Budgets for the current year and the next triennium will be on the agenda when the Executive Council gathers February 11-14 in Quito, in the Diocese of Ecuador Central.<\/p>\n
The Council will also have a day-long chance to learn about and engage in the ministry of the diocese, which includes approximately 1,500 Episcopalians worshipping in 23 congregations.<\/p>\n
The Quito gathering fulfills the council’s pledge to meet in Province IX of the Episcopal Church during the current triennium. Such a pledge is important, said Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, “because a significant part of this church is not part of the 50 United States, speaks other languages, and labors for the gospel in vastly different contexts.”<\/p>\n
Jefferts Schori said she hopes Council members learn about the different context in which the Diocese of Ecuador Central labors “and of the great vitality and creativity” in the diocese.<\/p>\n
“This diocese is truly engaged in transformative work in the communities it serves,” she said. “My hope would be that Episcopalians would learn more and think about partnering with these other parts of the Episcopal Church.”<\/p>\n
House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson said Council, the church’s governing body between meetings of General Convention, makes an effort to meet in each of the provinces, as possible, during the triennium.<\/p>\n
“Because the ‘first language’ of most of the council members is English, we have asked that some of our conversations and worship be conducted in the ‘first language’ of the area — Spanish,” she said.<\/p>\n