185th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana

SECRETARY OF THE DIOCESE

The Secretary serves as Secretary of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and The Convention. It shall be his duty to give timely notice of all annual and special meetings of The Convention, to prepare the list of lay members of The Convention, to record and publish the proceedings of The Convention, to preserve its journals and records, to attest, as occasion may require, its public proceedings, and faithfully to deliver into the hands of his successor all books and papers in his possession relative to the concerns of The Diocese and of The Convention.

Nominees- 1 to be elected

TREASURER OF THE DIOCESE

The Treasurer is elected by The Convention. The duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse the funds of The Diocese in accordance with the annual budget. The Treasurer shall make an annual report to The Convention of all sums received and disbursed during the preceding year and shall include in such report a statement of the condition of the assets of each Parish and Diocesan Mission with regard to its annual financial commitment to The Diocese for the work of the Church.

Nominees- 1 to be elected 

STANDING COMMITTEE: 1 CLERICAL, 1 LAY

The work of the Standing Committee, as set forth in Canon 4, Section 3, of the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, “shall be to fulfill all functions required of it by the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and of The Diocese and to act as a council of advice for The Bishop.” The Standing Committee works with the Commission on Ministry to ensure the canons are followed in regard to the ordination process. This includes interviews with candidates throughout their ordination process. The Standing Committee also processes requests from other dioceses for consent to the election of bishops. The Standing Committee oversees the election process should there be an election for Bishop. The Standing Committee also is required to approve transactions involving any immovable property held in the name of the Diocese. Meetings are held as necessary, with required attendance at the Ministry Conference in January.

Standing Committee members will be most effective if they work will with others, understand and appreciate the complexity of ministry, possess an understanding of sound business practices, and have a deep love of the Lord and of the Church. Standing Committee members serve a term of four years, so consistency and commitment is essential.

Clerical Nominees – 1 to be elected

Lay Nominees – 1 to be elected to fill an unexpired term (Term expires in 2024)

Lay Nominees – 1 to be elected to serve a full term

EXECUTIVE BOARD: 1 CLERICAL, 2 LAY

The Executive Board shall have charge of the development and prosecution of the work of the Church, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese and to the direction of The Convention. It shall have the power and authority to implement and carry out the programs and policies adopted by The Convention and to act for The Convention between meetings thereof, except where the authority is reserved to the Standing Committee. The Bishop shall be the executive head of all such work, and the Board shall assist the Bishop in the administration thereof. (Canon 7.1)

Clerical Nominees – 1 to be elected

Lay Nominees – 2 to be elected

SEWANEE BOARD OF TRUSTEES: 1 LAY

Term begins October 2023

The University of the South has, as part of its governing system, two boards —— the Board of Reagents and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Regents is somewhat like a vestry, and handles much of the fiduciary responsibility of the school. The Board of Trustees, on the other hand, is a board of people that are interested in promoting the University and its Seminary. In turn, they are to be agents of information for those in their dioceses. The annual meeting of the Board of Trustees usually occurs in late October, when new members are installed , when honorary degrees are given, and the business of the board occurs. Each diocese has one clerical and two lay representatives. The term is for three years. The by-laws of the university do stipulate that some actions of the Regents must be approved by the Trustees.

Lay Nominees – 1 to be elected

DISCIPLINARY BOARD: 1 CLERICAL; 2 LAY

See Diocesan Canon 28 for further details.

Eligibility: There shall be a Disciplinary Board consisting of nine persons, five of whom shall be Priests or Deacons canonically resident in The Diocese and four of whom shall be lay persons who are adult confirmed communicants in good standing of a Parish or Mission in union with The Convention of The Diocese. No member of the Executive Board, the Standing Committee or The Bishop’s staff shall be eligible elected or serve as a member of the Board. No Chancellor or Vice-chancellor of The Diocese and no person serving as Advisor, Conciliator, Church Attorney, Intake Officer or Investigator shall be eligible to be elected or serve as a member of the Board.

Term: The Members of the Board shall serve for a term of three years. Terms shall be staggered so that one-third of the Board is reelected each year. A member of the Board shall not serve for longer than two successive three-year terms, but shall be eligible for election to the Board after having been a non-member for one Convention year. Each term shall run until the conclusion of the annual meeting of The Convention held three years following the date of the member’s election.

Clerical Nominees – 1 to be elected

Lay Nominees – 2 to be elected

GENERAL CONVENTION DEPUTIES

Election: Each Diocese is entitled to elect four Lay and four Clerical Deputies to attend General Convention. Each Diocese may also elect Alternate Deputies in each of the Lay and Clerical orders. The Diocese of Louisiana elects up to four Alternates in each order. A person may choose to be nominated for election as an Alternate but not be nominated for election as a Deputy.

Qualifications: Lay Deputies and Alternates must be confirmed adult (age 18 or older) communicants in good standing of a congregation of the Diocese of Louisiana. Clerical Deputies and Alternates must be priests or deacons canonically resident in the Diocese of Louisiana.

Duties and Expectations: The 81st General Convention will be held in July 2024. Deputies and Alternates are expected to spend substantial time reviewing information (including Bluebook reports) relevant to each area in which votes will be cast at General Convention. There are typically about 20 areas, including Constitution and Canons, Music and Liturgy, Budget, World Mission, Church Pension Fund, Congregational Vitality, Evangelism and other areas. The Deputies and Alternates who will be attending General Convention typically divide the review of materials among themselves and meet several times during the year to discuss the issues. The number of meetings is determined in part by the number and complexity of issues anticipated at the upcoming Convention.

Province IV Synod: As part of their preparation for General Convention, Deputies and First Alternates are expected to attend the meetings of Province IV Synod in 2023 and 2024, typically during the first week of June. The Diocese pays reasonable expenses for Deputies and First Alternates attending Province IV Synod meetings. Second, Third and Fourth Alternates may attend at their own expense. General Convention. Deputies and First Alternates are expected to attend and participate in General Convention, to be held in 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. They will meet regularly during Convention to discuss important issues and upcoming votes. Deputies selected to serve on Legislative Committees are expected to attend the meetings of their Committees. Deputies and the First Alternates are expected to attend the Legislative Committee meetings for the areas they have been researching and report important issues and developments to the rest of the Deputation. The Diocese pays reasonable expenses for Deputies and First Alternates attending General Convention. Second, Third and Fourth Alternates may attend at their own expense.

Communications with Diocese: During General Convention Deputies and First Alternates are encouraged but not required to communicate important developments back to the Diocese via email to the Diocesan Communications Coordinator or via social media. After Convention the Deputation is required by Canons I.1.4(b) and (c) of the Canons of The General Convention of the Episcopal Church to report to the Diocese the actions taken at General Convention.

Clerical Nominees – 4 Deputies and 4 Alternates to be elected

Lay Nominees – 4  Deputies & 4 Alternate Deputies to be elected

CONVENTION BOOK

Download the Book for the 185th Annual Convention. It is a convenient way to view all the material you need to prepare for Convention. We will refer to the book throughout the weekend. A printed version will be available to you at registration.

2023 BUDGET DOCUMENTS FOR APPROVAL AT CONVENTION

2021 END-OF-YEAR UNAUDITED FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS

ANNUAL COMMITTEE & COMMISSION REPORTS

Reports received as of 10/6/2022

• Addiction Recovery Ministry
• Board of Trustees
• Chancellor’s Report
• Chapel of the Holy Comforter
• Chapel of the Holy Spirit
• Commission on Ministry
• Commission for Racial Healing
• Community Mission Appeal
• Constitutions & Canons
• Ecumenical Commission
• ECW
• Environmental Commission
• Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
• Gaudet Committee
• HIV/Aids Ministry
• Inclusive Louisiana
• Latino Ministry
• Louisiana Interchurch Conference
• Prison Ministry
• St. Alban’s Chapel
• St. Martin’s Episcopal School
• Standing Committee
• Stewardship Committee
• The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
• University of the South
• United Thank Offering
  • 2023 UTO Grant Criteria and Focus
• Youth Leadership Commission (DYLC)

ANNUAL COMMITTEE & COMMISSION REPORTS

Reports received as of 10/6/2022

• Addiction Recovery Ministry
• Board of Trustees
• Chancellor’s Report
• Chapel of the Holy Comforter
• Chapel of the Holy Spirit
• Commission on Ministry
• Commission for Racial Healing
• Community Mission Appeal
• Constitutions & Canons
• Ecumenical Commission
• ECW
• Environmental Commission
• Episcopal School of Baton Rouge
• Gaudet Committee
• HIV/Aids Ministry
• Inclusive Louisiana
• Latino Ministry
• Louisiana Interchurch Conference
• Prison Ministry
• St. Alban’s Chapel
• St. Martin’s Episcopal School
• Standing Committee
• Stewardship Committee
• The Solomon Episcopal Conference Center
• University of the South
• United Thank Offering
  • 2023 UTO Grant Criteria and Focus
• Youth Leadership Commission (DYLC)