Go! Gather, Grow, and Give
63rd DIOCESAN CONVENTION
October 17th, 2023 via Zoom
&
October 21st, 2023 at
Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, Scottsdale
Convention Schedule & Information
The In-Person portion will take place on October 21st, 2023 at Saint Barnabas on the Desert in Scottdale, Arizona.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Due to rising cases of COVID-19, we encourage all those participating in the In-Person portion of the convention to wear a mask. We will have additional masks at registration for those who need them.
2023 Diocesan Convention Schedule
Saint Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church
The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer, Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of ELCA
Our keynote presentation this year will be The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer, Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of ELCA. The Reverend Deborah K. Hutterer was ordained in 2004 and earned a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Augsburg University. She is a lifelong Lutheran brought to the denomination by default and stayed by choice. Growing up one mile from her church in St. Paul, Minnesota, she would often take the bus to church, and spend as much time there as she could. It was there that she experienced the Christian community. This is where she heard Jesus’ call to ministry, but was told women couldn’t be pastors. Later in life that call was rekindled, which led her to congregational service, Lutheran college, seminary, and ordination to the public ministry.
Prior to her ordination, Hutterer created and launched two businesses, worked in the insurance industry, and held many positions at Augsburg College, including Peace Prize Forum Coordinator, collaborating with the Midwest Lutheran colleges to promote peace education and collaboration with the Nobel Institute in Oslo, Nobel Peace Laureates, and college students.
Hutterer has served in several ministry settings. She served as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pontiac, Illinois, from 2004 to 2007. She was executive director of Faith in the City in Minneapolis from 2008 to 2012. She was Chief Development Officer of Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) from 2012 to 2018.
As Chief Development Officer at LSS-SW, she traveled extensively throughout Arizona preaching, presiding, or presenting at many congregations and ministry groups on topics such as refugee resettlement, child abuse prevention, and aging.
In October 2020, she was elected to the executive committee of the Conference of Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Her leadership experience in faith-based nonprofits and higher education broadened her awareness and appreciation for God’s multi-faceted ministry working with colleagues, congregations, and ecumenical and interfaith partners.
Personal and professional challenges have caused Hutterer to grow and constantly pushed her to trust the promise of death, resurrection, and new life. As she journeys through this call as bishop, she trusts God’s leadership, guidance, and presence, and calls you to join her, using all of the gifts each of us has to be Jesus in the world today.
In 2011 she lost her first husband, Gary Erickson, to ALS. In May 2019, Deborah married Reverend Alan Field. She has two adult children, Mitch Hutterer and Marissa Machado, who reside in Minnesota with her five grandchildren. Her parents Jerry and Evelyn Spiess live in Sun City West, Arizona.
Workshops will take place in person on Saturday, October 21st at Saint Barnabas. To sign-up for a specific workshop, please select it on your convention registration form. Here are the workshop descriptions.
| Workshop Name | Location | Presenter(s) | Description |
| Make a Transformative Impact on Your Church: The Basics of Legacy Giving | Learning Center L7/8 | Canon Clyde Kunz | The average gift to a church or charity through someone’s estate is about $70,000. The problem is, most people never consider making such a gift (or are never asked to do so!) In this session, we will go over the basic ways that individuals and families can make these gifts to their Church, some that even provide family tax benefits. And we will discuss strategies that may encourage more people to support their church community through legacy giving. |
| LGBTQ+ Asylum is a Human Right | Learning Center L2 | LGBTQIA+ Committee | This Convention Workshop looks at a way how Individuals, Congregations, and/or Diocese can support other church-wide ministries such as the Rainbow Initiative with the Episcopal Migration Ministries. |
| Gather to Grow Beloved Community | Music Center | Anti-Racism Committee | How do you meet the challenge of creating and growing Beloved Community? What are the barriers? What are the rewards? What does it mean to be reconcilers, healers, and justice-bearers? Join us for a series of discussions focused on action and collaboration. |
| Planting Seeds to Grow New Ministry – Serving Those That Served | Sean’s Place S3/5 | Veteran’s Ministry Team | In this workshop, we will explore creative ways of starting a veteran or military ministry at your church & or wider community. As every community has different needs & resources, there is no “one size fits all” for veteran ministry. Thus we will explore various types of veteran & military ministries. We will hear from parishioners who have started successful & fruitful veteran ministries, listen to their tips & wisdom for growing a veteran / military ministry, and much more! |
| Gates and Gateways | Learning Center L1 | The Rev. Kim Crecca & The Rev. Gay Romack | This workshop features life stories from formerly incarcerated women to shift the paradigm from “What’s wrong with you? to What happened to you? You will witness both barriers and opportunities that surround the incarcerated population and be inspired to Go, Gather, Grow, and Give to support and empower these women to be the best they can be. |
| It’s All About Culture | Sanctuary | The Rev. Jim Clark | Saint Barnabas’ core culture has been formed by “We’re about Jesus” with emphases on faith formation, contemplative spirituality, listening, member-centric church, and more. “Member-centric church”? For us, it equals Go, Gather, Grow, and Give. |
The Senior Warden Lunch will take place in Learning Center L6
All Senior Wardens are invited to attend an in-person lunch and awards ceremony on October 21st at Saint Barnabas on the Desert, Scottsdale.
The Clergy Spouse & Partner Lunch will take place in Learning Center L4
All clergy, priests, and deacon spouses and partners are invited to join together for lunch and fellowship on Saturday, October 21st. There will be a designated area for this, separate from the main lunch area.
Our Holy Eucharist is scheduled for Saturday October 21st at 2:00 p.m at Saint Barnabas on the Desert. This service will be in person and live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Worship will be open to all who register for the in-person gathering day.
To watch the Eucharist Live-stream on Youtube, visit our Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE
The Annual Diocesan Convention Children & Youth Program will take place in the Children’s Center
This program is provided for children of registered participants at the Diocesan Convention, for infants through 5th grade. If there are fewer than five children registered by October 1, the children’s program may be canceled.
Check-in for the Children’s program will begin at 8:30 AM
Lunch on Saturday 10/21 is included in the Registration Fee. Please note, that all children and infants must have been registered by September 29th.
The Dio Youth Lock-In will begin on Friday, October 20th at 6 p.m. at Saint Barnabas on the Desert. It will end at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 21st. Registration for this has already closed. If you have any questions you can contact The Rev. Canon Jana Sundin, Canon for Children and Youth at jana@azdiocese.org
Delegate/Voting Clergy Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
If you need to make changes to your registration, please contact Maria Felix at maria@azdiocese.org
The Convention registration form will be sent by email to each congregation in July. The registration form will indicate the number of delegates, wardens, and clergy eligible to voice and vote at the Convention. If you have any questions, email the Diocesan House at registration@azdiocese.org. The registration fee for each person is $70.00, which includes lunch on Saturday, October 21st
Visitor, Volunteer, & Non-Voting Clergy Registration
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
If you need to make changes to your registration, please contact Maria Felix at maria@azdiocese.org
Visitors are most welcome to participate in Diocesan Convention. can register with their congregation or via an online registration form that will be emailed out. The form will also be located on the Diocesan website. Forms will be available on the website the first week of August. The registration fee for visitors: $70.00 for registration, which includes lunch on Saturday, October 21st. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 22, 2023.
ALTERNATE DELEGATES MUST REGISTER USING THIS FORM
If you need to pay by check please make checks payable to the Diocese of Arizona and mail to the following address:
Memo: Diocesan Convention Registration
Diocesan House
114 W Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Convention Business Results
Thank you to all who attended our Annual Diocesan Convention Business Meeting over Zoom on Tuesday, October 17th. Below are the results of the meeting.
Elections
Convention Secretary
Jan Feltz
Disciplinary Board – Clerical Order
The Rev. Gary Nicolosi
The Rev. Tim Yanni
Disciplinary Board – Lay Order
David Loder
Standing Committee – Clerical Order
The Rev. Canon Erika von Haaren
The Rev. Taylor Devine
Standing Committee – Lay Order
Alison Moran
Sarah Colmark
Rules of Order
The new Rules of Order were adopted
Resolutions
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolution 2023-1 – Amend Canon 16.4 to allow for inflation regarding Mission Congregation expenses.
Convention Schedule – Past Events
Convention Business
The Standing Committee consists of six clergy and six lay communicants who shall each serve a 3-year term and not more than two consecutive 3-year terms. The election this year is for 2 clerical members for a 3-year term and 2 lay members for a 3-year term. The term of office will begin immediately following the Diocesan Convention. Incumbent Susana Santibanez is eligible for reelection.
The Standing Committee is the Advisory Council to the Bishop meeting approximately 6 times a year. In addition, the Standing Committee serves as the Ecclesiastical Authority in the event of a vacancy in the Episcopate. The Standing Committee also provides consent for Bishop Elections and participates in the review of candidates for ordination.
Nominees – Clerical Order
(2 Clerical Members – 3 year term)
The Rev. Taylor Devine
Saint Philip’s in the Hills, Tucson, AZ
ECM at UA Board, Tucson, AZ
Current: Associate for Intergenerational Ministries at Saint Philip’s in the Hills, Tucson & ECM at UA Board
Past: Member of Disciplinary Board, 2020-2023, The Gathering for Abundant Life Task Force, Episcopal Service Corps National Advisory Board 2020-2021
The Rev. Perry Pauley
All Saints Episcopal Church, Phoenix, AZ
Current: Rector, All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School Secretary to Convention, 2022 & 2023
Past: Priest Associate, Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix
Associate Rector, Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley Vicar, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Sun City
The Rev. Canon Erika von Haaren
Gloria Christi Federated Congregation, Paradise Valley, AZ
Current: Interim Pastor, Gloria Christi Federated Church; Commission on Ministry member
Past: Saint Barnabas, Scottsdale; Resurrection, Gilbert; Christ Church of the Ascension, Paradise Valley; COM Chair, Deacon Formation Academy Instructor, Gathering for Abundant Life Committee
Nominees – Lay Order
(2 Lay Members – 3 year term)
Sarah Colmark
Saint Barnabas on the Desert, Scottsdale, AZ
Current: Vice-President of American General Media, a nationally recognized broadcast radio company, regular Lay Eucharistic Minister, member of the St. Barnabas Mental Health Task Force, treasurer of Heritage Heights HOA, mother of two teenage boys
Past: Delegate to the 2022 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, Finance Manager of American General Media, Godly Play teacher at Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, Worship Pianist Church of the Incarnation
Tricia Galvin
Episcopal Church of St. Matthew, Tucson, AZ
Current: Business Manager & Realtor, Hospitality Chair, Lector
Past: Vestry, Finance Committee, Jr. Warden, EfM Graduate
Alison Moran
Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ
Current: Middle School Science Teacher at All Saints’ Episcopal Day School, Clerk of Chapter at Trinity Cathedral, Lay server at Trinity Cathedral, Mentor/Coach for the Thriving in Ministry Initiative
Past: Vestry member at St. Peter’s Litchfield Park
The Convention Secretary shall be elected for a term of one year. Incumbent, Perry Pauley, is eligible for re-election.
Duties include acting as recording secretary for every meeting of the Convention and the Standing Committee, as well as performing such duties as assigned by the Convention or the Bishop. Canon 4, Sec. 1
Nominees
(1 Member – 1 year term)
Jan Feltz
All Saints’, Phoenix, AZ
Current: Retired from Arizona Dept of Economic Security, March 2023. Former Altar Guild Directress, Vestry member, and Junior Warden. Current Altar Guild member, Lector.
Past: Previously served as Secretary to Convention, member of Bishop Search Committee, Chapel Rock Board.
The election for the Disciplinary Board this year is for 2 clerical members for a 3-year term and 1 lay member for a 3-year term.
The Rev. Gary Nicolosi
St. Alban’s, Wickenburg AZ
Current: I am just completing a three-year term on the Disciplinary Board and presently serve as a permanent supply priest at St. Alban’s, Wickenburg. Since arriving in Arizona in July 2016, I have done pro bono immigration and veterans law. I am a member of the New York Bar, the American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association. I also lead church growth and congregational development seminars in the United States and Canada. I have written three books: SoulFire: Preaching the Church’s Message in a Secular, Postmodern World; A Concise History of the Book of Common Prayer; and Strength in Adversity: Lessons from the Book of Job. I am now working on a fourth book on congregational development.
Past: I have served as interim rector of Nativity, Scottsdale from 2017 to 2019. Before retiring in Arizona. I served as rector of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway, California where I was a twice elected Deputy to the General Convention. I also served as Congregational Development Officer in the Diocese of British Columbia, and rector of St. James Westminster Church, London, Ontario where I developed and led the Post Ordination Training program.
Nominees – Lay Order
(1 Lay Member – 3 year term)
John Carpenter
Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ
Current: I am currently retired. However, I work part-time as a bail bondsman for Action Bail Bonds and a certified process server. At Trinity Cathedral I serve as a lay reader and I coordinate the Bible Study on Sunday mornings. I attend Lectio Divina and am a member of the Fellowship of St. John of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist.
Past: I have worked as a bail bondsman and a certified process server for many years. I also served as the Treasurer of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Phoenix and have been a delegate to several conventions (including the election of Bishop Heistand). I spent eighteen years as a member of the Phoenix Elementary School District Governing Board and served 2 1/2 years as the Justice of the Peace of the East Phoenix No. 1 Justice Court.
Douglas Cole
St. Stephen’s, Phoenix AZ
Current: Chief Operating Officer, HighGround Public Affairs Consultants, Vestry Member, St. Stephen’s, Phoenix, Lay Member, Disciplinary Board, Diocese of Arizona Member, Judicial Performance Review Commission, Supreme Court, State of Arizona
Past: Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor of Arizona Senior Warden, St. Stephens, Phoenix. Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, Supreme Court, State of Arizona Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments, Supreme Court, State of Arizona
Voting Instructions
This year, during the Convention Business Meeting we are using VPoll to vote as it is a secure and reliable voting system. For instructions on how to use VPoll, click the link below.
If you would like to watch a video tutorial, please click this link:
https://youtu.be/9O-1bs5e1tI
Clergy Eligible to Vote
Canon I, Section 4(a): Every member of the Clergy who is:
(1) in good standing; (2) canonically and actually resident in the diocese and; (3) actively exercising a regular parochial or diocesan ministry in the diocese, as determined by the rector or vicar of the parish or mission in which they serve, or by the bishop. They are a clerical member of and shall be entitled to a seat and a vote at the Convention. Every other member of the clergy who is in good standing and is canonically resident in the diocese shall have a seat in the Convention but no vote.
Clergy eligible to vote will be listed with the congregation with which they have a working relationship. Non-voting clergy should be registered in the appropriate section of the registration form. If you have any questions concerning this, contact Serrena Fuentes, Registrar of Convention, at 602-254-0976 or serrena@azdiocese.org.
Sara Haas
Chair, Nominating Committee
haas.sara@gmail.com
Resolution: 2023-1
Title: Amend Canon 16.4 to allow for inflation regarding Mission Congregation expenses.
Names of Submitters:
- Stanlie James, Church of the Epiphany, Tempe (stanliejames@gmail.com)
- Lisa Derrick, Trinity Cathedral (llderrick314@outlook.com)
- Fr. Gerardo Brambila, St. Mark’s, Mesa (frgerardo@stmarksmesa.org)
- Deacon Robin Hollis, St. Stephen’s, Phoenix. (robin.b.hollis@gmail.com)
Church Body Name: Standing Committee of the Diocese of Arizona
Church Body City: Phoenix, AZ
BE IT RESOLVED: That Canon 16.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 4. Duties of and Limitations on Bishop’s Committee. The Bishop’s Committee, under the direction of the Bishop and his or her Vicar, shall attend to the ordinary business affairs of the Mission and also to those special matters as may be committed to it by the Bishop, or the Vicar, or by Canon, but in no case shall it enter into any agreement affecting its real or personal property without the advice and consent of the Bishop, and the Standing Committee, nor shall the Bishop’s Committee or the Vicar have any power or authority to incur any indebtedness or enter into any undertaking or obligation in excess of the sum of $2,500 a standard sum established by the Standing Committee each year (other than the salary or remuneration of the Vicar) without the express written consent of the Bishop and the approval of the Standing Committee.
Explanation of Resolution: This resolution provides our Standing Committee the ability to regularly update the amount a Mission Congregation of the diocese can spend on repairs and other building and ground maintenance without direct application to the Standing Committee. Under the current limitations, both the Bishop’s Committees and the Standing Committee have to hold special meetings and votes for what are now basic repair and maintenance bills, which was not the initial intent of this Canon when it was written. The Standing Committee maintains full oversight of the financial security of our Mission Congregations with this change.
Explanation of Process: Canon 29 of the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona provides that as long as a resolution to change the Canons is otherwise in good order, this one having met those requirements, then the “Canons may be amended or repealed in whole or in part at any Convention by a majority of both Orders voting separately” and that “unless expressly otherwise provided, any amendment to the Canons shall be effective at the close of the Convention adopting the amendment”. The Standing Committee is required to meet directly after the close of the Diocesan Convention and if this amendment passes, they will set a sum for the remainder of this year at that time.
For questions please contact
The Rev. Ben Garren
Chair, Resolutions Committee
ecmtucson@gmail.com
Guidelines for Diocesan Resolutions, instructions for completing the resolution template form, and the resolution form are all available HERE.
Any Constitution and Canon changes will be discussed at the pre-convention workshop on October 5th, 2023, and voted on at Convention.
The 2024 Financial Statement of Mission, which has been put forth by the Finance Committee and Standing Committee, must be approved by the Convention. The budget has been printed in the Convention Delegate packet of information and will be discussed at the pre-convention workshop on October 5th, and voted on at the Zoom business meeting on October 17th, 2023.
Click HERE to view the 2024 Financial Statement of Mission
Below is a link to the Current Rules of Order
This year, there is a proposed change to the General Rules of Order that will be voted on at the Convention Business Meeting. Click the link below to view the change.
Click HERE for the Full List of Reports to Convention