CONSTITUTION
AMENDED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
DIOCESE
OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, INCORPORATED
Article I
The name of this
corporation shall be Diocese of Central Florida, Incorporated.
Boundaries
The Diocese includes
all that part of the State of Florida lying within the Counties of Citrus,
Brevard, Hardee, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange,
Osceola, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia as these existed on
November 30, 1969.
Article III
Purpose
The Diocese of
Central Florida acknowledges its allegiance to be due to the One, Holy,
Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ; and recognizing the body known as the
Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America otherwise known as
the Episcopal Church to be a true branch of said Church, having rightful
jurisdiction in this country, hereby declares its adhesion to the same and
accedes to its Constitution and Canons.
The Diocese of
Central Florida acknowledges itself to be called and sent to exercise the
ministry of Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, celebrating and proclaiming the
mystery of redemption to the praise of God's glory, the benefit of His Church
and the salvation of the world. To this end the Diocese acknowledges its duty
to provide for the worship and honor due Almighty God, to provide for the
tradition of the Faith and the proclamation of the Gospel, to provide for the
welfare of those given to its care, and to labor to demonstrate the truth in
love that the Kingdom of Christ be advanced in the world and that the Church be
edified into Christ.
Article IV
The Diocese
shall have and exercise all powers, rights and privileges conferred by the laws
of the State of Florida and amendments thereto upon corporations not for profit
and generally to do anything and everything necessary, proper and expedient to
carry out the above described objects and purposes.
Said corporation
shall also have full power to acquire by gift, grant, purchase, devise, legacy
or otherwise, real, personal and intangible property of any kind, nature or
description wherever situate, to any amount for the use of said church or of
any institution, organization or association controlled by said church, and to
hold, possess, enjoy, mortgage, alienate and dispose of the same, according to
the provisions of this act and its own Bylaws, not inconsistent therewith, and
shall also have full power to act as trustee of property whenever the corporation,
said church, or any institution, society, association or organization of or in
said church has either beneficial, contingent or remainder interest in said
property, and may likewise accept and hold the legal title to property for the
use and benefit of any nonprofit corporation, institution, religious society or
association of or in the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Central Florida.
Article V
Membership
The membership
of the Diocese (Corporation) shall consist of all persons who are resident
members of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese, as such membership may be
defined from time to time by the Canons of the Church, together with the
Diocesan Bishop, his coadjutor and suffragans (if any) and Assistant Bishops
(if any) and the other clergy who are canonically resident in the Diocese.
Existence
The Diocese
(Corporation) shall have perpetual existence.
Article VII
Management of Affairs
Section 1. The Bishop
The Bishop of
the Diocese shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese and shall have
exclusive charge of all spiritual affairs.
The Bishop shall be President of the Corporation, Chairman of the
Diocesan Board, and presiding officer of any Convention.
The election of
a Bishop shall he made in an annual Convention, or in a special Convention
called by the Ecclesiastical Authority for that purpose; and of the meeting of
such special Convention at least 30 days notice shall be given. To the choice
of a Bishop the concurrent vote, by ballot, of a majority of the clergy and of
the lay members present in the Convention, voting separately, shall be
necessary.
Section 2. Standing Committee
There shall be a
Standing Committee which shall be a Council of Advice to the Bishop. When there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee
shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority for all proper purposes. The Standing Committee shall consist of four
clerical and three lay members who shall be elected in the manner and for the
terms to be set forth in the Canons of the Diocese. They shall organize as soon as possible after
each election and elect from their own body a President (who shall be a priest)
and a Secretary. They shall meet on
their own adjournment from time to time and the President shall have power to
summon special meetings. The Standing
Committee shall be convened at the request of the Bishop and they may meet on
their own accord in agreement with their own rules when they may be disposed to
advise the Bishop. Vacancies in the
Committee caused by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by vote
of the Committee.
Section 3. The Convention
The Diocesan
Convention shall be the legislative Authority of the Diocese. It shall be constituted of such persons and
shall meet and conduct business under terms and conditions to be set forth in
the Canons of the Diocese. The Bishop of
the Diocese shall be the presiding officer of the Convention. In the absence of the Bishop, the Bishop
Coadjutor, if any, shall be the presiding officer. In the absence of the Bishop and Bishop
Coadjutor, the Suffragan Bishop shall be the presiding officer. In the absence of all Bishops, the President
of the Standing Committee shall call the Convention to order and a presiding
officer shall be chosen, pro tempore, from among the presbyters in
attendance. If the Bishop shall at any
time leave the chair, the Bishop may appoint another Bishop or a presbyter to
preside.
Section 4. Diocesan Board
The affairs of
the Diocese not falling within the exclusive province of the Bishop shall be
managed by the Diocesan Board. It shall
be the Board of Directors of the corporation.
The Board shall
consist of the Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor and Suffragan bishops, if any, and
assistant Bishops, if any, the President of the Standing Committee and the
Chancellor, all as ex officio members, and such other members whose number,
terms and method of election shall be set forth in the Canons of the Diocese.
The Diocesan
Board shall have power to create subordinate boards and Committees and, with
the prior permission of the Convention, other legal entities for the
accomplishment of its responsibilities.
Section 5. Other Officers
In addition to
the Bishop and other officers and officials specifically provided for herein,
the Diocese shall have such other officers as may be provided for in the Canons
of the Diocese.
Canons
The Canons
(Bylaws) of the Diocese shall be adopted and amended by the Convention under
such terms and conditions as may be set forth in such Canons.
Article IX
Amendments
This charter may
be amended by resolution adopted by two successive Conventions of the Diocese;
provided, however, the second Convention must be held at least 30 days after
the first one. An amendment must be
approved by a majority of the Convention first considering it and by a
two-thirds majority of each order, voting separately, by the Convention finally
adopting the amendment.
Article X
Dissolution
Should this
corporation be dissolved, the Diocesan Board, after paying or making provision
for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, shall dispose of
all of the assets of the corporation to such organization or organizations
qualifying as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code (or the corresponding provisions of any future U.S. Internal
Revenue law) as the Board shall determine.
CANONS
OF THE
DIOCESE
OF CENTRAL FLORIDA,
INCORPORATED
Canon I
Diocesan Convention; Ecclesiastical Authority
Section 1.
The Annual
Convention of the Church in this Diocese shall assemble at such time and place
as shall have been set by the preceding Annual Convention; but, for sufficient
cause, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall have power to change the time or
place, or both, as emergency shall require; provided, however, that at least 10
days notice of such change is given to every member of the clergy canonically
resident in the Diocese and to the Senior Warden of every congregation.
Section 2.
The
Ecclesiastical Authority shall have power to call a special meeting of the
Convention at such time and place as it shall determine. The notice of a special meeting of the
Convention shall be issued to every member of the clergy canonically resident,
and to the Senior Warden of every congregation, in the Diocese, at least 30
days before the time appointed for the meeting; and shall state the business
for which the Convention is called; and no business shall be transacted at such
special meeting beyond that which has been stated in the notice, unless by the
unanimous consent of the members present.
Section 3.
At or
immediately prior to the opening of each Convention a list of the clergy
entitled to seat, voice and vote therein, prepared under the authority and supervision
of the Ecclesiastical Authority, shall be delivered to the Committee on
Credentials, which Committee shall ascertain the number present and report to
the Convention. No member of the clergy
shall be seated until all canonical reports required of such member shall have
been made on or before the time specified by canon, unless sufficient reason be
given for the failure, acceptable to the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 4.
(a) It
is declared to be the duty of every member of the laity entitled to seat and
vote in the Convention to attend every meeting thereof.
(b) It
is declared to be the duty of every active member of the clergy entitled to
vote in the Convention to attend every meeting thereof unless excused by the
Ecclesiastical Authority for cause.
(c) Canonically
resident clergy, not entitled to vote, are not required to be present at the
meeting of the Convention.
(d) Every member of the Convention
entitled to vote shall be entitled to seat and to be heard in accordance with
the rules of procedure followed by the Convention.
Section 5.
The Bishop of
the Diocese shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese and shall have
exclusive charge of all spiritual affairs.
When there is no Bishop, the Standing Committee shall be the Ecclesiastical Authority for all proper purposes.
Canon II
Members of the Convention
Section 1.
The Convention
shall be composed of the Bishops, together with the other clergy and lay
persons of the Diocese, as provided for in the following sections of this
Canon.
Section 2.
(a) Each
canonically resident, licensed member of the clergy responsible for sacerdotal
and/or pastoral ministry shall have seat, voice and vote.
(b) All
clergy, canonically resident and not qualifying under section (a) above, shall
have only seat and voice.
(c) All
clergy, licensed by the Ecclesiastical Authority for the performance of
sacerdotal and/or pastoral ministry but not canonically resident, shall have
seat and voice, but no vote.
Section 3.
Each canonically
organized
Section 4.
Every Parish in
union with the Convention of this Diocese shall be entitled to three lay
delegates.
Section 5.
At least one lay
delegate from each Parish or
Section 6.
Lay delegates
shall be chosen by the Vestry or Church Committee of each Congregation, or if
there be no Vestry or Church Committee, or if the Vestry or Church Committee
fail to act, then by the Congregation of the Parish or organized
Section 7.
The Chancellor
is an ex-officio, voting member of the
Convention.
Section 8.
The lay members
of the Diocesan Board and the Standing Committee are voting members of the
Convention.
Section 9.
All lay
delegates chosen in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 6 above
are voting members of the Convention.
Canon III
Evidence of Lay Membership in the
Convention
Section 1.
The election of
lay delegates to the Convention, if by the Vestry, or the Church Committee,
shall be made at a regular meeting, or at one called especially for that
purpose; if such election be made by the Congregation, the electors must have
the same qualifications, and the election be conducted in like manner as is or
shall be prescribed by Canon for the election of members of the Vestry. Any vacancies that occur in lay delegations
may be filled by the Rector or Vicar; if there is neither Rector nor Vicar, by
the Wardens. A lay delegate shall have
the same qualifications as a member of a Vestry in a Congregation.
Section 2.
The Secretary of
the Convention, at least 30 days before its annual meeting, shall furnish every
Congregation entitled to delegates a form of certificate as follows:
"This is to certify that at a meeting of the clergy, wardens, and members of the Vestry, or of the Congregation of ________ held on the ____day of _________, the following person was (or persons were) elected to represent said church in the next Convention in the Diocese, to be held in ________________on the_____day of___________and that the above named persons are adult confirmed communicants of this church in good standing and qualified electors of this Congregation."
This certificate
shall be signed by the Rector or Vicar, Senior Warden, or Secretary of the
Vestry or Congregation making such election, and when filed with the Secretary
of the Convention shall entitle the delegates therein named to seat, voice and
vote in the Convention.
Said certificate
shall be transmitted to the Diocesan Office at least 10 days before the
Convention.
Section 3.
The Committee on
Credentials shall ascertain the presence at the Convention of such delegates, and
report the same at the opening session of the Convention.
Section 4.
The delegates
elected to the preceding Diocesan Convention shall be delegates at special
meetings of Diocesan Convention, except when other delegates shall have been
chosen in the meantime by any Congregation.
Canon IV
Quorum and Methods of Voting in
Convention
Section 1.
One-third of the
clergy entitled to vote in the Convention, and one-third of the lay delegates
entitled to vote in the Convention, when duly assembled, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn the
Convention from time to time.
Section 2.
The clergy and
laity shall deliberate in one body.
Every member shall be entitled to one vote, and except when herein
otherwise expressly provided, a majority of all the votes cast shall determine
any question submitted to the Convention. The election of a Bishop and deputies to General Convention
shall be by a majority of all votes cast.
For all other elections including the election of alternate deputies to
General Convention, on the third and subsequent ballots and with the approval
of a majority of the Convention, the election shall be by a plurality of all
votes cast.
Section 3.
If any 10
members of the Convention, representing no fewer than six congregations, or any
10 members of the clergy, shall call for a vote by yeas and nays, the Secretary
shall call the roll of the Convention, and the members shall thereupon announce
their votes as their names are called by the Secretary.
Section 4.
If any 10
members of the Convention, representing no fewer than six Congregations, or any
10 members of the clergy, shall call for a vote by Orders, the vote of the
clergy and lay delegates shall be taken separately, and a majority of votes of
each Order shall be necessary for an affirmative decision.
Section 5.
(a) Prior to each convention, the Standing Committee shall serve as the
Resolutions Committee. The committee, in
its considerations and actions, shall follow guidelines approved by the
Ecclesiastical Authority and the Diocesan Board.
(b) Except with respect to elections,
consideration of changes in the Constitution and Canons, and procedural
questions, all action of the Convention shall be by Resolution. No
Resolution shall be considered by the Convention unless the subject matter
thereof shall have been embraced within a proposed form of Resolution submitted
to the Secretary for advance distribution to the members of the Convention and
for review by the Resolutions Committee. The Secretary shall not accept
any such submission of a proposed Resolution fewer than forty-five days prior
to the date set for the Convention unless, with respect to a Resolution submitted
to the Secretary at least five days before such date, it is demonstrated to the
satisfaction of the Ecclesiastical Authority that there is good cause for such
delay. Any provision of this Section may be waived in a particular case
by the Convention upon a majority vote of the delegates.
Canon V
Secretary of the Convention
Section 1.
The Secretary of
the Convention shall be elected annually by the Diocesan Board and shall remain
in office until a successor has been elected and assumes the duties of the
office. The Secretary's duty shall be to
take minutes of the proceedings of the Convention; to prepare and have printed
and distributed the Annual Journal of the Convention; to preserve its journals
and records; to attest the public acts of the body; and faithfully to deliver
into the hands of the successor Secretary all property, monies, books and
papers relative or belonging to the Diocese, which may be in the Secretary's
possession. The Secretary shall also give
30 days notice to each member of the clergy and Congregation of the time and
place appointed for the meeting of the succeeding or any special Convention,
and shall prepare the roll of the lay delegates entitled to seats in the
Convention, before opening of the Convention.
The Secretary shall transmit to each officer and to each member of the
clergy of the Diocese, and to each delegate attending the Convention, and each
Congregation in the Diocese, a copy of the Journal of the Convention.
Section 2.
The Secretary
shall transmit to the proper officers a certificate of the election of deputies
to the General Convention and to the Provincial Synod, and shall also comply
with all matters required of the Diocesan Secretary in the Constitution and
Canons of the Episcopal Church.
Section 3.
The Secretary
shall perform such other duties as may be incumbent on the office or as may be
provided for by the Convention or the Board.
Canon VI
Diocesan Board and Officers
Section 1. Business Affairs
The affairs of
the Diocese not falling within the exclusive province of the Ecclesiastical
Authority shall be managed by the Diocesan Board. The Diocesan Board shall conduct the affairs
of the Diocese in accordance with these Canons and with any official action of
the Convention.
Section 2. Membership
The Diocesan
Board (hereinafter called the Board) shall be composed of the Bishops, the
President of the Standing Committee, the Chancellor of the Diocese, all ex
officio, the Dean of each Deanery, the President of each Deanery, three active
clergy canonically resident, and six lay persons who shall represent the
Diocese at large. All members of the
Diocesan Board shall take office and replace their predecessors immediately
upon the conclusion of the annual Diocesan Convention. There shall be five
Deaneries as follows:
Northeast
Northwest
Central
Southeast
Southwest
No person shall
hold membership on the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Board at the same
time. This provision does not apply to
any ex officio membership as is or may be provided in the Canons.
Section 3. Election of the Board
The members of
the Board shall be elected for 3 year terms.
One clerical and two lay persons at large shall be elected each year at
the Annual Convention. In addition, for
each Deanery the Dean from the clerical order, and the President from the lay
order, shall be elected by the Deanery Convocation for 3 year terms. Both the Dean and the President for each
Deanery shall serve on the Diocesan Board.
Members shall not be eligible for re-election until one Convention year
shall have elapsed after the expiration of such member’s term, but a member
serving only a partial term is eligible for re-election to a full term of three
years.
Section 4. Vacancies
The Board shall
have the power to fill any at-large vacancies in the clerical and lay
membership. Each member so chosen will serve until the next annual meeting of
the Diocesan Convention, at which meeting the Convention shall elect a member
(either clerical or lay person, as the case may be) to fill the unexpired
term. In the case of a Dean or a
President vacancy, a replacement from the respective Deanery shall be elected
at the next official meeting of the Deanery.
Section 5. Quorum
Over fifty
percent of the Board members, one of which shall be the Bishop, the Bishop
Coadjutor, the Suffragan Bishop, or the Assistant Bishop shall constitute a
quorum. In the event of the absence of
all Bishops, over fifty percent of the members shall constitute a quorum, provided
the Bishop shall consent to the meeting.
In the event of a vacancy in the Episcopate or incapacity of all
Bishops, over fifty percent of the members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 6. Executive Committee
There shall be
an Executive Committee which shall consist of the President, the President of
the Standing Committee, and three other members of the Diocesan Board who shall
be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Diocesan Board and shall
serve until their successors are chosen and qualified. Between meetings of the Board it may decide
any routine business matters of the corporation not involving an expenditure by
the corporation exceeding $10,000, unless otherwise authorized by the Board,
and shall have and exercise any other powers of the Board as may be delegated
by the Board.
Section 7. Officers
(a) The
President: The Bishop shall be the President of the corporation, and in his
absence or incapacity, the Bishop coadjutor may act as such, and in the absence
or incapacity of the Bishop and Bishop Coadjutor, the Suffragan Bishop may act
as such President, and in case of a vacancy in the Episcopate, the President of
the Standing Committee shall be the President until such vacancy shall be
filled. The President shall be the chief
executive officer of the corporation, shall have general and active management
of the business and affairs of the corporation subject to the directions of the
Board, and shall preside at all meetings of the members.
(b) Other
Officers: In addition to the President, the corporation shall have a Vice
President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary, and may have one or more Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries as determined by the Board. The Treasurer shall be the Treasurer of the
Diocese. Each of these officers shall be nominated by the President, confirmed
by the Board and shall serve until their successors are chosen. The Vice President, in the absence or
disability of the President, may execute deeds and other legal documents which have
been authorized by the Board.
Chancellor of the Diocese
At each Annual
Convention the Ecclesiastical Authority shall appoint a Chancellor learned in
law, who shall be the legal advisor of the Diocese. The Chancellor shall be a communicant of this
Church and shall be entitled, ex officio, to a seat in the Convention, with all
the privileges of membership. The
Ecclesiastical Authority may also appoint a Vice Chancellor with the same
qualifications as the Chancellor, who in the absence or inability of the
Chancellor shall perform the duties of that office. The Ecclesiastical Authority may also appoint
other Vice Chancellors as the need may require, who shall be entitled, ex
officio, to a seat in the Convention with all the privileges of membership,
except the right to vote.
Canon VIII
Election of Officers
The election of
all officers provided for in this Constitution and Canons shall be by ballot,
and in the event of a failure or neglect to elect, the persons already in
office shall hold over until their successors shall have been regularly elected
and qualified. A majority of votes shall
be necessary to elect.
Canon IX
Standing Committee
The Standing
Committee shall be composed of seven members, four clerical members and three
lay members. The four clerical members
of the Standing Committee shall be elected for a 4 year term, with one such
member's term expiring each year. The
three lay members of the Standing Committee shall be elected for a 3 year term
with one such member's term expiring each year. Members shall not be eligible
for re-election until one Convention year shall have elapsed after the
expiration of such member’s term. A member serving only a partial term is
eligible for re-election to a full term.
The election
shall be by concurrent vote of both orders. The Standing Committee shall fill
all vacancies on the Committee. The
person filling such vacancy shall serve until the next Annual Convention.
Canon X
Deputies to General Convention
Section 1.
At the Annual Convention
in the year preceding that of the regular meeting of the General Convention,
four clerical and four lay deputies and four clerical and four lay alternate
deputies shall be elected to the General Convention, who shall hold office for
two years and there after until their successors have been regularly elected.
Section 2.
If any deputy
elected becomes unable to attend the General Convention, the Ecclesiastical
Authority shall be immediately notified of such inability. It shall be the duty of such authority to
fill a vacancy from this, or any other cause, up to the time of the meeting of
the General Convention, from the list of alternate deputies in order of the
number of votes cast for each such alternate.
Section 3.
Any vacancy in a
deputation to any General Convention existing at the time of its meeting, or
occurring during its sessions, or at any special session, may be supplied by
the concurrent votes of the remaining deputies from the list of alternate
deputies, if practicable; if not, then from any other qualified members of the
Diocese.
Canon XI
Trustees of the University of the South
One member of
the clergy and two lay persons shall be elected by the Convention as Trustees
of the University of the South. Each
trustee shall be elected for a 3 year term with one such trustee's term
expiring each year. Said trustee shall
report annually to the Diocesan Convention on conditions and affairs of the
University.
Canon XII
Commission on Ministry
The Commission
on Ministry shall consist of clergy and lay persons, no fewer than twenty in
number, at least five to be chosen each year.
Members shall be nominated by the Ecclesiastical Authority and confirmed
by the Diocesan Convention. The term of
office shall be for four years. The
Ecclesiastical Authority shall appoint a person to fill any vacancy which
occurs. The function of this Commission
shall be in accordance with the Canons of the Episcopal Church.
Canon XIII
Deaneries
Section 1.
The Diocese shall
be divided into five Deaneries, the boundaries of which shall be determined
from time to time by the Diocesan Convention at the recommendation of the
Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 2.
The purpose and
object of each Deanery shall be to afford opportunity for the clergy and laity
to come together for conference; to promote the mission and ministry of the
Church in its area under the direction of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 3.
Each Deanery
shall be represented by a Deanery Convocation composed of all active clergy
canonically resident in this Diocese who reside in the Deanery, and three
delegates from each Parish and canonically organized
Each Deanery
Convocation shall have a Deanery Council composed of at least the Dean,
President, and Secretary, all of whom shall be from the Deanery. Other officers designated by the Deanery
Convocation shall have seat, voice and vote on the Deanery Council.
The Deanery
Council shall be responsible for:
(a) Planning
and scheduling significant Deanery meetings to prepare for the annual
convention for the Diocese and to implement policy;
(b) Identifying
local opportunities which could include outreach, evangelism, worship,
fellowship, pastoral care, education, new missions and organization of God's
people to make a difference in the world in which we live;
(c) Facilitating
communications to and from congregations, other Deaneries and the Diocese;
(d) Insuring
the nomination of qualified officers to be elected at Deanery meetings;
(e) Facilitating
frequent and efficient contact by the Bishop/Bishops and Diocesan Staff,
directly and/or through the Dean.
The Dean from
the clerical order, and the President from the lay order, the Secretary, and
other officers if any, shall be elected by the Deanery Convocation.
Section 4.
There shall be a
Deanery Clericus, presided over by the Dean, composed of all clergy canonically
resident in this Diocese who reside in the Deanery. The Deanery Clericus shall meet at the call
of the Ecclesiastical Authority or Dean.
Section 5.
There shall be a
Council of Deans and Presidents composed of the Deans and Presidents of the
various Deaneries and the Dean of the Cathedral presided over by the
Ecclesiastical Authority. The Council of
Deans and Presidents shall meet at the call of the Ecclesiastical
Authority. The Council of Deans and
Presidents shall make reports and recommendations to the Ecclesiastical
Authority and conduct the common affairs of the several Deaneries.
Section 6.
A Deanery Report
shall be submitted annually to the Convention.
Canon XIV
Organization of a
Section 1.
Not less than 25
persons may associate themselves together as a
Section 2.
Every such
application to organize a new
Section 3.
When the
Ecclesiastical Authority deems it expedient to act, the Ecclesiastical
Authority shall appoint a Senior and Junior Warden, a Secretary, a Treasurer,
and a Church Committee, such appointments to be renewed annually before the
Diocesan Convention. The Ecclesiastical
Authority shall appoint a Vicar for the
Section 4.
The Bishop's
annual address shall report to the Convention the Missions which have been
organized and are in good standing, and they shall be thereupon admitted and
shall report to the Convention.
Section 5.
Whenever the
number of persons so associated shall fall below 25, the Ecclesiastical
Authority may dissolve the
Section 6.
The provisions
of this Canon shall apply to a
Canon XV
Formation and Operation of a Parish
Section 1.
When a
(a) That
the said Mission or Congregation is composed of not fewer than 50 adult
communicants of the Episcopal Church whose names shall be listed.
(b) That
it accedes to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of this Church, to the
Constitution and Canons set forth by the General Convention, and to the
Constitution and Canons of this Diocese.
(c) That
it promises to pay for the support of its Rector such an amount as may be
approved by the Ecclesiastical Authority and Board, such assessments laid upon
it by the Convention; and the pension premium on the stipend of the Rector; and
the health insurance of the Rector.
(d) That
it has been financially self-supporting for the calendar year prior to the
Convention to which the application is submitted.
(e) That
it has contributed to the ministry and mission of the Diocese of Central
Florida the equivalent of at least 10% of the Congregation's plate and pledge
income for the calendar year prior to the Convention to which the application
is submitted.
(f) That
it is possessed of a place of corporate worship adequate to the needs of its
Congregation, the location and tenure of which is established and continued possession
of which is reasonably assured.
Section 2.
Together with
the aforesaid application there shall be submitted to the Ecclesiastical
Authority the proposed Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Parish. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
shall be approved by the Chancellor.
Section 3.
When the
application and Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall have been approved
by the Ecclesiastical Authority and Board, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall
submit the application to the Convention for final action. No Parish or
Section 4.
No established
Parish may move from one location to another without the consent of the Deanery
Council of the deanery in which the Parish would be a part, the Ecclesiastical
Authority and Board, and until having first secured the approval or disapproval
the Vestry of each Parish and Church Committee of each Mission, within a 10
mile radius of the proposed new location.
Section 5.
A Parish
admitted and thereafter not meeting any one or more of the following
requirements, may make application to the Ecclesiastical Authority and Diocesan
Board to be declared an aided Parish:
(a) Contributing
to the ministry and mission of the Diocese of Central Florida the equivalent of
at least 10% of the Parish's plate and pledge income within the prescribed
calendar year,
(b) Paying
to all full time clergy serving in the Parish at least the minimum compensation
established by the Ecclesiastical Authority and approved by the Board,
(c) Paying
in full the premiums due to the Church Pension Fund and health insurance
carrier on account of clergy serving in the Parish,
(d) Paying
in full the insurance premiums for general liability coverage, including
coverage for sexual misconduct, in an amount set by the Diocesan Board, and
with an insurance company approved by the Diocesan Board, as per Canon XX
Section 5.
Upon receipt of
said application, the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Board may declare such
Parish to be an aided Parish, retaining all rights and privileges of a Parish
except as hereinafter provided. In such
event, such status shall be reviewed annually by the Ecclesiastical Authority
and Diocesan Board until the Parish has fully met the aforementioned
requirements in a calendar year at which time the Parish shall be restored to
its former status. Upon application by an aided Parish to the Ecclesiastical
Authority and the Diocesan Board requesting that the aided Parish be restored
to unaided status, the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Diocesan Board may
declare such Parish an unaided Parish. In
the event the said Parish fails to meet the requirements set forth above for
three years after being declared an aided Parish, such Parish may be declared
to be an Organized Mission by a two-thirds vote of the Diocesan Convention.
Section 6.
A Parish
admitted and thereafter not meeting any one or more of the following
requirements:
(a)
Contributing
to the ministry and mission of the Diocese of Central Florida the equivalent of
at least 10% of the Parish's plate and pledge income within the prescribed
calendar year,
(b)
Paying
to all full time clergy serving in the Parish, at least the minimum
compensation established by the Ecclesiastical Authority and approved by the
Board,
(c)
Paying
in full the premiums due to the Church Pension Fund and health insurance
carrier on account of clergy serving in the Parish, for a period of two
successive years,
(d)
Paying
in full the insurance premiums for general liability coverage, including
coverage for sexual misconduct, in an amount set by the Diocesan Board, and
with an insurance company approved by the Diocesan Board, as per Canon XX
Section 5, may be declared to be an aided Parish by a majority vote of the
Diocesan Board and the approval of the Ecclesiastical Authority, said Parish
retaining all rights and privileges of a Parish except as hereinafter provided.
In the event a
Parish is declared to be an aided Parish, such status shall be reviewed
annually by the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Diocesan Board until the
Parish has fully met the aforementioned requirements in a calendar year at
which time the Parish shall be restored to its former status.
Upon application by an aided Parish to
the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Diocesan Board requesting that the aided
Parish be restored to unaided status, the Ecclesiastical Authority and the
Diocesan Board may declare such Parish an unaided Parish.
In the event the
said Parish fails to meet the requirements set forth above for three years
after being declared an aided Parish, such Parish may be declared to be an
Organized Mission by a two-thirds vote of the Diocesan Convention.
Section 7.
The Bylaws of a Parish
or
Canon XVI
Ordained Ministers
Section 1.
The Rector, or
Vicar of all congregations, has charge under the Constitution and Canons of all
things affecting the spiritual interests of their Congregations, subject only
to the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese, and at all times shall be
entitled to the use and control of the church and all Parish buildings with the
appurtenances and furniture thereof; at all times shall be entitled to access
to the church, to open the same for public worship, for catechetical or other
religious instruction, marriages, baptisms, burials, and all other offices
authorized by the church and shall have full charge of all services in the
church and, except as provided in Canon XXV,
spiritual direction and full charge and control of all church schools,
Parish schools, and all other associations, including separate corporations,
related to or connected with the Parish.
Section 2.
It is the duty
of the Rector or Vicar, who shall have full charge of all services in the
church subject only and at all times to the Ecclesiastical Authority, to give
directions concerning the worship of the Church, together with all that
pertains thereto, and appoint fit persons to perform such duties relative to
the service of the church as may properly be done by lay persons.