The Diocese of Springfield Canons
As Amended, Adopted, and Codified, to and including Amendments Adopted by the Regular Synod of 1995.
IV ORGANIZATION OF THE DIOCESE
Canon
- Of Archdeacons and Rural Deans
- Of Trustees of the Diocese of Springfield
- Of the Council
- Of the Chancellor of the Diocese
- Of the Registrar and Historiographer
- Of The Springfield Current
- Of Lay Readers
- Of the Church Pension Fund
- Of Canonical Offerings
Of Deans and Diocesan Assistants
Section 1.
This Diocese recognizes and adopts the use of the title 'Dean' and hereby establishes the office and jurisdiction of each.
a. The territorial jurisdiction of a Dean, except for the Dean of the Cathedral, shall be a geographical subdivision of the Diocese as defined by the Synod of the Diocese and changed by the Synod as the needs of the Church may demand, and to be known as a Deanery. There shall be one Dean for each such Deanery such Dean to be nominated biennially from among the Priests of the Deanery.
b. The Dean of each Deanery shall be nominated by majority vote of the delegates to the Deanery Convocation and appointed by the Bishop, such meeting of the Deanery Convocation to be held in September and he shall take office upon the adjournment of the Regular Synod following his appointment. The Dean shall be eligible to succeed himself in the nomination which shall be by secret ballot. (The senior priest of the Deanery shall call and preside over the first such meeting of the Convocation.) The Dean shall take office upon the adjournment of the Regular Synod following his appointment, and shall be installed in his office at such time and in such manner as may be determined by the Ecclesiastical authority.
c. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Dean, a new Dean shall be nominated at a regular or special meeting of the Deanery Convocation called by the senior priest of the Deanery within thirty days of the occurrence of the vacancy.
Section 2.
The Dean shall assist in the administration of the Diocese within the bounds of his or her Deanery in such a manner as may be determined by the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 3.
The Dean, under the Ecclesiastical Authority, shall be the spiritual leader of the Deanery.
a. The Dean shall serve as the coordinator of ministerial functions within the Deanery as determined by the Deanery Convocation and as desired by the Ecclesiastical Authority.
b. Whenever an Ordination is held by the Bishop, the candidate shall be presented by the Dean from whose Deanery the candidate may come. If the said Dean be absent, then the candidate shall be presented by the Dean of the Deanery within which the Ordination is held or by a priest designated by the latter.
Section 4.
Each Dean shall call a meeting of the Deanery Convocation annually in the month of September and at such other times as the Dean shall deem necessary. Voting delegates of the Deanery Convocation shall consist of the clergy of each parish and mission within the Deanery, and one or two lay members from each parish and mission within the Deanery elected at the annual meetings thereof, at least one of whom is an elected delegate to the Synod of the Diocese next following. The Dean shall preside at such meetings. The Deanery Convocation may establish such committees as may be necessary to facilitate its work. The Deanery Convocation shall elect at its September meeting a Recording Secretary who shall take office upon the adjournment of that meeting and who shall serve until the adjournment of the next September meeting or until a successor is elected and qualified. The Deanery's lay representative to the Council of the Diocese shall be elected at a September meeting in accordance with Section 3(c) of Canon 33 and shall take office upon the adjournment of the Regular Synod next following.
Section 5.
The foregoing duties and responsibilities of Deans do not apply to the Dean of the Cathedral unless he is also elected to the office of Dean in the Deanery within which the Cathedral is located.
Section 6.
a. Diocesan Assistants, with additional titles specified at the time of selection, may be appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority, with the approval of the Diocesan Council. Any Assistant so appointed shall hold office at the pleasure of the Ecclesiastical Authority and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned in writing by the Ecclesiastical Authority or set forth in the Constitution or Canons of this Diocese.
b. Compensation of a Diocesan Assistant shall be in the manner and amount agreed between the Assistant and the Ecclesiastical Authority and approved in accordance with Diocesan budgetary procedures.
Of Trustees of the Diocese of Springfield
Section 1.
Trustees. The elected body known as the Trustees of the Diocese is recognized as a Diocesan Corporation. The corporation may hold and administer trust funds of the Diocese and such other property, real and personal, as may from time to time be conveyed to it and may receive property in the name of the Diocese of Springfield by gift, devise or purchase and may, with the advice and consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority, make, erect, and build thereon such houses, buildings or other improvements as may be necessary for the convenience and comfort of any organization of the Diocese of Springfield. The Trustees may, in their discretion, create a common fund for the investment of such moneys or other properties which may be invested or deposited in said fund either by the Trustees or by other persons or organizations. Investments and deposits to said fund shall be evidenced by the issuance to the investors or the depositors of certificates of beneficial interest in multiples of $100.00 each. Upon the creation of such fund, the Trustees shall provide by written declaration the rules and regulations to be applied to the calculation and distribution of income; provided that said declaration shall not discriminate between or among holders of certificates of beneficial interest therein. Upon the creation of such common fund, the management thereof shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Canon.
Section 2.
Membership. The Board of Trustees of the Diocese of Springfield shall consist of five members, exclusive of the Bishop and Chancellor. At each Regular Synod one member shall be elected for a term of five years. Members of the Board of Trustees shall hold office until their successors are elected. If a member shall die or resign, the place may be filled by the remaining trustees to serve until the next Synod, at which a new member shall be elected to fill the unexpired term.
Section 3.
Officers. The Officers of this Corporation shall be a Chairman and a Secretary-Treasurer, who shall be elected at the meeting of the Board which shall be held within two weeks after the adjournment of the Regular Synod. The Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer shall be chosen from among the members of the Corporation.
Section 4.
Duties of the Officers. It shall be the duty of the Chairperson to preside at all meetings of the Board and to countersign all warrants drawn upon the Treasury by order of the Board, and to see that all orders of the Board are duly executed. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the minutes of all meetings, for the use of the Board, and shall draw and sign warrants by order of the Board. The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of the receipts and disbursements of the Trust Funds and the increase therefrom administered by the Corporation and shall out of such funds make payments by order of the Board upon warrants signed by the Secretary-Treasurer and countersigned by the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees.
Section 5.
Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held in the city of Springfield at least once in each year, exclusive of the meeting for organization, for the transaction of business, and the preparation of a report for the past year. Special meetings, for the transaction of such business as may come before the Board may be held at the call of the Chairman or Bishop upon seven days' previous notice thereof having been given to all the Trustees. At all meetings for the transaction of business and the election of Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board, the presence of a majority of the Trustees shall be necessary to constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may adjourn from time to time.
Section 6.
Investments. The Trustees may invest (where not otherwise instructed by the will, deed, decree, gift, grant or other instrument whereby assets or other funds are donated to the Diocese) in any property, real, personal or mixed, including, but not limited to, shares of capital stock or other interests in or obligations of domestic or foreign corporations, situated in or out of the State of Illinois; may sell or retain any such property as well as any property originally received for management by the Trustees and may reinvest the proceeds of any such sale or sales in the manner aforesaid. In the management of the trust investments, the Trustees may act directly or through any state or national bank or brokerage institution regulated under the laws of the United States or of the State of Illinois.
Section 7.
Seal of the Corporation. The Board of Trustees shall have and use a Corporate Seal bearing the legal title of the Corporation. The Seal shall be in the custody of the Secretary-Treasurer.
Section 8.
Chancellor of the Diocese. The Chancellor of the Diocese of Springfield shall be ex-officio the Legal Adviser of the Board of Trustees, and shall, upon request of the Board, meet with and advise the Board in the making of loans, or other investment of Trust Funds, and in the investigation of the title to real estate offered as security for the investment of Trust Funds held by the Corporation, and his legal advice shall be asked by the Corporation in all other business as need may arise therefor.
Section 9.
The Bishop of the Diocese. The Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield shall be ex-officio a member of the Board of Trustees and shall have access at any time to the books, records, and accounts of the Board of Trustees for inspection of the same and for such information as he shall desire to obtain; and he may call meetings of the Board of Trustees as he may deem necessary.
Section 10.
The financial records of the Board of Trustees shall be audited annually by an independent Certified Public Accountant.
Of The Council
Section 1.
There shall be a Council of the Diocese, whose duty it shall be to assist the Bishop in his ministry as apostle, chief priest and pastor of the Diocese, as he labors to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church, to proclaim the Word of God, and to act in Christ's Name for the reconciliation of the world and the building up of the Church.
Section 2.
The Council shall consist of members who hold their office by election, by appointment, or by virtue of the office or position they hold in the Diocese, as follows:
a. The Bishop of the Diocese.
b. The Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese, if there be one.
c. The Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese, if there be one.
d. The President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese.
e. The Archdeacon of the Diocese, if there be one.
f. The Chairperson of the Trustees of the Diocese.
g. The Secretary of the Diocese.
h. The Treasurer of the Diocese.
i. The Chancellor of the Diocese.
j. The President of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese.
k. The Deans of the several Deaneries of the Diocese, however many there may be.
l. A Lay Representative from each of the Deaneries of the Diocese, elected by the Convocations of the respective Deaneries.
m. Two Priests who shall be elected at large by the Synod of the Diocese at its regular meeting.
n. Two Lay Persons who shall be elected at large by the Synod of the Diocese at its regular meeting.
o. The Director of the Division of Administration and Finance, who shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese.
p. The Director of the Division of Mission and Worship, who shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese.
q. The Chairperson of each of the Departments which are established as provided elsewhere in this Canon, each of whom shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese.
r. The Chairperson of the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese.
s. Not more than two persons who may be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese, if the Bishop sees need for representation of some group, special interest or interim body within the Diocese.
Section 3.
The term of Office for members of the Council shall be as follows:
a. Members of the Council who hold office by virtue of an office or position which they hold in the Diocese shall be members of the Council so long as they occupy that office or position.
b. Members of the Council who hold office by virtue of appointment by the Bishop of the diocese shall be members of the council for one year, and shall be eligible for re-appointment at the pleasure of the Bishop. Such reappointments shall be limited to 4 terms in the case of Division Directors and Department Chairman. One year shall have elapsed after the expiration of said 4 full terms before eligibility for re-appointment is again established.
c. Members of the Council who are elected by the Convocations of the Deaneries shall hold office for two years, and are eligible for re-election, not to exceed two consecutive terms. Two years shall have elapsed after the expiration of said 2 full terms before eligibility for re-election is again established.
d. Members of the Council who are elected by the Synod of the Diocese shall hold office for two years, one Clerical member and one Lay member being elected each year; and shall be eligible for re-election, not to exceed two consecutive terms. One year shall have elapsed after the expiration of said 2 full terms before eligibility for re-election is again established. In the event of a vacancy during the first year of a term of office, the Synod next following shall fill the unexpired term caused by the vacancy.
Section 4.
The work of the Council shall be directed by the following officers:
a. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be the President of the Council, and shall preside at all meetings of the Council at which he may be present, and shall exercise all the duties customarily associated with the office of President.
b. The Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese, if there be one, or the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese, if there be one, or the President of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, if there be no Bishop Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop, shall be the Vice-President of the Council, and shall preside at any meetings of the Council at which the President of the Council may not be present, and shall perform the duties customarily associated with the office of Vice President.
c. No meeting of the Council may be held unless the President or Vice-President be in the Chair.
d. The Secretary of the Diocese shall be the Secretary of the Council, and shall keep an accurate Record of all business transacted by the Council, and each year shall compile from the Record a summary of the actions of the Council, which shall be submitted to the Synod of the Diocese for its information, and which shall then be printed in the Journal of the Diocese; and shall perform the duties customarily associated with the office of Secretary.
e. The Treasurer of the Diocese shall be the Treasurer of the Council, and shall, as the agent of the Council, receive, administer and disburse all funds raised within the Diocese for the work of the Church, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese; provided that all trust funds now in possession of the Trustees of the Diocese, or that shall hereafter come into their possession, shall remain in their hands, and that the income from such funds shall be appropriated and disbursed according to the terms of the trust.
1. The Treasurer shall keep a full and accurate record of all receipts and disbursements made by him, and shall report the status of all funds under his control at each meeting of the Council, and each year shall prepare a full statement of the financial transactions of his office to be presented to the Synod, and published in the Journal of the Diocese.
2. The Treasurer shall notify the parishes and missions of the Diocese of all assessments, pledges, or other obligations due from them, and shall from time to time report to the Council as to the status of all such accounts.
3. The Treasurer shall pay regularly all stipends and salaries authorized by the Synod or by the Council of the Diocese and shall perform the duties customarily associated with the office of Treasurer.
4. The records of the Treasurer shall be open at all times to inspection by the Bishop or the Standing Committee of the Diocese.
Section 5.
The Council shall meet at least three times during the year, of which one meeting shall be held as soon as practicable following the adjournment of the Regular Synod of the Diocese.
a. A meeting of the Council may be called by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese upon two weeks written notice to the members thereof.
b. Ten members, with the President or Vice-President, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
c. Decisions of the Council shall be determined by a vote of the majority of the members present, the whole having been duly summoned and a quorum determined. In the event of a tie vote, the presiding officer may cast the deciding vote.
Section 6.
There shall be a Division of Administration and Finance, which shall work through, but not be limited to, the following Departments:
a. The Department of Finance (of which the Treasurer shall be a member ex officio ) whose duty it shall be to plan and supervise the finances of the Diocese, subject to the approval of the Council and the Synod. It shall make recommendations to the Council annually to enable the Council to fulfill its responsibilities in preparing a Budget for the operation of the Diocese, as outlined elsewhere in this Canon; and may, from time to time, make such recommendations as it may deem necessary for the financial well-being of the Diocese. The Department shall choose and engage, on an annual basis, a Certified Public Accountant to audit the Financial Statements of the Diocese.
b. The Department of Stewardship whose duty it shall be to help the parishes and missions of the Diocese to develop effective stewardship of time, talent and money among their parishioners.
c. The Department of General Mission Strategy (of which the Archdeacon of the Diocese, if there be one, and the Deans of the respective Deaneries of the Diocese shall be members ex officio , with seat, voice and vote in all deliberations of the Department) whose duty it shall be to assist the Bishop in the administration of missions in the Diocese; to provide long-range planning and coordination for the expansion of the mission program of the Diocese; and to undertake such activities as may seem appropriate to further the effective growth of the Church in this Diocese.
d. The Department of Communication (of which the Editor of The Springfield Current , shall be a member ex officio with seat, voice and vote in all deliberations of the Department) to develop and manage effective means of communication in all areas of diocesan life.
Section 7.
There shall be a Division of Mission and Worship, which shall work through, but not be limited to the following Departments:
a. The Department of Christian Education, whose duty it shall be to assist the parishes and missions of the Diocese to develop effective programs for the education of persons at all levels of growth in the Christian life; and to assist the Church Schools in the Diocese with curriculum planning and teacher training; and to recommend such programs as they may deem to be helpful in the Church's mission to bring all persons to the knowledge of God.
b. The Department of Evangelism and Spiritual Enrichment, encompassing Renewal, Prayer Life, Retreats, Conferences, Liturgy and Music, (of which the Chairman of the Diocesan Prayer Fellowship shall be a member ex officio , with seat, voice and vote in all deliberations of the Department) whose duty it shall be to help the parishes and missions of the Diocese undertake effective programs of evangelism; to make such recommendations as they may see fit to promote the growth and mission of the Church; to develop a program of retreats, conferences, meetings and other activities for the enrichment of the spiritual life of the people of the Diocese; to provide assistance to the parishes and missions in their efforts to promote a better understanding of the liturgy of the Church and of its importance in the life of the Church; to develop programs to assist the parishes and missions of the Diocese in their efforts to enrich the worship of the Church through music; and to assist in the development, management, and coordination of conferences and meetings as need may arise in the Diocese.
c. The Department of Christian Social Concerns whose duty it shall be to explore opportunities and needs for Christian service in all walks of our society; and to provide leadership and to develop programs to meet these needs and opportunities.
d. The Department of Ministry in Higher Education whose duty it shall be to coordinate and facilitate the work of parishes and missions serving the faculties and students of institutions of higher learning in the Diocese; and to develop such programs as may seem helpful to the work of the Church among such institutions.
e. The Department of Ecumenical Relations whose duty it shall be to keep abreast of developments in the field of ecumenical relations in the Church; to disseminate information concerning those developments to the clergy and laity of the Diocese; and to recommend to the parishes and missions of the Diocese effective ways in which they may participate in such ecumenical activities as may be authorized by the Church. The Ecumenical Officer, appointed annually by the Bishop, shall be a member of the Department.
f. The Department of Youth Work whose duty it shall be to provide for the spiritual growth of young people in the Diocese; to provide and promote programs of cooperation and activity among the young people in the parishes and missions of the Diocese; to suggest opportunities for involvement of the young people in the life of the Diocese; and to develop and manage a program of summer camps for the young people of the Diocese.
g. The Department of National and World Mission (of which the senior Deputy to the General Convention of the Church and the senior Delegate to the Provincial Synod and the senior Delegate to the Triennial Meeting of the Women of the Church shall be members ex officio , with right to seat, voice and vote in all deliberations of the Department) whose duty it shall be to bring to the attention of the Diocese matters arising from the actions of the General Convention, the Provincial Synod, and the Triennial Meeting of the Women of the church; to suggest ways and means of implementing such actions as relate to the extra-diocesan mission of the Church; and to undertake such programs as it may see fit to keep the Diocese aware of its responsibilities to the Church's work in the nation and throughout the world.
Section 8.
The descriptions of the areas of work open to the various Departments as given in this Canon are intended to be indicative of basic areas of Christian opportunity, and are not in any way to be construed as restrictive to the concerns of activities of the various Departments.
Section 9.
With the concurrence of the Regular Synod, the Bishop shall appoint, annually, the Directors of the Division of Administration and Finance, and the Division of Mission and Worship, and the Chairmen of such Departments as are established under these Divisions. The Directors of the Divisions and the Chairmen of the Departments shall be members of the council ex officio , with seat, voice and vote in the deliberations of the Council, as provided in Section 2 of this Canon. The Bishop shall also, upon nomination of the Chairmen of each Department, appoint not more than ten members to each Department (exclusive of those who hold ex officio membership in the Departments) who shall have seats, voice and votes in their respective Departments, but not in the Council.
a. It shall be the duty of the Directors of the Divisions to coordinate the work of the Departments within their Divisions; to report regularly to the Bishop on the status of the work undertaken by each Department; and to provide such assistance as may be needed from time to time to further the effectiveness of the respective Departments. The directors shall have the right to seat and voice, but not vote, in the deliberations of each Department within the respective Divisions.
b. It shall be the duty of the Chairmen of the Departments to nominate to the Bishop suitable persons for appointment to their Departments; to call meetings of their Departments as needed, and to preside at those meetings; to see that a record is kept of the work of the Department, and from that record to compile a summary which shall be presented to the Synod of the Diocese and included in its Journal; to report to the Director of their Division in such manner as he may require, and to report in writing on the work of their Departments at each meeting of the Council; and to direct the work of the Departments in such ways as will most effectively serve the needs of the Church.
Section 10.
All appointed and elected members of the Council shall take office on the adjournment of the Regular Synod at which they are appointed or elected, and shall hold office for such terms as are stipulated in Section 3. of this Canon, or until their successors are duly selected and qualified.
Section 11.
The Bishop of the Diocese shall be a member ex officio of each Department of the Council, and shall have a right to seat, voice and vote in the deliberations of each Department.
Section 12.
The Council shall have the power to receive and administer all funds raised for the development and prosecution of such work for the Church as shall be committed to it by the Synod of the Diocese, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese, and to the directions of the Synod; provided, that all trust funds now in the possession of the Trustees of the Diocese, or that shall hereafter come into their possession, shall remain in their hands, and that the income from such funds shall be appropriated according to the terms of the trust.
Section 13.
Between meetings of the Synod and as circumstances may require, the Council shall initiate and have power to propose amendment of the Budget adopted by the Synod and such other measures as may be necessary to meet the financial needs of the Diocese.
Section 14.
The Council shall hear and determine any request by a parish or mission for adjustment of its assessment or of any pledge made by it to the Diocese.
Section 15.
All salaries and stipends other than those fixed by the Synod shall be fixed by the Council.
Section 16.
The Council shall submit to the Diocese at the Regular Synod each year, for its approval and adoption, a Budget for all the work of the church, or for such action as the Synod may desire to take. Provision shall therein be made for the reasonable expenses of the Council.
Section 17.
If at any time it shall become apparent that any Department as established by this Canon shall no longer meet the needs of the Church in the areas in which it operates, the Bishop may, with the consent of the Council, suspend the operation of such Department indefinitely by withholding appointment of the Chairman and members of the Department. At any subsequent time the work of the suspended Department may be reactivated by the appointment of a Chairman and members as provided in this Canon.
Section 18.
The Bishop may, with the consent of the Council, at any time he sees need for such action, establish Provisional Departments under either of the Divisions provided for in this Canon. He shall set forth in writing to the Council his reasons for this action, and shall delineate the areas of concern to which the Provisional Department shall address itself. This statement shall be entered in the Record of the Council by the Secretary, and the establishment of such Provisional Departments shall be reported to the next Regular Synod for confirmation as regular Departments.
a. The Chairmen and members of such Provisional Departments shall be appointed in the same manner as Chairmen and members of regular Departments of the Council, as provided elsewhere in this Canon.
b. Such Provisional Departments shall function in every respect, saving vote for their Chairmen, as regularly established Departments of the Council, until and unless confirmed and established by a Regular Synod of the Diocese.
Of the Chancellor of the Diocese
There shall be appointed by the Bishop, subject to the approval of the Synod, an officer learned in the law and a communicant of the Church, under the title of "Chancellor of the Diocese," whose duty it shall be, as legal counselor of the Bishop and of the Standing Committee in matters affecting the interests of the Church, to give such professional counsel as may be asked or required. As Chancellor of the Diocese he shall be ex-officio entitled to a seat but no vote in the Synod. The Chancellor of the Diocese shall hold his office for the term of three years. In event of a vacancy, the Bishop with the approval of the Standing Committee shall have power to appoint a Chancellor to act until the next succeeding Synod.
Of the Registrar and Historiographer
Section 1.
The journals, pamphlets, reports, and other documents which shall become the property of this Diocese, shall be committed to the keeping of an officer to be appointed by the Bishop, with the approval of the Synod, who shall be known as the Registrar and Historiographer of the Diocese of Springfield. Such officer shall hold his office for three years, and in case of a vacancy in the office the Ecclesiastical Authority shall appoint a successor for the unexpired term.
Section 2.
It shall be his duty to arrange, label, file, index and otherwise put in order the aforesaid journals, pamphlets, reports, papers, and other documents committed to his charge; to secure all records necessary to a complete history of the Diocese; to complete defective files of documents and journals, so far as possible, and to certify to any matter of record when requested so to do by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese.
Section 3.
It shall further be his duty to procure a suitable Record Book, and enter therein a record of the history of the Diocese, including a full record of the Consecration of the Bishop, or Bishops, thereof, giving the names of the Consecrators and Bishops assisting, to record the names of all Priests and Deacons canonically connected with the Diocese from time to time with the dates of the connection with the Diocese, together with such facts, statistics, and circumstances pertaining to the growth of the Diocese as he shall deem worth of preservation in said record. To facilitate the performance of his duties he shall have access to, and free use of, all such papers, books, and records of the Diocese, as may be in the custody of the Secretary of the Diocese, or of the Rural Deans or Archdeacons of the Diocese. Provisions shall be made by the Synod for a place for the safekeeping of all papers and books herein referred to, and, from time to time, for the expenses necessary for the purposes of this Canon. All books, papers, and documents in charge of the Registrar and Historiographer shall be open to the inspection of the Bishop and the Standing Committee, and of the Synod of the Diocese, on order from that body, and shall be transmitted to the newly appointed Registrar and Historiographer as soon as practicable by the retiring Registrar and Historiographer.
Of The Springfield Current
Section 1.
The Springfield Current is the official publication of the Diocese and shall be distributed to all households of the Church in the Diocese.
Section 2.
The Editor of The Springfield Current shall be appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese and shall attend meetings of the Council of the Diocese.
Section 3.
The Regular Synod shall make provision for the expense of the printing and distribution of The Springfield Current .
Of Lay Readers
Section 1.
A communicant in good standing of this Diocese, a competent person, ready and desirous to serve the Church in public services as a Lay Reader, must procure from the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority a written license. Such license shall be given for a definite period not longer than three years, but may be renewed from time to time, or revoked at any time. Such license may be given for any vacant Parish or Mission or for a Congregation without a Minister, but where a Presbyter is in charge, his request and recommendation must have been previously signified to the Ecclesiastical Authority. A license shall not be granted for conducting the service in a Congregation without a Minister, which is able and has had reasonable opportunity to secure the services of an ordained Minister. If the Lay Reader be a student in any Theological Seminary, he or she shall also, before acting as such, obtain the permission of the presiding officer of such institution and of his own Bishop.
Section 2.
A Lay Reader shall be subject to the regulations prescribed by the Ecclesiastical Authority and shall not serve in any Diocese other than that in which he or she is licensed, unless he or she shall have received a license from the Bishop of the Diocese in which he or she desires to serve.
Section 3.
In all matters relating to the conduct of the service, and to the Sermons or Homilies to be read, he or she shall conform to the directions of the Minister in charge of the Parish, Congregation or Mission in which he or she is serving, and in all cases, to the direction of the Bishop. He or she shall read only the Morning and Evening Prayer (omitting the Absolution), the Litany, the Offices of Instruction, and the Office for the Burial of the Dead. He or she shall not deliver sermons or addresses of his or her own composition, unless, after instruction and examination, he or she be specially licensed thereto for urgent needs by the Bishop. The Lay Readers shall not wear the dress appropriate to Clergymen ministering in the Congregation.
Section 4.
Lay Readers are required to keep a record of all services held by them, of all sermons read, and of any other work done, and to report the same to the Bishop or Ecclesiastical Authority at or before the Regular Synod, or any other appointed time.
Section 5.
A Lay Reader may deliver the Cup at the Holy Communion; provided, that he or she has been specially licensed thereto by the Bishop and upon the approval of the Vestry or Bishop's Committee of the Congregation. Such special license shall be given only at the request, and upon the recommendation, of the Clergyman in charge of the Parish, Congregation or Mission in which the Lay Reader is serving.
Section 6.
A communicant may be licensed as Lay Reader to be a Lector only, at the request and upon the recommendation of the Clergyman in charge of the Parish, Congregation or Mission in which the Lay Reader is serving.
Section 7.
The training of Lay Readers for each separate function shall be prescribed by the Bishop with the advice of the Commission on Ministry of the Diocese.
Of the Church Pension Fund
Section 1.
In conformity with the legislation adopted by the General Convention of 1913, pursuant to which the Church Pension Fund was duly incorporated, and in conformity with the Canon of the General Convention, "Of the Church Pension Fund", as heretofore amended and as it may hereafter be amended, the Diocese of Springfield hereby accepts and acknowledges The Church Pension Fund, a corporation created by Chapter 97 of the Laws of 1914 of the State of New York as subsequently amended, as the authorized and approved pension system for the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and for their dependents, and declares its intention of supporting said Fund in accordance with its rules.
Section 2.
The Bishop of this Diocese shall appoint, annually, upon the opening of the Synod, a Committee of The Church Pension Fund to consist of two (2) presbyters and one (1) layman, for a term of one year and until their successors shall have been appointed or qualified, and the Bishop may from time to time fill by appointment any vacancies in said Committee caused by resignation, death or inability to act.
Section 3.
The duties of said Committee shall be as follows:
a. To be informed of, and to inform the Clergy and Laity of this Diocese of the pension system created by the General Convention and committed by it to the Trustees of The Church Pension Fund, in order that the ordained Clergy of the Church may be assured of pension protection for themselves in the event of old age or total and permanent disability and for their widows and minor orphan children in the event of death.
b. To receive reports from The Church Pension Fund, from time to time, on the status of the pension assessments payable to said Fund, under its Rules and as required by Canon Law, by this Diocese and by the Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations within this Diocese.
c. To make an annual report to the Synod of this Diocese on such matters relating to The Church Pension Fund as may be of interest to the said Synod.
d. To cooperate with The Church Pension Fund in doing all things necessary or advisable in the premises to the end that the Clergy of this Diocese may be assured of the fullest pension protection by said Fund under its established Rules.
Section 4.
It shall be the duty of this Diocese and of the Parishes, Missions, and other ecclesiastical organizations therein, each through its treasurer or other proper official, to inform The Church Pension Fund of salaries and other compensation paid to Clergymen by said Diocese, Parishes, Missions and other ecclesiastical organizations for services rendered, currently or in the past, prior to their becoming beneficiaries of said Fund, and changes in such salaries and other compensation as they occur; and to pay promptly to The Church Pension Fund the pension assessments required thereon under the Canon of the General Convention and in accordance with the Rules of said Fund.
Section 5.
It shall be the duty of every Member of the Clergy canonically resident in or serving in this Diocese to inform The Church Pension Fund promptly of such facts, as dates of birth, or ordination or reception, of marriage, births of children, deaths, and changes in Cures or stipends, as may be necessary for its proper administration and to cooperate with said Fund in such other ways as may be necessary in order that said Fund may discharge its obligations in accordance with the intention of the General Convention in respect thereto.
Of Canonical Offerings and of Due Notice Thereof
Section 1.
A special offering for the Endowment of the Diocese shall be taken annually, on Whitsunday, in all Congregations of the Diocese.
Section 2.
Every Member of the Clergy in charge of a Congregation, or, if there is a vacancy, the Warden or Wardens of the Congregation, shall ensure that reasonable notice of this offering is given, and that it is taken on the appointed day. The Treasurer of each Congregation shall remit the offering, without delay, to the Treasurer of the Diocese, or the proper officer appointed to receive it.
Section 3.
The Treasurer of the Diocese shall provide annual notice of the offering required by this Canon.