Message from Connectional Lay President

Barbara Christian Campbell

To: Members of the Lay Department

From: Barbara Christian Campbell, President

Connectional Lay Council

Re: Resolutions in the Blue Book

Date: June 19, 2010

Greetings!

I have been studying the resolutions and now I am sharing my reflections and seeking your support in reviewing my feedback and voting to concur on the resolutions that we approved at the Lay Council. Additionally, you need to be prepared to go to the microphone and share some talking points for “Concurrence” or “Non-Concurrence” on the new resolutions that may adversely affect our department. Please work with new delegates and keep them informed and take note of the new resolutions that may be introduced at the conference. If you or your delegation would like to submit new resolutions please come prepared to do so. At all cost, “Lay Aside Every Weight” and Come Prepared to Work.” You have received a high honor to represent your Region and I believe you will do just that! Thank you for being a blessing to our God and our Zion!

Please review the next few pages and make notes for your vote!

Sincerely,

Barbara Christian Campbell,

Connectional Lay Council President

“Leaders Lead”

***It is important to attend the committee where the resolution is assigned to give input for your concurrence or non-concurrence of a resolution so that when the committee reports to the General Conference they will have heard your concerns. Make notes of the times and location for the committee meetings especially if you have not been assigned to a committee. Generally you can speak, but not vote in these meetings. **** Find out which committee each delegate has been assigned to in your region. Attend your regional caucus on June 25, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. for updates.

References: SCOMA- Standing Committee Action, CON-Concurrence,

NOCON-Non-Concurrence, CONWVH-Concurrence with Changes,

GCA-General Conference Action D-Discipline

Blue Book Page Topic Discipline Committee Assigned Your Vote

P.8 Members of the Quarterly Conf. D. p. 68 Revision/Legal Affairs _______

Talking Point: The language now does not specifically say Lay Leader & Missionary President; this resolution would address that concern and list the Lay Leader and Missionary President as members of the Quarterly Conference.

p.11 Nomination of Church Officer D.p. 146 -150 Revision/Legal Affairs ______

Talking Point: Roberts Rules allows for nominations from the floor and this resolution allows Lay persons to nominate themselves or others to serve as an officer. All nominations are still subject to approval by the quarterly conference.

p.14 Class Leaders D.p.145 Revision/Legal Affairs ______

Talking Point: Specifically states that class leaders should be lay persons.

p. 15 Lay Council Members as Delegates to

District/Regiona (Annual) Conferene D. p.47 Revision/Legal Affairs ________

Talking Point: Reinforces the mandate that first, each local church should have a Local Lay Council and

the need to have lay representation from the Local Lay Council. _______

p. 21 Quorum/Rules of Order for Local Church Meetings D. p. 320 Revision/Legal Affairs _________

Talking Point: Local church boards are generally in violation of not having a quorum and

In many cases two or three people make major decisions. Officers have taken

An oath to serve and being present at meetings is key to service. This resolutions

Reinforces the requirements of officers and follows Robert’s Rules. _______

p.25 Election of Lay Leader D.p.42-43 Revision/Legal Affairs _______

Talking Point: Reinforces the need for Local Lay Councils to be active.

p.27 All Elections by Ballot D.p.43 Revision/Legal Affairs ________

Talking Point: All elections at the local, and regional level shall be by ballot and guidelines are listed on

Page 43, paragraph 201.7 ________

p.28 Orderlies for the General Conference *** Regional/General Conf. ________

Talking Point: Since the general conf. is composed of an equal number of lay and pastors as delegates,,

The orderlies should also be equally composed of lay and pastors and there should also be a balance between the females and males who are chosen.

p.30 Region Leaders to the General Conference *** Regional/General Conf. _________

Talking Point: By virtue of their office and service, the district and regional missionary president and lay leader should be elected to the general conference with the secretary of the regional conference casting a unanimous ballot for their election.

p.32 Election and funding of Delegates to the General Conference D. pp 42-43 Regional/Gen. Conf. _______

Talking Point: Reinforces the right for all members to be eligible to run for a delegate to the general conference regardless of the office that they presently hold and requires that funding be provided for all delegates and requires a response on questions raised concerning the election process.

p.51 Trustees as Members of the Lay Cabinet ***** Connectional Ministries ________

Talking Point: Presently all other primary boards are represented on the council with the exception of the trustees.

p.55 District Lay Council D. p.270 Connectional Ministries ________

Talking Point: Basically an editorial change…………changes district to council.

p.56 -59 Regional Lay Council Connectional Ministries _________

Talking Point: Editorial……………changes department to council.

p.62 Deletion of Men’s Fellowship from the Discipline D.p268 Connectional Ministries ________

Talking Point: The creation of the Ministry to Men has taken the place of the Men’s Fellowship. Review this from your own local perspective....is there a need or room for both?

Look at other resolutions in the Blue Book NOW and make your notes. The resolutions referenced are specifically geared to the Lay and some are the resolutions we approved at the Connectional Lay Council.

Please take your Discipline (borrow one if you have to) to the General Conference so you will have a ready reference available.

Paragraph 434 outlines the format for the quadrennial report of each Bishop. This outline starts on page 119 and continues to page 121. The headings are: The Numbering of God’s People, The Ministry of God’s Church, Special Ministries, Programs and Projects, Stewardship and Fiscal Condition, The State of Academic Institutions and the last section and the section that should lead to the goals for the next four years is “Challenges and Concerns.” As concerned lay members, let us be sure to review the report for our Episcopal district and the church as a whole.

I am encouraged by the support of leadership on our levels that the Lay Council is a viable organization of our church. After all, as the laity we actually fund every department, we work at every level and we are the support system for the church.

The goals for our department are detailed in the Discipline beginning on page 267. What we have not done, we can still do... we are so blessed that we serve a God that says “Everyday we wake up to new mercies” and so we also wake up to new opportunities!

I appreciate your vote of confidence as the President of the Connectional Lay Council and I pledge my full support to the ministry of the council!

Keep praying. God does answer prayers!