Episcopal Diocese of Alaska 1205 Denali Way Fairbanks, Alaska / fax 907/ Memorandum

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1 Episcopal Diocese of Alaska 1205 Denali Way Fairbanks, Alaska / fax 907/ Memorandum To: Convention Delegates or Date: September 14, 2012 Parish/Mission From: Suzanne Krull cc: Bishop Canon for Finance & Administration Bishop s Staff Standing Committee Members website: Subject: 37 th Diocesan Convention, "Rejoice in the Lord Always and again I say Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4) Greetings: We are less than a month away from gathering at Meier Lake Conference Center in Wasilla. Preparations are well on their way and we are excited about our time together. Here is some preliminary information for your review. Listed below are the items enclosed.. Letter from the Bishop Convention Schedule Diocesan Positions open for Election Deanery Nominations for open position (as of 9/12/12) Proposed Canonical Changes No Pre-file Resolution no pre-filed resolutions were received For those delegates who have already booked your travel, Thank you! The Meier Lake Board is handling housing and transportation to/from the airport. Someone will meet you at the airport and provide rides to the Center. If you have not yet booked your travel please call Janelle at US Travel ( ) and make those arrangements as soon as possible. If you have any questions please feel free to call the Bishop s Office, or (locally). Looking forward to seeing, worshipping and sharing with everyone at Meier Lake! Note to Congregations: If you have sent in the registration forms and we have the addresses of your delegate(s) we will mail the information directly to your delegate(s), otherwise please distribute the enclosed information to your delegate(s). If you have already sent in your delegate registration forms and fee, THANK YOU, if not, please do so as soon as possible.

2 The Episcopal Diocese of Alaska 1205 Denali Way Fairbanks, AK Telephone: (907) Fax: (907) September 14, 2012 Dear Friends: The diocesan convention is fast approaching. The annual gathering will be held October 4-7, 2012 at Meier Lake Conference Center in Wasilla, Alaska. The theme for the 37 th convention is Rejoicee In the Lord Always and again I say Rejoice!!. In addition to the business of convention, i.e. nominations, budgets, etc., we will use our time together to rejoice in the Lord, sharing stories of celebration and thanksgiving. We willl also discusss the characteristics of leadership: what makes an effective Leader? In the coming March, we will rejoice at the 100 th Anniversary of the Ascent of Denali by Walter Harper and Hudson Stuck. We are excited and offer a warm Alaskan welcome to Bishop Paul Lambert, Suffragan Bishop of Dallas, who will be joining us for clergy conference and convention. Hudsonn Stuck came to Alaska from the Diocese of Dallas, where he remains an important and inspirational character. Bp. Lambert will be sharing stories of Hudson Stuck s leadership influence on the Diocese of Dallas. In preparation for our discussion please give some thought to these questions: Rejoicing: 1. Where is God a blessing in your life? the life of your church? 2. How is your congregation n (church)/community rejoicing in the Lord? What are you celebrating? What makes you thankful? Leadership: 1. Think of great leaders you know. Who were/are they? Whatt made/makes them great? 2. What do we look for, hope for and/or want in a leader? 3. How do we recognize, nurture and raise up leaders for our congregation (church)/community? I hope to hear from each congregation so that we might rejoice in the Lord together. Furthermore, as we share our stories, I hope we will discover what itt is to be a great leader and how we might work to develop effective leaders in our communities. I look forward to being with you at Meier Lake! In the Joy of Christ, Bishop Mark Lattime

3 "Rejoice in the Lord Always and again I say Rejoice", Philippians 4:4 The 37th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Meier Lake Camp and Conference Center Wasilla, AK October 4 7, 2011 Schedule for Convention 2012 October 4, Thursday 1:00 pm Registration opens 3:00 pm Welcoming singspiration 5:15 pm Dinner & welcome from Meier Lake Board 6:15 pm Committees meet 7:00 pm Opening Convention Eucharist Short 1 st Session of Convention October 5, Friday 8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Morning Prayer in plenary led by South Central delegates 9:30 am 2 nd Session of Convention Bishop s Address 10:30 am Break 10:45 am 3 rd Session of Convention - Small Group Gospel based reflections on the Bishop s Address What stood out for you?; What did you hear Bishop saying to you?, What are you being called to do? 11:45 am Noonday prayers in plenary led by the Arctic Coast delegates 12:00 pm Lunch Committees meet 1:30 pm 4 th Session of Convention Stories of Rejoicing: We are a people that Rejoice in the Lord (small groups) 3:00 pm Break Note: All Clergy are expected to vest for Friday & Saturday Eucharist: white or festive stoles

4 October 5, Friday 3:15 pm 4 th Session continues Sharing of insights from small groups 4:00 pm 5 th Session of Convention: Leadership Discernment Keynoter: The Rt. Rev. Paul Lambert, Suffragan Bishop of Dallas 5:00 pm Evening Devotions led by the Southeast delegates 5:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm St. Simeon and St. Anna Celebration and Memorial for Clergy who have died since the last convention 8:30 pm Reception and Fellowship October 6, Saturday 8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am Morning Prayer in plenary led by Interior delegates 9:30 am 5 th Session of Convention continues: Leadership Discernment: Reflections in small groups 10:15 am Break 10:30 am 5 th Session continues: Sharing of insights from small groups 11:00 am 6 th Session of Convention 11:45 am Noonday prayers 12:00pm Lunch - Committees meet 1:30 pm 7 th Session of Convention 3:15 pm Break 3:30 pm 8 th Session of Convention 5:30 pm Dinner 7:00 pm Convention Eucharist 8:30 pm Celebrating 50+ Years: Meier Lake Conference Center Share your favorite story October 7, Sunday 8:30 am Breakfast 10:00 am Eucharist Noon ish Lunch and departures Note: All Clergy are expected to vest for Friday & Saturday Eucharist: white or festive stoles

5 Positions open for election/nominations: 37th Diocesan Convention October 4-7, 2012 Meier Lake Conference Center, Wasilla, AK Commission on Ministry: Arctic Coast Lay position, APPOINTED (NO Action Req) Term: 3 year South Central Clergy position, APPOINTED (NO Action Req) Term: 3 year Youth Commission: APPOINTED - ACTION Requested One youth & One Adult each deanery Arctic Coast Adult - Southeast Clergy position, ELECTED Youth - Term: 3 year Interior Standing Committee: Adult - Seat # 4: South Central Lay position Youth - Term: Liturgical Year B, 2015 South Central Seat #5: At Large position, APPOINTED (NO Action Req) Adult - Term: Liturgical Year B, 2015 Youth - Seat #6: Southeast Lay position Southeast Term: Liturgical Year B, 2015 Adult - Youth - Seat #2: Interior Clergy position Term: Liturgical Year A, 2014 Disciplinary Board: Seat A: Clergy Position, not deanery specific Term: 5 year Seat F: Lay position (New), not deanery specific Term: 5 year St. Simeon and St. Anna Seat G: Clergy position (New), not deanery specific Nominated by local Term: 3 year Congregation/Church affirmed by deanery in prayer FIT (Faith Into Tomorrow Endowment) Committee: Crosses paid by local Seat A: Lay position Chruch/congregation ($25) Term: 4 year Seat #1: APPOINTED (NO Action Req) Term: 4 year

6 Positions open for election/nominations: Deanery Nominations, as of September 12, th Diocesan Convention October 4-7, 2012 Meier Lake Conference Center, Wasilla, AK Arctic Coast Deanery Interior Deanery South Central Deanery Southeast Deanery Meeting Feb 16-19, 2012 Meeting posponed Meeting May 4-5, 2012 Meeting April 19-22, 2012 Commission on Ministry: Commission on Ministry: Commission on Ministry: Commission on Ministry: Lay: Appointed None Clergy: Appointed Clergy: Ron Kotrc Standing Committee: Standing Committee: Standing Committee: Standing Committee: None None Lay: Stacy Thorpe Lay: Barbara Learmonth Disciplinary Board: Disciplinary Board: Disciplinary Board: Disciplinary Board: Clergy: Clergy: Clergy: Paul Smith Clergy: Lay: Colleen Swan Lay: Lay: Eliah Cantwareborh Lay: FIT: FIT: FIT: FIT: Lay: Colleen Swan Lay: Lay: Alice Holinger Lay: Youth Commission: Youth Commission: Youth Commission: Youth Commission: Adult: Janet Mitchel Adult: Adult: Gail Loken Adult: Stephanie Snelling Youth: Amber Downey Youth: Youth: Madeline Mullikin Youth:

7 Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Diocesan Positions Currently Held, as of September 2012 Name Term Expires Commission on Ministry: Arctic Coast Clergy The Rev. Willard Neakok 39th, 2014 Lay Joe Swan 37th, 2012 Interior Clergy The Rev. Bessie Titus 38th, 2013 Lay Bruce Gadwah 39th, 2014 South Central Clergy The Rev. Katherine Hunt 37th, 2012 Lay Thelma Snow Jackson 38th, 2013 Southeast Clergy vacant 37th, 2012 Lay Marg Snapp 38th, 2013 Vocational Deacon Clergy The Rev. Monte Slusher 39th, 2014 Standing Committee: Seat #1: Arctic Coast Lay Austin Swan, Sr. 39th, Year A, 2014 Seat #2: Interior Clergy vacant 39th, Year A, 2014 Seat #3: Southeast Clergy The Rev. Dave Elsensohn 39th, Year A, 2014 Seat #4: South Central Lay Barbara Chase 37th, Year B, 2012 Seat #5: At Large Appointee The Rev. Dawn Allen Herron 37th, Year B, 2012 Seat #6: Southeast Lay Barbara Learmonth 37th, Year B, 2012 Seat #7: Arctic Coast Clergy The Rev. Wilfred Lane 38th, Year C, 2013 Seat #8: South Central Clergy The Rev. Connie Jones 38th, Year C, 2013 Seat #9: Interior Lay Irene Todd 38th, Year C, 2013 Disciplinary Board: Seat A: Clergy The Rev. Margo Simple 37th, 2012 Seat B: Lay Winona Hawley 38th, 2013 Seat C: Clergy The Rev. Gayle Nauska 39th, 2014 Seat D: Lay Clarence Bolden 40th, 2015 Seat E: Clergy The Rev. Ron Kotrc 41st, 2016 Seat F: Lay New Position 42nd, 2017 Seat G: Clergy New Position 40th, 2015 FIT (Faith Into Tomorrow Endowment) Committee: Seat A: Elected Lay Alice Holinger 37th, 2012 Seat #1: Appointed Ted Laufenberg 37th, 2012 Seat B: Elected Clergy The Rev. Carrie Oktollik 38th, 2013 Seat #2: Appointed Laura Bender 38th, 2013 Seat C: Elected Lay Charlie Fahl 39th, 2014 Seat #3: Appointed The Rev. Wilson Valentine 39th, 2014 Seat D: Elected Clergy The Rev. Bella Jean Savino 40th, 2015

8 Episcopal Diocese of Alaska 37 th Diocesan Convention, Proposed Canonical Changes Two Proposed Canonical Changes, forwarded from 2011 Convention 1) Canon IX Deputies to General Convention 2) Canon III Diocesan Convention 1. Canon IX Deputies to General Convention Regarding representative election from deaneries of deputies to General Convention: Background: At the 2010 Diocesan Convention the resolution listed below was forwarded to Constitutions and Canons Committee: BE IT RESOLVED That the Canons of the Diocese of Alaska be amended to allow for two(2) deputies, consisting of one(1) clergy and one(1) lay representative selected from each of the four deaneries in the State of Alaska to ensure each deanery proper representation at a national convention. The Constitutions and Canons Committee recommended the following changes, which were approved: Be it resolved, that the Committee on Constitution and Canons consider an amendment to the Canons of the Diocese of Alaska to allow for deanery representation among the deputies to General Convention and report back to the 36 th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska Last year Convention did not address this proposed change. Rational from 2011 Committee members: It is proposed that Alaska choose its deputation from the four deaneries equally. A full complement of four clergy and four laity allowable under Article I, Section 4 would be filled by election of one clergy and one lay from each of our four deaneries. The question arises in our culturally diverse diocese that where one IS, is not where one is FROM where one s HOUSE is, or what region one most identifies with in thinking, action, and mores. Will the current emphasis on nominating/electing from deanery meetings, to be confirmed at/by diocesan convention lead to unintended dis-enfranchisement? Proposed Amendment to Canon IX Deputies to General Convention Canon IX Section 1: At a Convention held at least 12 months prior to the regular meeting of the General Convention, Clerical and Lay Deputies and their alternates representing the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska at such General Conventions shall be elected in accordance

9 with provisions of the General Canons of the Church. Of the total size of the diocesan delegation, each deanery shall be permitted equal representation. At the convention where Deputies to General Convention are to be elected; prior to such election, there shall be a vote taken that reasonable efforts have been made to provide names for such representation. Additions are in bold italic; Deletions are strikethrough xxx This change to the canon does not stipulate what means each deanery must make for such representation, but implies such means as can be demonstrated meet the reasonable expectations of the Convention 2. Canon III Diocesan Convention Regarding seat, voice and vote of clergy at conventions of the diocese of Alaska: Background: At 2011 Convention the following change was proposed: Proposed Amendment to Canon III Diocesan Conventin: Add Section 1 (h) Canon III Section 1 (h): All clergy of this church who are canonically resident in the Diocese of Alaska, who are actively exercising a ministry in this Diocese, and have a ministry plan that has been approved by the Ecclesiastical Authority (as provided for by the Canons of the Episcopal Church), and are in compliance with the reporting requirements of those canons, are entitled to seat, voice, and vote at regular and special conventions of the Episcopal Diocese of Alaska. From the minutes of 2011 Convention: Discussion followed including questions about how this would affect the relative number of lay and clergy votes, the requirement that priests participate in the councils of the church, whether clergy would be required or invited to participate, how it would affect the quorum, who would bear the cost, what would be the budget implications, whether this should include priests only, or priests and deacons. It was moved and seconded that this be tabled until the issues could be addressed at the next regular convention. Vote to table until next regular convention: Motion to table the motion carried.