REPORT FROM THE CONVENTION

 

The 36th Annual Convention opened Friday, Nov. 9, with a opening Eucharist that included Bishop Iker’s Address to the Convention at the time of the homily. The Bishop recounted the past year, with his decision to plan for his retirement and to call for the election of a Bishop Coadjutor in 2019, and the unexpected diagnosis of cancer that followed within just a few days.  [Read the text of Bishop Iker’s Address below.]

 

At the dinner that followed, clergy and elected lay delegates enjoyed the opportunity to view the 10-minute video made for the Bishop’s 25th anniversary last spring.

 

Assisting Bishop William Wantland chaired the business meeting of Convention, which began Saturday morning, Nov. 10. Following the election of a Secretary and other opening business, two members were elected to the Ecclesiastical Trial Court on the first ballot, and two members were elected to the Standing Committee on the second ballot. They were:

 

Standing Committee              Clerical member:     Fr. Chris Culpepper  (Christ the Redeemer, Fort Worth)

                                                      Lay member:            Jimmy Henry  (St. John’s, Brownwood)

 

Ecclesiastical Trial Court       Clerical member:        Fr. Andrew Petta  (St. Barnabas, Fort Worth)

                                                      Lay member:               Joseph Francis II  (St. Peter & St. Paul, Arlington)

 

The Convention heard reports from more than a dozen ministry leaders describing activities from the past year. Most significantly, Fr. Edward Kresowaty presented a report on the work of the Nominating Committee for the Election of a Bishop Coadjutor. He  distributed copies of the just-published Diocesan Profile and Nomination Form to clergy and lay delegates. This marked the opening of the nominating period, which continues until the close of the year. Each nomination requires the endorsement of two priests and two lay people from the Diocese.

 

Fr. Chris Culpepper made an appeal for participation in the Men’s Conference, scheduled for February 2019, and Lollie Twyman, on behalf of the World Mission Committee, presented a video on the New Wineskins conference, a triennial Anglican event coming up in late September 2019. Bishop Wantland reminded clergy of the annual retreat in January. Diocesan Treasurer Walter Virden III presented a balanced budget and assessment schedule for 2019; both were adopted.

 

With all business done. Bishop Wantland called for Noonday Prayer and adjorned the Convention at 11:25. Lunch was prepared and served by the people of Iglesia San Juan in Fort Worth. A Special Election to select a Bishop Coadjutor will be held June 1, 2019, at St. Vincent’s Cathedral in Bedford. The 37th Annual Diocesan Convention is scheduled for Nov. 15 & 16, 2019, in Granbury.