|
December 18, 2023
Beloved,
In this holy season of Advent, we are called to get ready, to be prepared for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May this be a time when we seek Jesus anew both individually and together as a diocese.
As we prepare for Bishop Benhase’s ministry among us to begin in January, the Standing Committee is diligently working in several other important areas. Listed below is just some of our work that is in process. This is in no way an exhaustive list of the Standing Committee’s current or future work, but before the year closes we wanted to share a high-level update with you.
Ordination Process
- Collaborating with the Commission on Ministry supporting all those in the process
- Aligning process and procedures with canons (diocesan and TEC canons)
- Publishing process and procedures to the diocesan website
Finances
- Engaging with the budget and finance committees, Foundation Board, controller, and Diocesan Council regarding diocesan finances
- Assessing current financial practices to be fiscally sound and compliant with the canons (diocesan and TEC canons)
- Implementing a culture of financial transparency and accountability
Website and Communication
- Updating website to include a list of all committee and council members, an outline of canonical processes such as ordination and title IV, and other such information to be comprehensive and easy to find
- Communicating with the diocese regularly seeking clarity, understanding, transparency and trust
Care of Souls
- Entering into a relationship with Bishop Scott Benhase to provide both a sacramental and pastoral presence in our diocese
- Providing our diocesan office and Camp Weed personnel with the tools they need including identifying current job descriptions, filling vacancies and assessing current diocesan needs and opportunities
- Updating clergy databases to include ordination dates and other significant dates
- Seeking ways to gather in fellowship and formation as well as times to listen to one another
Canons and Constitution
- Identifying prospective members to the 2024 Canons and Constitution Committee to begin work for the 2024 Annual Diocesan Convention on September 21, 2024
- Defining the word “cure” for our diocese based on other dioceses in Province IV and the Episcopal Church definitions
- Reviewing and publishing lists of canonically resident clergy with and without cure, inactive canonically resident clergy, and non-canonically resident clergy with cure
- Developing and publishing procedures for granting canonical residency and license to officiate
- Establishing procedures to regularly and accurately keep all diocesan databases up to date
In addition, here are a few specific things we want to mention.
At the Diocesan Council meeting on December 16, 2023, elections were held to fill the open positions. All those elected were the top vote earners after the second ballot at the November 11, 2023 Annual Convention. Since the Convention was adjourned before the third ballot, the Diocesan Council acts for the Convention between meetings. The following were elected by Diocesan Council:
-
Standing Committee (Lay - One-Year Term): Mr. Keith Daw
-
Diocesan Council (Lay): Mr. Wayne Plummer
-
Sewanee Board of Trustees (Clergy): The Rev. William Stokes
Also important, the Convocation Steering Committee, chaired by The Rev. Joe Gibbes, and supported by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, has reported back to the Standing Committee. They will send out a communication regarding the January 27th Convocation very soon.
In short, all clergy will be invited. Parishes will select two lay members of their parish who will be approved by the vestry or mission board. All participants, clergy and lay, are asked to commit to this process, which will include three sessions over a six-month period. More details including the goals and specifics on how to register for the January 27th Convocation are coming soon.
Finally, for those who would like to have a visit from Bishop Benhase, please email Deanna Peck dpeck@diocesefl.org as soon as possible with your request. With Bishop Benhase’s limited time in our diocese, we may ask for assistance from another bishop should the need be there.
May you and those you love spend time with one another through these Advent and Christmas seasons. God bless you and keep you.
Faithfully,
Your Standing Committee
The Rev. Teresa Seagle Mr. Keith Daw
The Rev. Sarah Minton Ms. Jackie Jones
The Rev. Justin Yawn Ms. Heather Prox
| 
