Below is a list of the highlights of the proposed changes in the diocesan Constitution and Canons:

Download this and the complete diocesan canons, as proposed, by clicking here.

Whats in the latest redraft? A canon-by-canon description:

CANON I -- MEMBERS OF DIOCESAN CONVENTION

• Defines who the ecclesiastical authority is, who the clergy and lay members of convention are and their eligibility and credentials. All the provisions regarding the proceedings of the convention were moved to Canon II.

CANON II -- PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION

• Concerns how the meetings of the convention are to be conducted, including voting, effective date, and the duties of various convention committees. Most of the provisions regarding lay delegates were moved to Canon I. Congregational reporting requirements were moved to Canon VIII.

CANON III -- SECRETARY OF THE CONVENTION

• Clarifies language setting forth the duties of the secretary, including preparing and distributing the journal of the convention.

CANON IV -- STANDING COMMITTEE

• Clarifies language regarding elections to the Standing Committee, adds provisions on recusal in some situations, and consolidates provisions regarding the authority of the Standing Committee taken from other canons.

CANON V -- DIOCESAN COUNCIL

• Clarifies membership on the Diocesan Council, adds provisions on recusal in some situations, adds provisions on filling vacancies and making other appointments, and provides for the appointment of people to the new convention committees.

CANON VI -- CLERGY

• This is significantly different from previous drafts. Adopting some of the terminology from the national canons, this canon sets forth the different kinds of clergy in charge of various types of congregations, and specifies their eligibility, titles and duties, and requires a written agreement with the congregation.

CANON VII -- CONGREGATIONAL GOVERNANCE

• Provides who may vote at congregational meetings, gives clear expectations regarding the lay leadership of the congregations, and the minimum requirements that must be included in a congregation’s bylaws.

CANON VIII --  CONGREGATIONAL REGISTERS AND REPORTS

• Consolidates all the canonical provisions regarding reports, registers and other documents a congregation must maintain, and advises the congregation of its affirmative duty to advise the diocese of certain problems facing it.

CANON IX -- CONGREGATIONS

• This is significantly different from previous drafts. The canon reinstates the distinction between parishes and missions, provides more flexible criteria for moving from mission to parish status. There are also provisions regarding becoming a “supervised congregation,” which are congregations that need special support from the diocese.

CANON X -- ASSOCIATED WORSHIPING COMMUNITIES

• Provides flexible procedures for planting new worshiping communities.

CANON -- XI DEANERIES

• Provides for deans and deaneries. Changes were made to bring the canon in line with current practices.

CANON XII -- ECCLESIASTICAL COURT

• Clarifies that all proceedings must comply with the provisions of the canons of the Episcopal Church.

CANON XIII -- COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTION AND CANONS

• Clarifies the language on the membership and duties of this committee.

CANON XIV -- BUSINESS METHODS AND PRACTICES

• Provides for minimum standards regarding how congregations conduct their business affairs, tightens up language concerning the annual audit and other reports to the diocese.

CANON XV -- COMMISSION ON MINISTRY

• Clarifies the language regarding the commission’s duties

CANON XVI -- SCHOOLS

• Clarifies the language regarding schools run by congregations or other entities associated with the diocese or a congregation.

CANON XVII -- COUNCIL ON DEACONS

• This is a new Canon (though included in all previous drafts). The old Canon regarding amendments to the diocesan canons was moved to Canon XIV. The new canon establishes the Council on Deacons in a manner consistent with the canons of the Episcopal Church.

CANON XVIII -- RESOLUTIONS

• Specifies who may introduce resolutions for consideration by the convention and the basic requirements for a resolution to be submitted, including content, deadlines and consideration of emergency resolutions.

CANON XIX -- RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

• Tightens up the definition of corporations, associations and other legal entities formed by the diocese or a congregation, and clarifies the status, duties and reporting requirements of such organizations.

CANON XX -- COMMITTEE FOR CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Sets forth the basic formation and duties of this committee. Many of the responsibilities of the committee are now explained in conjunction with the provisions in Canon IX regarding the formation, status and support of congregations.

CANON XXI -- EPISCOPAL ELECTION COMMITTEE

• This is substantially different from previous drafts. The Standing Committee requested the canon be overhauled based on some of the experiences and issues that came up during our recent election of a bishop. The canon clarifies the number of members, duties, timelines and method of filling vacancies.

CANON XXII -- DIOCESAN REVIEW COMMITTEE

• Clarifies that all proceedings must comply with the provisions of the canons of the Episcopal Church.