The Diocese of
Springfield
As Amended,
Adopted, and Codified, to and including Amendments Adopted by the Regular
Synod of 1995.
IV ORGANIZATION OF THE DIOCESE
Canon
32
Of
Trustees of the Diocese of Springfield
33
Of
the Council
34 Of the Chancellor of the
Diocese
35
Of
the Registrar and Historiographer
36
Of
The Springfield Current
37
Of
Lay Readers
38
Of
the Church Pension Fund
39
Of
Canonical Offerings
Canon 31
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.
Canon 32
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.
Canon 33
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.
Canon 34
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.
Canon 35
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.
Canon 36
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.
Canon 37
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.
Canon 38
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.
Canon 39
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.
