Update from the Standing Committee

It has been three months since the diocesan convention, and your standing committee continues to be very busy, both managing the transition process and serving as the ecclesiastical authority for the diocese. Working closely with our assisting bishop, the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, and the diocesan staff, we continue to monitor the progress of and provide assistance to various parishes and missions throughout the diocese. In other business, we have appointed members to the executive council, set an early date for the ordination to the transitional diaconate of two third-year seminarians. We also appointed and are managing two task forces working on the subject of two resolutions passed at our convention. We approved a letter of agreement for possible future construction on the property of St. Michael’s, Carlsbad, and a lease modification for the off-site pre-school at All Saints’, Vista. We approved the hiring of a part-time multicultural missioner and also the transfer of several clergy within the diocese. We participated in Visions training to increase our multicultural awareness.

On a personal level, during this transition period, as president of the standing committee, I maintain an office at the Episcopal Church Center, and I meet weekly with Bishop Katharine and key staff, so that, together, and with the executive council, we can effectively manage all aspects of diocesan operations. On the subject of transition, a timeline from the nominating committee is pictured above. Suffice it to say, things are progressing well and we are on schedule. We have selected 16 members to serve on the transition committee, which will begin its work in earnest this fall. The application has been posted: edsd.org/applications.

I also want to take this opportunity to remind parishes and missions that the delegates you elect this spring to serve as delegates to the next diocesan convention, will also serve as delegates to the electing convention scheduled to occur on Saturday February 2 of next year. Further, parishes and missions are reminded that in order for your delegates to be able to vote at the electing convention, you must be in good standing, which means that you must be up to date with requirements including parochial reports, common life share pledges, audits and Safeguarding God’s People training. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. +