Appendices

Appendix I: Convention Delegate Certificate
Appendix II: Adult Communicant in Good Standing
Appendix III: Disagreements in the Pastoral Relation
Appendix IV: Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation
Appendix V: Non-Discrimination and Inclusiveness

Appendix I: Convention Delegate Certificate

Form for the Certification of Lay Delegates to Convention

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that at a meeting of the Vestry of __________________________ (name of Parish) in _________________________ held on the _______________ day of _______________ 20_____, the following named persons, who are adult communicants of good standing in said Parish were elected Lay Delegates to represent the same in the Convention of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio, to be held _______________ in the year of our Lord 20_____.

Delegates Alternates

1.___________________________________ 1.___________________________________

2.___________________________________ 2.___________________________________

3.___________________________________ 3.___________________________________

We do further certify that the payment of the annual assessments to the Church Pension Fund and those to the Diocesan Fund are current.

We do further certify that we do associate ourselves for the purpose of maintaining the worship of God and preaching the Gospel, according to the doctrine, discipline and worship of The Episcopal Church and do hereby promise conformity to the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church and of the Diocese of Ohio.

Signed,

___________________________________

Clerk of the Vestry

The Canon requires that this certificate be sent to the Secretary of the Convention, 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, at least thirty days before the meeting of the Convention.

Appendix II: Adult Communicant in Good Standing

from the 2003 Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. Definitions of adult communicants, and communicants in good standing

Title I. Canon 17: Of Regulations Respecting the Laity

Sec. 2. For the purposes of statistical consistency throughout the Church, communicants sixteen years of age and over are to be considered adult communicants.

Sec. 3. All communicants of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God, are to be considered communicants in good standing.

Appendix III: Disagreements in the Pastoral Relation

from the 2003 Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church

Title III. Canon 14: Of the Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation

When the pastoral relationship in a parish between a Rector and the Vestry or Congregation is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a majority vote of the Vestry or the Rector, either party may petition the Ecclesiastical Authority, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement. The Ecclesiastical Authority shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances for that purpose by the Ecclesiastical Authority, which may include the appointment of a consultant. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Ecclesiastical Authority, shall labor in good faith that the parties may be reconciled. Whenever the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical Authority, it shall request the Bishop of a neighboring Diocese to perform the duties of the Ecclesiastical Authority under this Canon.

Appendix IV: Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation

from the 2003 Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church

Title III. Canon 15: Of the Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation

Sec. 1. Except upon mandatory resignation by reason of age, a Rector may not resign as Rector of a parish without the consent of its Vestry, nor may any Rector canonically or lawfully elected and in charge of a Parish be removed therefrom by the Vestry against the Rector’s will, except as hereinafter provided.

Sec. 2. If for any urgent reason a Rector or Vestry desires a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and the parties cannot agree, either party may give notice in writing to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. Whenever the Standing Committee is the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, it shall request the Bishop of another Diocese to perform the duties of the Bishop under this Canon.

Sec. 3. Within sixty days of receipt of the written notice the Bishop, as chief pastor of the Diocese, shall mediate the differences between Rector and Vestry in every informal way which the Bishop deems proper and may appoint a committee of at least one Presbyter and one Lay Person, none of whom may be members of the Parish involved, to make a report to the Bishop.

Sec. 4. If the differences between the parties are not resolved after completion of the mediation, the Bishop shall proceed as follows:

(a) The Bishop shall give notice to the Rector and Vestry that a godly judgment will be rendered in the matter after consultation with the Standing Committee and that either party has the right within ten days to request in writing an opportunity to confer with the Standing Committee before it consults with the Bishop.

(b) If a timely request is made, the President of the Standing Committee shall set a date for the conference, which shall be held within thirty days.

(d) Within thirty days after the conference or after the Bishop’s notice if no conference is requested, the Bishop shall confer with and receive the recommendation of the Standing Committee; thereafter the Bishop, as final arbiter and judge, shall render a godly judgment.

(e) Upon the request of either party the Bishop shall explain the reasons for the judgment. If the explanation is in writing, copies shall be delivered to both parties.

(f) If the pastoral relation is to be continued, the Bishop shall require the parties to agree on definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Rector and the Vestry.

(g) if the relation is to be dissolved:

(1) The Bishop shall direct the Secretary of the Convention to record the dissolution.

(2) The judgment shall include such terms and conditions including financial settlements as shall seem to the Bishop just and compassionate.

Sec. 5. In either event the Bishop shall offer appropriate supportive services to the Priest and the Parish.

Sec. 6. In the event of the failure or refusal of either party to comply with the terms of the judgment, the Bishop may impose such penalties as may be set forth in the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese; and in default of any provisions for such penalties therein, the Bishop may act as follows:

(a) In the case of a Rector, suspend the Rector from the exercise of the priestly office until the Priest shall comply with the judgment.

(b) In the case of a Vestry, invoke any available sanctions including recommending to the Convention of the Diocese that the Parish be placed under the supervision of the Bishop as a Mission until it has complied with the judgment.

Sec. 7. For cause, the Bishop may extend the time periods specified in this Canon, provided that all be done to expedite these proceedings. All parties shall be notified in writing of the length of any extension.

Sec. 8.
(a) Statements made during the course of proceedings under this Canon are not discoverable nor admissible in any proceedings under Title IV provided that this does not require the exclusion of evidence in any proceeding under the Canons which is otherwise discoverable and admissible.

(b) In the course of proceedings under this Canon, if a charge is made by the Vestry against the Rector that could give rise to a disciplinary proceeding under Canon IV.1, all proceedings under this Canon shall be suspended until the charge has been resolved or withdrawn.

Sec. 9. This Canon shall not apply in any Diocese which has made a provision on this subject in its Canons which is consistent with this Canon. This Section 9 shall become effective on January 1, 1990.

Appendix V: Non-Discrimination and Inclusiveness

from the 2003 Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church

Title I. Canon 17: Of Regulations Respecting the Laity

Sec. 5. No one shall be denied rights, status or access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age, except as otherwise specified by Canons.

Title III. Canon 1: Of the Ministry of All Baptized Persons

Sec. 2. No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established.