Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75^th General Convention of the Episcopal Church endorse the “Commitment to be Companions in Christ” between the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and the Episcopal Church, as expressed in the text below, and by this affirmation authorize the signature of the Episcopal Church on this Covenant:

The Commitment to be Companions in Christ –

Between the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and the Episcopal Church.

Preamble: the Episcopal Church and Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil share a missionary history in Brazil of over 100 years. The work in Brazil was initiated in 1890 by missionaries Lucien Lee Kinsolving and James Watson Morris, from the Virginia Theological Seminary. In 1907 the missionary efforts in Brazil resulted in the establishment of a missionary district of the Episcopal Church under the leadership of Bishop Lucien Lee Kinsolving. In 1965 this missionary district became the autonomous Province of Brazil, and the Episcopal Church concluded ongoing financial obligations in 1975. In 1990, at the celebration of the centennial of the Church of Brazil, the Presiding Bishops of the Episcopal Church and Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil agreed to establish a Bilateral Committee to reconnect and reconcile dynamics of distance that occurred during and after the establishment of Brazil’s autonomy. The experience of the Bilateral Committee has been one of reacquainting the Churches, re-establishing friendship, sharing vision for ministry mission, and encouraging diocesan companionships. The Bilateral Committee believes the endorsement of the following Commitment to be Companions in Christ will be good for the souls of both provinces. The Bilateral Committee also believes it is wise and appropriate to solidify and make public and structurally accountable this ongoing commitment to one another.

1.         The General Convention of the Episcopal Church and the Synod of Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil commit to mutual support and encouragement for ministry and mission development within both provinces.

2.         The Episcopal Church and Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil hereby establish a Bilateral Standing Committee to provide vision and planning to sustain and enhance the Committee relationship. The Bilateral Standing Committee will sustain the two provinces in their commitment to: 1) pray for each other’s life and faith; 2) commit to develop and support diocesan companion relationships; 3) discern and support other initiatives that will mutually enrich the ministry and mission of both provinces. The Bilateral Standing Committee will establish and maintain a list of triennial initiatives consistent with the priorities of both provinces, such as theological education, missionary expansion, stewardship, sustainability and social ministry.

3.         The Bilateral Standing Committee will be composed of one bishop appointed by each of the Presiding Bishops, and one priest, deacon or lay person from each province appointed by the President of the House of Deputies (ECUSA) and the Presiding Bishop (IEAB) respectively. Terms for these four members shall be six years, rotated so that one of the two from each province shall be appointed at the start of every triennium. There shall also be two (to four) additional members from each province. For the Episcopal Church, this shall be one member from the Standing Commission on World Mission and one liaison from the Executive Council selected from those bodies for three-year terms. The Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil shall appoint its additional members in a manner of its choice. No member shall serve more than six consecutive years.

4.         The Bilateral Standing Committee will be accountable to the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council of each province. In the Episcopal Church a report will be submitted after each meeting of the Bilateral Standing Committee to the Standing Commission on World Mission and to the Executive Council. In the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil a report to the Executive Council and to the Provincial Synod will be provided after each meeting of the Bilateral Standing Committee.

5.         The Bilateral Standing Committee will typically meet every 18 months. Meeting places will alternate between provinces.

6.         Evaluation of this commitment will be undertaken at least every three years. The evaluation and recommendations will be furnished to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church and the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil and to both Presiding Bishops.

7.         The Commitment takes effect upon endorsement by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church and the Provincial Synod of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil.