2015 Convention: Elections, canon changes, and other actions

As a result of diligent and informative work at pre-convention deanery meetings, the delegates to the 33rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth worked so efficiently that they finished their work two hours earlier than expected.

They elected members of the Standing Committee, the Disciplinary Board, and a trustee to the University of the South.

Dr. Jane Dennis of St. Luke’s, Stephenville, and the Rev. Kevin Johnson of St. Alban’s, meeting in Theatre Arlington, were elected to the Standing Committee.

Ms. Barbara Evans-Chowning of All Saints’, Fort Worth, and the Rev. Scot McComas of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller, were elected to the Disciplinary Board.

Ms. Suzanne Meyers of St. Luke’s, Stephenville, was elected as a trustee to the University of the South.

Following convention, the Standing Committee met and elected the Rev. Carlye Hughes, Trinity, Fort Worth, as president. The Disciplinary Board met also and elected the Rev. Henry Penner for a second year as president.

All proposed resolutions except one related to canon changes passed as presented. Ms.Cynthia Eichenberger, St. Francis, Willow Park, moved that Resolution CC2 dealing with proposed Canons III.1 and III.2, be amended to provide for additional seat, voice, and vote of a representative to the Executive Council from each deanery. Eichenberger explained the reason for the amendment in this way:

Several of the smaller deaneries were concerned that they might no get adequate representation on the Executive Council with at-large elected representatives under the proposed canons. This amendment, which the Constitution and Canons Committee considers a friendly amendment, has addressed that concern by adding one elected representative with seat, voice, and vote from each of the five deaneries.

The amendment passed, as did the amended Resolution CC2.

Read the amendment

The delegates also passed the Assessment Table for 2016 and the triennial and 2016 budget.This budget keeps the diocese on track for reaching the goal of having 10 percent of the assessment budgeted for charitable purposes by 2018. Eight percent of the 2016 assessment is budgeted for charity.

The raffle for the quilt raised $886 for Native American youth in South Dakota; James Shadle of All Saint’s, Fort Worth won the quilt. The auction of items from the Friday night foolishness raised $1,420, which will be split between the Propane Tank Fund for South Dakota reservations and Episcopal Relief and Development’s work with Syrian refugees. The offering at worship, $941.72, was designated for ERD’s refugee work as well.

Photos from Friday at Convention are in this Facebook photo album.