128th Convention Booklet for the Diocese of Lexington
Land Acknowledgement
We humbly acknowledge the ancestral and contemporary homelands of the Indigenous Peoples of Eastern Kentucky: the Adena and Hopewell Cultures, the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the Chickasaw, the Osage, and the Shawnee People – the traditional custodians of the land on which we are gathering and worshipping today. As we gather, we honor and recognize the Indigenous Peoples who lived and live on this land. We recognize the church’s part in the colonialism and oppression of the Native peoples, and we commit to action and awareness of our historical and current participation.
courtesy of St. Michael’s, Lexington
Table of Contents
Please refer to the Pre-Convention Packet for 2023 Audited Financial Statements and 2025 Proposed Budgets. This booklet was emailed to each deputy and may be found at www.diolex.org on the convention page.
printed copy of the Proposed Budgets and Resolutions may be found on each table.*****
WELCOME FROM THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION PLANNING COMMITTEE
On behalf of the Convention Committee we would like to welcome you to this, the 128th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.
As many of you know I was born and educated in England and my early career was there. I grew up in Cheshire which was part of the ancient kingdom of Mercia. In the valley near where I grew up lies the 14th century chapel dedicated to St. Chad. Indeed, the valley is known as Chadkirk. But the chapel is there because of a healing well that springs out of the hillside. It was at this well that, in the 7th Century, Chad, Bishop of Mercia, performed healing miracles.
Chad was a reluctant bishop and only became one after the death of his brother Chedd, from the plague, following the Synod of Whitby. Chad wandered the country trying to find another bishop to consecrate him. He was eventually made Bishop of Northumberland. But then Rome sent Theodore to be Archbishop of Canterbury and he fired Chad, but did reconsecrate him as a bishop. Later, because of Chad’s piety and humility Theodore did appoint him Bishop of Mercia. He is buried in the Cathedral in Litchfield and is held as a saint in the Anglican, Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Because of his name, and its connection with the contested election of 2000 and the Florida vote count, and his faith in healing miracles, Chad is often thought of as the Patron Saint of Elections.
Which brings me to the theme of this year’s Convention: Leaning in with Love and Engaging Across Difference. Sadly, because of the heavy load of business we have to get through today, we are not able to have any of the programming we wanted to have around these issues. But I would ask you, when you return to your home communities, to begin conversations about healing and love. To engage in conversations about difference. To listen and share, and honor God’s presence in one another. As Bishop Curry has so wisely pointed out “conversations with others across difference is not just a nice thing to do. It’s a spiritual practice of love in action.”
So remembering St. Chad’s healing water and the healing water of our own baptism let us “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.” Amen -Tony Haigh (Trinity, Danville) on behalf of the Diocesan Convention Committee:
Colleen Bivens (St. Patrick’s, Somerset), Tammie Simpson (St. Patrick’s, Somerset), and the Rev. Karen Booth (Holy Trinity, Georgetown)
Dean’s Welcome
Dear Beloved Diocesan Family,
Welcome to the 128th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington! We are deeply honored to host this sacred gathering at Christ Church Cathedral, where, guided by the Holy Spirit, we come together to work, pray, and worship as one faith community.
As lay and clergy leaders from every corner of our diocese, your presence here enriches this cathedral space, bringing our diocesan family's diversity, wisdom, and vitality to life. Here, we conduct the essential work of our diocese engaging in legislative decisions and visioning and we gather as a family, sharing in fellowship, exchanging ideas, and lifting our voices together in worship. In these moments, we celebrate the fullness of our Episcopal identity, united by a shared call to serve and witness to God's love in our communities. We are also delighted to invite you to explore the art exhibit in the Great Hall: Sacred Sites Reprise: Churches of the Diocese of Lexington. This exhibit reveals our faith communities' beauty, history, and sacred stories, reprised from Art at the Cathedral's 2016 exhibit. We hope it inspires you to reflect on the legacy of Christ's work among us and the sacred spaces that have shaped our shared journey.
From candlelit prayer on Friday night to the concluding moments of Saturday, we hope this convention renews your spirit, strengthens our bonds, and inspires us all to carry the light of Christ into our daily lives and ministries. Thank you for your presence, your prayers, and the love and commitment you bring to our diocesan family.
In Christ's love,
The Very Reverend Carol Wade Dean, Christ Church Cathedral
8:30am -9:45 am
10:00 am 11:30am
12:15pm 1:30 pm
2:30 pm
4:00 pm
Agenda Summary
Times are subject to change Breaks will be announced
Registration/Deputy Changes
The Great Hall
Welcome
Business Session #1
The Great Hall
Lunch
The Great Hall
The Holy Eucharist Nave
Business Session #2
The Great Hall and Breakout Spaces
Business Session #3
The Great Hall
Adjournment
C�e Vis�
Chri� Church Ca�edral
Book�ore
Main Floor by Registration!
Agenda
Business Session #1 10:00am
Welcome
Welcome from Diocesan Convention Committee
Welcome from Christ Church Cathedral
Call to Order
Declaration of Quorum and Registration Report
Adoption of Rules of Order
Approval of Consent Agenda
Introduction of Resolutions
Call for Resolutions from the Floor
Nominations Placed Before Convention
Call for Nominations from the Floor
Budgets Placed Before Convention
Bishop’s Address
Special Presentation by the Rev. Steve Pankey, Vice-President of the House of Deputies of
The General Convention of The Episcopal Church
End of Business Session #1
LUNCH
Diocesan choir members and liturgical participants will be invited to lunch first. After that, please wait for your table to be called.
The Holy Eucharist follows In the Nave of the cathedral
Please be seated by 12:15pm
Business Session #2 1:30pm
Elections
Hearings
Resolutions – Helm Building 3rd Floor
Canons – The Great Hall
Budget – Tilford Room
The End of Business Session #2
Business Session #3 2:30pm
Hearing Reports and Voting
Announcement of 129th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
Adjournment
The End of Business Session #3
PROPOSED RULES OF ORDER OF CONVENTION
Considered by the 128th Convention of the Diocese of Lexington, November 16, 2024
1. These Rules of Order are for the Annual or Special Convention of the Diocese of Lexington. These Rules accede to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and of the Diocese of Lexington (collectively, “the canons”). Except where inconsistent with the canons or these Rules, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, the latest edition, shall govern the business proceedings of the Convention. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Convention may, by unanimous consent, take any action not inconsistent with the canons.
2. Resolutions to be acted on at the annual Convention shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Convention on or before the 30th day preceding the opening date of the Convention.
(a) Upon submission, resolutions shall be referred to the appropriate Convention Committee as determined by the Bishop, and the texts thereof shall be included in the advance materials distributed by the Secretary of the Convention to the members of the Convention 23 days prior to the opening date of Convention. Resolutions submitted to the Secretary later than specified shall be returned to the introducer without action.
Resolutions may be introduced during the Convention but may be acted upon only as follows: If introduced in the first business session of the Convention, the question before the Convention shall be whether the resolution shall be considered. Upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the deputies, the resolution shall be referred to an appropriate Convention Committee for study and report to that Convention. Such resolutions that fail to receive the required vote, as well as resolutions introduced after the close of the first business session of the Convention, shall not be considered.
This rule shall not apply to resolutions of courtesy.
(b) Any portions of the Bishop’s address meriting the Convention’s response shall be referred by the Diocesan Bishop to an appropriate Convention Committee.
(c) If a resolution submitted for Convention action would require adoption or amendment of a rule of order, canon or constitution provision, the presiding officer of the Convention, at the time the resolution is referred to an appropriate Convention Committee, (a) shall request the Canonical Commission on Constitution and Canons to consider the measure and prepare whatever rule, canonical or constitution provision would be suitable to accomplish the resolution’s proposal and, if the resolution receives favorable Convention action, report the rule, canonical or constitution provision for Convention consideration.
3. Every Resolution shall be sponsored by a Member who shall be present at Convention and prepared to move and speak in its favor.
4. Every Resolution whose adoption may foreseeably result in cost or expense to the Diocese shall be accompanied by an estimate of the amount of such cost or expense and a suggestion of possible sources of funding.
5. All Resolutions shall be distributed or read to the Convention prior to consideration. A Resolution not included in the order of business, and not germane to a committee report or other pending item of business, shall be considered at the time indicated in the order of business for other new business, or at a time determined by the President.
6. A report to Convention of a committee or other body shall be in writing and, once submitted to the Secretary, shall be deemed received by the Convention without the necessity of a motion. The President may, but need not, call for an oral reading or summary of the report, but shall at least publish or make known the filing of the report. Any report calling for Convention action or opinion shall be accompanied by a proposed Resolution.
7. Questions of order shall be decided without debate by the President or, at the President’s direction, by the Parliamentarian, subject to an appeal of the ruling upon motion.
8. After first stating his or her name and congregational or other affiliation, a Member addressing the Convention shall direct all remarks to the President and confine such remarks to the question on the floor.
9. After the making and seconding of a main motion, and before the question is called, the following subsidiary motions (among others) are in order: motion to amend; motion to refer; motion to postpone to a definite time; and motion to postpone indefinitely. A “motion to table,” unless specified to be the emergency motion to lay on the table, shall be construed as a motion to postpone indefinitely.
10. Except where otherwise provided by canon, by these Rules, or by Robert’s Rules, a simple majority will carry a question. The Convention shall ordinarily vote by voice, with the President announcing the result of the vote; except that, at the discretion of the President or at the request of any two Members, the Convention shall vote by a show of hands, cards or by a rising vote.
11. Neither absentee voting nor proxy voting is recognized. Only Members present in person and voting in the affirmative or negative on a particular question shall be counted for that vote, and only such persons shall be included in the denominator used to calculate the percentage of support for the question. Abstentions shall not be counted or recorded except at the request of the President or on motion approved by the Convention. With the permission of the President, brief statements of absent Members in support of or in opposition to a question may be read or quoted by another Member.
12. Once an issue has been determined, it shall stand as the decision of the Convention and not again be drawn into debate except upon a motion for reconsideration made by a Member who previously voted on the prevailing side. Only one motion for reconsideration of a particular earlier question shall be permitted. Any Resolution passed by Convention will be attached to the Minutes that are distributed to deputies at the next convention.
13. A Member may not, in one speaking, both debate a question and call the question for a vote. A Member may, in one speaking, both debate the question and call for a vote by Orders. A vote by Orders must be called for prior to the close of debate on the question and must be supported by at least five members of the Clergy or five deputies, in which event it shall be required.
14. If a Member making or supporting a non-debatable motion speaks in favor of that motion, or provides an explanation or reasons that tend to support the motion, the motion becomes debatable if so determined by the President, who shall, in that event, specify such special limits on the debate as the President deems advisable.
15. When a motion for the previous question covers more than one pending question, the vote will ordinarily cover all pending questions; however, upon the request of any Member or the President to divide the question, separate voted will be taken as to each previous question, such votes to be taken in the order in which the questions are pending (i.e., the reverse order in which the motions were made).
16. The rules relating to elections at Annual or Special Convention of the Diocese of Lexington are:
(a) All nominations must be received by the Chair of the Nominating Committee not later than the thirtieth (30th) day prior to the opening date of Convention. The nominations must be submitted on a form found on the Convention page of the diocesan website, which shall include at least the following: nominee’s name, address, home congregation, occupation, and prior and current parochial and diocesan offices. The names of all nominees, along with pictures and biographical information, shall be included with the advance materials distributed to deputies on the 23rd day prior to the opening of Convention.
(b) Each nomination from the floor, whether by voice or in writing, shall be accompanied by a biographical form provided by the Secretary, which contains the same information as in (a) above. The nominee shall also provide sufficient printed copies of the nomination form to be distributed by the Secretary to all deputies.
(c) Prior to the Convention, the Secretary, or such other person as may be designated by the Secretary, shall prepare official ballots for use at all elections at the ensuing Convention.
(d) After Convention is organized, the Bishop shall appoint a Chief Teller who shall have the authority to appoint as many Assistant Tellers as are necessary to carry out the balloting process.
(e) After nominations are made and the Bishop calls for election, the Chair of the Nominating Committee shall then present to the Convention those persons nominated along with instructions as to the completion of the ballots. The Chief Teller shall be responsible to collect all completed ballots and retire to tabulate the results.
(f) When the results are available, the Chief Teller shall make such fact known to the Bishop who shall, in the proper order of business, call for a report from the Tellers who shall then report to the Convention results of an election, distributing written results to the Bishop and to the Secretary.
(g) Ballots that are incomplete or unintelligible, as determine by the Chief Teller, shall be determined to be spoiled ballots and shall not be counted. A ballot will be considered incomplete if the voter does not cast as many votes as there are vacancies to be filled in the election. For example, if there are four people to be elected from a ballot of 15 people, the voter must vote for 4.
17. The following voting procedures will be applicable to election of deputies to General Convention only.
(a) In order to be elected as a deputy to General Convention, a nominee must receive a simple majority of all those voting in the election. When more than one position is to be filled, then a nominee is considered elected if he or she receives votes from a majority of those voting.
(b) In the event the initial vote on a slate of nominees shall not fill all the vacancies requiring election, then:
(1) the nominees who shall have been properly elected shall be declared elected and eliminated from the ballot; and
(2) there shall then be determined the number of remaining vacancies for which a nominee is to be elected; and
(3) the remaining unelected nominees shall then be ranked by the Chief Teller in the order of the votes cast for each nominee; and
(4) the Chief Teller shall then eliminate those nominees receiving the least number of votes cast so as to leave remaining two (2) nominees for each remaining unfilled position. However, in the event any other nominee shall receive a sum of votes within one percent (1%) of the total votes cast for those nominees selected for run-off, then those nominees shall also be placed on the run-off slate; and
(5) the Chief Teller shall then present to the Convention the names of the nominees for the run-off slate, in alphabetical order, upon whom the votes shall be cast. In the event a second vote shall not fill all remaining positions, then the procedure will be repeated, but without compliance with the 1% rule.
(6) If there are eight (8) or fewer nominees in one or both orders for deputies/alternates to General Convention, the requirement of election by majority vote in said order is not necessary. In that situation, election shall be by plurality.
18. Routine and/or noncontroversial items may be placed on a Consent Calendar to be considered together without discussion or debate at the beginning of Convention. Such routine and/or noncontroversial items shall include but not be limited to the following:
(a) Adoption of Rules of Order;
(b) Adoption of Agenda;
(c) Election/Appointment of Diocesan/Convention Officers;
(d) Appointment of Committees of Convention for Hearings;
(e) Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting(s);
(f) Persons to whom Seat and Voice is granted;
(g) Appointments/Elections of to the following Boards:
(i) Disciplinary Board,
(ii) Domain Board,
(iii) Domain Youth Representative,
(iv) Commission on Ministry, and
(v) Other newly created board(s);
(h) Receipt of Annual Reports; and
(i) Any other matter/notice not requiring action by Convention.
HOWEVER, any item on the Consent Calendar may be removed by a motion, second, and majority vote of the members. In such case, said item(s) shall be considered separately with time for discussion and/or debate before a vote is taken.
CONSENT AGENDA
A consent agenda is used to quickly approve routine and non-controversial business and other items that do not require conversation and deliberation. The use of a consent agenda saves time and allows for said time to be used in other ways.
If any deputy wishes to remove any item from the consent agenda for discussion, this may be done during the discussion period that follows the motion and seconding of the Consent Agenda.
1. Adoption of 2024 Rules of Order
2. Proposed Convention Agenda
8:30am -9:45 am Registration/Deputy Changes
The Great Hall
10:00 am 11:30am
12:15pm
1:30 pm
2:30 pm
4:00 pm
Welcome
Business Session #1
The Great Hall
Lunch
The Great Hall
The Holy Eucharist
Nave
Business Session #2
The Great Hall and Breakout Spaces
Business Session #3
The Great Hall
Adjournment
3.Election and Appointment of 2024-2025 Diocesan and Convention Officers
Secretary (elected office 1 year): Vicki Mackey, St. Philip’s, Harrodsburg
Treasurer (elected office 1 year): Jim Kimbrough, Ascension, Frankfort
Registrar and Historiographer (elected for a 3 year term): Dan Wilkins, Good Shepherd, Lexington
Chancellor and Vice Chancellor: (appointed/confirmed for 3 year term at Convention 2022)
Appointment of Parliamentarian: Mary T. Yeiser
Appointment of Dispatch of Business: Jane Fitzpatrick
Appointment of Co-Chief Teller – Dale Chapman, St. Michael’s, Lexington
Appointment of Co-Chief Teller – Scott Casey, Vistacom Information Systems, Inc.
Appointment of Tellers: Anna Baumann, Trinity, Danville, Matthew Strange, Christ Church Cathedral, Mary Bullard Elliott, Christ Church Cathedral, Lynn Vera, St. Andrew’s, Lexington
Appointment of Pages: Lynn Evans, St. Michael’s, Lexington, Evelyn Hinz, St. Augustine’s/UK Campus Ministry
4. Appointment of Committees of Convention for Hearings
Resolutions Committee
The Rev. Margaret Shanks - retired
Jim Ware, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington
Jane Fitzpatrick, St. Hubert’s, Lexington, Chair
The Rev. Bryant Kibler, St. Timothy’s, Barnes Mountain
The Rev. Dcn. Paula Ott, Diocese of Lexington
Canons Committee
Mary T. Yeiser, Chair, Emmanuel, Winchester
The Ven. Laurie Brock, St. Michael’s, Lexington
Kat Luchtefeld, Diocese of Lexington
Adam Johnson, Emmanuel, Winchester
Budget Committee
Jay Box, St. John’s, Versailles
Kat Luchtefeld, Diocese of Lexington
Jeff Rogers, Chair, St. Paul’s, Newport
Jim Kimbrough, Ascension, Frankfort
5. Approval of the Minutes of the 127th Diocesan Convention
6. Granting of Seat and Voice to numerous persons associated with Diocesan Convention
The Rev. Laura Altman, Priest-in-Charge, St. Martha’s, Lexington
The Rev. Emily Badgett, Assistant to the Rector, Good Shepherd
The Rev. Shawn Barkley, Walnut Hill Church, Lexington
Anna Baumann, Trinity, Danville
The Rev. Bruce Boss, Chaplain to Retired Clergy
Scott Tamburr, Co-Chief Teller, Vistacom Information Systems, Inc.
Dale Chapman, Co-Chief Teller, St. Michael’s, Lexington
Lewis “Butch” Clements, Cathedral Domain Board Chair, Trinity, Covington
Rob Coulston, Lay Chaplain, St. Augustine’s/UK Campus Ministry
Mary Bullard Elliott, Christ Church Cathedral
Lynne Evans, St. Michael’s, Lexington
Evelyn Hinz, St. Augustine’s/UK Campus Ministry
The Rev. Jason Leo, Interim Rector, Trinity, Covington
Kat Luchtefeld, Missioner of Operations & Finance, Diocese of Lexington
Andy Sigmon, Director, Cathedral Domain, Diocese of Lexington
Cindy Sigmon, Youth Missioner, Diocese of Lexington
Matthew Strange, Christ Church Cathedral
Richelle Thompson, Communications Missioner
Lynn Vera, St. Andrew’s, Lexington
Melanie Yankey, Administrative Assistant, Diocese of Lexington
Non-deputy lay members of Executive Council
Non-deputy lay members of Standing Committee
7. Election of Disciplinary Board Members – Term Ending 2027
The Rev. Dcn. Emily Cardwell, Clergy (elected office 3 years), Advent, Cynthiana & Our Saviour, Madison County
Tony Haigh, Lay (elected office 3 years), Trinity, Danville
8. Election of Cathedral Domain Board Members – Term Ending 2027
Kennedy Wright (appointed office 1 year), Christ Church Cathedral
10. Election of Commission on Ministry Members – Term Ending 2027 (need 2 clergy and 1 lay)
The Rev. Chris Hamby, Diocese of Lexington
The Rev. Anisa Willis, Good Shepherd, Lexington
Peter Haffner, Trinity, Danville
Number Name
R1 RESOLUTION TO CORRECT ERROR IN RULE 18 TO THE RULES OF ORDER OF CONVENTION
R2 RESOLUTION ON RE-IMAGINING BISHOP TRANSITION
C1 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION TO ADD THE CORPORATE NAME
C2 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION TO ADD REFERENCE TO “THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH”
C3 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUN TO NON-GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUN
C4 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE IV OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLERGY TO HAVE SEAT, VOICE, AND VOTE AT CONVENTION
C5 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CONFORM TO ARTICLE IV (IF AMENDED) REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLERGY TO BE MEMBERS OF CONVENTION
C6 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VI OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE THE NUMBER AND ORDER REQUIRED TO REQUEST A VOTE BY ORDERS
C7 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VII OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DIVIDE INTO MULTIPLE PARAGRAPHS AND ADD MISSING PUNCTUATION
C8 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DIVIDE INTO TWO SECTIONS AND TO CLARIFY THAT THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER, RESPECTIVELY, ARE TO OVERSEE AND ENSURE THAT STATED DUTIES ARE PERFORMED
C9 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE IX OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUNS AND CORRECT GRAMMATICAL ERRORS
C10 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DELETE CONFUSING LANGUAGE AND ADD A REQUIREMENT TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS AFTER EACH BALLOT
C11 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE XII TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE AND INTENT
C12 RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE XIII TO CHANGE REFERENCE TO THE GENERAL CHURCH
C13 RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.02 TO CHANGE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A VIRTUAL MEETING OF CONVENTION MAY BE CONDUCTED
C14 RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.03 TO DELETE RETIRED BISHOPS AS BEING MEMBERS OF CONVENTION
C15 RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.05 TO PROVIDE SPECIFICS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF AND INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION OF DEPUTIES TO CONVENTION
C16 RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 4.02 BY ADDING LANGUAGE THAT SETS LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF TERMS THAT CAN BE CONSECUTIVELY SERVED; THE EFFECT SERVING AN UNEXPIRED TERM HAS ON THE LIMIT OF SERVICE, AND SET LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF TERMS THAT CAN BE SERVED AS PRESIDENT
C17 RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 10.05 TO AGREE WITH CANON 1.04 REGARDING RIGHT TO VOTE FOR CHANCELLOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
C18 RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 18 “OF THE READING CAMP”
C19 RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 25 “OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION”
C20 RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 32 “OF THE SECOND CENTURY FUND”
C21 RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 33 “OF THE ST. AGNES HOUSE”
RESOLUTION TO CORRECT ERROR IN RULE 18 TO THE RULES OF ORDER OF CONVENTION
WHEREAS due to inadvertence and oversight an early version of the resolution to add Rule 18 was included in the packet for consideration at the 127th Convention in 2023, and
WHEREAS said version used the word “controversial” in the second sentence rather than “noncontroversial”:
“18. Routine and/or noncontroversial items may be placed on a Consent Calendar to be considered together without discussion or debate at the beginning of Convention. Such routine and/or controversial (emphasis added) items may include but not be limited to, the following, and”
WHEREAS said incorrect version was approved by Convention as noted in the minutes, and
WHEREAS said error should be corrected,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the beginning paragraph of Rule 18 of the Rules of Order of Convention is hereby amended as follows:
18. Routine and/or noncontroversial items may be placed on a Consent Calendar to be considered together without discussion or debate at the beginning of Convention. Such routine and/or noncontroversial items may include but not be limited to, the following:
Respectfully Submitted, Hon. Mary T. Yeiser, Chancellor
Resolution on Re-Imagining Bishop Transition
WHEREAS, on October 7th, 2024, The Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering announced his intention to retire as Diocesan Bishop in 2026; and
WHEREAS, The Most Rev. Sean Rowe, our new Presiding Bishop, has called us, as the Church, “To build on what dioceses and diocesan partnerships already do better than the churchwide structure and use churchwide resources to strengthen those ministries. We must reform our structure and governance so that our essential polity, in which laypeople, clergy and bishops — all of us together — share authority, does not collapse under its own weight….”
WHEREAS, we have been guided by the vision, “Be the Church, Be the Change,” throughout Bishop Mark’s episcopacy. This vision reminds us that faithful Christians see Christ working in change, and that we as the Diocese of Lexington are well-positioned to bring creative and courageous imagination to the process of calling our next Bishop that reflects a spirit of reform, experimentation, and inspiration.
WHEREAS, we as the 128th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington commit ourselves to explore fully the new opportunities and ways that God is opening to us in calling our next Bishop.
BE IT RESOLVED, the 128th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington asks the Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Lexington, and the Executive Council of the Diocese of Lexington to engage in the following work during this time of transition, to be completed not later than May 2025:
• To appoint, if needed, a task force of not more than 7 people, with at least 4 clergy and 3 laity representing the congregational and regional diversity and length of time in the Diocese of the Diocese of Lexington;
• To prayerfully engage in discernment around how we as the Diocese of Lexington are called to be a changing church;
• To study, inside the Diocese and, if helpful, the wider Church, models of vitality, experimentation in ways to be the Church, and collaborative ministry;
• To examine the role of formal diocesan structures regarding the episcopacy in supporting and challenging congregational ministry in the Diocese;
• To discern, with ample input from the Laity, Clergy, Diocesan Staff, and Bishop, a shared vision of the markers of vital congregational ministry and the expectations and needs of episcopal leadership in congregational vitality;
• To prayerfully and with considered Biblical, theological, ecclesiological, and historical study consider the needs and expectations of our worshiping communities in the Diocese of Lexington with regard to episcopal ministry;
• To consult other dioceses who have re-imagined and explored non-traditional episcopal ministry as may be helpful and informative;
• To propose, as necessary, changes to the practices, structures, and governance of the Diocese to more accurately reflect the shared vision of congregational life, the relationship between congregations and diocesan structures, and the relationships among individual congregations and between other dioceses; and
• To share this information with the Diocese and any bodies which may use this information to form a profile for the episcopal search process as well as the new bishop, when called.
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Mark Medley, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Georgetown
Ms. Judith Rosenvold, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Middlesboro
The Ven. Laurie M. Brock, Archdeacon of the Bluegrass and Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Lexington
The Ven. Jeffery Queen, Archdeacon of the Ohio Valley and Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Fort Thomas
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Long-term supply, St. John’s, Corbin, Kentucky
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION TO ADD THE CORPORATE NAME
WHEREAS the corporate name of the Diocese is not included in the Article I, and
WHEREAS it is important to have the legal name of Diocese included,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article I of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows
ARTICLE I
The Diocese shall be known and distinguished by the name of THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON, INC., a/k/a THE DIOCESE OF LEXINGTON, which is comprised of the counties of Boone, Gallatin, Owen, Franklin, Anderson, Mercer, Boyle, Casey, Pulaski and Wayne, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and all territory in Kentucky east of those counties.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION TO ADD REFERENCE TO “THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH”
WHEREAS Article II refers to The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and
WHEREAS the more commonly used name of the Wider Church is The Episcopal Church, and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article II of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE II
The Constitution and Canons of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, a/k/a The Episcopal Church, are hereby fully recognized and acknowledged and to which adherence shall be given in and by the Diocese of Lexington.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUN TO NON-GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUN
WHEREAS in Section 2, the Bishop is referred to with a gender specific pronoun in this article, and
WHEREAS all Bishops in The Church are not the same gender, and WHEREAS the Diocese desires for its governing documents to acknowledge this reality,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article III, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE III
Section 1. A Convention of the Church in the Diocese of Lexington shall be held annually, at such time and place as appointed by the last preceding regular Convention. The Bishop or, if there be no Bishop, the Standing Committee, may, for any good or urgent reason, change the time and place appointed.
Section 2. Special meetings of the Convention may, when necessary, be called by the Bishop on their own motion. If there be no Bishop or if the Bishop is unable to act due to sickness or if the Bishop has been absent from the Diocese for a period of six months or longer, special meetings of the Convention may be called by the Standing Committee.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s
Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE IV OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLERGY TO HAVE SEAT,VOICE, AND VOTE AT CONVENTION
WHEREAS the Bishop(s) are not included as member in the current article, and
WHEREAS the only requirement for clergy in the current article is that they be canonically resident in the Diocese, and
WHEREAS it is beneficial to the entire Diocese that clergy members of Convention be physically resident in the Diocese and actively practicing their ordained vocations,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article IV of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE IV
The Convention shall be composed of the Bishop(s), Clergy and Lay Deputies, constituting one deliberative body. All Presbyters and Deacons of The Episcopal Church canonically and physically resident andactively practicing their vocation in this Diocese (as solely determined by the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority) shall be entitled to seat, voice and vote in the Convention. However, no clergy under censure or process shall be entitled to seat, voice, and vote. Lay Deputies duly elected pursuant to Canon shall be entitled to seat, voice, and vote in the Convention. Each Parish and Mission in union with this Convention shall be entitled to representation in the Convention by Lay Deputies in such numbers as may be prescribed by Canon. However, any Parish or Mission ceasing, in the judgment of the Convention, to function as such shall be suspended from representation therein: or, at the option of the Convention, any Parish which does not continue to fulfill the canonical conditions required for admission as a Parish, may be reduced to the status of Mission. Provision shall be made by Canon for the adjudication of any cases arising hereunder.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
Resolution C-5
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE V OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CONFORM TO ARTICLE IV (IF AMENDED) REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLERGY TO BE MEMBERS OF CONVENTION
WHEREAS Article IV (if amended) would add additional requirements for clergy to be members of Convention, and
WHEREAS Article V currently states that 1/3 of all Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese shall constitute a quorum in that Order, and
WHERAS, this would conflict with Canon IV (if amended), and
WHEREAS if Article IV is amended as proposed, Article V should be amended to have conforming language,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article V of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE V
The Bishop, unless there be a Vacancy in the Episcopate or the Bishop is unable to be present by reason of illness or absence for any cause of which the Convention shall have received notice, together with one-third of all Clergy canonically and physically resident and actively practicing their vocation (as solely determined by the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority) in this Diocese and one-third of all the Lay Deputies entitled to seats and votes shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a majority of those present may adjourn to the next day.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VI OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE THE NUMBER AND ORDER REQUIRED TO REQUEST A VOTE BY ORDERS
WHEREAS the current article calls for a vote by orders upon request by five members without mention of the order(s) of said members, and
WHEREAS it would be more equitable to require both clergy and lay members to successfully request a vote by orders,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article VI of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE VI
Unless otherwise required by the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church or by this Constitution, in all matters that shall come before the Convention, the Clergy and the Laity shall deliberate in one body and vote as individuals. The concurrence of a majority of those present and voting shall give validity to any measure not required by Canon to be voted on by orders, in which case the concurrence of a majority of those present and voting in each order shall be required.
Upon the written or oral request of three or more clergy members and three or more lay members, there shall be a vote by Orders. .
No vote may cast by proxy. In the event of a tie vote, the president of the Convention shall be entitled to cast a vote.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VII OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DIVIDE INTO MULTIPLE PARAGRAPHS AND ADD MISSING PUNCTUATION
WHEREAS Article VII is lengthy and addresses various options, and WHEREAS a grammatically correct comma is missing, and WHEREAS spacing between the sections is preferrable,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article VII of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE VII
The Bishop shall be the President of the Convention and shall preside at all meetings of the Convention. The President’s duties shall be to present to the Convention, as often as the President may deem expedient, a general view of the state of the Church, to preserve order during the time of session, to put the question, collect the votes, and declare the decision, and, generally, to exercise the powers ordinarily incident to the position of presiding officer.
The President may make any motion conductive to the good of the Church, and may enter into debate, but, in either event, shall relinquish the chair to the Vice President or a president, pro tempore, and the President may express views on any subject, after it has been discussed, before a vote thereon.
The Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, and the Suffragan Bishop, if there be one, shall be Vice Presidents of the Convention and shall serve as President, pro tempore, upon designation of the President or in the event of the President’s absence or inability to serve.
If there be no other Bishops of the Diocese, the President may appoint from the order of Presbyters a president, pro tempore.
If no Bishop of this Diocese be present and able to act, the president of the Standing Committee shall call the Convention to order, and the Convention shall immediately choose by ballot a president from among the order or Presbyters. Such person shall perform all the duties and possess all the privileges of that office specified herein or by Canon but shall not call special meetings of the Convention unless a majority of the Standing Committee so requires.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DIVIDE INTO TWO SECTIONS AND TO CLARIFY THAT THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER, RESPECTIVELY, ARE TO OVERSEE AND ENSURE THAT STATED DUTIES ARE PERFORMED
WHEREAS the current article addresses duties of both the Secretary and Treasurer and separate sections for each would be preferrable, and
WHEREAS the current article states that the Secretary shall perform certain duties, and
WHEREAS it is more practical for some duties of the Secretary to be physically performed by assistants or diocesan staff, and
WHEREAS the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the duties lies with the Secretary, and
WHEREAS the current article also states that the Treasurer shall perform certain duties, and
WHEREAS it is more practical for some duties of the Treasurer to be physically performed by assistants or diocesan staff, and
WHEREAS the ultimate responsibility for the performance of the duties lies with the Treasurer, and
WHEREAS the Treasurer should also (and in fact does) make reports to Executive Council between Conventions, and
WHEREAS the fiscal year for the Diocese has been the calendar for years, and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article VIII of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE VIII
Section 1. Annually, immediately upon the assembling of the Convention, the Secretary of the Convention shall be elected, whose duty it shall be to oversee and ensure the following: (a) the recording of the proceedings of the Convention, (b) the notification to the Parishes generally of the time and place of the meetings of the Convention, (c) the preservation of its journals and records, (d) the attestation of the public acts of the body, and (e) the faithful deliverance into the hands of the successor to the office all books and papers relative to the concerns of the Convention which may be in the Secretary’s possession.
Section 2. A Treasurer shall also be elected annually, whose duty it shall be to oversee and ensure the receipt and disbursement of the funds of the Convention, by order of the Convention or of the Executive Council. The Treasurer shall also oversee and ensure the rendering of an account of the transactions annually to each Convention and not less than quarterly to Executive Council between annual Conventions.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE IX OF THE CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE GENDER SPECIFIC PRONOUNS AND CORRECT GRAMMATICAL ERRORS
WHEREAS gender specific pronouns are used for those in the clerical order, and
WHEREAS all clergy are not the same gender, and
WHEREAS the Diocese desires for its governing documents to acknowledge this reality, and
WHEREAS the final sentence refers to “regulations” and does not include “as” after the comma, and
WHEREAS, these grammatical errors should be corrected,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article IX of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE IX
There shall be a Standing Committee of six persons, three from the Order of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese and practicing their clerical vocation within the Diocese and three from the order of the Laity who are adult, confirmed communicants in good standing of a Parish or Mission within the Diocese, one whom from each Order shall be elected annually by the Convention, each to serve for a term of three years.
The Standing Committee shall have the power to fill from the order affected vacancies in its body to serve until the next regular meeting of the Convention, shall perform the duties and have such other powers only set forth in the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and in the Constitutions and Canons of this Diocese. It may make any rules, not in conflict therewith, as it deems proper for the conduct of its duties.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE X OF THE CONSTITUTION TO DELETE CONFUSING LANGUAGE AND ADD A REQUIREMENT TO ANNOUNCE RESULTS AFTER EACH BALLOT
WHEREAS “in opening convention” at the end of the first full sentence is unnecessary and confusing, and
WHEREAS there is currently no requirement that results of non-electing ballots be shared with members of Convention, and
WHEREAS it is beneficial to correct both above,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article X of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE X
The election of a Bishop of this Diocese shall be made by a concurrent vote of the Clerical Deputiesand of the Lay Deputies inConvention assembled, the two orders voting by ballot separately. When all the votes of both Orders shall have been deposited, the Tellers of the Clerical and of the Lay vote, respectively, shall proceed to count the votes. The results of each ballot shall be announced to Convention. The candidate for Bishop receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of those present and voting ineach Order shall bedeclared to be dutyelected. Immediately after anelection the Convention shall proceed to sign the testimonials.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE XII TO CLARIFY LANGUAGE AND INTENT
WHEREAS the first sentence is long and would be easier to understand if it were divided into two sentences, and
WHEREAS “assent” is not a term in common use, and
WHEREAS the process is not clearly stated,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article XII of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE XII
No alteration or amendment of this Constitution shall be made unless the same shall first be presented in writing at an annual meeting of Convention pursuant to the Rules of Convention. A majority of the members then present in the Convention shall vote whether to approve same. If so approved, any such change or amendment shall then lie over for consideration until the next Convention, at which it shall then be voted upon by Orders. A two-thirds vote of those present in each order in its favor is necessary for its adoption.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND ARTICLE XIII TO CHANGE REFERENCE TO THE GENERAL CHURCH
WHEREAS the General Church is not a term in general use, and
WHEREAS the more correct term is The Episcopal Church,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article XIII of the Constitution is hereby amended as follows:
ARTICLE XIII
In the event of any conflict between this Constitution or the Canons of the Diocese with those of THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, which conflict is not authorized thereby, the provisions of the Constitution or Canons of THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH shall prevail. In the event of any conflict between this Constitution and the Canons of the Diocese, this Constitution shall prevail.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.02 TO CHANGE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A VIRTUAL MEETING OF CONVENTION MAY BE CONDUCTED
WHEREAS thesecondparagraphof Canon1.02 limits thecircumstances underwhich a virtual meeting of convention may be conducted to extraordinary circumstances that exist making it impossible or unsafe for the Membership of Convention (Annual and/or Special) to meet in person…”, and
WHEREAS said paragraph was adopted during the Covid pandemic, and
WHEREAS it is possible that other circumstances may occur that make it prudent to conduct a virtual meeting of convention,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the second paragraph of Canon 1.02 is hereby amended as follows:
1.02 The Convention is the legislative body of the Diocese and shall exercise all powers not reserved to the Bishop by constitution, Canon or tradition, or reserved to any other entity of the Diocese.
Upon the determination by the Bishop, the Standing Committee, and the Executive Council that extraordinary circumstances exist making it impossible or unsafe prudent for the Membership of Convention (Annual and/or Special) to meet in person, Convention may be conducted through the use of electronic visual and/or audio communications by which all members participating may simultaneously see and/or hear each other during all sessions. All members identified as participating by this means shall be present for purposes of determining a quorum and for voting. There shall be Special Rules of Order adopted for any Conventions conducted in this manner.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.03 TO DELETE RETIRED BISHOPS AS BEING MEMBERS OF CONVENTION
WHEREAS Article IV of the Constitution does not list retired bishops in the composition of Convention, and
WHEREAS the Canons cannot conflict with the Constitution
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 1.03(A) is hereby amended as follows:
1.03 The Membership of the Convention shall be constituted as follows:
a. The Bishop, the Bishop Coadjutor, if there be one, and Suffragan Bishops, if any there be, and any retired Bishops of the Diocese
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
Resolution C-15
RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 1.05 TO PROVIDE SPECIFICS FOR THE SUBMISSION OF AND INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION OF DEPUTIES TO CONVENTION
WHEREAS the Canon fails to provide the address for the Secretary, and WHEREAS the Canon does not request the email addresses of the elected deputies, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 1.05 is hereby amended as follows:
1.05 Each Parish and Mission shall submit to the Secretary, in care of the diocesan administrator, at least sixty days prior to the Convention evidence of the election of Lay Deputies and Alternates consisting of a certificate in a form approved by the Secretary of the Convention, signed by the Rector or Vicar, or by one of the Wardens, or by the Clerk of the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee, which certificate shall set forth the names and, mailing addresses, email addresses, and classifications as to which are Alternates of all its Lay Deputies and Alternates, and the fact of their qualification to serve. Lay Deputies and Alternates shall be the Deputies and Alternates to any other meeting of the Convention prior to the succeeding Convention.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 4.02 BY ADDING LANGUAGE THAT SETS LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF TERMS THAT CAN BE CONSECUTIVELY SERVED; THE EFFECT SERVING AN UNEXPIRED TERM HAS ON THE LIMIT OF SERVICE, AND SET LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF TERMS THAT CAN BE SERVED AS PRESIDENT
WHEREAS Article IX of the Constitution addresses the duties of the Standing Committee and the way members are elected for full term (3-years), and
WHEREAS neither Article IX nor the current Canon 4 address the number of terms that a member can serve consecutively, and
WHEREAS the current Canon 4.02 is silent as to the effect serving an unexpired term has on a member’s service time,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLED than Canon4.02 is hereby amended as follows
4.02 No elected member shall serve or be elected to a successive full 3-year term; except a member who is completing a term of 1-year or less created by a midterm vacancy, may be elected to a full term.
As soon as practicable after adjournment of each annual meeting of the Convention, the Standing Committee shall meet and elect one of the members of its body as President and one of itsmembers as Secretary, to serve until the adjournment of the next annual meeting of the Convention. No member shall serve more than two years as President and/or Secretary.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
Resolution C-17
RESOLUTION TO AMEND CANON 10.05 TO AGREE WITH CANON 1.04 REGARDING RIGHT TO VOTE FOR CHANCELLOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
WHEREAS Canon 1.04 states that “…the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor, not elected as members of Convention by virtue of their office, with the right to take part in deliberation but not (emphasis added) vote, and
WHEREAS current Canon 10.05 states that “The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall have voice and (emphasis added) vote at the Convention and Executive Council,
BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 10.05 is hereby amended as follows:
10.05 The Chancellor and Vice Chancellor shall have voice and but no vote at the Convention, unless elected as a member by their parish or mission, and Executive Council.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representativ
RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 18 “OF THE READING CAMP”
WHEREAS Reading Camp has ceased to serve as a ministry of the Diocese of Lexington, and WHEREAS there are no plans to restart it,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 18 “Of the Reading Camp” is hereby repealed.
CANON 18
OF THE READING CAMP
18.01 Reading Camp is hereby approved and confirmed as a ministry of the Diocese of Lexington.
18.02 The purpose of Reading Camp is to provide ministry to at-risk 3rd-5th grade children who are reading below grade level. This ministry shall consist of the operation and/or oversight of summer camps that provide individual, intensive reading instruction and extracurricular recreational activities that advance skill levels by encouraging exciting interdisciplinary associations, building self-confidence, connecting campers to the world around them and developing a love of discovery and learning.
18.03 There shall be a Board of Oversight (hereinafter referred to as the Board) of Reading Camp. It shall consist of (1) the Bishop of Lexington, ex officio and 9 elected members, who do not have to be communicants of the Episcopal Church.
18.04 Members of the Board serving at the time this Charter is enacted shall remain members until their successors are elected pursuant to this charter. At least 9 members shall, upon the nomination of the Bishop be elected by the Convention each year, for terms of three years each, so that one-third (1/3) of the elected membership shall be annually elected. No elected member shall serve more than 1 consecutive three-year term. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by appointment by the Bishop upon nomination by the Board to serve until the next Convention.
18.05 The duties of the Board shall be to oversee the execution of the above stated ministry of Reading Camp.
18.06 The Board may adopt procedural rules for the performance of its duties; provided, however, the rules so adopted shall not be in conflict with any action taken by the convention or with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Lexington. A copy of the by-laws or procedural rules shall be filed with the Secretary of the Convention.
The Board may elect its own officers and assign responsibilities to them pursuant to its procedural rules.
18.07 The Director of Reading Camp is an employee of the Diocese of Lexington and shall be appointed by the Bishop in consultation with the Board. The Director is accountable to the Board for carrying out the ministry of Reading Camp within the confines of its budget; however, the Bishop shall have the final authority for hiring, termination, and discipline.
18.08 The Reading Camp Board shall prepare an annual budget for its operation in accordance with the procedures established by the Executive Council for the preparation of the Diocesan budget. There shall be an annual audit of the account(s) of Reading Camp.
18.09 The Board shall make periodic written reports to each Executive Council Meeting and an annual report to the Convention.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Very Rev. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 25 “OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION”
WHEREAS Canon 25 references Canon III.20.Section10 of the Canons of the National Church, and no such Canon currently exists, and
WHEREAS, Canon 21 is also titled OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION, and contains language found in Canon III.9.15 of The Episcopal Church
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 25 “Of the Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation” is hereby repealed.
CANON 25
OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL RELATION
25.01 Except as provided in Canon III.20. Sec.10. Of the Canons of the National Church, the pastoral relation may be dissolved at any time by the joint consent of the Minister and the Vestry.
25.02 In case either the Minister or the Vestry for any urgent reason propose to the other a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and the parties should not agree in respect to it, either party may give a written notice of such disagreement to the Bishop, or, if there be no Bishop, to the President of the Standing Committee. If the Bishop fails to settle the disagreement by his godly judgment alone, or if he should decline to consider it without counsel, he may call for the fails to settle the disagreement by his godly judgment alone, or if he should decline to consider it without counsel, he may call for the advice and consent of the Standing Committee, or of the Presbyters thereof only, if both parties agree in writing to this limitation, and proceeding with its aid and counsel, he shall be the ultimate arbiter and judge of the matter. If there be no Bishop or if he be incapable of acting, the Standing Committee shall select any Bishop of this Church to perform the duties imposed upon the Bishop by this Canon, and with like force and effort. The judgment shall be either that the pastoral relation shall cease and determine at a time and upon terms therein specified, or that the said relationship shall not be terminated, and shall be binding upon both parties. A refusal of the Minister to comply with the terms of such judgment shall not extend the time of such pastoral relation beyond the time fixed in said judgment, but shall subject him to interdiction by the Bishop from all ministerial functions within the Diocese. A refusal of the Parish to so comply shall disqualify it from representation in the Convention until it shall have complied with such judgment and shall have given satisfactory evidence of such compliance.
25.03 In no case shall the pastoral relation be dissolved without consent of the Minister until all moneys owing to him by the Parish shall have been paid or settled to his satisfaction.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Ven. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative.
RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 32 “OF THE SECOND CENTURY FUND”
WHEREAS the Second Century Fund no longer exists as an endowment fund of the Diocese of Lexington
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 32 “Of The Second Century Fund” is hereby repealed.
CANON 32 OF THE SECOND CENTURY FUND
32.01 The adoption of a Capital One Commission by the 78th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington, held on November 3, 1973, the name in which was changed to the Second Century Fund by action of the 95th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington, is hereby approved and confirmed and a separate Endowment Fund or Funds shall be established to receive in the name of the Diocese or of the Corporation gifts and bequest of money, tangible or intangible personally, and realty from donors upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the Directors of the Second Century Fund and, if applicable, the donors subject to the authority of the Executive Council as may be delegated to the Department of Finance.
32.02 The purpose of the Second Century Fund is to accept and receive for the Diocese or the Corporation gifts and bequest of money, tangible or intangible, personally and realty from donors and funds of the diocese transferred by the Diocese to be administered subject to any instructions of the Bishop and Executive Council and to provide grants and loans at variable rates of interest lower than might be available through commercial sources to parishes, missions and other institutions of the Diocese of Lexington for building projects, expansion or renovation purposes and further the work of the Diocese.
32.03 The Second Century Fund is to be administered by five Directors nominated by the Bishop and elected by the Convention annually.
32.04 The Directors of the Second Century Fund are authorized to adopt such policies, rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry forward the purpose of the Second Century Fund and to enter into such contracts and do all things necessary to attract donors and govern the affairs of the Second Century Fund with particular attention to setting up such charitable trusts as are presently or may be hereafter permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, and to protect the corpus of the Fund through the prudent establishment of variable interest rates for loans secured by mortgage liens on terms and provisions in accordance with prudent lending policies such as the Directors of the Second Century Fund shall adopt upon consultation with the Department of Finance and the approval of the Bishop and the Executive Council.
32.05 All interest and income generated by the Second Century Fund is to be held or expended for furtherance of the Work of the diocese by grant or loan as may be recommended by the Directors and approved by the Bishop and the Executive Council.
32.06 Loans from the Second Century Fund are to be made upon the approval of the loan application by a majority of the Directors of the Second Century Fund in accordance with the policies, rules and regulations then in effect, which loan approval shall then be also approved by the Bishop before the application shall be considered finally approved.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Very Rev. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CANON 33 “OF THE ST. AGNES HOUSE”
WHEREAS St. Agnes House has ceased to serve as a ministry of the Diocese of Lexington, and
WHEREAS there are no plans to restart it,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Canon 33 “Of the St. Agnes House” is hereby revoked.
CANON 33
OF THE ST. AGNES’ HOUSE
33.01 St. Agnes’ House is hereby approved and confirmed as a ministry of the Diocese of Lexington.
33.02 The purpose of St. Agnes’ House is to provide ministry to people living outside of Fayette County, who must come to Lexington for medical treatment, principally at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and to their Families. This ministry shall consist of providing lodging, cooking facilities, counseling, and a Christian presence; and such other related Christian purposes as may seem appropriate.
33.03 There shall be a Board of Oversight (hereinafter referred to as the Board) of St. Agnes’ House. It shall consist of (1) the Bishop of Lexington, ex officio and (2) at least five and no more than nine elected members who do not have to be communicants of the Episcopal Church.
33.04 Members of the Board serving at the time this canon is enacted shall remain members until their successors are elected pursuant to this charter. New members of the board are elected by the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Lexington upon nomination by the Board. Vacancies on the Board may be filled by appointment by the Bishop upon nomination by the Board to serve until the next Annual Convention. The term of office for members shall be three
33.05 The duties of the Board shall be to oversee the execution of the above-stated ministry of St. Agnes’ House.
33.06 The Board may elect its own officers and assigns responsibilities to them pursuant to its procedural rules.
The Board may adopt procedural rules for the performance of its duties; provided, however, the rules so adopted shall not be in conflict with any action taken by the Convention or with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal
Church and the Diocese of Lexington A copy of the procedural rules shall be filed with the Secretary of the Convention.
33.07 The director of St. Agnes’ House is an employee of the Diocese of Lexington and shall be appointed by the Bishop in consultation with the Board. The director is accountable to the Board for carrying out the ministry of St. Agnes’ House within the confines of its budget; however, the Bishop shall have the final authority for hiring, termination, and discipline.
33.08 The St. Agnes’ House Board shall prepare an annual budget for its operation in accordance with the procedures established by the Executive Council for the preparation of the Diocesan budget. There shall be an annual audit of the account of St. Agnes’ House, and the Board shall make an annual report to the Diocesan Convention.
33.09 The Board shall make periodic written reports to each Executive Council meeting and an annual report to the Convention.
Respectfully submitted, Committee on Canons
Mary T Yeiser, Chancellor
Jane V. Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chancellor
The Very Rev. Laurie Brock, Rector St Michael’s Kathleen Luchtefeld, Bishop’s Representative
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL –
2 CLERGY – 4 LAY
Name: Hendree Harrison
Faith Community: Good Shepherd, Lexington
Nominated for: Executive Council: Clergy
Leadership Involvement: I am currently the rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Lexington where I have served for 6 years. I have served on the Standing Committee for 3 years. I have worked with the bishop and other clergy and lay leaders on various projects and am passionately active with the Shepherd's House Recovery Center.
Diocesan involvement: I have served on the Liturgy Commission, Commission on Ministry, and Standing Committee in the three dioceses I have served in my 2 decades as a priest.
Other Skills: I love our Lord, our church, and our people, and I have extensive experience in church finance and operations. But most of all I desire to work with others to further the spread of the Gospel through the ministries of the church.
Endorsed by: David Young, Good Shepherd
Name: Matthew Young
Faith Community: St. Paul’s, Newport
Nominated for: Executive Council: Clergy
Leadership Involvement: When I arrived at St. Paul’s on September 1, 2004, I found a community weary of Church experts labeling them as being in survival mode. The truth was, they were faithfully doing their best, even if it often went unrecognized. That was twenty years ago, and it has been a true privilege to journey with this faith community and the Diocese through our ups and downs, joys and sorrows. Our core mission has remained constant since day one: to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
During this time, we’ve transitioned from what some described as a dying mission into a vibrant Word and Sacrament community. We’ve committed ourselves to serving those in
need with food and shelter, and we continue to love and support others both locally and globally. While many know of our viable food pantry ministry, which has served the city for 15 years, we adapted after our neighborhood gentrified. I am grateful that we now serve three different residential communities each month, reaching an average of 150 individuals.
Since 2011, St. Paul’s has wholeheartedly supported my volunteer work as Chaplain to the Newport Fire/EMS and Newport Police Departments.
We are also focused on growing inwardly, with new discipleship opportunities, intentional pastoral care partnerships, and expanded lay leadership that works together for the common good.
Diocesan involvement: During these past 20 years, I have served on the Executive Council. In addition, I have served on the Standing Committee. I have served as Dean of the Cathedral Church of St. George at the Cathedral Domain in addition to serving summer camps. I have served as Deputy and as an Alternate to the General Convention.
Other Skills: As a follower of Jesus, I believe that his resurrection is a timeless announcement of good news for today and tomorrow. It inspires meaning and makes a real difference in our lives. The pattern of Jesus’ life—his words, actions, suffering, death, and resurrection—shapes us for our living now and points us toward our ultimate future. This pattern has the power to transform us personally, as a community, and as the Church, but only if we are open and willing to walk this path together.
I am deeply passionate about grace, forgiveness, love, and the journey of moving forward. I believe in investing in our congregations, missions, and ministries; not just for growth, but for the transformation of lives and communities through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. This tradition represents, in many parts of the Commonwealth, a vital if not only hope for Christian grace and love for all people.
I have dedicated 20 years to the parish I serve, seeing it not as a stepping stone but as a calling to invest and sacrifice personally and professionally. I believe I can effectively connect the Scriptures and spiritual disciplines with transformative ministries, making thoughtful decisions while embracing risks and trusting in faith. I excel at building relationships, caring for colleagues, and fostering mutual support among clergy.
I envision our Diocese as a place where both clergy and lay leaders can thrive and feel supported, recognizing that this work is often challenging if not at times impossible. I strive to listen to diverse voices and embrace the wisdom of others, understanding that collaboration leads to greater insights.
Endorsed by: Sally Davidson, St. Paul’s, Newport
Name: Dan Clifford
Faith Community: Church of the Advent, Cynthiana
Nominated for: Executive Council: Lay
Leadership Involvement: I and my wife have been a members of Advent since about 1998. I have served in various positions over the years (Senior Warden, Junior Warden, web site designer and all-around handyman). I enjoy the opportunity to serve and give back.
Diocesan involvement: I have been in EC previously. Bishop Mark had me served on a few committees as I recall, one being the Audit Committee. If elected this time I might know what I'm doing from the beginning!
Other Skills: I'm organized, thorough and motivated in my work and personal life, and this carries over to serving with EC. I think I am a good listener, discerning, slow to criticize, fast to fix.
Leadership Involvement: I am a lawyer in Winchester, Kentucky, representing individuals who have suffered discrimination and/or retaliation in their workplaces. I am also active at church, assisting with our unhoused ministry and as a nominated representative to convention. My wife and I also assisted in our church's hosting of pride prom.
Diocesan involvement: I am one of the representatives from our congregation to diocesan convention.
Other Skills: I am a lawyer by trade, and I also have a non-profit history, serving on the board of the Kentucky Resources Council while we hired a new executive director. I believe that both of these will translate well to executive council. I have spoken with Mary T. Yeiser about this opportunity, and she has encouraged me to pursue it. After reading several minutes from the council, I believe it is work that my background can contribute to, specifically personnel.
Endorsed by: Mary T. Yeiser, Emmanuel, Winchester
Name: Dave Sevigny
Faith Community: St. Raphael’s, Lexington
Nominated for: Executive Council: Lay
Leadership Involvement: At St. Raphael's, I've served as vestry member under 4 different rectors and 2 interims, as well as Sr. and Jr. Warden. I currently maintain the financials for St. Raphael's.
Diocesan involvement: I've served on Commission on Ministry, Executive Council and Standing Committee as well as the finance, audit committees at the Diocese of Lexington. I've also served as the Diocesan Treasurer, and VP of the Executive Council. I've served as a deputy to General Convention at 3 different conventions. I am a certified lay preacher in the diocese.
Other Skills: My skills mostly revolve around leadership, compromise, empathy, finance, sales and a desire for self improvement through education, listening and varied personal experiences. My passions are the environment, social justice and health and well being. My why is "To joyfully pioneer new experiences so that I can celebrate success with people I care about"
Endorsed by: The Rev. Helen Van Koevering, St. Raphael’s
Name: Clay Wallace
Faith Community: Ascension, Frankfort
Nominated for: Executive Council: Lay
Leadership Involvement: The Church of the Ascension in Frankfort, Kentucky has been the center of my faith for a decade. I joined after falling in love with Morning Prayer and have been an active member of Ascension's choir, a participant in Bible and book studies, and a volunteer - including at Louisville's General Convention. Currently, I serve on Ascension's worship committee, where we have prayerful conversations about the needs of the congregation.
I am a young (30) trans person passionate about sharing God's grace with people both like me and unlike me. Last weekend, I volunteered with Ascension at Frankfort's Capital Pride. Our booth was staffed by a joint group from Ascension, Advent (Cynthiana), and Holy Trinity (Georgetown). To fellow queer people, I seek to bring the peace of knowing that they are forever held and loved by God, unconditionally; to allies, I seek to be a safe
person they can ask questions of, without judgment; to people who hold prejudice, I seek to be a living example of a faithful queer person who finds no contradiction in the way I was made.
In addition to my roles in the church, I also engage directly with folks in the wider community through my work. I am a reporter for WUKY, UK's NPR affiliate, and I am the podcast producer for the Capital City Museum in Frankfort. At all times, I seek to elevate the people doing interesting work, and help community members to understand the context of the world in which they live.
Diocesan involvement: At General Convention, I was a volunteer alongside many folks from both the Diocese of Lexington and the Diocese of Kentucky. I served as a greeting page in the House of Deputies, which enabled me to meet others and hear about their journeys of faith and vocation. It also gave me the chance to understand more about how the church governs and what sort of conversations are happening on a global scale. I value what I was able to learn there, and I left feeling energized about both the present Church and the future Church.
Other Skills: I am a good communicator with an ever-deepening understanding of the communities of central and eastern Kentucky. In my work as a reporter, I engage directly with people who express to me their needs, their joys, their sorrows, and their dreams. My job is to convey those as clearly and honestly as possible, which is what I would seek to do in this role.
I also have an understanding of government and of the responsibility of good leadership. As someone who reports on state legislature in Frankfort, I see how people carry the weight of decisions which affect millions, and I bring a heart which can bear the scope with reverence and express multiple positions faithfully, with nuance.
Endorsed by: The Rev. Peter Doddema, Church of the Ascension, Frankfort
SEWANEE TRUSTEE – 1 LAY
Name: Hilary Jarvis
Faith Community: Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington
Nominated for: Sewanee Trustee: Lay
Leadership Involvement: Currently, I serve the children’s ministry as a volunteer in children’s chapel. I am also involved with BUILD at the Cathedral to advocate for justice for those in need in the Lexington community. I also volunteer my time to children’s theatre groups in the community.
Diocesan involvement: I have served as a deputy at several prior conventions. I have also been blessed to serve as a lay trustee for our diocese for the past 7 years. I have been serving in leadership on the Board as the Chair of the Resolutions and Memorials Committee for the past 5 years.
Other Skills: I am passionate about Sewanee’s future. I grew in my faith while attending Sewanee in my undergraduate career (class of 2005). I am committed to helping Sewanee secure its future and continue welcoming students of all backgrounds. In addition, I am passionate about supporting the school of theology educate our next generation of clergy members.
Endorsed by: The Very Rev. Carol Wade, Christ Church Cathedral
STANDING COMMITTEE – 1 CLERGY – 2 LAY
Name: Jeffrey Queen
Faith Community: St. Andrew's, Fort Thomas
Nominated for: Standing Committee: Clergy
Leadership Involvement: I am completing my 12th year as Rector of St. Andrew's in Fort Thomas. I have truly enjoyed the work as parish priest in this community, and am grateful for the shared ministry of my fellow clergy in northern Kentucky.
Diocesan involvement: I am currently serving on the Commission on Ministry and have enjoyed getting to shepherd people through the process of discernment for both holy orders and lay ministry. In
recent years I have served as one of the Archdeacons working with the NKY congregations.
Other Skills: First and foremost, I am a good listener. I also think it is essential to work collaboratively with others, and have demonstrated that during my time in the Diocese.
Endorsed by: The Ven. Laurie Brock, St. Michael’s, Lexington
Name: Sarah Razor
Faith Community: Good Shepherd, Lexington
Nominated for: Standing Committee: Lay
Leadership Involvement: Sarah has served on the Vestry at Good Shepherd including a year as the Senior Warden. She has also served on a rector search committee. She is active in worship and outreach activities. She and her husband, Sam, and their daughters have been active, vital members of the Good Shepherd community for many, many years.
Diocesan involvement: Sarah has served on the Diocesan Budget Committee, and she and her family have been active participants in and supporters of parish and diocesan youth ministries.
Other Skills: Sarah has a well-honed expertise in non-profit board structure and management. She is a passionate follower of Jesus and a very faithful member of the church. She has financial and systems acumen and is a forward looking visionary with boundless energy. She is an insightful and gracious leader with a long history of involvement in our diocese.
Endorsed by: The Rev. Hendree Harrison, Good Shepherd
Changes in Clergy Positions
Clergy in New Positions:
The Rev. Emily Collins Badgett, Assistant to the Rector, Good Shepherd, Lexington
The Rev. Christian M.M. Brady from St. John’s, Versailles
The Rev. Dcn. Emily Cardwell, Deacon, Our Saviour, Madison County
The Rev. Jon Hall, Rector, Calvary, Ashland
The Rev. Steve Hines, Priest-in-Partnership, St. Philip’s, Harrodsburg
The Rev. Jason Leo, Interim Rector, Trinity, Covington
The Rev. Rob Musick, Deacon, St. Mark’s, Hazard
The Rev. Kenneth Pierce, Associate Rector, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington
The Rev. Anisa Willis, Assisting Priest, Good Shepherd, Lexington
Clergy Transitions Out of the Diocese, Canonically:
The Rev. Thomas Becker to Diocese of Delaware
The Rev. Br. Aelred Dean to Diocese of Indianapolis
The Rev. Justin Gabbard to Diocese of North Carolina
The Rev. Jim Trimble to Diocese of Rochester
Clergy Transitions Out of Diocesan Calls
The Rev. Steve Hines, Priest-in-Partnership, St. Philip’s, Harrodsburg
The Rev. George Kovoor from Canon Missioner
The Rev. Sherilyn Pearce from Grace, Florence
The Rev. Christian M.M. Brady from St. John’s, Versailles
Retirements
The Rev. Peter D’Angio, Rector, Trinity, Covington
The Rev. Linc Hartling, Deacon, Holy Trinity, Georgetown
The Rev. Dcn. Paula Ott, Deacon, St. Peter’s, Paris
The Rev. Carol Ruthven, Rector, Our Saviour, Madison County
The Rev. Judy Yunker, St. James, Prestonsburg
General Convention Resolutions Referred to Dioceses for Consideration or Action
The Resolutions on the following pages were presented to the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky June 23-28, 2024:
Resolutions Referred to Diocese for Consideration
Resolutions Referred to Diocese for Action
Resolutions with Proposed Alterations to the Constitution of The Episcopal Church and the Book of Common Prayer
It is a requirement of Canon I.1.1.e of The Episcopal Church that each diocesan convention receive notice whenever any alteration of the Book of Common Prayer or of the Constitution is proposed. The 81st General Convention proposed three resolutions with changes to the Constitution and one to the Book of Common Prayer. It is the Diocese of Lexington’s duty to make known such proposed alterations to this Convention and to certify that such action has been taken.
The proposed three resolutions with changes to the Constitution and one to the Book of Common Prayer are on the pages that follow.
Num | RESOLUTIONS REFERRED TO DIOCESES FOR ACTION
A023 Authorize and Support the use of the Best Practices Guide and Model Anti-Harassment Policy
A024 Limit on Confidential Settlement Agreements
A029 Divest from Fossil Fuels
A030 No Investment in Certain Weapons
A035 Establish Model Policies for Anti/Racism/Racial Reconciliation Work
A048 Adoption of the Proposal for the Exchangeability of the Diaconate in The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
A078 Promote Equity and to Reduce Differences in Mental Health Outcomes
A079 Mental Health Sunday
A082 Support the Episcopal Veterans Network
A084 Join The Communion Forest Initiative
A085 Support for the Global Mission Advocates Network
A088 Consult with the Office of Global Partnerships
A089 Address Violence Against Women and Girls
A098 Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation
A099 Task Force for Indigenous Justice To Increase Advocacy Groups Reflecting Creation Care and Environmental Justice Ministries
A135 Compensation for Non-stipendiary Clergy
A161 The South Sudanese Anglican Diaspora in the United States
A166 Registration of Firearms; Licensing of Firearm Sellers, Buyers, and Users; Use of Taggants
A167 Water Rights for Indigenous Communities and Lands
B002 Build Eco-Region Creation Networks for Crucial Impact
B004 Commending Safe Gun Storage
C003 On Affordable Housing
C010 Access to Prison Ministries
C026 Religious Liberty
C031 Migration with Dignity
C032 A Prayer to Remember the Innocents
C035 End the Practice of Labor Trafficking of Migrant Youth
D006 Rejecting the Theology and Politics of Christian Zionism
D007 Peace Through Equal Rights in Israel/Palestine
D009 Swords Into Plowshares: U.S. Accountability and Responsibility in Rebuilding Gaza
D011 The Prohibition of Assault Weapons
D012 Conditioning U.S. Military Assistance to Israel on Human Rights and a Negotiated Peace
D013 Affirm the Imperative of a Palestinian State
D014 Declare Gun Violence a National Health Crisis
D017 Support Regulations on Generative Artificial Intelligence
D019 Justice and Peace in Ukraine
D021 Support for Child Labor Protections
D023 Support for the Association for Episcopal Deacons
D024 Recommending Use of Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers
D027 Addressing Traffic Fatalities
D028 Close Guantánamo Bay Prison
D029 Commit to the 30x30 Initiative for Biodiversity
D031 Addressing the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries
D039 Condemning Censorship
The text for each resolution has been compiled into one document. View it here https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/32591
A043 Amend Constitution Article VIII regarding Clergy in Local Ecumenical Partnerships -
[First Reading]
Final Status: Concurred as Amended
1. Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Article VIII of the Constitution by adding the following paragraph at the end of the existing article:
2. <Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>
3. Of Clergy in Local Ecumenical Partnerships
4. Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) are ministries that may be formed between Episcopal dioceses and their parallels in other Christian denominations in order to provide shared pastoral leadership.
5. An ordained minister in good standing of one of the constituent denominations identified in the canons may be appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese to serve in this Church on a temporary basis as part of a Local Ecumenical Partnership as governed by the relevant canons.
6.
7. ****** <Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>
8. Of Clergy in Local Ecumenical Partnerships
9. Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) are ministries that may be formed between Episcopal dioceses and their parallels in other Christian denominations in order to provide shared pastoral leadership.
10. An ordained minister in good standing of one of the constituent denominations identified in the canons may be appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese to serve in this Church on a temporary basis as part of a Local Ecumenical Partnership as governed by the relevant canons.
11.
A116 Marriage Rites for
Inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer (First Reading)
Final Status: Concurred as Substituted
1. Resolved, That the 81st General Convention authorize for trial use under Article X.b the following revisions to the Book of Common Prayer 1979:
2. BCP pp. 349 and 381: Following the Preface of Marriage, add the rubric “or this”, followed by Preface of Marriage, Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) Blue Book report p. 39
3. BCP p. 423: Revise the title to read “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage I”
4. BCP p. 433: Revise the title to read “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage I”
5. BCP p. 435: Revise the title to read “An Order for Marriage I”
6. Following BCP p. 438, add The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, SCLM Blue Book report pp. 28-36; The Blessing of Civil Marriage, SCLM Blue Book report pp. 36-37; An Order of Marriage, SCLM Blue Book report pp. 37-38; and Additional Directions, SCLM Blue Book Report, pp. 38-39; with the following revisions:
7. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 28: Revise the first paragraph Concerning the Service as follows: “At least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian; the ceremony must be attested by at least two witnesses; and the marriage must conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.”
8. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 29: Revise the title to read “The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage II”
9. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 35: Replace “Preface of the Season” with “Preface of Marriage, or of the Season”
10. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 36: Revise the title to read “The Blessing of a Civil Marriage II”
11. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 37: Revise the title to read “An Order for Marriage II”
12. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 37: Replace the first paragraph of An Order of Marriage with the following text: “If it is desired to celebrate a marriage otherwise than as provided in the Book of Common Prayer or any authorized alternative thereto, this Order is used.”
13. SCLM Blue Book Report p. 37: Revise paragraph 3 of An Order of Marriage as follows: “The laws of the State and the canons of this Church having been complied with, the couple, together with their witnesses, families, and friends assemble in the church or in some other convenient place.”
14. Blue Book Report p. 37: Revise #1 of An Order of Marriage as follows: “The teaching of the Church concerning Holy Matrimony, as it is declared in the formularies and canons of this Church, is briefly stated.”
15. And be it further
16. Resolved, That these liturgies authorized for trial use be made available electronically at no cost; and be it further
17. Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music be directed to engage a dynamic equivalence translation of these texts into the Spanish, French, and Kreyol languages; and be it further
18. Resolved, That the liturgies The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, The Blessing of a Civil Marriage, and An Order for Marriage as authorized in The Book of Common Prayer 1979 continue to be authorized for use in all dioceses of The Episcopal Church; and be it further
19. Resolved, That the General Convention request the Executive Council Budget Committee to allocate $12,000 for translation.
A224 Amend Article X with clarifying amendments (post 2024-A072) [First Reading]
Final Status: Concurred as Amended
1. Resolved, That the 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church repeal Article X, Sections 1 and 2, and replace with the following:
2. <Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text:>
3. Article X: Of The Book of Common Prayer
4. Sec. 1. The Book of Common Prayer is those liturgical forms, communal and devotional prayers, and other content authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and shall be enriched by our church’s cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts.
5. The Book of Common Prayer, as now established or hereafter amended by the General Convention shall be in use in all the Dioceses and other jurisdictions of this Church.
6. Any Book of Common Prayer, or portions thereof, memorialized by the General Convention, is authorized for use at any service in all the Dioceses and other jurisdictions of this Church.
7. Sec. 2. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless the General Convention approve the same on first reading in one regular meeting of the General Convention and, by resolve so directing, be sent by the Secretary of the General Convention to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese and other jurisdictions, to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting, and be adopted on second reading without alteration by the General Convention at its next succeeding regular meeting by a majority of all Bishops, excluding retired Bishops not present, of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by an affirmative vote by orders in the House of Deputies in accordance with Art. I, Sec. 5 of this Constitution, except that concurrence in the affirmative by the orders shall require the affirmative vote in each order by a majority of the Dioceses and other jurisdictions entitled to representation in the House of Deputies.
8.
9. ****** <Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>
10. Article X: Of The Book of Common Prayer
11. Sec. 1. The Book of Common Prayer is those liturgical forms, communal and devotional prayers, and other content authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and shall be enriched by our church’s cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts.
12. The Book of Common Prayer, as now established or hereafter amended by the General Convention shall be in use in all the Dioceses and other jurisdictions of this Church.
13. Any Book of Common Prayer, or portions thereof, memorialized by the General Convention, is authorized for use at any service in all the Dioceses and other jurisdictions of this Church.
14. Sec. 2. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless the General Convention approve the same on first reading in one regular meeting of the General Convention and, by resolve so directing, be sent by the Secretary of the General Convention to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese and other jurisdictions, to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting, and be adopted on second reading without alteration by the General Convention at its next succeeding regular meeting by a majority of all Bishops, excluding retired Bishops not present, of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by an affirmative vote by orders in the House of Deputies in accordance with Art. I, Sec. 5 of this Constitution, except that concurrence in the affirmative by the orders shall require the affirmative vote in each order by a majority of the Dioceses and other jurisdictions entitled to representation in the House of Deputies.
15. Article X: Of The Book of Common Prayer
16. Sec. 1. The Book of Common Prayer is understood to be those liturgical forms and other texts authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and the Canons of this Church.
17. The Book of Common Prayer in this Church is intended to be communal and devotional prayer enriched by our church’s cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts. The Book of Common Prayer shall contain both public worship and private devotion.
18. The Book of Common Prayer, as now established or hereafter amended by the General Convention, shall be in use in all the Dioceses of this Church.
19. Sec. 2. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless the General Convention approve the same on first reading in one regular meeting of the General Convention and, by resolve so directing, be sent by the Secretary of the General Convention to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese, to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting, and be adopted on second reading without alteration by the General Convention at its next succeeding regular meeting by a majority of all Bishops, excluding retired Bishops not present, of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by an affirmative vote by orders in the House of Deputies in accordance with Art. I, Sec. 5 of this Constitution, except that concurrence in the affirmative by the orders shall require the
affirmative vote in each order by a majority of the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies.
D049 Increase by one the possible number of bishops suffragans in a
Diocese [First Reading]
Final Status: Concurred
1. Resolved, That Article II of the Constitution is amended as follows:
2. <Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>
3. Article II: Of Bishops
4. Sec. 4. It shall be lawful for a Diocese, at the request of the Bishop of that Diocese, to elect not more than three Bishops Suffragan, without right of succession, and with seat and vote in the House of Bishops. A Bishop Suffragan shall be consecrated and hold office under such conditions and limitations other than those provided in this Article as may be provided by Canons of the General Convention. A Bishop Suffragan shall be eligible for election as Bishop Diocesan or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, or as a Bishop Suffragan in another Diocese.
5.
6. ******
<Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>
7. Article II: Of Bishops
8. Sec. 4. It shall be lawful for a Diocese, at the request of the Bishop of that Diocese, to elect not more than two three Bishops Suffragan, without right of succession, and with seat and vote in the House of Bishops. A Bishop Suffragan shall be consecrated and hold office under such conditions and limitations other than those provided in this Article as may be provided by Canons of the General Convention. A Bishop Suffragan shall be eligible for election as Bishop Diocesan or Bishop Coadjutor of a Diocese, or as a Bishop Suffragan in another Diocese.
Diocesan Convention Report – Bluegrass Region 2024
During 2024 Bishop Mark restructured the Diocesan Chapter, thus creating a question as to how, exactly, best use the regions in a way that benefitted clergy and faith communities without creation just another meeting to attend. To that end, the Bluegrass Region did not meet in 2024. We at the moment are not even sure which congregations Bishop Mark would like included with the Bluegrass Region.
With the new Commission on Ministry guidelines and other opportunities now arising with the announcement of Bishop Mark’s retirement, we look forward to ways to gather that are helpful to collaborative ministry and to strengthen all our faith communities in the region.
Respectfully submitted,
The Ven. Laurie M. Brock Archdeacon, Bluegrass Region
Canon to the Ordinary Report to Diocesan Convention 2024
In 2024, my work has fallen into two primary and related categories: 1) creative thinking and practice and 2) leadership development.
A considerable amount of time has been spent thinking creatively about how to use gifts and resources within the diocese as we contemplate the needs of a changing church and world. This work, tied to our strategic plan, has included the revision and reimagination of processes and practices in transitions and leadership and in lay and ordained discernment. We aspire to identify and lean into significant opportunities the presenting paradigm shift asks of us: that we engage the world as a lay-led church supported by clergy rather than a clergy-led church supported by laity.
The primary way that this work has been realized this year has been through the continuing development and support of Deacon Emily Cardwell’s call with Advent in Cynthiana and Our Saviour in Madison County. Through this arrangement, Deacon Cardwell works alongside the people of God in lifting up lay ministry as the vehicle through which the communities engage as The Church. In 2025, a third congregation will be added to create an experimental “trio” of communities leaning into the call to Be the Church and Be the Change using a brand-new model.
The work of revision and reimagination has also come into play as we have developed a new process and handbook for lay licensed ministry which includes an outline of the steps necessary to obtain each of the seven licenses administered by The Episcopal Church: Pastoral Leader, Worship Leader, Preacher, Eucharistic Minister, Eucharistic Visitor, Evangelist, and Catechist. In the coming months we will share this resource intentionally and promote its use in order to proactively assist and encourage our churches to be that lay-led church supported by clergy rather than a clergy-led church supported by laity.
There have been several faith community transitions in the past year which have prompted creative thinking about deployment in our diocese. The clergy shortage in The Episcopal Church is a significant factor in the need to revise current methods, but is also the opportunity we need to truly lean into our work as the people of God. There are barriers and challenges to revision and reimagination, including fear and resistance. In our work on diocesan staff, we are trying to encourage and support our churches to see a horizon of opportunity rather than the sunset of things known. Meeting this moment involves some experimentation. Most importantly, we are encouraging our communities to continue to be the church and not to stop and “wait” for clergy leadership. We realize that this change involves a cultural shift as well as practical shifts, in particular around administrative support and pastoral care.
During this past year I have also served as the diocesan staff liaison to the new Faith Community Health and Vitality Committee of the Executive Council. This committee has focused on working with our regional archdeacons to assure that as many faith communities as possible have named and understand their purpose and are engaged in at least some intentional strategic thinking and implementation.
The work of Canon to the Ordinary continues to involve a very wide swath of responsibilities, most especially the nuts and bolts of faith community/clergy transitions; faith community support regarding conflict; the planning and implementation of Diocesan Convention and management of Executive Council; diocesan liturgies and offerings such as an online confirmation class and Vestry and Wardens 101 Zoom seminars, clergy days, and newly-instituted monthly clergy calls with the Bishop. This summer required intentional oversight in the absence of the bishop and assuring that thorough reporting was accomplished upon his return.
Most enjoyable this year was were the organized viewings of the A Case For Love film featuring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, shown in community movie theaters across the diocese; and our celebratory screening of The Philadelphia Eleven film at the Kentucky Theater during which time we honored the first woman ordained in the Diocese of Lexington, the Rev. Mary Purcell.
These are days of high anxiety and fatigue in some quarters as the ground shifts under our feet institutionally. It is our sincere wish, hope, and prayer, that, together, we can shine a light on all of the good and dream of and work towards even more.
Respectfully submitted,
Canon Theologian
At the request of the Bishop, I offered my thoughts relating to the purpose of theological teaching in the diocese, and we held preliminary discussions regarding developing a School of Ministry. I served on the Liturgical Commission and helped lead the diocesan confirmation class. I was also “priest in partnership” at St. John’s Versailles for the first half of the calendar year.
Christian M M Brady, DPhil (Oxon.)
The T.W. Lewis Dean
Lewis Honors College
Professor of Ancient Hebrew and Jewish Literature
Department of Modern & Classical Languages, Literatures & Cultures
University of Kentucky
The Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
The
Cathedral Domain
2024 Diocesan Convention Report
The Cathedral Domain ministry is devoted to changing the world by embracing, nurturing, and sustaining all people with the open acceptance in God's empowering love.
I often wonder what the Rev. Alexander Patterson, would think of his 1913 idea for a camping program in the Diocese of Lexington if he saw the center today. The farming clinics of the past have been forgotten and the 6000 volume Patterson free library exists only in a few salvaged books that are kept in the Cathedral.
In his 1967 St. George’s Day address to over 700 people attending, Bishop Moody defined what the Domain represented then, and what remains true today: “This is a place where Christian people young and old may come away from the worries and pressures of everyday life, and learn to understand God better, and have a chance to feel His Presence. This can be a healing and refreshing thing for us all.”
Our story began with the vision of Alexander Patterson, continued through Bishop Moody and Glen Adkins, but our story lives in the present and looks to the future as we continue to change lives in a changing world.
The Cathedral Domain has grown to a total of 41 structures including 15 buildings for housing 265 overnight guests since Fr. Patterson’s time. From January through September of 2024, we have had a total of over 6300 guest days and have served over 16,750. meals. This ministry could not be as effective without the help of all of our amazing volunteers and the prayers from all of the churches.
With great joy, I am able to report that the Domain continues to operate efficiently and serves many people, in different ways, throughout the year.
We primarily function off of support from the Diocese, donations, and fees
In a time where many camps struggle to recruit campers, we again ran out of beds for boys during Co-Ed camp. Through generous donations from loving friends of the Domain, we are almost finished with the new 24 bed and ADA compliant boy’s cabin and an apartment for the assistant to the Director.
Like all camping ministries as well as families in general, we face cost increase issues especially for food. The director working with the board continue to be proactive in dealing with these issues.
The Board continues to move forward looking to the future and growth of the Domain. Selective timber harvesting continues and should be finished by the first of next year and we are already working on cleaning the 12 miles of trails for our guests
We ask that you continue to pray and support the mission and ministry of the Cathedral Domain. We are committed to continue to be the best stewards possible of both the financial and physical assets of the Cathedral Domain.
To everyone, please do not hesitate to contact anyone on the Cathedral Domain Board should you have any questions. We invite you to come visit The Cathedral Domain any time throughout the year to witness this life changing ministry in action. We would love to see everyone. Peace,
Andy Sigmon
The Cathedral Domain Transition Team
The transition team has produced a Job description for the position of Director of the Cathedral Domain, which has been posted nationally. We are currently receiving applications. A diverse panel, representing the various stakeholders, will begin interviewing candidates in the first quarter of 2025, with the intention of making an offer of employment in May 2025; the new Director will begin work in January 2026. Please pray for this important discernment process.
Submitted by
The Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering VIII Bishop of Lexington
CHANCELLOR’S REPORT FOR THE 128th CONVENTION
It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as Chancellor of the Diocese of Lexington for since February 2012. I continue to be grateful that Jane Fitzpatrick continues to serve as Vice-Chancellor. The proposed resolutions to revise Constitutional and Canonical provisions were bolstered by the commitment to serve by The Ven. Laurie Brock and Kathleen Luchtefeld.
Below are the highlights of Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor activities this past year:
• Attending Executive Council meetings as ex officio members;
• Conferring and advising the Bishop, Canon to Ordinary, and Bishop’s Deputy for Operations and Finance about various diocesan matters;
• Advising faith communities about various issues at the Bishop’s direction, including but not limited to the mortgage extension by one of our parishes;
• Attending the Episcopal Chancellors’ Conference in September during which we learned about current issues facing Episcopal entities, and during which we were honored to hear from The Very Rev. Sean Rowe, new Presiding Bishop, and The Rev. Steve Pankey, Vice -President of the House of Deputies.
• Multiple meetings with ELCA and Episcopal leadership regarding the Governing Documents and Bylaws for the union of a diocesan parish with an ELCA congregation. Said documents were successfully and agreeably drafted, with the assistance of the Ven. Laurie Brock who stayed the course for several years. Both bishops signed the documents just prior to Bishop Van Koevering began his sabbatical This work was more tedious that any of us expected due to the difference in polity in the two denominations, and the finishing touches are still pending. I have been advised that the two congregations voted to approve the documents on October 13. The next steps to make the union legal is for the Articles of Incorporation to be filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State by the attorney representing the new entity. That will be followed by specific steps set for in the agreement regarding the real estate, personal property, financial assets, leases, and other matters.
• Assisting with planning for the 128th Convention;
• Drafting the resolution to amend and/or revoke various Articles of the Constitution and Canons. This project was made possible with the assistance of Vice-Chancellor Jane Fitzpatrick, The Ven. Laurie M. Brock, and Ms. Kathleen Luchtefeld.
• Monitoring developments in The Episcopal Church via the Chancellor’s ListServ.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary T. Yeiser, Chancellor
Chaplain to the Retired Clergy, Spouses and Surviving Spouses
The ministry to the retired clergy, spouses and surviving spouses is a program of the Episcopal Church Pension Fund and the local diocese. The Pension Fund endeavors to have one or more chaplains in each diocese. I was appointed as Chaplain by Bishop Van Koevering in 2018, and Virginia was appointed as a Co-Chaplain in 2021. In many dioceses a clergy person and their spouse serve as co-chaplains. Larger dioceses may have several chaplains.
The role of the chaplain is to have a pastoral ministry to the retired clergy, spouses and surviving spouses in the diocese on behalf of our Bishop. We endeavor to work with the Church Pension Group to disseminate information and assist with up-to-date retiree information. We also seek to provide a social network of retirees as well pastoral care. Pastoral care is primarily done through visits, telephone contacts and correspondence. While many of our retirees are active in a local parish, this provides an additional level of contact. We hope this retiree group helps our retirees stay connected with the diocese and one another.
The retirees group had two in-person gathering this year. In June we had a picnic at our home, In early November we had a luncheon and Guest speaker. Our guest speaker was Dr. Devin Brown who is a member of Christ Church Cathedral and an English professor at Asbury College. Christmas cards, birthday cards and anniversary cards were sent to the members of the retirees group.
The Rev. Bruce W. Boss
Mrs. Virginia C. Boss
Chaplains to the Retired Clergy Diocese of Lexington
Christ Church Cathedral
The Very Rev. Carol L. Wade, Dean & Rector
Annual Report for Christ Church Cathedral 2024 Diocesan Convention
As a community of prayer and action, Christ Church Cathedral is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Diocese of Lexington. This past year has been one of growth and shared ministry, and we are pleased to share highlights of our work:
Renewal of Clergy Vows and Chrism Mass
CCC hosted the annual Renewal of Clergy Vows and Chrism Mass, providing sacred time for clergy to reflect on and recommit to their callings. The consecration of holy oils for use across the diocese deepened our connection to one another and supported the ongoing spiritual health of the clergy.
Downtown Youth Group
In collaboration with downtown Lexington churches, we launched the Downtown Youth Group, offering young people from various denominations a space to grow in faith and build lasting relationships. Monthly gatherings have created an exciting ecumenical community for youth, reflecting our commitment to Christian unity.
Domain Workdays
CCC sponsored workdays at The Domain, engaging young adults and families in camp repairs and improvements. These workdays fostered teamwork and ensured that The Domain remains a cherished place for spiritual growth and retreat for our diocesan family.
Outdoor Baptisms
A special outdoor baptism for teens modeled after Jesus' baptism was a faith-affirming event for our community. This joyful public witness exemplified how God continues to move in new ways among our young people.
Regional Confirmation Service
We were honored to host a regional confirmation service, welcoming candidates from around the diocese. This event strengthened diocesan ties and empowered participants to live out their Christian faith through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Diocesan Leadership and Support
CCC members have actively participated in diocesan governance, including serving on executive, standing, and audit committees, and helping to prepare for the search for a new Director of The Domain. Our efforts reflect our commitment to the future health and mission of the diocese.
Spiritual Formation for All Generations
We continue to offer robust faith formation, including Godly Play training, Education for Ministry, and contemplative ministry gatherings for the diocese. We also hosted the annual diocesan retreat for the Daughters of the King. These offerings enrich participants across the diocese and deepen our shared journey of faith.
Hosting the 2024 Diocesan Convention
We are honored to host the Diocesan Convention this year, providing a space for the diocesan family to gather in worship, fellowship, and shared mission. This gathering reaffirms our commitment to supporting diocesan life in all its richness.
Discernment for Ordained Ministry
CCC is actively nurturing the discernment of at least five individuals exploring a call to ordained ministry. This collaborative process, involving representatives from across the diocese, strengthens the Church's future by helping raise up new clergy. We’d love for you to participate with us in raising up clergy.
Looking Ahead
As we walk in love and respond in faith, CCC remains dedicated to serving Christ and our diocesan family. We are excited about the year ahead and are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Christ's life-giving and reconciling work in the Diocese of Lexington as we seek together to "Be the Church, Be the Change."
COM Rolls out new Discernment Guidebooks
September 25, 2024
The Ven. Jeffrey Queen
God calls each of us to excise ministry in our lives and communities, the question for most is what does it look like. Some are called to teach, others to heal the sick and injured. Some are called to feed the hungry with a hot meal, while others are called to serve the spiritual food of the Eucharist. A necessary ability for any healthy congregation is to help people find their place in ministry as followers of Jesus Christ. It is this in mind that the Commission on Ministry has provided two new tools to aid congregations in helping people discern their place in ministry, a guidebook for local discernment, that focuses on paths to ordained ministry, and a guidebook for licensed lay ministry, that focuses on the paths to specific lay ministry in the local church.
In recent years it became apparent that a new process was needed to shepherd individuals through the journey from explorer to postulant and candidate for ministry. The previous document used by the COM, “Differentiation for Ministry,” had been in place for nearly twenty years. A lot has happened during that time in both our Diocese and the community around us, and both Bishop Mark and the COM believed a new document was necessary.
When you compare the two, you’ll immediately notice a difference. The older document was a few pages in length, with an outline for how to conduct a local discernment group. Unfortunately owing to its brevity, it was sparse on details. The new document is much more exhaustive in the step-bystep process of moving explorers through the journey of discernment. At well over one hundred pages, it is more of a turn-key guide so that congregations from St. Francis Flemingsburg to Christ Church Cathedral can have the resources to conduct a thorough going exploration of the possibilities for ministry with someone who is searching for their place in ministry.
There is currently a group in the Eastern part of the Diocese using the guide to discern for a member of St. James Prestonsburg, and the COM is preparing to do training with members of Christ Church Cathedral for one of their members.
In addition to the guide for discernment to ordained ministry, the COM in consultation with the Bishop and Canon Amy in preparation for a Guide to Discernment for Licensed Lay Ministry. This guidebook will help congregations shepherd explorers to the various opportunities for specific lay ministry available in the local church. It is the hope of the COM that these two documents will make the process much more accessible and transparent for both the explorer and the congregations who sponsor them.
Report to Diocesan Convention
Richelle Thompson, Digital Missioner
DioLex has so much good news to share!
What a joy to help share those stories. As part of the strategic plan to strengthen our connections with one another and share the Good News, Bishop Mark contracted with Richelle Thompson to work as a digital missioner. She served for 10 years as the director of communications for the Diocese of Southern Ohio and has been an editor of Forward Day by Day and other Forward Movement resources for the past 13 years.
The goals of this strategic communication initiative are to engage, empower, and encourage. One of the first steps was retooling electronic communications around a more storytelling focus. This includes more video and stories of on-the-ground ministries as well as shifting the schedule and format of the Link, the diocese’s electronic newsletter. We also added a monthly “News You Can Use” for congregational leaders. It includes a monthly bulletin insert as a way to connect our faith communities to the stories from other congregations and diocesan ministries.
We have also focused on increasing engagement on social media and driving traffic to our website as a communication hub. Here are some stats when comparing the past six months to the previous six months:
Facebook
Reach: 169% increase
Visits: 81% increase
Follows: 65% increase
Website
Views: 30% increase
Visitors: 61% increase
We have also launched some other communications assets:
- Elm & Branches: This fall, we published Elm & Branches, a new diocesan magazine highlighting the ministries of our faith communities and people. Developing, printing, and mailing a magazine to every household in the diocese (at least those for whom we have addresses!) was quite an endeavor, but it’s a faithful response to the expressed desire to know more about what’s happening across the diocese. The hope is to continue this initiative, with 2-3 issues per year.
- The BE Box: In August, we mailed a spiritual toolkit to every congregation. Called the BE Box, it included ideas and resources for ways to BE: in relationship with God, in the church, in the community, and in the world. We even developed our own twist
on a family-favorite game, calling it BE-ngo, as a way to encourage folks to explore and adopt spiritual practices for growth. The BE Box also kicked off Bishop Mark’s bold challenge to BE (in) the Church, a six-week call for people to attend Sunday service. We hope to send out another BE Box this winter, with a focus on the Lent and Easter seasons.
- Ask Cathy: As part of our commitment to experimentation and innovation, the Diocese of Lexington is one of the first Episcopal organizations in the country to test Cathy, an AI tool designed to help people learn more about the Episcopal Church. This friendly looking icon can be found on the bottom right corner of our homepage at diolex.org. Cathy (an acroynym for Churchy Answers That Help You) draws primarily from the Episcopal Church's website, the Book of Common Prayer, and pamphlets from Forward Movement, along with ChatGPT's built-in knowledge base. The hope is that Cathy can be the first stop in answering questions and then direct people to a local community for help in exploring deeper questions of faith. Cathy is NOT an AI priest or tech substitute for engagement in our worshipping communities. Rather, Cathy is simply another tool as we explore ways to become more vital communities of faith. We encourage you to test her out. But fair warning: she’s a bit of a know-it-all. (Our experimentation also caught the eye of a Lexington news channel, and we were a featured story!)
- Social Media graphics: We know everyone is stretched thin with demands on their time. We’re here to make sharing the news easier. We’ve developed a library of social media graphics for you to download and share on your congregation or personal social media channels. We also have graphics that we’ll customize for you. Just fill out a form, and we’ll send you the finished product. All you have to do is hit publish.
BE a part of sharing the Good News:
- We want to partner with you to share the ways our faith communities and individuals are working to BE the Church and BE the Change. As scripture tells us, don’t hide your light under the bushel. Send us your stories and photos at goodnews@diolex.org
- Follow the Diocese of Lexington on social media. Likes and shares are great, but the more followers we have, the higher we rank in the social media algorithm and the more people we can reach.
- Tag us. When you share your stories, be sure to tag us at #DioLex. We regularly scour social media for your news and share and like what you’re doing but we don’t want to miss an important story!
- Interested in joining an advisory group for communications? Let Richelle know at richellet@diolex.org.
Stay tuned: Watch your inboxes for news about a fun way to celebrate the season of Advent!
Ecumenical Officer Report to Diocesan Convention 2024
Unfortunately, there is no report to give at this time.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Rev. Canon Amy Chambers Cortright Canon to the Ordinary Ecumenical Officer
In 2024, I have contacted several past mentors to ascertain interest in starting new groups for the 2024-25 year. So far there hasn’t been much interest.
However, we now have two classes at Christ Church Cathedral, one day group and one night group, which includes 20 individuals!
I still want to see if we can form a group from the smaller congregations to begin a night group on Zoom possibly in January!
Submitted,
Jim Ware
Diocesan EfM Coordinator
Episcopal
Diocese
of LexingtonCon
HIGHLIGHTS FROM EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS
JULY 2023 TO SEPTEMER 2024
July 2023 – Vicki Mackey was nominated as Secretary to Convention and Executive Council and Jamie Wince was nominated to the Appeals Committee by Bishop Mark. Bishop Mark is meeting with Deacons quarterly and it was suggested that it might be helpful if they travel with him on his visits so that communities that do not have or never had Deacons can get a chance to see a Deacon in real life. The Bishop visited camps at the Cathedral Domain and spend some time teach with boys. Lambeth met on Zoom before the event to pray together and have bible studies. Bishop Mark attended EYE in Baltimore, Maryland. The appeals committee met in June 2023 and looked at a request for an appeal for St. Martha’s assessment. The appeals committee recommended that St. Martha’s be granted the appeal at $1,485.00. Mary T. reported on the merger of St. Martha’s and Word of Hope and its process. Sean Farrington stated that the Loan and Grant Committee had met to discuss applications and reviewed ten (10) altogether. The following were approved to be sent to the Executive Council for final approval. Grace, Florence with $500.00 to help restock their pantry ministry, Our Savior, Richmond with $5,000.00 to go toward an outdoor altar and space to gather and worship, St. John’s, Corbin with $4,850.00 to refurbish an 1800 square foot building to serve for events and feeding program, St. Michaels, Lexington with $4,980.00 for continued improvement of outdoor space on church grounds, St. Paul’s, Newport with $5,000.00 for purchase and installation of new signage inside and outside the church, Good Shepherd, Lexington with $4,275.00 to host a two-day musical event, and Holy Trinity, Georgetown with $5,000.00 to assist installation of solar panels for the church. Total funds:$29,605.00. Jane Fitzpatrick and Mary T were both able to go in June to the Episcopal Chancellor’s Network Conference in Orlando, Florida and it was Jane’s first Chancellor’s conference. On August 9th Bishop Mark and Helen are making a trip to Mozambique. It has been eight years since they have been there. The trip will be to reestablish the exploration of link there. Archdeacon Bryant Kimbler is retiring officially on August 1st after 40 years of service in the Diocese.
September 2023 - Bishop Mark proposed to appoint The Rev. Deacon Izak McKenzie to the Executive Council, soon to be Priest after his ordination, for the unexpired 2-year term of The Rev. William Berry. Tom Sparks thanked the Diocese and the Bishop for allowing him and his firm to complete the audit this year. We issued an unmodified opinion which means a clean report where we did not find any mistakes that were material to the financial statements or any other items. A door resolution is from the finance committee. St. Augustine’s needs a door, money is in the budget. The door is 64 years old at least. We have been having trouble the past couple of years. Rob has worked on it however it has come the time that the door is in need of replacement. The students will paint the door, and they are excited to be able to do this project. Bishop Mark gave a report about his trip to Mozambique. The Diocese had clergy day with Silas House. It was amazing at all sorts of levels. It reignited in me the importance of hearing the voices of lay leadership in our church. He spoke with such passion and obviously he is an articulate person about his faith. Bishop Mark discussed plans for Strategic Planning Vision. He made a rather difficult decision to end the contract with the Canon Missioner. The work is vital in the vision but through a combination of factors he did not see it producing the result for which he had hoped. Kat presented a resolution regarding the Lease Capitalization Policy. The resolution passed. Chris Vogel stated that all the budgets should be the same from last year, no surprises. The Finance
Committee had a generally positive report, we are running under budget for the year so far. The trend is good as we have 3 months of reports so we can say to you with some confidence that our special savings account has grown. The nominating committee met twice by Zoom. We were tasked with identifying members for the Executive Council, Standing Committee and as a Sewane Trustee. Despite our best efforts we were unable to identify a full slate of candidates. The Hosea family informed us that would like to change the marker for him so that it is a flat stone which would include the name of the daughter, wife and the Bishop. Mary T. stated she is still waiting to hear the official word from the Lutheran’s about the combination of St. Martha’s and Word of Hope in to Grace United. The two (2) Bishops are in agreement as well as the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and Laura Brock who is assisting in the process are all in agreement of what is going forward.
October 2023 (Convention) - Tony Haigh welcomed all deputies to the 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington on October 28, 2023 at 10 am at the Cathedral Domain on behalf of the convention planning committee and led us in prayer. Derek Churchill welcomed everyone from the Cathedral Domain Board, and Renee Hyder welcomed everyone from the Domain Youth. The theme for the convention was “Wonder on the Mountain. Vice Chancellor, Jane Fitzpatrick addressed the Rules of Order to the Convention. She stated that each deputy booklet contains on page 5 a resolution for the addition of Rule 18 to the Rules of Order, which is presented by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. The resolution passed. Bishop Mark asked Vice Chancellor, Jane to present the Consent Agenda. The Vice Chancellor moves and recommends that the Consent Agenda which was approved. Bishop Mark gave voice and seat to our Lay Preachers who were present but were on the original list of voice and seat. They are Tom Hayworth, Judith Rosenwald, and James Nance. The Bishop stated that were no pre-filed resolutions. There is an exact number of nominees to fill the open positions. There were no nominations from the floor for any of the open positions. A special presentation by Deacon Lois Howard and Gwen Mathews, and Elizabeth Conrad was given regarding Godly Play – The story of Abrahm and Sari (Abraham and Sarah) and the Great Family who wandered on their journey in the desert, much like we might wander on the mountain (Cathedral Domain). The election of executive council clergy and lay; standing committee clergy and lay; and Sewanee Trustee was conducted. Bishop Mark asked Bryant Kibler to come forward for a Special Presentation. Bryant was given a standing ovation. Bishop Mark thanked Bryant for all his hard work, dedication, and ministry in the Diocese of Lexington. A video was shown regarding Bryant’s ministry as well. The Budget Committee recommended that the proposed 2024 Mission and Ministry Budget be adopted by the Convention as is, that the 2024 Cathedral Domain Budget be adopted by the Convention, and that the 2024 Other Budgeted Fund be adopted by the convention.
November 2023 - Bishop Mark stated that he had asked Rev. Karen Booth to be our Chaplin for this coming year and will be taking on those duties at our next meeting. Bishop Mark also asked to the group that he would like to nominate Cindy McKnight to be Vice President, and she has agreed and placed her name before the council. The Bishop stated that one of the things we are working on is strategic planning. It is not the plan that is important, it is the planning, it is something we keep doing. The very act of trying to wrestle what it is we want to do to move our mission forward is this work of planning. We have three awesome groups taking on three categories that were defined in an earlier session. They are pruning and reallocating, educate and engage, and missional ethos. We have organized the Diocese into three regions, and they are
Ohio Valley, Bluegrass, and the Mountains. Each of these regions have an Archdeacon and they are Jeff Queen in the Ohio Valley, Laurie Brock in the Bluegrass, and until his retirement, Bryant Kibler of the Mountains and that is vacant right now. January 20th will be the succession plan for the Director and Administrator at the Cathedral Domain. Andy and Cindy are planning to retire at the end of 2025. A working group has been put together to come up with a succession plan. Bishop Mark announced he is planning to take a short sabbatical from July through August, 2024.
January 2024 - The Rev. Jim Trimble has taken the call into another Diocese, so we have an unexpired Clergy term. Bishop Mark proposed to the Council that the Rev. Anisa Willis fill the unexpired term. Consent was given by the Executive Council for Rev. Willis to fill the appointment. The Cathedral Domain Board needs to fill an unexpired term, and they purpose Casey Wright who is a member of Christ Church Cathedral and a mother of four (4). Bishop Mark asked for the Council’s consent for Casey Wright to take on the unexpired term. Consent was given by all. Jon Ott presented a document for the council to review and read regarding the upcoming Cathedral Domain Hiring since Andy and Cindy will be retiring. Jon stated that the committee looked at six (6) dimensions of this transition, such as relationship to the churches, financial aspect, program aspect, grounds and maintenance, personnel, and partnerships. We also related them to these goals of our strategic plan as well as longer term ideas. There are three (3) full-time employees at the Domain, the director, Cindy, and the maintenance person. So, there will be three (3) position profiles to prepare and hire, one would be the Director, a program and administrative assistance, and the operations assistance that we currently have. Recommended that the Diocese engage with the current auditor for the 2023 audit. The current audit committee enjoyed working with Summers, McCreary, and Sparks last year as well as the previous committee. The resolution from the audit committee is to engage with them again for the 2023 audit. Safe Church Training is part of our responsibilities as Diocesan leaders to make sure we are following the policies and procedures of the Diocese and the global church and that includes safe church training. If you are new to this, it consist of on-line virtual classes. We have two (2) credit card resolutions, one that is related to the Diocesan office and the other is related to the one that Andy and Cindy use for the Domain. The Domain had banked with BB&T which was a local bank and was closest to the Domain. They have been bought out by Truitt and the closest location is in Richmond. The petty cash was moved to a local bank in Irvine. We have been having issues with the new bank making it difficult to do anything. We have an on-going back with Republic Bank in Lexington and Republic is able to match our credit terms. It would bring all the cards under the same business of Republic. Marc Mathews made the motion and Carla Clements seconded the motion to approve the resolution of credit card changes for the Diocesan office as presented. Strategic Planning committees will be a self-select which committee you want to be on based on what excites you rather than pushing you into a place in which you are not interested. Each committee would choose a chairperson. The three committees consist of:
Group 1 - Faith Community and Vitality – Anisa Willis, Izak McKenzie, Gary Dehner, Carla Clement, and Cindy Fassler
Group 2 - Administrative - Jeff Rogers, Marc Mathews, Jim Kimbrough, Rick Waddle, Mary T. Yeiser, Laura Buffenmyer, Jon Hall, and Katherine Harper
Group 3 – Shared Diocesan Ministry – Shannon Lancaster, Jane Fitzpatrick, Lisa Garrison, Karen Booth, Mary Elliott, Rob Slocum, and Allison Moreman
March 2024 - Confirmation of Directors and Officers consent was given by all regarding the appointments of directors and officers. Jeff Rogers stated that there were some savings in the Mountain Ministry due to Bryant retiring. There had been an advance of funds out of the Mission and Ministry fund and all we are doing is just bringing it back. The funds will be balanced at the end of the year. Resolution by Committee is agreed upon by all. Bishop Mark stated that he just came back from the House of Bishop’s meeting in Texas at Camp Allen. We will have an election of a new Presiding Bishop at the General Convention. The names have not yet been released but will be an announcement on April 2nd telling us the names of the candidates for Bishop. Bishop Mark stated that Be the Church Be the Change should be well entrenched now. We have been trying to figure out the way through the wilderness this past year. The task force committee have been thinking about what money can be put in for support of the vision and going forward and started about some provocative questions. The vision points us to a new place joining with the spirit to restore all of life to unity with God and each other in Christ. Bishop Mark reported that Kevin Cassady’s work with the Diocese has ended. Administrative Oversight Report – Chair Marc Matthews reported that the committee had an organizational meeting and discussed goals and objectives and will give assignments and responsibilities at the next meeting. Faith, Health, and Vitality Report – Chair Carla Clement reported that our committee has met 3 times. We thought we would begin in regard to our initiatives is objective 1 is missional leadership, and objective 2 is building distinctive communities. Our focus is on building distinctive communities and looking at how to access the spiritual health and produce action plans for 2024. Shared Ministry and Mission – Chair Mary Elliott reported that we are in the introductory phase and figuring out what we are going to do. We have 2 thoughts, and one is the revisioning our existing Diocesan mission and ministry and will work with the 4 initiatives, diocesan youth, campus ministry, domain, and St. Timothy’s. Strategic Plan Budget Overview - Kat stated that the strategic plan budget anticipates that we will have a $10,000.00 deficit in 2024 and a $27,000.00 deficit in 2025 if everything else stays equal. The year end of 2023 deficit was $195,000.00. Kat reviewed the strategic plan budget with the executive council and discussion ensued regarding the Canon Missioner, Revenue, Digital Evangelism, Additional Administrative Support, and Loans and Grants. The strategic plan budget was approved.
May 2024 - Bishop Mark discussed the progress that has been made of the strategic plan and reports. May need to make a note of what is not happening in case we need to take some action to move them along. The new discernment pathway is progressing as is the new lay license ministry. The faith community experiments are progressing well. We are talking to two other communities about an experiment that it similar to what is going on in Cynthia. The Diocesan Shared Ministry has four (4) tasks groups that are working and will present at the end of August and then will be presented to the Executive Council at the October meeting. There are also conversation regarding a possible trip to Mozambique sometime next year. The General Synod, Province IV will be meeting in May in Kanuga. On June 1st we will be ordaining a new Deacon, Rob Musick at St. Mark’s in Hazard, KY. Rob will stay in the Pikeville area. The General Convention will be June 21-28, 2024 in Louisville.
July 2024 - Tom Sparks met with the audit committee, went through the audit with the committee, and got their approval to pass it on. Tom went through the highlights of the audit. The financial statements referred to by” were present fairly”, which is the best report a CPA can issue on financial statements. Looking to the prior year you will see that salary and wages decreased due to some
staff changes. Camp expenses at the Domain will always fluctuate depending on what is going on and repairs and maintenance expenses went up. We did issue a governance letter which is a letter that the CPA firm issued to management and basically, we say we have no difficulties with the audit, and we had no disagreements with management.
Strategic Planning & Detail Tracking – Marc Matthews – We are feeling our way along under the new committee structure. There is an investment committee report that will be sent out. However, they have a recommendation regarding a budget item that will go to the Finance Committee about how much to draw from MFS in support of the 2025 budget. We are not feeling great about the strategic plan right now and mainly we have not done what we need to do. Marc stated that he and Kat will get together in order to flush out some more action items on each of those categories and assign a date when that should happen by so that when we are reviewing this and sharing at these meetings so there is a better feel whether we are track or not.
Finance – Jim Kimbrough – Jim stated that Marc was right on point as investments are doing very well. We are doing quite well with adjusting and utilizing the funds and doing better than expected than projected at this time of the year.
Faith Community Health & Vitality – Carla Clements – We have not met with our full committee for a couple of months, however what we have done is recalibrated and Amy and I have met with Archdeacon Laurie and Jeff. We have essentially created a plan moving forward with regard to how to revitalize our congregations using our renewal works process and also including Scott Gunn with Forward Movement organization.
Shared Ministry & Mission – Mary Elliott – We are in a bit of a limbo right now as we await the hiring of a Canon Missioner. Many of our ministries will fall under that person and we hope to provide input to that person and also want to fall under their lead. We shared some ideas and goals that we have, and they are planting a new faith community, coming up with more liturgical shared opportunities, more prayer networks and collects, and a potential pulpit swap.
Mary T. stated Laurie and her have been working with folks at the ELCA synod to finalize the creation of Grace United out of St. Martha’s and Word of Hope. The agreement and governing documents have been approved. On the 2nd or 3rd of July, Laurie and Mary T. met with their attorney and finished up the bylaws which everyone approved. We are now at the stage where the combined organization has to be incorporated and then they can adopt the bylaws. Then the practical steps will be closing bank accounts and getting a new one, a new tax ID, and changing their insurance. We suggested and everyone agreed that the new entity should hire their own legal counsel to do that. We hope at the Diocesan Convention we can celebrate as this will be the first combined Lutheran/Episcopal church. Amy stated that she would like for the council to acknowledge and send a word of thanks for the extraordinary job that the Diocese of Kentucky did working in collaboration with the Episcopal Church and the General Convention office to pull off a fabulous General Convention.
September 2024 Special Called Meeting - Mary T. stated everyone should have received by email and reviewed the documents regarding the resolution for the mortgage extension for St. Paul’s Newport. She made a motion that the Executive Council approve the resolution and Rob Slocum seconded the motion, the motion carried. Mary T. asked Secretary, Vicki Mackey to sign the Resolution and e-mail it back to her. Vicki sent Mary T. the signed document on Thursday, September 26, 2024 by e-mail at 6:25 pm.
Diocesan Convention
Report on the 81st General Convention of the Episcopal Church 2024
The Diocese of Lexington joined with other dioceses across the Episcopal Church in Louisville this summer (June 23-28) in the legislative body of the Episcopal Church known as the General Convention.
Our Diocesan deputation included the following: The Rt. Rev. Mark VanKoevering, Bishop; The Rev. Canon Amy Chambers Cortright; The Ven. Laurie M. Brock (chair); The Rev. Peter Doddema; and The Rev. Karen Booth, Clergy Deputies; The Rev. Sherilyn Pearce, Clergy Alternate; Ms. Mary T. Yeiser; Mr. Rob Coulston; Mr. Mark Medley; and Dr. Anthony Haigh, Lay Deptuies; and Ms. Allison Ramsey and Ms. Reba Roberts, Lay Alternates.
Highlights of the Convention included the re-election of Ms. Julia Ayala Harris as the President of the House of Deputies and the election of The Rev. Steve Pankey as Vice-President of the House of Deputies (Steve serves as a rector in our neighboring diocese of Kentucky). The Bishops on the first ballot by a wide margin elected The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as our next Presiding Bishop.
The House of Deputies and the House of Bishops considered almost 400 resolutions. You can see a summary of the actions in the attached document. Key resolutions included a commemoration of the ordination of the first women to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church (The Philadelphia Eleven) and A Prayer to Remember the Innocents, those children who were forcibly taken to Indigenous Boarding Schools in the 1800’s and 1900’s. Both Houses engaged in honest conversation around the increasing violence and unrest in Israel, the climate crisis, and the ongoing conversations we are having with various faith traditions.
Both Houses addressed the rapidly changing church, both through resolutions noting that our Prayer Book and liturgies associated with it should reflect our expansive understanding of God to the merging and unification of formerly separate dioceses so that they can better share resources in the mission and ministry of the Gospel.
We gathered daily for prayer together, hearing a diverse array of voices and prayers that reminded us of our call to love and serve, even and especially in the midst of change. After all, the Church is alive, and change means life. Presiding Bishop Elect Sean Rowe reiterated this point in his sermon at the closing Eucharist. You can view his excellent and challenging sermon here: www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/81st-general-convention-of-the-episcopalchurchclosing-eucharist-sermon-by-presiding-bishop-elect-sean-rowe/
The work of the Convention will continue through the Interim Bodies, of which some of our clergy and laity offered themselves for service. Appointments are ongoing.
For more information about the General Convention, please visit www.generalconvention.org.
Respectfully submitted,
The Ven. Laurie M. Brock Deputation Chair
Report for 2024 Diocesan Convention Diocese of Lexington
Investment & Endowment Committee
The Investment & Endowment Committee met on February 15, 2024, and on May 16, 2024, at the diocesan office.
At the February meeting, new committee members were introduced to the various funds for the diocese and which funds the committee is empowered to make recommendations regarding. Most all investment funds for the Diocese of Lexington are held with the Investments division of the national church (DFMS) finance office and with the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF). Investments are placed with these groups for two main reasons: 1) being part of a larger investment pool opens options that would not otherwise be available, and 2) it ensures that that the mission and vision of the diocese are respected in the investments that are chosen.
At the February meeting, looking at other investment options was discussed as well as returns for 2023. The committee also heard about the Strategic Planning effort and the structural changes in the diocese that resulted.
At the May meeting, the committee heard from representative from the DFMS investment fund the presented a performance review for 2023 and first quarter performance for 2024. There was a “substantial reporting delay” from their office, so the dividend for the Diocese for 2023 could not be reported at the May meeting.
Once the dividend results were received, the committee held a vote by email to accept the recommended dividend from the investment funds of $1.28/share, and it passed this recommendation to the Finance Committee.
No action has been taken since the May meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Hayward, Chair
Diocesan Conven,on Report
The Kentucky Council of Churches www.kycouncilofchurches.org
The Kentucky Council of Churches (KCC) is an affiliate of the Na,onal Council of Churches, which in turn is affiliated with the World Council of Churches. It is a vital ecumenical organiza,on of Chris,an churches in Kentucky, who witness to Chris,an unity through partnerships throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It includes many different denomina,ons of both white and black congrega,ons, as well as judiciary heads of the denomina,ons (e.g., both Episcopal dioceses in Kentucky, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Coopera,ve Bap,st, Disciples of Christ, African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Chris,an Methodist Episcopal, United Universalist Church, Church of Christ, Friends of Lexington [Quaker]) Both clergy and lay people are ac,vely involved in commiVees, legisla,ve advocacy, and at the annual assembly. Our diocese has been ac,vely involved and financially supported the KCC for many years.
KCC hosts an annual assembly in October with guest speakers and workshops on current topics of interest (for example, social and racial jus,ce, criminal jus,ce, restora,ve jus,ce, affordable housing and homelessness, environmental jus,ce and crea,on care, youth ministry, Chris,an hospitality, immigra,on, natural disasters and emergency response, faith and community in Appalachia, Chris,an na,onalism and white supremacy).
This year’s assembly was held on October 17- 18 at First United Methodist Church in Frankfort. The theme of the assembly was “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.” Bishop Mark Van Koevering was a keynote speaker. He presented an excellent address on the topic, Jus,ce: The Public Expression of Love. This year the annual assembly was opened with an address by our Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
Each January the KCC hosts an ecumenical prayer and worship service in Lexington. In each legisla,ve session in Frankfort, the KCC during its Faith and Ac,on Days make presenta,ons to elected officials to provide Chris,an witness to address legisla,on before the House and Senate. The Faith and Ac,on Days are held in person, as well as livestreamed on the KCC Facebook page.
The KCC staff and board members are par,cularly interested in reaching out to high school and college youth to promote interest in ecumenical dialog and coopera,on in community service projects.
The churches in KCC share informa,on and resources about workshops, conferences, and other events of common interest. The KCC sends depu,es to the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days held each spring in Washington, D.C. (hVps://advocacydays.org) The theme for this year was “Faith in Ac,on: Human Rights and Peace for All.” When I aVended the Ecumenical Advocacy Days as a deputy represen,ng KCC, it was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in my ministry. It was
Governor Beshear at KCC Annual Assembly
inspiring to meet and engage with Chris,an leaders, both lay and ordained, from across the na,on.
The KCC provides a unique opportunity to gather with, learn from, and be inspired by our brothers and sisters in Christ from many different tradi,ons and denomina,ons. It is a vital opportunity to meet and work with some of the finest ordained and lay leaders in Kentucky.
Our diocese has tradi,onally sent four depu,es to the assembly. If you are interested in aVending, please contact Bishop Mark Van Koevering.
Please consider becoming involved in KCC either as a deputy or serving on one of their commiVees. It is a terrific way to learn about the many important issues that churches are addressing, as well as developing deeply meaningful and long-las,ng rela,onships with other Chris,ans If you have any ques,ons or would like to learn more about the KCC, please contact me. If you would like someone from KCC to come to your parish to talk about the ministry of KCC, the staff of KCC or I will be glad to visit you.
Respecjully submiVed, The Rev. Carol Ruthven
Diocesan Convention – Lay Preaching 2024
With the licensing of 4 lay preachers in the Diocese, we have taken a substantial step towards living fully into our actions matching our words around the importance and equality of all orders of ministry. Lay preachers have preached in at least 10 parishes in the Diocese in the past year.
Given that the program is new, Mark Medley and I decided not to start another cohort in 2024 to allow for the current lay preachers to have opportunities to engage in their preaching ministry. Plans are underway to begin a cohort in 2025 for another group of lay preachers in the diocese.
Again, we encourage all congregations to welcome a lay preacher at least once during the liturgical year.
Respectfully submitted,
The Ven. Laurie M. Brock, Lay Preaching Facilitator
Dr. Mark Medley, Lay Preaching Facilitator
Liturgical Commission Report
The Liturgical Commission did not meet after Convention 2023
The churches of the Northern region of our Diocese (Ohio Valley) is the longest operating region in our diocese, having been cooperating and collaborating in ministry together since 2012.
In recent years we have worshipped together through joint holy day services and our Annual Easter Vigil, presided over and celebrated by our Bishop. A great many thanks goes out to Grace Church, Florence, who hosted this year, and the music department of St. Andrew's, Ft. Thomas, (Dr. Loretta Graner and Sr Yuan Zhuang) for their leadership in the combined Vigil Choir.
A special thanks to the volunteers who staff the community food pantry at St. Paul's, Newport. They work tirelessly to support those in need in our region. The NKY churches regularly provide volunteers and monetary support for this important outreach at St. Paul's, that has recently expanded into providing a mobile pantry ministry.
The congregational leadership of these communities gathers via zoom each month from January through May, and August through November. Clergy and Lay meet on this call to share their stories and resources. And this year we have welcomed representatives from Trinity, Lawrenceburg, IN, to our group, as they are closer to the NKY churches than others in their own diocese. We also hosted a pre-lenten clergy retreat that brought a dozen Episcopal and Lutheran clergy together for a quiet day in February.
We said our goodbyes to Fr. Peter, Rector of Trinity, Covington, who retired this year. We also grieved the loss of longtime St. Paul's member and office administrator, Pauline Ford, who died this year.
We look forward to continuing our close relationship among the area communities in this coming year.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Ven. Jeffrey Queen Archdeacon of the Ohio Valley Rector, St. Andrew’s, Ft. Thomas
Sewanee: The University of the South 2024 Conven8on Report
In October 2023, the Board of Trustees installed Rob Pearigen as the 18th Vice Chancellor of the University of the South. Vice Chancellor Pearigen was a graduate of the college and later returned to join the Poli8cal Science faculty eventually becoming the Dean of Students and later Vice President of University Rela8ons. He leN for 10 years to take a posi8on as the President of Millsaps. The University and Sewanee community rejoiced when he and his family returned to the mountain when he accepted the posi8on of Vice Chancellor. The University has faced some instability and uncertainty in the past several years, so this elec8on has brought some much needed stability.
Despite his long 8es to the history of Sewanee, Vice Chancellor Pearigen is commiQed to con8nuing the University’s progression into the future. As part of this progress, the Vice Chancellor has unveiled a new strategic plan that includes: 1. Renewing and enhancing the curriculum; 2. Enhancing student forma8on and leadership development; 3. Making the University and its domain a model of inclusive community and environmental stewardship; 4. Enhancing University buildings and grounds; and 5. Growing the endowment and genera8ng new sources of revenue. During the 2024 annual mee8ng, we gained more details about the strategic plan including big and exci8ng plans for a new first year program for all incoming college students, which will help students, including first genera8on college students, thrive and feel connected to the community and University.
In addi8on, the annual mee8ng coincided with the celebra8on and rededica8on of Hamilton Hall, which houses the School of Theology. The School of Theology has been very eagerly awai8ng the reopening of Hamilton Hall and the results were worth the wait. The space is beau8ful and invi8ng. It is a perfect space to educate and inspire the future of our Episcopal clergy.
As an owning diocese of the University, we are in a uniquely important posi8on to support Sewanee. Please keep them in your prayers and consider adding a dedicated line in your annual budget for a dona8on to the University to support the educa8on of the future of the Episcopal church. The University also needs us to be ac8ve in recommending Sewanee to our high school students and those considering seminary. If you have never visited campus, I urge you to do so.
The future is very bright for Sewanee, despite the growing uncertainty for other universi8es na8onwide. The Diocese of Lexington should be very proud to be an owning diocese of this University.
This report is meant to be an overview, so if anyone has any specific ques8ons or concerns, you are welcome to email me (Hilary Jarvis) at hilarymjarvis@gmail.com
St. Augustine’s Chapel
Report to Diocesan Convention 2024
St. Augustine’s Chapel has had an amazing year. Our student group has historically had about nine (9) members in the core group, sometimes more and sometimes less. This year, we have fifteen (15) members of the core group and about twenty (20) in our extended group. Almost every week we have had a new student come to one event or another. This growth can only be attributed to the hard work of our student leadership team. They are using all of the tools they can to reach more and more students. The student leadership is also planning several fun social activities for the fall and spring semesters.
Because we have such a robust group this year, we have also expanded our weekly offerings to try to include more students. We have our Student Gathering on Thursdays where we have time for growing friendship, studying one Gospel each year (this year we’re reading Mark), and doing occasional spiritual exercises to help us grow as people of faith. We pray Compline to conclude the Gathering. We also offer Morning Prayer on Wednesdays and Noonday Prayer on Fridays. On Tuesday evenings I offer a class. This year I’m offering Church History 101.
While most years we seek out other campus ministries to share our space with, this year we do not have any partners. This has been usual since the pandemic, but I am still on the look out for groups to work with. We have had a few groups rent the Chapel for other uses, but we usually have a lot more interest in renting the Chapel closer to the end of the semester.
It has also been a year of transition. Our ministry partners in the IK Synod have elected a new bishop, Tim Graham, who began his ministry on 1 September. Prior to his election, there was almost a complete turnover of the Synod staff. Bishop Tim is still in the process of calling a new staff and learning the ropes as bishop and I hope you will join me in praying for him and wishing him well.
At St. A’s, our mission statement is “St. Augustine’s is an inviting, lay-led, prayer-filled, and inclusive Christian community at the University of Kentucky.” and we are growing in this mission. While we certainly have our challenges, like every faith community, on the whole we are trending in the right direction. Our student leaders are stepping up to new challenges of a larger ministry. Part of my call at St. A’s is to raise up a new generation of lay leaders for the Church, and this group is ready to go. Thanks to the support of the Diocese of Lexington, St. A’s is well.
Grace & Peace, Rob Coulston Campus Minister
Convention report for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Outreach Center
As I mentioned last year, I have often referred to St. Timothy’s as the only true mission of the Diocese of Lexington, in that it was begun not so much as to be a worshiping Episcopal congregation, but to minister to and with the needs of the surrounding community. COVID has had a major impact on our work. Between 2004 and 2019, St. Timothy’s hosted over eighty mission trips from Iowa eastward and from Florida to Wisconsin and New Hampshire and all places in between. Four of our Diocesan congregations made six of those trips along with coupling with the Cathedral Domain for five years of their Adventure Mission camps, not to mention hosting the work site for the 2004 Province IV Youth Event. During these years local homes were repaired; roofs, wall, bathrooms, kitchens, and porches replaced, additional rooms added, water lines dug, brush cleared, and so many more physical improvements made within the community. In 2014 & 2015, working with Grow Appalachia, and a later a Paddock grant we spearheaded gardening projects, county extension classes, hosted GED classes, day camps for children and for a number of years, with donations from one of our Maryland supporting congregations provided nearly seventy school backpacks each year. During non-winter months, we would gather Thursday evenings for a community meal and fellowship. We have lost count of how many caskets we have provided for those who could not afford burial of their family members. From the founding of St. Timothy’s in 1983, we have provided a Christmas Party with presents for local children and since 2004 Christmas food baskets for the community. In recent years, we have averaged around 35 baskets serving over 100 people each year. St. Timothy’s was heavily involved in the 2021 flooding in Lee and Estill counties as well as last year’s July flooding throughout eastern Kentucky.
Due to COVID, recent years have not been good at St. Timothy’s. Our first summer, we held a six-week long day camp for children with about sixty in attendance each day. The school system ran three full buses up the mountain and along with a smaller one for Head Start. Today, one partially filled bus runs. As youth have stayed in school with more graduating, they are leaving the mountain to find jobs and as the education level goes up, especially among young women, the birth rate goes down. The community has aged, and a number of “foreigners” have moved in from outside Kentucky who do not interact with the community. 2019 was a low year for Mission Trips with only five. What really hurt the most however was COVID. 2020 found us with only two people who came to work and distribute backpacks. In the last three years, we have hosted only four trips. Between 1985 to 1990, the diocese funded a seminarian, newly ordained deacon and then a priest which was the time of greatest growth. Since then, our income has been derived primarily from the fees charged for mission trips. Which is a polite way to say that except for our one large group last summer, we have had little to no income these past five years. With my retirement after being with St. Timothy’s before it first began as an idea in 1982 and little prospects for a replacement or funding, we are looking at other options in an attempt to continue the wonderful work that has happened on and around the mountain.
Respectfully Submitted
Bryant C. Kibler, Sr.
Standing Committee of the Diocese of Lexington Report to Convention 2024
The Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington consists of six members, three are lay ministers, and three are ordained. The committee serves as the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese in the absence of a bishop. Among other duties the Standing Committee serves as a council of advice to the bishop, is requested to give consent for all bishops elected in the Episcopal Church, recommends persons for ordination, and gives the bishop advice and consent on the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of any property held by a congregation or the diocese. The Standing Committee is also in charge of leading the transition when a bishop resigns. The Standing Committee is elected by diocesan convention and meets seven times per year.
Sadly, our beloved friend and Standing Committee member, Cathryn Tagmeyer, died in early October. Cathryn was a valuable, joyful voice in our work, and she will be deeply missed.
This year we have approved 5 bishop election consents and have consented to the execution of a mortgage extension agreement for a parish in the diocese. We also received the resignation of Bishop Van Koevering and have started the transition process.
Respectfully submitted,
The Reverend G. Hendree Harrison, Jr. President
Strategic Planning 2024
Our purpose to Be the Church and Be the Change is to “join with the Spirit in restoring all life to unity with God and each other in Christ Jesus”. By it, we acknowledge our brokenness and need to be restored. In it, we develop a right relationship with God and neighbor. Through it, we are equipped for God’s mission to put the world right again.
The vision contends that to Be the Church is exactly what we should be and do, because this is God’s plan for salvation. The Change we desire will come about by responding to the call to follow Jesus as God gifts us a new identity as God’s people Then, together as Church, we teach the core Christian beliefs of the apostolic tradition, encourage regular spiritual practices, and put our faith into action out in the world. Finally, our Episcopal polity means that we see our Diocese as one Church with 34 Faith Communities working for this common purpose.
As we place our trust in God, we can also hope for growth. God grows the Church, but as agents of God’s mission in the world, we can cultivate, plant and water God’s garden with expectation. We expect to see growth spiritually in Christ, relationally with each other, missionally as we look outward and organically as we plant and renew our episcopal branch of the Jesus movement.
The vision is clear and seems supported across the diocese, but there has been a lack of clarity on how we move toward our destination. This gap requires a strategic plan that describes what we will do, who will do it, and how we will resource the work A strategic conversation has been underway throughout the second half of 2023; the focus directed us to three main areas named at our planning workshop:
1. Pruning and Reallocating – we cannot do more without cutting back on current work or increasing the size of our team – or both; so, some things must go, so that there can be new life. This might include looking at our structures, committees, and regions. It also means examining the use of our investments, programs, and ministries. All our work needs to re-focus and re-align for the sake of the vision.
2. Engaging and Educating – although the vision is sound, it is not well understood everywhere; in some places it has been resisted, and many have not appreciated the cultural paradigm shift involved. It takes time to change a culture. (By the way, although it is true that culture eats strategy for lunch, it is even more true that the Gospel eats culture for breakfast.) Our transition is a move away from recruiting members to making disciples, from being a religious club to a gospel community, and from isolated, independent congregations to one, united Church. This, we contend, is what will bring about real change.
3. A Missional Ethos - shifts our focus from looking in at ourselves to looking outward. First, it means being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit all around us and recognizing that God is already at work in the world. This appreciative approach will help us work with others rather than for them as we make use of all the resources God has already given us. Mission means evangelism, loving service and working for peace and justice.
Health & Vitality
Oversight
Each of these three teams proposed a set of initiatives that have been placed into one, unified strategic plan for us to examine In order to avoid repetition, these initiatives were arranged under six objectives grouped around the three areas which we propose will replace the current committee structure of Executive Council. The aim is to make Executive Council more proactive as the driver of our strategic work and enable Council to monitor and evaluate progress toward our objectives The three overlapping working groups are: Administrative Oversight, Faith Community Health and Vitality, and Diocesan Ministry and Mission. These three areas will represent the primary focus of the diocesan staff and governance bodies. Each Executive Council member will be part of one of these teams:
Shared Ministry & Mission
1. The Faith Community Health and Vitality team serves our 34 Faith Communities directly. This might range from equipping leaders to reach new members to walking through the transition process with a community.
2. The Administrative Oversight team directs the financial and material resources, sets policy and procedures, and creates the structures that will enable the implementation of our vision.
3. The Diocesan Shared Ministry & Mission team oversees that which is of common interest and importance but extends beyond the capacity of any one Faith Community. This includes an established ministry like The Cathedral Domain, as well as more fluid initiatives like Creation Care.
Let’s take a look at the six objectives in the proposed strategic plan for 2024 1:
Faith Community Health and Vitality
Objective 1: Developing Missional Leadership
Objective 2: Building Distinctive Communities of Faith
Administrative Oversight
Objective 3: Organizational Restructuring and Policy Implementation
1 Please note that this plan does not include all the canonical and managerial work already underway, such as transitions, FC support, crises interventions, visitations, meetings, etc.
THE 2024 STRATEGIC PLAN
Faith Community Health and Vitality
Objective 1. Missional Leadership
The Spirit entrusts us with gifts for ministry in Christ’s name for the common good. Every baptized person is called to serve, and the Church is to discern, equip and authorize individuals for these various ministries, both lay and ordained. This year we will roll out a Pathway for Discernment and a Guide for Lay Ministry in our Diocese that will bring clarity to the process and open up fresh opportunities for service across the Church
Initiatives
New Discernment Pathway
New Lay Licensed Ministry Opportunities
Canon Missioner Position
Clergy Support Network
increased number of vocations; clarity for participants and communities
10% increase in number of lay licensed vocations.
Hire a Canon Missioner to oversee FC Health and Vitality
Connect clergy according to interests, launch at clergy retreat, 25% participation
Objective 2. Building Distinctive Communities
Jan – Dec 2024
Jan – Dec 2024
Sep - Dec 2024
Sep - Dec 2024
None
None
Chair of COM, Canon to the Ordinary & Bishop
Chair of COM, Canon to the Ordinary & Bishop
$ 2,300 Bishop
None
Clergy members of FC Health & Vitality
Healthy Faith Communities must be the focus of our diocesan strategy. This begins by clearly understanding our reality through a spiritual inventory and then targeting support in areas that make measurable differences.
Initiatives
Assess spiritual health, using an asset-based approach, and produce MAPs for 2024
Faith Community Experiments
50% of FCs participate and 90% provide a MAP
Increased health and vitality in 3 Faith Communities
Mar - Dec 2024
Mar - Dec 2024
$ 2,500
$ 50,000
Bishop & Archdeacons
Bishop and Canons
Administrative Oversight
Objective 3. Organizational Restructuring and Policy Implementation
We recognized the need to prune and reallocate resources and structures to focus on the vision rather than maintaining an institution. These initiatives create the space and time for this work to advance and makes the Executive Council a more strategic body.
Initiatives Metrics
Renew the Executive Council
Invest in the strategic plan
Make fuller use of Chapter & Regions
reduce number of committees; get members more engaged with strategy; monitor progress; pass resolution
Use L&G, mini-grant, and bishop funds for the implementation of the plan
Reduce participants in Chapter; Ask Archdeacons to participate in rolling out strategy and overseeing discernment
Jan 2024
Jan 2024
None Executive Council
Reallocation of budgeted funds Executive Council
Dec 2024 $ 8,100
Bishop and Archdeacons
Implement Safe Church Policy
Study Executive Council representation and size
Overhaul Canons
Administrative Staff Support
Updated Process and accountability
Explore electing fewer members to EC directly from the 3 regions
Update Processes to have clear accountability; management of documents across life cycle, and provide and control access
Part-time support for administration, grant-writing, and policy adherence
Objective 4. Sharing Good News
June 2024
Nov 2024
Nov 2025
None
Missioner for Operations and Finance
None Convention
None
March 2024 $ 7,200
Chancellors & Missioner for Operations and Finance
Missioner for Finance and Operations
We want to do a better job of sharing the good that is already happening all around the Diocese by giving voice to our Faith Communities and Diocesan Ministries. We also want to better equip Faith Communities by providing tools and building up capacity so as to improve their own communication’s strategy.
Initiatives
New Communications Strategy
Contract Digital Missioner; Increased Social Media presence; increased FC satisfaction (see attached)
Feb – Dec 2024 $ 65,000
Executive Council
Digital Ministry Workshop
20 representatives from at least 15 Faith Communities.
Each of our Diocesan Ministries plays an important role in our common life together as Church, and each is going through a time of transition. Four teams will be created to prepare a 5-year strategic plan for each of these ministries. The plans will be presented to the Executive Council for discussion and approval by September 2024. Initiatives
Diocesan Youth Strategy Plan approved by EC
St Timothy's Outreach Center Plan approved by EC
The Cathedral Domain Strategy Plan approved by EC
Campus Ministry Strategy Plan approved by EC
Sept 2024
Sept 2024
Sept 2024
Sept 2024
None Youth Leadership Team
None St Timothy's Team
None The Cathedral Domain Board
None
Campus Strategy Team
1. Strategic Plans: We want each of the shared diocesan ministries to be in alignment with the diocesan vision and to take advantage of possible synergy between these ministries. A team or in the case of the Cathedral Domain, the board, will oversee the work of planning for each of the 4 above. The Bishop will name the team to do the work. An Executive Council member of this committee will be on each team to ensure consistency. The Cathedral Domain is beginning this work now and the other three will begin no later than March 2024. Each team/board will present a proposal to the Executive Committee by September 2024.
Objective 6. Launching new Diocesan Ministries
2 This the approximate cost per edition. In 2024 we propose one printing and build up in 2025.
We will introduce or revive shared ministries using a pilgrimage and educational model of engagement rather than by committee We have not predetermined the area of pilgrimage or rolling ministry opportunities but will support wherever there is energy and passion
Learning Pilgrimages
Rolling Ministries
Description:
Launch 3 shared diocesan ministries using education and pilgrimage model Dec 2025
Enable connections between Faith Communities on matters of mutual interest Dec 2025
1. Learning Pilgrimages – this is a move away from a reliance on committee/commission structures and respond to ideas and initiatives as they arise. It is hoped that this will provide more flexibility and enable us to take advantage of the energy to accomplish work. For instance, there is interest to make a pilgrimage to Birmingham, AL as part of our work in racial reconciliation. Those interested may be authorized by the Bishop as a diocesan activity and encouraged to invite other interested persons from around the diocese to get involved; the group itself will oversee the work. This still needs coordination, which will be the responsibility of the Canon Missioner. Since this position will only be filled in September 2024, this work will only begin in earnest toward the end of the current year and into 2025.
2. Rolling Ministries – represent more organic connections across Faith Communities of our Diocese who share a common interest. For example, last year there was some useful sharing of resources for Pride Day. Other examples might include those presently providing reading camps or prison ministry. Whatever the interest, there are benefits to connect, support, and encourage one another. This will also be coordinated by the Canon Missioner and so the same limitation may apply until after that appointment is made.
United Thank Offering
Report September 2024
As I look about me here in the UTO office (actually a spare bedroom now devoted to UTO) I am both satisfied and amazed at how much plunder we Episcopalians devote to UTO. Why so much? Why so many different items? What is so important for us to unashamedly promote parish giving in so many varied ways? UTO has handouts and paper banks, stickers and pens, water bottles, paper glasses, brochures describing ways to donate, on and on and on. Plus, as they say, “Wow, you should have seen all UTO handed out at Triennial!”
Every item we hand out advertising UTO has one purpose and only one: To keep the United Thank Offering at the forefront of family giving. We remind and remind again. With turkey banks and metallic stickers, with blueberry muffins and blue frosted cookies, we ask parish families to donate whatever nickels, dimes and dollars they can spare to UTO.
BECAUSE EVERY DONATION MATTERS. Every donation matches with others to provide grants for life-altering projects worldwide.
UTO in-gathering traditionally is held in November. However, so far UTO has received $2379.28 in 2024 donations from our Lexington diocese. Praise the Lord!
Respectfully submitted,
Carole J. Mize UTO Diocesan Chair
The Diocese of Lexington Youth Community 2023-2024 Journal report
As you read this Youth Report, please remember that ALL youth in grades 7-12 are invited to attend the Diocesan Youth programs.
We are always in need of volunteers to help staff events. If you are not able help yourself, please speak to someone from your church that you think would be a great addition to the Youth community.
Throughout the year the Diocesan Youth Community has been very active with various retreats, camps and network meetings.
Happening is a Christian experience presented by youth for youth in grades 10 through 12. Happening is designed to address questions youth may have about Christ and the church. During a Happening weekend, participants experience the love of Christ as shown through prayer, worship, and the ministry of fellow students, clergy, and lay adults. Happeners are encouraged to make their renewed faith a part of their everyday lives. In November of 2023 the youth community of our diocese held Happening #64. Renee’ Hyder from Trinity Church in Covington, served as the Lay Rector. Jackson Robbins from St. John’s, Versailles served as the Head Gopher. The Spiritual directors for the weekend were The Rev. Margaret Shanks and Thomas Becker. Renee’ put together a wonderful team of 20 youth and adults to share with 23 Happeners. The D.Y.C. would also like to thank Diane Bonfert, Sarah Smith, Kate Ott, Billy Bennett, Andy Sigmon & Abbey McCoy for serving as the Happening Steering Committee.
Province IV Youth - The first weekend of December, Nikki Wells and Charlie Swendiman, both from Trinity in Covington, traveled with me to the Province IV Youth Ministries Leadership & Network meeting. The gathering was held at Camp Christopher in the Diocese of SC.
Nikki and Charlie enjoyed meeting Episcopal youth from other dioceses in our Province and learning what a Province is in the Episcopal church community. They shared about the successful events that we hold in our diocese, as well as talking about some of our weaknesses and how we hope to make them stronger.
“A New Year in the Spirit”: During the week between Christmas and the New Year there is an annual event for both Junior and Senior High. “A New Year in the Spirit” is designed and hosted by volunteers within the Youth Community. This past December we had 60 youth attended with 3 adults and 16 young adults. The theme for 2023 was “The Gift of the Nutcracker!” based on an Advent and Epiphany study book by Matt Rawle. The Rev. Thomas Becker led the inspirational teachings for the event. The youth truly appreciated Thomas taking the time to be a part of this event. He ended his time with the group on the last evening Celebrating the Eucharist. This New Year in the Spirit event included the traditional seasonal games, Domain food, singing, worship and outstanding fellowship. The weekend also included a “New Year’s” dance. At midnight we shared sparkling cider while we toasted our thanksgivings for 2023 and our prayers for 2024. The event was led by four young adults, Emme Smith, Cate Jylkka, Chloe Cagle, and Mackenzie Nash, under the supervision of Andy & Cindy Sigmon. The four leaders did a wonderful job working to put the event together for the youth of the Diocese.
New Beginnings: New Beginnings is a unique retreat especially designed to respond to the issues, concerns and needs of teenagers in grades 7-9. They enjoy learning through singing, skits, talks given by teens, videos, games, worship and conversation with each other, the youth discover who God is, who God is to them and who they are to God. New Beginnings #28 weekend was held in February. Lexi Kuhn from Shelbyville worked closely with the steering committee to put together a team of 9 youth and 6 adults to have a successful Junior High event with 10 participants. Father Joe Chambers served as the Spiritual director for the weekend. The youth truly appreciate his support in the diocesan events.
Thank you to the Episcopal Youth community of Trinity Church in Covington for sponsoring the eleventh annual Electric Revival, a Lock-In. The youth and volunteers enjoyed Yoga, Energizers, live music, open mic, and a very nice meal, plus late-night dancing. Thank you to Shannon Gemeinhardt and the members of Trinity for hosting an opportunity for our youth to get together
Camps & Conferences: The summer of 2024 camping season we celebrated our 111th year of ministry at The Cathedral Domain and it was a thoroughly rewarding summer. We had a total of 508 campers in nine different sessions. The Senior Conference had 76 campers from grades 9 through 12. The Junior Conference saw 74 campers from grades 7 and 8. In addition to the Senior and Junior Conference we had Girls Camp, Boys camp and Mini camps 1 and 2, Co-Ed A, CO-ED B and Adventure Camp. The campers enjoyed a theme focused on a curriculum published by Inside-Out Ministries called “Linked in Love!” with the teachings exploring the different ways the world is linked in God’s love. We had insightful teachings from, The Rev. Thomas Becker, The Rev. Joe Chambers, The Rev. Isaac Mackenzie, Brittney Hurt, Sarah Smith, Katie Berner & Sean Farrington. Each camp session was led by a team of volunteer Deans. The Deans for the camps are responsible for recruiting staff and developing program. Seventeen of the twenty Deans were alumni of the Cathedral Domain Camps and Conferences and the Diocesan youth programs. The staff that served with the deans as counselors and CIT’s were volunteer youth (40 counselors & 11 CIT) and adults from across the Diocese and from other states. We are extremely proud of our camps and the quality of the programs offered. It is a great opportunity to build strong leaders in our youth.
Outreach: In addition to the time, they gave serving as counselors at camp, the youth brought pet food and pet items to A New Year in the Spirit for a donation to the Estill Co. animal shelter.
We are looking forward to 2025 with great joy, enthusiasm, and excitement. Feeling blessed to be a part of Youth Community in the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Sigmon Youth Missioner
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