: As chaplains in healthcare settings, we appreciate the World Health Organization, and feel support is appropriate. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A029 Support for Military Chaplains: We want to encourage support for our colleagues in this important specialized ministry. Resolution passed in both Houses as amended.
A054 Create a Task Force on Senior Wellness and Positive Aging: In an aging society (not to mention an aging church), this is an important field for ministry, and certainly for chaplaincy. Referred to the next General Convention.
A090 Allies for Recovery in the Episcopal Church: The text of this resolution appropriately addresses both issues of addiction and also of appropriate management of pain. As ministers in healthcare settings, we are aware of both issues, and would be happy to be resources for the church.
A108 Training of trainers for Episcopal Provinces in Mental Health First Aid
A109 Developing Curriculum and Required Training for Clergy in Mental Health Pastoral Care
A110 Continuation and Expansion of Task Force on Ministry to Individuals with Mental Illness
We believe that resolutions A108, A109, and A110 need to be read and considered together. They address training in mental health first aid, and further training for Episcopal clergy in mental health issues. Some healthcare chaplains work in mental and behavioral health settings. In addition, a Board Certified Episcopal Chaplain can have as many as 1600 contact hours of supervised ministry (Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE) in healthcare settings, requiring broad assessment of patient needs, including emotional needs. For many Episcopal clergy, the CPE encouraged by seminaries and dioceses is the earliest intense experience in assessing and responding to emotional and behavioral needs. We support wider education, and would also seek to be resources for the church in this outreach. All three resolutions passed both Houses. (I apologize that the link for A108 isn't working. I've tried to repair it, to no avail.)
A060 Endorse Guidelines for Expansive and Inclusive Language
While this may not seem intuitive for chaplains, in fact chaplains are on the front lines of inclusive and expansive language. Working in explicitly multicultural settings, healthcare chaplains are always working to understand and be understood. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A161 Addressing the Burden of Medical Debt
Again, chaplains see directly the consequences of medical debt for those seeking care. Resolution passed in both Houses.
B003 Regulating Ghost Guns and 3D Printed Guns
B006 Investing in State-Level Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy
B007 Investment in Community Violence Intervention to Prevent Gun Violence:
B009 Liturgy in Response to Mass Shootings
Chaplains have a particular perspective on gun violence. Perhaps more than most ministers, chaplains see the results of gun violence up close. B003, B006, and B007 were passed in both Houses. B009 was referred to an Interim Body.
C048 Integrity of Religious Exemptions in Medical Coverage
This speaks to Religious Exemptions in medical and pharmaceutical care. When these questions come up, chaplains can be an important resource. The Committee recommended Rejection of this Resolution. It was rejected in the House of Deputies, and so did not progress to the House of Bishops.
C056 Resolution to promote equity and to Reduce differences in Health Outcomes The Committee recommended that this receive No Further Action. That is most likely from one of two possibilities: that the same goal was stated in another resolution that was brought for a vote; or that this has been said in previous General Convention(s) (and, really, it has) and so didn't need to be said again.
D023 Support for Care WorkersThis is a resolution that should be close to the heart of every chaplain. Chaplains see every day the excellent work and the incredible stress affecting those who provide care to patients and residents, to their families, and to one another. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D066 Addressing restrictions on access to gender affirming care
While not all chaplains will work in settings offering gender affirming care, this is an issue being addressed in all our institutions. Once again, chaplains can be directly involved in addressing patient-centered care for each person. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D070 Addressing Inequities in the Quality of Life of Native Peoples
One of the inequities faced by Native Peoples, as well as other diverse communities, is access to and affordability of health care. Once again, chaplains are in position to see directly the consequences of those inequities. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D098 The Promotion of Public Health Resolution passed in both Houses.
We would like to reflect on the following Resolutions:
A008 Additional Calendar Commemorations: The text includes recognition of Episcopal Deaconesses, many of whom served in care ministries; and Frederick Howden, Jr, Military Chaplain. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A027 Support of the World Health Organization: As chaplains in healthcare settings, we appreciate the World Health Organization, and feel support is appropriate. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A029 Support for Military Chaplains: We want to encourage support for our colleagues in this important specialized ministry. Resolution passed in both Houses as amended.
A054 Create a Task Force on Senior Wellness and Positive Aging: In an aging society (not to mention an aging church), this is an important field for ministry, and certainly for chaplaincy. Referred to the next General Convention.
A090 Allies for Recovery in the Episcopal Church: The text of this resolution appropriately addresses both issues of addiction and also of appropriate management of pain. As ministers in healthcare settings, we are aware of both issues, and would be happy to be resources for the church.
A108 Training of trainers for Episcopal Provinces in Mental Health First Aid
A109 Developing Curriculum and Required Training for Clergy in Mental Health Pastoral Care
A110 Continuation and Expansion of Task Force on Ministry to Individuals with Mental Illness
We believe that resolutions A108, A109, and A110 need to be read and considered together. They address training in mental health first aid, and further training for Episcopal clergy in mental health issues. Some healthcare chaplains work in mental and behavioral health settings. In addition, a Board Certified Episcopal Chaplain can have as many as 1600 contact hours of supervised ministry (Clinical Pastoral Education or CPE) in healthcare settings, requiring broad assessment of patient needs, including emotional needs. For many Episcopal clergy, the CPE encouraged by seminaries and dioceses is the earliest intense experience in assessing and responding to emotional and behavioral needs. We support wider education, and would also seek to be resources for the church in this outreach. All three resolutions passed both Houses. (I apologize that the link for A108 isn't working. I've tried to repair it, to no avail.)
A060 Endorse Guidelines for Expansive and Inclusive Language
While this may not seem intuitive for chaplains, in fact chaplains are on the front lines of inclusive and expansive language. Working in explicitly multicultural settings, healthcare chaplains are always working to understand and be understood. Resolution passed in both Houses.
A161 Addressing the Burden of Medical Debt
Again, chaplains see directly the consequences of medical debt for those seeking care. Resolution passed in both Houses.
B003 Regulating Ghost Guns and 3D Printed Guns
B006 Investing in State-Level Gun Violence Prevention Advocacy
B007 Investment in Community Violence Intervention to Prevent Gun Violence:
B009 Liturgy in Response to Mass Shootings
Chaplains have a particular perspective on gun violence. Perhaps more than most ministers, chaplains see the results of gun violence up close. B003, B006, and B007 were passed in both Houses. B009 was referred to an Interim Body.
C048 Integrity of Religious Exemptions in Medical Coverage
This speaks to Religious Exemptions in medical and pharmaceutical care. When these questions come up, chaplains can be an important resource. The Committee recommended Rejection of this Resolution. It was rejected in the House of Deputies, and so did not progress to the House of Bishops.
C056 Resolution to promote equity and to Reduce differences in Health Outcomes The Committee recommended that this receive No Further Action. That is most likely from one of two possibilities: that the same goal was stated in another resolution that was brought for a vote; or that this has been said in previous General Convention(s) (and, really, it has) and so didn't need to be said again.
D023 Support for Care WorkersThis is a resolution that should be close to the heart of every chaplain. Chaplains see every day the excellent work and the incredible stress affecting those who provide care to patients and residents, to their families, and to one another. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D066 Addressing restrictions on access to gender affirming care
While not all chaplains will work in settings offering gender affirming care, this is an issue being addressed in all our institutions. Once again, chaplains can be directly involved in addressing patient-centered care for each person. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D070 Addressing Inequities in the Quality of Life of Native Peoples
One of the inequities faced by Native Peoples, as well as other diverse communities, is access to and affordability of health care. Once again, chaplains are in position to see directly the consequences of those inequities. Resolution passed in both Houses.
D098 The Promotion of Public Health Resolution passed in both Houses.
