The special convention to elect a diocesan bishop takes place on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston. The order of business begins with celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 9 a.m.
All canonically resident clergy of the diocese and lay delegates (two elected from each of the diocese’s parishes and missions) vote separately as “orders”; a majority of votes on the same ballot from both the clergy and lay orders is required for election.
The rules of order for the special convention stipulate that balloting will end at 7 p.m., unless, at the discretion of the presiding officer, an election seems imminent. Saturday, April 12 has been set aside for reconvening, at 8:30 a.m., should the electing convention not complete its business on April 5.
Ballot results will be posted at www.diomass.org as they are announced during the course of the convention.
Read more about the election process to date here.
Materials:
Feb. 7 and March 7 memos containing details from the secretary of the diocese are attached as PDFs at the bottom of this page.
Registration:
There will be no pre-registration. All attendees must register upon arrival on April 5. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 9:30 a.m.
Public transportation update: Because of a construction project, buses will replace Red Line trains between Alewife Station and Harvard Square Station, in both directions, on Saturday, April 5. Red Line travelers from Alewife Station should allow themselves plenty of extra time so as to arrive before registration closes at 9:30 a.m. Please also note that the Government Center Station (Green and Blue lines) is closed for construction. Please visit www.mbta.com for more information.
Only voting members and those with assigned credentials will have floor access and seating. Non-voting attendees will be seated in the balcony or in Sproat Hall (where there will be a live video feed) on a first-come, first-served basis and as space allows.
Because of logistical and safety considerations at the electing convention, childcare cannot be provided on the premises, nor can privately arranged childcare be accommodated. As with any convention, it is expected that congregations will assist their delegations with the cost of participating. Please remember that only voting members and those with assigned credentials will have floor access and seating.
Lay delegate certification:
Delegate changes should be reported by using the alternate delegate form (attached at the bottom of this page). Forms will be accepted in the Convention Office until March 28. To make a change after that date, the alternate delegate must bring the completed alternate delegate form to the convention, or a letter stating the alternate's name and address and the name of the delegate being replaced, indicating whether this is a permanent replacement or for the electing convention only. The form or letter must be signed by a warden or the clerk of the vestry. Without written documentation, the alternate delegate must wait for the convention's approval to be allowed seat, voice and vote. Contact Laura Simons with questions (lsimons@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 406).
Clergy certification:
Clergy, in order to vote, must be canonically resident in the diocese two weeks prior to the convention. March 7 was the deadline for submitting all paperwork. Contact Diane Pound with questions (dpound@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 349).
Media:
Members of the news media are invited to cover the electing convention. Only accredited reporters who pre-register with the Office of Communications will be allowed on the convention floor. To arrange for credentials, please contact Tracy Sukraw, Director of Communications (tjs@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 493).
Language translation:
Any voting members who will need language translation during the convention should contact the Convention Office by Monday, March 17 so that arrangements can be made (lsimons@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 406).
Meet the candidates:
The candidates are:
- The Rev. Holly Antolini, Rector, St. James's Church, Cambridge, Mass.;
- The Rev. Timothy E. Crellin, Vicar, St. Stephen's Church, Boston;
- The Rev. Ronald Culmer, Rector, St. Clare's Church, Pleasanton, Calif.;
- The Rev. Alan Gates, Rector, St. Paul's Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio;
- The Rev. Ledlie Laughlin, Rector, St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia;
- The Rev. Canon Mally Lloyd, Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts; and
- The Rev. Sam Rodman, Project Manager for Campaign Initiatives, Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts.
More information about the candidates is available via the Transition Committee site at www.mabishopsearch.org. Video from the public forum with the candidates at Trinity Church in Boston on March 15 is available here.
Join us in prayer:
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the witness of your whole church in his name. We thank you for your Holy Spirit, empowering us for ministry. So guide the hearts and minds of all those who shall choose a bishop in this diocese and those who will respond to the call, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people. May our discernment transform our spirits and draw us closer to you, Almighty God. Amen.
Dios omnipotente, dador de todo buen don, te damos gracias por la bendición de tu Hijo Jesucristo y por el testimonio de toda tu iglesia en su nombre. Te damos gracias por tu Santo Espíritu que nos otorga el poder para realizar el ministerio. Te pedimos que guíes los corazones y las mentes de las personas que han de elegir al próximo obispo u obispa para esta diócesis y también a aquellas personas que van a responder al llamado de Dios, para que de esa manera recibamos a ese pastor o pastora que cuide a tu pueblo. Que nuestro discernimiento transforme nuestro espíritu y nos acerque a ti, Dios omnipotente. Amén.