Annual Convention

The principal functions of the Standing Committee are (1) to consent to the election and consecration of bishops throughout The Episcopal Church, (2) to approve candidates for Holy Orders at each stage of the ordination process beginning with admission to candidacy, (3) to consent to the sale or encumbrance of real property by any church or diocesan institution, (4) to act as a council of advice to the bishop, and (5) to act as the ecclesiastical authority in extraordinary circumstances.

The Diocesan Council is responsible for the development and implementation of the diocesan program and budget. Between Diocesan Conventions, the Council functions much like the vestry of a church, establishing policies, planning the work of the Diocese, and overseeing its administration and finances.

Deputies to General Convention will represent the Diocese in the House of Deputies at the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church, scheduled for July 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. During the triennial meeting of the General Convention, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies consider a wide range of important matters. Various committees, commissions, agencies, boards and task forces carry on the work of General Convention between triennial meetings. The deputation from each diocese consists of four clergy and four lay persons. In accordance with the Canons and Rules of Order, the four persons nominated for deputy in each order who receive the most votes without being elected (i.e., runners-up) are automatically selected as alternates. Circumstances sometimes call upon alternates to serve.

The University of the South, located in Sewanee, Tennessee, is governed by the Episcopal dioceses of Province IV (the southeastern U.S.) Each diocese elects two lay persons and one member of the clergy to the University’s Board of Trustees. The Trustees meet once each year for two days. Between annual meetings, trustees serve the University by promoting its mission, encouraging enrollment, and supporting it financially.

Current membership of the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council, as well as the current trustees of the University of the South, may be found on the website of the Diocese.

Take note:

• Nominators must be members of the clergy in the Diocese or lay communicants in good standing of a church of the Diocese. A lay person need not be confirmed or a delegate of Convention to submit a nomination.
• Consent of the nominee is required.
• Nominees in the clergy order for Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and deputy to General Convention must be canonically resident in this Diocese.
• Nominees in the lay order for Standing Committee, Diocesan Council and deputy to General Convention must be confirmed adult communicants in good standing who are enrolled at a church in the Diocese.
• Persons desiring to nominate for re-election any individuals whose terms on Standing Committee or Diocesan Council will end on December 31, 2022 should heed the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese (Article VIII, Section 1 of the Constitution and Canon 15, Section 1 respectively).

The process to offer late nominations during the first legislative session of Convention will be announced at a later date. We urge you to make nominations prior to the deadline. Timely nominations allow Members of Convention to research the candidates and make prayerful decisions. Also, experience shows that all other things being equal, timely nominees are more likely to be elected than late nominees.

Speeches from the floor on behalf of nominees, whether timely or late, are out of order.

Detailed rules for nominations and elections are found in Rule of Order XXII. The Constitution, Canons and Rules of Order are posted on the diocesan website.

Submit a Nomination

Authors must phrase resolutions in such a way that Convention can resolve the question by a direct Yes or No vote. “Whereas” clauses and similar introductory statements are not allowed. An explanation clearly marked “Comment” may be appended to the resolution for the convenience of Convention; it will be included in Convention materials, but it will not be debated or published as part of the final resolution if adopted. The secretary may contact authors to propose edits for clarity or consistent style.

Canon 12 prescribes special procedures to amend the Constitution, Canons of the Diocese, or Rules of Order of Convention. Authors of such resolutions are urged to consult the chancellor of the Diocese, Martin Brinkley, prior to submitting them.

The deadline to submit resolutions is 12 noon, Monday, October 10. The secretary will return without action any resolution received after the deadline. Late resolutions may be introduced at the first legislative session of Convention on Friday, November 18. Convention must agree to admit a late resolution by a two-thirds vote. (This is a vote on whether to admit the resolution into consideration, not a vote to adopt the resolution.) Late resolutions to amend the Constitution or Canons are not allowed. If Convention admits the late resolution, the author must promptly bring it to the secretary at the dais on a USB memory stick in a format such as Microsoft Word. Please prepare this in advance.

The bishop will refer each resolution to a legislative committee. Legislative committees will hold hearings on Friday afternoon, November 18 and report their recommendations during legislative sessions on Saturday, November 19.

Detailed rules for introduction and consideration of resolutions are found in Rules of Order IV(a) and (b), XXIII(a), and XXIV. The Constitution, Canons, and Rules of Order are posted on the website of the Diocese.