The Standing Committee advises the bishops, hearing bishops’ concerns and offering thoughtful and prayerful responses. Standing Committee members also bring items of concern to the bishops for consideration and discussion.

The four lay and four clerical members of the Standing Committee are elected to four-year terms by Diocesan Convention, one clerical member and one lay member each year.

The Standing Committee serves a number of canonical functions:

• Reviews and approves bylaws of all congregations in the diocese and advises parishes on developing their congregational bylaws
• Provides advice and consent for any sale, lien or encumbrance upon church and church-related property in the diocese
• Participates in the formation and ordination process of those applying for holy orders, including applicant and postulant interviews
• Consents to all elections and approves all bishops elected in the Episcopal Church, U.S.A.
• Mediates when clergy and their congregations dissolve their pastoral relationship

The Standing Committee meets monthly from September through June, generally on the second Thursday of the month.

The standing committee for 2007 consists of the following members:

Staff Assistant: Lois Murphey

Attachment	Size
Model bylaws for parishes (2001)	64.8 KB