Diocesan News
Ministry issues focus for Fairman
By Bobbe Fairman
Jun 20, 2006, 08:00

 Greetings from the 75th General Convention in Columbus, Ohio,

 The recent week and days of the 75^th General Convention have passed very quickly!  My legislative committee assignment for General Convention 2006 is Ministry.  The sub-committee I worked closely with focused on the re-write of the Title III Ministry - Reception Canons.  Our task: develop and outline a clear process for clergy from other denominations (including Roman Catholics and denominations NOT in historic succession) seeking the “call” to serve as Priest or Deacon in the Episcopal Church.

 The work did NOT involve change of policy. Rather, two of the 2003 canons and several sub-sections in each were clarified and put into one canon.  The new canon has been reviewed and approved by the GC Legislative Committee on Canons. Yes, that meant even more meetings! 

Today, June 19^th, all revisions and amendments to the Title III Ministry canons moved onto the House of Bishops calendar for approval.  If the House of Bishops approves without substantive change to content, the Title III Ministry canons with recommended revisions, etc. will come forward to the House of Deputies for final approval.  The Cognate Chair of the Ministry Committee has requested a “Special Order” of business on the calendar of the House of Deputies to ensure consideration before the close of the 75^th General Convention.  Otherwise, this important piece of legislation and work is lost. Until General Convention 2009.

It is a privilege and honor to serve on a General Convention Legislative Committee.  This particular opportunity was a wonderful experience, and one I will cherish for a long time.  Working with forty Lay and Clerical Deputies, and Bishops (including Bishop Jefferts Shori) from across the church is very enriching.  Crafting and putting order into the Reception canon was serious and difficult work.   If approved, the Reception Sub-committee will have a profound sense of contribution to the 2006 Canons of the Episcopal Church.

For the past six years I served as Vice-chair of the Church Deployment
Board, and in the last triennium was blessed by the opportunity to know and work with Presiding Bishop-elect, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Shori.   It is hard to adequately describe the joy and excitement that engulfed the House of Deputies and the entire convention complex with the announcement of her election by the Chair of the legislative Committee on the Consecration of Bishops.

What a day  June 18, 2006 - thirty years following approval of women’s ordination in the Episcopal Church, and the first woman nominated for Presiding Bishop.  I am very pleased with the election and look forward to her leadership of the Church.