The 198th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia voted to amend Canon I.13.2-3 as noted below. The clergy and delegates voted down the proposed change to Canon I.13.4 listed in materials in advance of convention.
Canon I.13
The Committee on Constitution and Canons met on September 4, 2019. They reviewed the following proposed changes to Canon 1.13 (Diocesan Agencies, Commissions and Boards) and voted to endorse this proposal, as amended, to Convention. The changes as amended by the Committee are shown below:
Canon 13.2
2018 Canons:
There shall be a Commission on Ministry consisting of six Clerics, one of whom shall be a Deacon, and five Lay communicants. The Bishop annually shall appoint the members of the commission with the consent of the Diocesan Council. The Commission on Ministry shall have the duties specified in the General Canons. The Bishop shall appoint clergy to the Board of Examining Chaplains.
Replacement text approved by convention for 2019 Canons:
There shall be a Commission on Ministry consisting of an interview committee of three to six clergy, at least one of whom shall be a deacon, and an equal number of lay communicants plus a chair who shall be a priest. The Bishop shall appoint the members of the commission annually with the consent of the Diocesan Convention. The Commission shall have the duties specified in the Canons of The Episcopal Church. The Bishop shall appoint such members of the Commission who shall comprise the Board of Examining Chaplains with one chaplain for each of the following six areas: Holy Scripture; Liturgy and Church; Church History; Theology; Theory and Practice of Ministry in Contemporary Society; and Ethics & Moral Theology.
Canon 13.3
2018 Canons:
There shall be a Honey Creek Commission, the members of which shall be appointed annually by the Bishop with the consent of Diocesan Council. The commission shall act in accordance with its charter as approved by Diocesan Council.
Replacement text approved by convention for 2019 Canons:
There shall be a Honey Creek Development Committee, the members of which shall be appointed annually by the Bishop with the consent of Diocesan Council or Diocesan Convention. The committee shall serve with the Executive Director of Honey Creek and other diocesan staff to support the current and future development of Honey Creek as a mission asset of the Diocese.
