Certification of Lay and Alternate Delegates and Youth Delegates

The 154th Convention of the Diocese of Central New York will take place on Friday and Saturday, November 11-12, 2022. The theme is “God restores my soul” (Psalm 23:3). We are currently planning to offer delegates the option to participate in-person at smaller regional gatherings for certain portions of Convention. Delegates will also be able to participate entirely online if they wish.

Complete this online form by May 31, 2022 if possible and no later than June 10, 2022. to certify your parish’s Lay and Alternate Delegates and Youth Delegates: LAY DELEGATE CERTIFICATION FORM.

View the number of delegates/representatives allotted to your parish/chapel: Delegates Allowed By Parish

 

Selection of Delegates and Alternates

Selection of Lay and Alternate Delegates must be made according to the procedures outlined in Canon II.1 of the Canons of the Diocese of Central New York. Number of delegates (or representatives, for chapels) is governed by Article III and Canon V.2.

Article III

Sec. 1. (e) From each parish in union with the Convention that number of lay delegates to which it is entitled according to the following table, based on the Table of Parochial Statistics in the Journal of the preceding Convention:

300 or fewer communicants: 2 delegates
301-500 communicants: 3 delegates
over 500 communicants: 4 delegates …

Canon II

Of Lay Members and Organization of the Convention

Sec. 1.  The lay delegates and alternates from each parish shall be chosen by the Vestry from laypersons eighteen years of age or older belonging to the parish, who shall be confirmed communicants and who shall have been regular attendants at its worship and contributors to its support for at least twelve months prior to being chosen.  The choice of lay delegates and their alternates shall be certified in writing by the rector, vicar or priest-in-charge of the parish which they represent, or by one of the wardens or the clerk of the governing body of the parish.  Such certificate shall be forwarded to the Secretary not later than May 31st of each year and shall also state that each delegate and alternate so certified was eligible to be chosen, that the parish is not in arrears in payment of its assessment to the Church Pension Fund, and that the parish is not in arrears in payment of its assessment for the mandatory portion of the Diocesan Mission Apportionment for the calendar year prior to the Convention (or if the parish is in arrears in such payment for the mandatory portion of the Diocesan Mission Apportionment, that the Parish prays that such arrearage be remitted by the Convention for the good and sufficient reasons presented in a paper accompanying such certificate.)  The Secretary, upon receipt of such paper, shall transmit the same without delay to the Diocesan Board through its Secretary, which body shall review the case and make recommendation to the Convention thereon.  The form of said certificate may be prescribed by the Convention; when so prescribed no other certificate of the appointment of any lay delegate or alternate to the Convention of this Diocese shall be allowed or received.

Canon V. Section 2

Parishes and Chapels

Canon V.2.b – Each Diocesan Chapel shall have the right, by whatever procedural means it may choose, to designate one lay representative to the Convention of the Diocese, which representative, although not a member of the Convention, shall have the privilege of the floor.

Canon V.2.c.(1) – each Diocesan College Chapel shall have the right, by whatever procedure it may choose, to designate one adult student Lay Representative to the Convention of the Diocese, which representative shall be a full member of Convention and shall have full privileges of the floor and vote.

Canon V.2.d.(1) – each Diocesan Mission Chapel shall have the right, by whatever procedure it may choose, to designate one adult Lay Representative to the Convention of the Diocese, which representative shall be a full member of Convention and shall have full privileges of the floor and vote.

 

Parishes in arrears to the Church Pension Fund

Canon XIX.

Of the Church Pension Fund.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of the Convention shall prepare, before the opening of the Annual Convention, a list of such parishes as are in arrears to the Church Pension Fund, with the amount of such arrears for the period prior to January first preceding, and the same shall be placed in the hands of the committee on Credentials of Lay Delegates. Each such parish shall be excluded from representation in the Convention until such arrears are paid in full.

 

Parishes in arrears on the Diocesan Assessment

Canon XVIII.

Of the Budget of the Diocese and the Diocesan Mission Apportionment

Sec. 7. The Secretary of the Diocesan Convention shall prepare, before the opening of each Convention, a list of those parishes that are in arrears in the payment of the mandatory portion of the Diocesan Mission Apportionment with the amount of such arrears for the preceding calendar year and the same shall be placed in the hands of the Convention Committee on Credentials of Lay Delegates. Each such parish shall be excluded from representation in the Convention until such arrears have been paid in full or have been remitted by the Convention for satisfactory reasons. Application for remission of arrears shall be made no later than thirty days prior to the Convention to the Diocesan Board in the first instance, and the recommendations of the Board with respect thereto shall be reported to the Convention.

 

Youth Delegates to Convention

The Constitution & Canons of the Diocese call for us to hold an annual Convention of the Church in the Diocese of Central New York.  The laws of New York State require that Lay Members of Convention must be 18 years of age or older. While individuals under the age of 18 cannot serve as parish Lay Delegates, the bishop and members of Convention invite each parish to name Youth Delegates to attend and participate in Convention. Youth in the Diocese are a part of our Church, carrying out vital ministries, contributing to the life of their congregations, and carrying the voice of the Holy Spirit to the larger church.

We encourage each parish to select one or two youth to serve as Youth Delegates to Convention. Youth Delegates have the same responsibilities as adult delegates; however, because of the New York State voting age restrictions, youth are not allowed to vote. Youth Delegates to Convention are encouraged to participate in this important gathering, and to learn and grow in their understanding and appreciation of the larger Church. We welcome youth to fully engage in Convention and to share their voices with us.

Who is responsible for Youth Delegates at Convention?

Each parish is responsible for their own Youth Delegates. Youth Delegates need to communicate with their rector, priest-in-charge, or a designated Lay Delegate from their parish where they will be at all times.

What about housing for our Youth Delegates?

Each parish must make hotel arrangements for Youth Delegates if they are staying overnight.

What do I need to do now?

Please seek youth who are able to attend the two day Convention (November 11th & 12th). Youth Delegates are those who want to learn about the workings of the larger church, who enjoy exciting liturgies, who participate in the decision-making process of the church, and who engage in fellowship with member of parishes in the Diocese—and have some fun too.

Start typing and press Enter to search