A047 HB Committee #02 Report #14

House of Bishops Committee 02 - Constitution & Canons presents its Report #14 on Resolution A047 (Amend Title I regarding Local Ecumenical Partnerships) and moves:

Refer to an Interim Body

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 81st General Convention amend Title I of the Canons by adding the following Canon 21.

<Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>

Canon 21: Of Local Ecumenical Partnerships

Sec 1. Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) are ministries that may be formed between Episcopal dioceses and their parallels in other Christian denominations in order to provide shared pastoral leadership.

Sec. 2 LEPs may be formed with denominations:

a. Who are in a full communion relationship with this church, or

b. Whose apostolicity, ordained ministers and sacraments have been formally recognized by action of General Convention, or

c. Who are member judicatories of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) or its successor organization(s).

Sec. 3. LEPs may encompass congregations, chaplaincies, missions, or other ecclesial bodies.;

Sec. 4. LEPs are governed by formal, written agreements between the Ecclesiastical Authority of an Episcopal diocese and the equivalent authorities of other Christian Denominations as qualified in this canon.  Such agreements should include provisions for, but are not limited to:

a. The process for calling ordained leadership

b. The terms of ordained leadership, including but not limited to:

1. Method of paying compensation, insurance, and other benefits.

2. Process for revocation of license and/or employment;

3. Handling of Ecclesiastical Discipline

c. The parameters of ecclesial function regarding worship, governance, sacraments, etc. 

d. A time frame and process for regular review of the agreement

Sec. 5. A LEP may be served by clergy ordained in and in good standing of any denomination who are part of the formal agreement and approved of by the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Sec. 6. Ordained ministers of denominations who are not in full communion with this church are authorized to exercise ministry only within the LEP, and do not retain any credentials within this Church after leaving its ministry.

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<Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>

Canon 21: Of Local Ecumenical Partnerships

Sec 1. Local Ecumenical Partnerships (LEPs) are ministries that may be formed between Episcopal dioceses and their parallels in other Christian denominations in order to provide shared pastoral leadership.

Sec. 2 LEPs may be formed with denominations:

a. Who are in a full communion relationship with this church, or

b. Whose apostolicity, ordained ministers and sacraments have been formally recognized by action of General Convention, or

c. Who are member judicatories of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) or its successor organization(s).

Sec. 3. LEPs may encompass congregations, chaplaincies, missions, or other ecclesial bodies.;

Sec. 4. LEPs are governed by formal, written agreements between the Ecclesiastical Authority of an Episcopal diocese and the equivalent authorities of other Christian Denominations as qualified in this canon.  Such agreements should include provisions for, but are not limited to:

a. The process for calling ordained leadership

b. The terms of ordained leadership, including but not limited to:

1. Method of paying compensation, insurance, and other benefits.

2. Process for revocation of license and/or employment;

3. Handling of Ecclesiastical Discipline

c. The parameters of ecclesial function regarding worship, governance, sacraments, etc. 

d. A time frame and process for regular review of the agreement

Sec. 5. A LEP may be served by clergy ordained in and in good standing of any denomination who are part of the formal agreement and approved of by the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Sec. 6. Ordained ministers of denominations who are not in full communion with this church are authorized to exercise ministry only within the LEP, and do not retain any credentials within this Church after leaving its ministry.