CODE Meets in New Orleans
Diocesan Press Service. March 31, 1975 [75122]
William G. Lewis
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Forty-seven executives representing 35 dioceses of the Episcopal Church met at St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans, La., March 10-13. The four-day Conference of Diocesan Executives (CODE) provided opportunity for an intense examination of the unique role of the diocesan executive in the Church structure.
The crosscurrent of expectations and demands from so many sources often crowd a diocesan officer into a reactive role, leaving little chance for him/her to lead or initiate or plan. Is there a way to focus on a pro-active posture of ministry ?
The participants sought answers to that question and were led in their search by the Rev. Richard N. Bolles, career counselor, author of "What Color is Your Parachute 9" and coauthor of the Seabury publication, "What Are You Going to Do With the Rest of Your Life ?"
The lively discussions that followed and the problems raised were given theological interpretation by the Rev. Dr. Charles L. Winters, Jr., professor of theology from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. The conferees seems unanimous in their praise of the overall program in describing it as "decisive in my approach to ministry" . . "of inestimable value in helping me to get reoriented in my work. " Another said, "I feel like I have been handed a new compass to replace my old damaged one. "
The Rev. W. Ebert Hobbs, executive assistant from the Diocese of Ohio, and the Rev. Patrick H. Sanders, Jr., vicar of St. John's, Leland, Diocese of Mississippi, both described approaches to the Every Member Canvass. Their models and experience stimulated conversation about the wide variety of designs available to the Church and the need for parish and diocesan laity and clergy to take seriously the planning and development of ongoing stewardship programs.
Mr. Matthew Costigan, assistant treasurer of the Executive Council, and Mr. William Thompson of the Clergy Deployment Office were on hand to interpret the work of their offices, to hear suggestions, and to find ways to harmonize the interaction of their respective functions with those at the diocesan level.
As always the informed switchboarding between CODE members bound the group together in conversation at meals, during breaks, and over coffee while together for 68 hours in the Crescent City.
The Rt. Rev. Frederick W. Putnam, Suffragan Bishop of Oklahoma, was honored as "Diocesan Executive of the Year" and retiring president of CODE. Succeeding Bishop Putnam as president is the Rev. LeRoy Hall of Southern Ohio. Five additional persons serve with Father Hall as CODE's steering committee: The Rev. Hunter M. Morris, Arizona, vice president; the Ven. William G. Lewis, Pittsburgh, secretary; Mr. James Wyrick, Louisiana, treasurer; the Rev. Courtland Moore, Dallas, programmer; and the Rev. Francis Washburn, Ohio, coordinator.