To prepare for elections at Diocesan Convention (October 28, 2023), the Nominations Committee is now calling for candidates to represent our Diocese in two areas: Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee. This year we’re seeking qualified candidates for the following positions:
For Diocesan Council: In fulfillment of Resolution 4 passed at the 2020 Diocesan Convention, the Council will conclude a 3-year transition to a new structure including both elected and appointed positions. The positions below will be elected in 2023, with term length determined by the Council’s transition plan.
- 3 positions to be elected for regional representation (3-year term):
- Be Attitudes–Clergy or Lay (1 position)
- Peninsula–Clergy or Lay (1 position)
- Sno Isle–Clergy or Lay (1 position)
- 1 position to be elected for Lay at-large representation (3-year term)
- 1 position to be elected for Clergy at-large representation (3-year term)
- 1 position to be elected for Clergy at-large representation (1-year term)
For the Standing Committee (at-large representatives from across the diocese):
- 1 Lay representative for a 4-year term
- 1 Clergy representative for a 4-year term
Eligibility: In all cases, lay candidates for nomination must be adult communicants in good standing associated with a parish or mission congregation of the Diocese. According to our Diocesan canons, a communicant is a baptized person who is faithful in corporate worship and has received the Sacrament of Holy Communion in this church at least three times during the preceding 12 months*; communicants 16 years of age and older are considered adult communicants. A Communicant in Good Standing is a one who is a recorded contributor to the support of the church with money or with personal service, as determined by the rector or vicar of the congregation. (*We recognize that some may still have not been able to access in-person worship during the past 12 months and will bear this in mind.)
All clergy candidates for nomination must be canonically-resident in this Diocese.
These councils are currently meeting primarily online via Zoom. This will continue to be an option for all representatives so that geography will not be a barrier to participating in Diocesan governance.
Members of the Nominations Committee this year include Mr. Wadell Brent (Evergreen), The Rev. Nic Mather (Chair, Columbia), and Ms. Donna Murphy (Eastside). Each of us will actively reach out to individuals and congregations to identify potential candidates for the above positions.
If you’d like to propose someone for consideration to serve on any of these groups, we encourage you to contact the Committee Member in your region or email the Committee Chair, The Rev. Nic Mather, at nic@sslv.org by Friday, August 11. Our committee will identify and confirm the slate of candidates for election that we have received by Wednesday, September 13 (45 days prior to the proposed date of Convention). By canon, additional nominees may be recognized at Convention.
If you have questions about this process, please contact The Rev. Nic Mather at nic@sslv.org.
Thank you very much for your help in this effort on behalf of our diocese!
The Diocesan Nominations Committee
The Rev. Nic Mather, Chair, nic@sslv.org
Wadell Brent, Evergreen, wbrentlaw@msn.com
Donna Murphy, Eastside, dmurphy980@aol.com
