C030 (Addressing Antisemitic, Anti-Jewish, and/or Supersessionist Interpretations of our Lectionaries)

House of Deputies Message #196

The House of Deputies informs the House of Bishops that on Jul 10, 2022 it considered resolution C030 (Addressing Antisemitic, Anti-Jewish, and/or Supersessionist Interpretations of our Lectionaries). The house acted to:

Adopt with Amendment


Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 80th General Convention establish a task force to address the anti-semitic, anti-Jewish or supercessionist impact of lectionary readings, especially for Holy Week, and develop proposals to mitigate that impact, which may include: 

  1. Providing one or more optional, alternate lection or lections for any lection containing language that has been interpreted as antisemitic, anti-Jewish, or supersessionist and/or 
  2. Recommending a specific authorized Biblical Translation for any lection that has been interpreted as antisemitic, anti-Jewish, or supersessionist so that the lection is less likely to be heard and interpreted as antisemitic, anti-Jewish, or supersessionist, and/or 
  3. Providing pastoral guidance and commentary on the lection that can be made available whenever the lection is read publicly in worship; and be it further  

Resolved, that the Task Force be composed of two laypeople, two presbyters or deacons, and two bishops, in addition to a liaison who is a member of the SCLM, who collectively shall be knowledgeable in Christian-Jewish relations, liturgy, translation and Biblical interpretation; and be it further

Resolved, that the Task Force consult with the Consultation on Common Texts as it does its work; and be it further 

Resolved, That this 80th General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to allocate $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution; and be it further 

Resolved, that the Task Force will report to the 81st General Convention.