Scott Keynotes Executives' Meeting
Episcopal News Service. May 14, 1987 [87111]
SAN ANTONIO (DPS, May 14) -- A record number of lay and clerical diocesan executives and spouses gathered here for the 19th annual workshop and networking Conference of Diocesan Executives in mid-spring.
Chaplain for the daily sessions was the Rev. John R. Claypool, IV, presently associate rector of Christ Church, here, and rector-elect of St. Luke's, Birmingham, Ala. Keynoter for the sessions devoted to the theme of "Empowerment for Creative Change: Growing through transitions in the Church and the World -- personally, professionally, spiritually, theologically" was the Most Rev. Edward W. Scott, former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. The 151 participants heard presentations by the chaplain and keynoter each morning and then gathered in workshops dealing with change in staff and parish clergy relationships, church business practices and changes in the institutional church.
This year, for the first time, special workshops were held for new diocesan staff persons and for spouses.
Executives from national program and service agencies, such as Church Deployment Office, Church Pension Fund, National Association of Episcopal Schools, Church Building Fund and the Episcopalian also attended as resource persons for participants.
The opening Eucharist was celebrated at St. Mark's by the Rt. Rev. John H. MacNaughton, Bishop of West Texas. Offerings from Conference worship services, totalling $500.00, were given to the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, with special intention for the alien registration ministry of the Diocese of West Texas.
At the annual business meeting, officers and members of the Board were elected to plan the 1988 Conference: Vincent Currie, Diocese of Central Gulf Coast, president; Mary Lou Lavallee, Diocese of Western Massachusetts, vice president; the Rev. Charles Johnson, Diocese of Virginia, secretary; Evelyn Haygood, Diocese of Dallas, treasurer; and the Rev. Canon William Geisler, Diocese of California, and the Rev. Canon Edward Schmitt, Diocese of Edmonton, Canada, members of the Board.
The most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, will be keynoter for next year's Conference, which will be held April 13-17 in Honolulu, with special consideration of issues and information relevant to the General Convention and the Lambeth Conference.
The Conference of Diocesan Executives, with members from the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, exists as an agency to serve the Church in the development of effective organizational and executive procedure, and provides a primary vehicle of communication among the members and with the national Church for planning and administration. Full time lay and clergy diocesan staff persons are eligible for membership. Bishops of the church are asked annually to nominate staff for participation.