At the direction of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and in consultation with members of the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements, worship planning for General Convention 2021 began earlier this year. The Presiding Bishop has appointed the chair and two vice chairs of the Worship Committee, and applications are now being accepted for participation in the work of this committee.

The 80^th General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be held in Baltimore, Maryland, June 30 – July 9, 2021. Over the past several months the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements has discerned its general aspirations for worship, which will be built around a comprehensive approach to worship grounded in the Anglican tradition with services reflecting the breadth of liturgical possibilities associated with the rich cultural and linguistic expressions of The Episcopal Church. Connecting to the local community of Baltimore, as well as addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the Church in its missional conversations, are also high priorities.

To guide the development and implementation of this vision, the Presiding Bishop has appointed the Rev. Canon Mark Furlow, canon to the ordinary and chief operating officer of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, as chair of the Worship Committee for General Convention 2021, under the direction of the Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, canon to the presiding bishop for ministry within The Episcopal Church. Among the gifts Furlow brings to this position is his experience as an artist and theater production professional.

Two vice chairs have also been appointed: the Rev. Yein Kim of the Diocese of Los Angeles, and the Rev. Ramelle McCall of the Diocese of Maryland. Yein serves as parish associate of St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul. This parish serves three congregations: Spanish-, English-, and Korean-speakers. McCall serves as rector of Church of the Holy Trinity in West Baltimore and also as community activist/builder for urban issues in the West Baltimore City. Biographies of the chair and vice chairs may be found here.

Next steps in the planning process include forming the Worship Committee for General Convention 2021. The committee will be composed of three primary groups: “dreamers,” “designers,” and “implementers.” Dreamers will reflect the diverse and dynamic voice of the Church so that planning incorporates a wide range of liturgical and music possibilities rooted in the Episcopal tradition. Designers will harness the substantive reflections of the Dreamers and assist in shaping and planning the worship services for Convention. Implementers will carry out the plans for worship created and shaped by the work of the other two groups.

If you are interested in being considered for the Worship Committee, please complete the online interest form by September 20, 2019.

The Presiding Bishop will appoint the final membership of the committee this fall.

Questions regarding the Worship Committee for General Convention 2021 may be directed to the Rev. Canon Mark Furlow at mfurlow@dioswva.org.