To: Members of the Anglican Church in North AmericaFrom: Canon Lisa Schwandt, Executive Committee Nominations Committee Chair Re: Call for nominations –ACNA Executive Committee, Court for the Trial of a Bishop, Provincial Tribunal The Executive Committee is now receiving nominations for membership to the following:
- Executive Committee
- Court for the Trial of a Bishop
- Provincial Tribunal
Elections will be held at the June 2024 Provincial Council meeting in Latrobe, PA.A brief description for each is included below. Please pay close attention to the eligibility requirements. The Executive Committee is grateful for those willing to serve our Province in this important work: for those nominating and for those willing to be nominated. Nominations will close May 10, 2024. If you wish to nominate someone for any of these, please send your nomination(s) to nominations@anglicanchurch.net. All nominations must include a completed 2-page Nominee Information Form. The form can be downloaded here.Please do not hesitate to contact nominations@anglicanchurch.net if you have any questions. Thank you for your time and service in this important ministry. Nominations for Executive Committee:Two clerical and two lay members will be elected to the Executive Committee at the June 2024 Provincial Council meeting. The members of Executive Committee are elected to a three-year term. The organization and responsibilities of the Executive Committee can be found under Title 1, Canon 1, Section 4 of the ACNA Canons. Eligibility: A nominee MUST be a member of the ACNA Provincial Council and not currently serving a second consecutive term as a member of the Executive Committee. A list of the 2024 Provincial Council delegates can be found here. This list will be updated as delegate names are received from the dioceses. Nominations for Ecclesiastical Courts:Nominations for our Provincial Ecclesiastical Courts may be made by an ACNA clergy person or an ACNA confirmed member in good standing. A person may be nominated for one court only. Court for the Trial of a Bishop (Title IV, Canon 5, Section 2)The 2024 Provincial Council will elect 7 members to this Court, along with 7 alternates, each Order electing its representatives by majority vote of that Order:
- 3 Bishops, 3 Bishop Alternates
- 2 Presbyters, 2 Presbyter Alternates
- 2 Adult Confirmed Members in Good Standing, 2 Adult Confirmed Member Alternates
The members of this Court are elected to a three-year term. This Court will hear all presentments brought against any Bishop in the Anglican Church in North America on those charges to which there has not been a voluntary submission to discipline by the accused bishop. Members of this Court shall have familiarity and understanding of the Title IV Canon relating to ecclesiastical discipline. They shall understand the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof (clear and convincing evidence), principles of fairness, due process, and natural justice. Legal background is not necessary but would be helpful. Provincial Tribunal (Title IV, Canon 5, Section 4)The 2024 Provincial Council will elect 7 members to this Court, along with 7 alternates. The members of this Court are appointed to serve a three-year term. Of the seven members, at least two shall be Bishops, and at least two shall be lawyers knowledgeable in canon and ecclesiastical law. Additionally, the seven alternates shall be comprised of at least two Bishops and two lawyers knowledgeable in canon and ecclesiastical law. The Provincial Tribunal hears all appeals in the case of a conviction after trial of a Bishop, Presbyter, or Deacon. It also serves as a court of original jurisdiction:
- to hear and decide matters in dispute arising from the Constitution and Canons of the Province,
- to hear and decide disputes between Dioceses,
- to hear and decide appeals by a Bishop pursuant to Canons I.3.3 (d) and III.8.7(d) and
- to issue nonbinding advisory opinions on issues submitted by the College of Bishops, the Provincial Council, or the Provincial Assembly.
Members of this Court shall have familiarity and understanding of the Title IV Canon relating to ecclesiastical discipline. They shall understand the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof (clear and convincing evidence), principles of fairness, due process, and natural justice. The members of this Court shall understand the principles and polity for courts of review and have a thorough knowledge of the Constitution and Canons of the ACNA. Legal background is not necessary, but experience in both trying and appealing cases would be helpful. Again, thank you for your attention, careful thought, and prayers in this matter. Respectfully, Your Executive Committee Nominating Committee,Dr. Bill AtwoodThe Rev. Jake StumThe Rev. Lisa Schwandt
