[Episcopal News Service -- Anaheim, California] The House of Deputies July 16 dealt with resolutions that addressed social issues and internal church matters, including a call for increased mission activity.

Resolution D075, titled "Mission, the Heartbeat of the Church," challenges dioceses and congregations to participate in a new or ongoing project "that engages in a relationship with another part of the body of Christ in the world." It also directs the Standing Commission on World Mission to develop strategies to help individuals, congregations and dioceses engage in mission activities.

The Rev. David Cox (Southwestern Virginia) said in support of the resolution, "Christianity is a verb. This measure puts our words into action." That resolution now goes to teh House of Bishops for action.

Deputies also considered Resolution D066, a request to provide a vote to the 18 young people who make up the Official Youth Presence in the House of Deputies. They currently have seat and voice but had sought the right to vote also. In the end, questions about granting a vote to those who do not represent a geographic area prompted the house to send the question to the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons. That resolution will also go to the House of Bishops.

Support for young people still was in evidence, however, as deputies spoke of the valuable voice offered by the Official Youth Presence and encouraged dioceses that want that perspective in the house to elect young people as diocesan deputies.

Other internal resolutions adopted included A134, calling for continuing exploration of the role of missionaries; and B015, the first reading of a constitutional amendment to change the name of the grouping of churches in Europe to the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe from its current Convocation of American Churches in Europe. Both resolutions now move to the House of Bishops

The hottest social issue considered was C023, a resolution that urges the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act and calls on all Episcopalians to work against similar state statutes and constitutional amendments. The act defines marriage as between a man and a woman and declares that a state need not recognize same-gender marriages that take place in another state. The resolution now moves to the House of Bishops for consideration.

Some of the most moving testimony of the day came in support of Resolution D096, which offers support for victims of domestic violence and calls on training for clergy to enable them to respond appropriately to victims. Deputies described friends and loved ones who had been murdered through acts of domestic violence, and urged the church to act.

...Deputies also adopted the following resolutions.

C020, which condemns torture;
B031, calling for reconciliation in Honduras following recent civil unrest; and
A142, committing the church to being anti-racist for the next nine years.
The first two resolutions need to be approved by the House of Bishops.