Diocesan Council

Diocesan Council is an elected body which conducts the affairs of the diocese between conventions. Duties of the Diocesan Council, outlined in Canon 15, are:

(a) Assist the Bishop and Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, in planning and developing the work of the Church in the Diocese.

(b) Assist the Bishop and Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, in administering the work of the Church in the Diocese through whatever departments, divisions, commissions, or other agencies may be established from time to time for that purpose.

(c) Supervise, coordinate, and review the work of all departments, agencies, and diocesan officers charged with holding title to property; be responsible for maintaining such property; and be responsible for designating qualifying church buildings as "Historic Churches."

(d) Direct, coordinate, and administer the financial affairs of the Diocese not vested by canon in other officers or agencies.

(e) Directly or through agents under its direction and control, fix all compensation except that fixed by the Convention.

(f) Supervise and coordinate all departments, agencies, and diocesan officers charged with record-keeping, maintenance of archives, and preserving and writing the history of the Diocese, its departments, agencies, and congregations.

(g) As deemed desirable, adopt by-laws, rules, and regulations for its government and for the government of its officials, agents, employees, departments, and agencies.

(h) Make and preserve a full record of its acts and of the work of each of its departments and furnish to each annual Convention a full report of all its actions and all moneys expended under its direction during the preceding year, including a report from each department of the Council with respect to the work done by such department.

The council is comprised of six members of clergy eligible to vote in the Convention and nine members of the laity (who are enrolled confirmed adult communicants in good standing of the Church in the Diocese) who are elected for terms of three years, staggered so that one-third of the 15 are elected each year.

Watch members of Standing Committee and Diocesan Council discuss their work

RECENT ACTIONS OF COUNCIL

The following is a summary of actions of Diocesan Council from January through June 2021.

• Decided that church income recognized from forgiveness of PPP/EIDL loans as well as Adaptation Grants and Innovation Grants from the NC Episcopal Church Foundation will be excluded from Fair Share calculations.
• Designated the timing of Convocation meetings prior to the 205th Convention.
• Designated housing allowances for clergy who are employed by the Diocese.
• Expressed deep concern about inequalities in the availability of COVID-19 vaccines and called upon NC DHHS and county health departments to seek new partners of color (e.g. churches and community organizations) to assist in distribution.
• Regularly reviewed the finances of the Diocese.
• Developed a report of Council's activities in 2020 for the Journal of the 205th Convention.
• Received regular reports on All Saints, Warrenton; St Michael and All Angels, Charlotte; and possible redevelopment of the 200 West Morgan St property in Raleigh.
• Received reports about the development of the Mission Strategy and the Mission Funders study.
• Received an analysis of parochial reports.
• Began to study childcare and spousal/partner activities for future Conventions in response to Act 2019-1 of the 204th Convention.
• Decided to continue Zoom meetings at present but scheduled two hybrid meetings (Zoom and in-person) later in 2021.
• Accepted the recommendation of the Fair Share Appeals Board with respect to St Christopher's, Garner.
• Decided that churches with annual income between $500,000 and $1,000,000 may use the approved, simplified audit procedure for 2020.
• Required members of the Commission on Ministry to take anti-racism training, as members of Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee already have taken.
• Increased minimum clergy salaries by 1.3% effective Jan. 1, 2022.
• Designated the timing of budget webinars and Convocation meetings prior to the 206th Convention.
• Affirmed guidance to the Fair Share Appeals Board.
• Approved grants proposed by the Mission Endowment Board.
• Continued the Rule III process developed for the 205th Convention for application to the 206th.