Canons of the Diocese

Canon I Of The Interpretation Of The Canons

These Canons shall be interpreted in their plain and literal sense except that words making reference to persons of the male gender shall be interpreted so as to include persons of the female gender.

Canon II Of Clergy Entitled To Seats

At or before the time of the meeting of any Convention of this Diocese, the Bishop shall deliver to the Secretary a list of all clergy entitled to membership in the Convention, together with the names of their respective cures or places of residence. Subject to factual correction by the Convention, this list shall constitute the names of the clergy who have the right to seat and voice or seat and voice and vote in the Convention in accordance with Articles VI and XIV of the Constitution.

Canon III Of Lay Delegates

Section 1.

The appointment or election of lay delegates to the Convention of this Diocese, as provided for in Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution, shall be certified in writing by the Rector or Priest-in-charge of the congregation of which they are representatives, or in the absence of a clergyman by one of the wardens, or by the clerk of the vestry of such congregation.

Such certificate of election to an Annual Convention shall be filed with the Secretary of the Convention not later than the first day of March in each calendar year. Delegates elected to a Special Convention shall be certified in like manner not later than fifteen days prior to the day appointed for such Special Convention.

Section 2.

In case of failure by one or more delegates or alternates from any congregation to attend the Convention, the Rector or Minister in charge of such congregation shall have power to appoint alternates to replace them. In the absence of such Rector or Minister, or his failure to act, the power of appointment shall fall to the Bishop. In all cases, those so appointed shall conform to the requirements of Article VI, Section 2, of the Constitution.

Canon IV Of The Organization Of The Convention

Section 1.

The Convention shall be called to order by the Bishop if he be present. If there be no Bishop, or none able to act, the Convention shall be called to order in accordance with Article VII, Section 1, of the Constitution.

Section 2.

(a) The chair of the registration committee shall provide the chair of the credentials committee as soon as possible after the time set to call convention to order with the following information:

The number of clergy entitled to vote

The number of such clergy excused from attendance

The number of clergy with vote registered present

The number of clergy with seat and voice only registered

The number of congregations entitled to lay representation

The number of congregations represented by lay delegates

The total number of lay delegates registered

The total number of lay persons entitled to seat and voice only registered.

(b) A constitutional quorum being present, the president shall declare the convention opened and ready for business when a secretary shall be elected, and in case of need, a president.

Section 3.

The Convention shall proceed to business in accordance with its Rules of Order and with Orders of Business adopted from time to time.

Section 4.

The Bishop shall appoint a Chaplain for each Convention and shall specify the Chaplain’s duties.

Canon V Of The Officers Of The Convention

Section 1.

The President, as a member of the Convention, is entitled to the same privileges of membership as are accorded to every other member.

Section 2.

It shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify each ordained person, or in case of a vacancy, the vestry or Bishop’s Committee, in the Diocese, at least thirty days before the time appointed for the meeting of any Convention, of the time and place of such meeting, sending to the proper officers blanks for parish reports and for certificates of lay delegates. He shall prepare the Journal of Convention and procure its publication. He shall send annually a copy of the Journal to the Secretary of each Diocesan Convention on his request, and he shall ask of the latter copies of Journals of their respective Dioceses in exchange. He shall send to each General Convention a Certificate of Election of clerical and lay Deputies, in accordance with pertinent Sections of the General Canons.

The Secretary shall be remunerated with such stipend as the Convention shall direct.

Section 3.

The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all the funds of Convention, as shall be ordered by the Convention or the Diocesan Council. He shall deliver to his successor in office all monies, vouchers, and records in his possession which may relate or belong to his office, and he shall give a bond for the faithful performance of his duties, in an amount which shall be fixed from time to time by the Diocesan Council.

Section 4.

It shall be the duty of the Registrar to secure historical information pertaining to the work of the Church in the Diocese of Spokane, and preserve all records pertaining thereto.

Canon VI Of Committees And Commissions

Section 1.

The Convention, by Resolution, may establish Committees and Commissions, to which may be referred matters requiring interim consideration. The enabling Resolution shall specify the size and composition of each such Committee or Commission

Section 2.

A Committee shall be composed of members of the Convention, serving at the time of its appointment or continuance. A Commission may include persons not members of the Convention. Members of Committees and Commissions shall be appointed by the Bishop. At least one member of each Commission shall be appointed from the membership of the Diocesan Council. The Bishop shall be ex-officio a member of all Committees and Commissions established under this Canon.

Section 3.

Committees and Commissions shall report and make recommendations to the Convention next following upon their appointment, at the conclusion of which Convention they shall be considered discharged, unless specific action to the contrary be taken, or unless otherwise provided in the Canons.

Section 4.

A Committee on Resolutions shall be appointed by the Bishop prior to the meeting of the Convention. It shall be composed of members of the clergy entitled to vote and of lay persons elected to the Convention, in number at the discretion of the Bishop. All Resolutions to be proposed to the Convention, with the exception of legislative proposals, shall be referred to the Committee for its consideration and report as provided in the Rules of Order. The Committee may also propose Resolutions on its own motion. With the consent of the Bishop the Committee shall have power to suppress any Resolution which appears in its judgment to be abusive or unparliamentary in tone, libelous, or grossly improper. With this exception all Resolutions submitted to the Committee shall be reported in due course to the Convention. In reporting a Resolution the Committee may recommend changes in form intended to clarify its purpose, or to combine two or more resolutions having the same purpose, but shall have no power to propose substantive alteration; it may, however, move reference to another committee for consideration of substance.

Section 5.

A Joint Committee on Arrangements for the next Convention shall be appointed by the Bishop either during the Convention or as soon as feasible thereafter. It shall be composed of members of the Convention, including the Secretary, representatives of the host parish, and other persons at the discretion of the Bishop. It shall be responsible for arranging physical facilities, hospitality, public relations, and all other matters relating to the convenience and well-being of the Convention. It shall submit a budget for such purposes to the Diocesan Council for its consideration and action.

Section 6.

Other Committees to assist in the conduct of the Convention, in addition to those provided for in the Canons and not in conflict with the duties therein prescribed, may be provided for in the Rules of Order or appointed by the Bishop at his discretion.

Canon VII Of Elections

Section 1.

A Nominating Committee consisting of three clergy, presbyters or deacons, and three lay persons, communicant members of the Diocese in good standing, shall be appointed by the Bishop not later than April 15 of each year.

Section 2.

It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to nominate at each Annual Convention qualified candidates for each Diocesan office which is or may become vacant as of the date of such Convention.

Section 3.

Not later than two weeks in advance of the meeting of the Annual Convention the Nominating Committee shall send to every clergyman and to the senior warden of every parish and the warden of every mission a list of those to be nominated by the Committee together with information concerning each candidate indicating his qualification for the office for which he is proposed.

Section 4.

Candidates shall be communicant members of the Diocese in good standing, and may be nominated by Nominating Committee, by the Vestry of any parish or the Bishop’s Committee of any mission, or from the floor of the Convention.

Section 5.

If the number of nominees for any office shall exceed by more than two the number of vacancies to be filled a Nominating Ballot shall be taken. Those nominees receiving the ranking pluralities on the Nominating Ballot, two more in number than the vacancies to be filled, shall be declared the nominees for the ensuing election; and no further nominations for the same vacancies shall be received. The vote on the Nominating Ballot shall be deemed an action in Committee of the Whole, and shall not be subject to a demand for a vote by Orders.

Section 6.

There shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Convention a Committee on Elections which shall prepare a ballot listing the names of all nominees by office. Balloting shall be at the convenience of the Convention.

Section 7.

The provisions of this Canon shall not apply in the election of a Bishop, a Bishop Coadjutor, or a Bishop Suffragan.

Canon VIII Of Parishes

Section 1.

The formation of Parishes shall be vested in the Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Standing Committee.

Section 2.

No congregation shall become a parish until it is fully capable of self-support, including provision for the stipend and residence of a rector, and is provided with a place of worship.

Section 3.

A mission desirous of parochial status shall make application therefore to the Bishop or President of the Standing Committee, in accordance with the following procedure:

(a) A meeting of the congregation shall be called for such express purpose, thirty days’ notice thereof having been given in writing or by publication from the chancel on four consecutive Sundays. A majority of the registered baptized members of the congregation of voting age shall constitute a quorum for the meeting, at which a majority of two-thirds shall be necessary for the adoption of the pertinent resolutions. The letter of application shall contain a certificate, signed by the secretary and presiding officer, of the fulfillment of the foregoing conditions.

(b) The petition for parochial status shall include the following statement: “In conformity with the directions given by our Lord to His Church we gladly accept responsibility for carrying on the missionary work of the Church in the area which shall be assigned to us.”

(c) There shall be adopted at the meeting a provisional Constitution and By-Laws for the parish, a copy whereof shall be enclosed with the application. The Constitution shall include an Article of conformity to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of this Church, and of accession to the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention and of this Episcopal Jurisdiction and its canonical successors; with provision that such Article shall not be subject to amendment or repeal.

(d) The authorities of the congregation shall submit with the application evidence that for at least twelve months preceding they have met all financial obligations and have provided the Vicar an adequate stipend and allowances. The Convention shall have power from time to time to approve a minimum standard of expenditures for this purpose; provided that for urgent cause the Bishop and Standing Committee may dispense therefrom in individual cases.

Section 4.

Upon approval of an application for parochial status the Bishop shall cause to be issued to the Secretary of the Convention a certificate of organization giving the title and location of the admitted parish, the effective date of admission, and a description of the parochial boundaries, if any. A copy thereof shall be delivered to the parish authorities, and to the authorities of any existing parish in the same municipal area.

Section 5.

A parish organized in accordance with this Canon may be incorporated under the laws of the State in which its principal place of worship is located.

Section 6.

(a) A parish which shall cease to be self-supporting for a period of three consecutive years, as evidenced by the Annual Parochial Reports for those years, shall have its parochial status placed in suspension until such time as a subsequent annual report shall demonstrate that self-support has been restored. “Self-support” for the purposes of this Section shall include the requirements of Section 3(d) hereof, together with the maintenance of regular services and of pledged contribution to the Church’s Program, and free of all general subsidy from the Diocese or the General Church.

(b) During the period of suspension the parish shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Canon IX, “Of Organized Missions,” insofar as the Bishop may determine and the General Canons may allow. During the suspension period the parish by-laws shall be suspended and a Bishop’s Committee appointed by the Bishop shall have and exercise the powers of the Vestry as directors of the parish corporation.

(c) A suspended parish which shall have failed after a further period of two years to resume self-support may, by the Bishop acting with advice and consent of the Standing Committee, be changed to the status of an organized mission. Before such action is taken the Bishop and Standing Committee shall give notice in writing to the Bishop’s Committee of the suspended parish, and shall appoint a time and place not less than thirty days thereafter at which members of the congregation and other interested persons shall be entitled to be heard. The decision of the Bishop and Standing Committee shall be announced as soon as feasible after the conclusion of the hearing, and a further period of sixty days shall be allowed the Bishop’s Committee to establish self-support if adverse action is to be taken.

Canon IX Of Organized Missions

Section 1.

Mission congregations shall be organized or dissolved by the Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Diocesan Council.

Section 2.

Upon the organization of a mission the Bishop shall appoint a Bishop’s Committee consisting of a Warden, who shall be a communicant in good standing, and two or more Committeemen, each of whom shall be a member in good standing. A Clerk and a Treasurer, who shall be members in good standing of the congregation but need not be members of the Committee, shall be appointed by the Bishop upon nomination by the Committee. The duty of the Bishop’s Committee shall be to administer the operating funds of the congregation, to attend to its ordinary business affairs, and to further its welfare in every way possible. Officers and Committeemen shall serve for terms of one year, or, at the discretion of the Bishop, for longer periods not to exceed three years. They shall be eligible for reappointment.

Section 3.

As his pastoral and liturgical representative, the Bishop shall appoint a Vicar, who shall conform to the Bishop’s instructions and be responsible to him for the discharge of his duties. The Vicar shall be ex-officio a voting member of the Bishop’s Committee. He shall preside when present at all meetings of the Committee and of the congregation. In his absence and at his request or that of the Bishop the Warden may preside. For the performance of his duties the Vicar shall have access at all times to buildings held by the Diocese for the use of the congregation.

Section 4.

The government of an organized mission shall be in the Bishop, acting in consultation with the Vicar and Bishop’s Committee.

Section 5.

The Directors of the Diocesan Corporations shall hold title to all mission property within their respective jurisdictions, and shall exercise supervision of all surplus and invested funds held in trust for mission congregations.

Section 6.

The annual meeting of an organized mission shall have power to adopt by-laws for its own governance and that of its Bishop’s Committee, consistent with the Canons and subject to the consent of the Bishop.

Canon X Of Vestries

Section 1.

A Vestry shall consist of the Rector of the parish, two wardens, and such other vestry persons as are provided for in the Constitution (Articles of Incorporation) and By-Laws of the parish. The Rector shall have all the same rights as other members.

Section 2.

Wardens shall be at the time of their election or appointment, and shall remain, communicant members in good standing of the parish, and be of legal age.

Section 3.

Other lay members of the vestry shall be at the time of their election, and shall remain, qualified electors of the parish and be of legal age.

Section 4.

Vestry members shall continue in office until their successors are elected. Vacancies in a Vestry may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members.

Section 5.

Meetings of the Vestry shall be presided over in accordance with provisions of the Constitution (Articles of Incorporation) and/or the By-laws of the Parish. In the absence of any such provisions therein, the Rector or such other member of the Vestry designated by the Rector, or in his/her absence the Senior Warden, shall preside in all the meetings of the Vestry.

Canon XI Of The Rectors Of Parishes

Section 1.

The vestry of a parish shall elect its Rector, in conference with the Bishop, and no election of a Rector shall be complete without the Bishop’s approval.

Section 2.

The Rector must be a presbyter in good standing, and if not already canonically resident in the Diocese, must be transferred thereto within sixty days of his acceptance of the call.

Section 3.

If the authorities of a parish that has become vacant shall for thirty days fail to make provisions for the service, it shall be the duty of the Bishop to take such measures as he shall deem expedient for the maintenance of Divine services therein. If the vestry has not within three months filled a vacancy, the Bishop may appoint temporarily a presbyter to fill the same.

Canon XII Of Annual Meetings

Section 1.

There shall be an annual meeting of every parish and organized mission on such day as the constituted authority of the parish or mission may previously by vote appoint, public notice being given from the chancel on the two Sundays preceding. In the case of missions, such notice shall be given as may be directed by the Bishop. The annual meeting shall be for the election of a vestry (if the congregation be a parish), for the election of delegates to Convention, for receiving reports, and for such other business as it may lawfully transact.

Section 2.

The qualified electors at this annual meeting shall be all communicant members in good standing of the congregation as shown by the parish register, and all other members of the congregation who have been regular contributors during the past year as shown by the Treasurer’s books; provided that all electors shall have reached the age of sixteen years.

Section 3.

The Rector, if the congregation be a parish, or the Vicar, if it be an organized mission, shall preside at the annual meeting. In the absence of the Rector or Vicar the warden shall preside.

Section 4.

A parish meeting may adopt bylaws for itself, not inconsistent with this code and the enactments of the Diocesan and General Conventions.

Canon XIII Of Business Methods In Church Affairs

Section 1.

(a) Funds held in trust, endowment and other permanent funds, and securities represented by physical evidence of ownership or indebtedness, shall be deposited with a Federally insured National Institution or a Diocesan Corporation, or with some other agency approved in writing by the Finance Committee of the Diocese, under a deed of trust, agency or other depository agreement providing for at least two signatures on any order of withdrawal of such funds or securities.

But this paragraph shall not apply to funds and securities refused by such depositories as being too small for acceptance. Such small fund and securities shall be under the care of the persons or corporations properly responsible for them.

This paragraph shall not be deemed to prohibit investments in securities issued in book entry form or other manner that dispenses with the delivery of a certificate evidencing the ownership of the securities or the indebtedness of the issuer.

(b) Records shall be made and kept of all trust and permanent funds showing at least the following:

(1) Source and date.

(2) Terms governing the use of principal and income.

(3) To whom and how often reports of condition are to be made.

(4) How the funds are invested.

(c) Treasurers and custodians, other than banking institutions, shall be adequately bonded; except treasurers of funds that do not exceed five hundred dollars at any one time during the fiscal year.

(d) Books of account shall be so kept as to provide the basis for satisfactory accounting.

(e) All accounts of the Diocese shall be audited by an independent Certified Public Accountant. All accounts of the Parishes, Missions or other institutions shall be audited annually by an independent Certified Public Accountant, or independent Licensed Public Accountant or such audit committee as shall be authorized by the Finance Committee of the Diocese.

All reports of such audits, including any memorandum issued by the auditors or audit committee regarding internal controls or other accounting matters, together with a summary of action taken or proposed to be taken to correct deficiencies or implement recommendations contained in any such memorandum, shall be filed with the Ecclesiastical Authority not later than 30 days following the date of such report, and in no event, not later than September 1, of each year, covering the financial reports of the previous calendar year.

(f) All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured.

(g) The Finance Committee of the Diocese may require copies of any or all accounts described in this Section to be filed with it and shall report annually to the Convention of the Diocese upon its administration of the Canon.

(h) The fiscal year of this Diocese, its agencies and of every parish and mission within it shall begin on the first day of January.

Section 2.

(a) Any Parish or Mission shall be designated a Congregation Not in Good Standing if its Rector/Vicar/Clergy-person or Lay-person in Charge fails to submit to the Diocesan Office the Parochial Report for the year ending December 31 preceding, as required by Title 1, Canon 6, Section 1 of the General Convention, and the certificate of election of delegates to Diocesan Convention, not later than March 1 of each year; provided that the Ecclesiastical Authority may, for good cause shown, grant an extension for filing the Parochial Report and the certificate to a date not later then April 1 of the year the Report is due.

(b) Any Parish or Mission shall be designated a Congregation Not in Good Standing if its Rector/Vicar/Clergy-person or Lay-person in Charge fails to submit to the Diocesan Office the reports required by sub-Section 1(e) above by the deadlines indicated therein; provided that the Ecclesiastical Authority may, for good cause shown, grant an extension for filing those reports to a date not later than September 30 of the year the reports are due.

(c) Should a congregation be designated a Congregation Not in Good Standing, the Ecclesiastical Authority may, with the advice of Diocesan Council, deny its Rector/Vicar/Clergy-person or Lay-person in Charge his/her vote at that year’s Convention.

Section 3.

No Vestry, Trustee, or other Body, authorized by Civil or Canon Law to hold, manage, or administer real property for any Parish, Mission, Congregation, or Institution, shall sell, mortgage, lease or otherwise encumber or alienate such real property or any part thereof without the written consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee except under such regulations as may be prescribed by these Canons.

Section 4.

All real and personal property held by or for the benefit of any Parish, Mission or congregation is held in trust for this General Church and Diocese. The existence of this trust, however, shall in no way limit the authority of the Parish or Congregation over such property consistent with the Canons and subject to its continuing in communion with this General Church and Diocese.

(Nota bene: The term General Church in Section 3 above refers to the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, as set forth in Article II of the Constitution of the Diocese.)

Section 5.

(a) Every congregation and the diocese shall provide all lay employees who work a minimum of 1000 hours annually retirement benefits through participation in the Episcopal Church Lay Employee Retirement Plan (ECLERP) or in an equivalent plan, the provisions of which are at least equal to those of ECLERP. Such participation shall commence no later than January 1, 1993. At its commencement, if the plan is a defined benefit plan, the employer shall contribute not less than 9 percent (9%) of the employee’s salary; if the plan is a defined contribution plan, the employer shall contribute not less than 5 percent (5%) of employee’s salary and agree to “match” employee contributions of up to another 4 percent (4%).

(b) The employer may impose a minimum age of 21 years and minimum employment period not to exceed one year of continuous employment before an employee shall be eligible to participate.

(c) The Trustees of The Church Pension Fund shall have authority to increase or decrease the contribution percentages required for the lay pension plan.

Canon XIV Of The Restriction Of Debt

Section 1.

No indebtedness shall be incurred by a parish or mission without the approval of the Bishop and Standing Committee except:

(a) Indebtedness for permanent improvements, replacements, or additions to real estate or equipment, where the amount of such indebtedness, plus indebtedness of every kind already existing, shall not exceed 150% of the average annual receipts of such parish or mission during the past three years;

(b) Indebtedness for current expenses where the amount of such indebtedness, plus indebtedness for current expenses already existing, shall not exceed 20% of the total current receipts of such parish or mission during the preceding fiscal year.

(c) The payment of all indebtedness incurred under sub-sections (a) and (b) shall be provided for in the budgets of the ensuing fiscal years with reasonable expectation of payment of all such debt out of the receipts of the next three years.

Section 2.

In computing receipts under paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof amounts from or for endowments or from or by bequests, except income therefrom not specially designated, and receipts for non-parochial expenditures shall not be included.

Section 3.

When approval is required hereunder it shall be granted only when payment of all indebtedness shall be provided for in a plan of amortization or other method of payment to be submitted to and approved by the same authority.

Section 4.

This Canon shall not apply to the refinancing of existing loans.

Canon XV Of Parish Organizations

Section 1.

Voluntary organizations within any parish or cure, whose object is to promote the work of the Church and which make annual report to the congregations thereon, by whatever name or title known and whether or not affiliated with any supra-parochial organization, shall be considered “Parish Organizations” within the meaning of this Canon.

Section 2.

The Rector of every parish and the Vicar of every mission shall be the visitor and adviser of all parish organizations within his cure.

Section 3.

The presiding officer of every parish organization shall be a baptized member of the congregation with which it is affiliated.

Section 4.

Parish organizations shall have the right to adopt Constitutions, By-laws, or Rules of Procedure for themselves, consistent with the Constitution and Canons of the General Church and of this Diocese, and subject to the approval of the Rector or Vicar.

Section 5.

Upon the dissolution of any parish organization its corporate property and funds, after the settlement of prior claims and indebtedness, shall become the property of the parish or mission; and within thirty days after dissolution a statement of the financial condition of such dissolved organization shall be given to the Treasurer of the parish or mission, and arrangements made to carry out the provisions of this Canon.

Section 6.

This Canon shall not be construed to prohibit the temporary use of church property by non-parochial organizations devoted to good works, subject in the case of a parish to the approval of the Rector with the advice and consent of the vestry, or in the case of a mission to the approval of the Bishop, the Vicar, and the Bishop’s Committee and consistent with the Constitution and Canons of this Church.

Canon XVI Of Care Of Church Records

Parish registers, minute books, and other permanent records of each parish or mission pertain to the archives of the Diocese, and are to be carefully preserved. The Rector or Vicar shall be the custodian of the parish register. If he vacates his cure, he shall forthwith deposit the register with the senior warden of the parish or with the warden of the mission.

Records no longer in current use may be entrusted for safe-keeping to the Registrar of the Diocese.

Canon XVII Of Deaneries

Section 1.

For the more effective prosecution of the missionary and other work of the Church the Diocese shall be divided into Deaneries, of which the number and boundaries shall be determined by the Bishop and the Diocesan Council.

Section 2.

The Chapter of each Deanery shall consist of the following:

(a) All clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who:

1) are actually resident within the Deanery, or

2) hold any cure therein.

A clergyman belonging to the Chapters of more than one Deanery shall be eligible to vote and hold office in that only in which he is actually resident.

(b) One lay representative from each parish or organized mission within the Deanery, who shall have the qualification prescribed for a lay delegate to the Convention, and who shall be chosen in a manner to be determined by the Vestry or Bishop’s Committee of the congregation which he represents.

Section 3.

(a) The Chapter of each Deanery shall meet at least once in each calendar year. Such additional meetings may be held as the needs of the Deanery may require. Meetings shall be held at the call of the Rural Dean or Chairman; or, if there be none, of that presbyter in active service who is senior in residence within the Deanery, who shall then preside. Meetings may also be held at the call of the Bishop, who if present may preside.

(b) A quorum of the Chapter, all members having been duly summoned, shall consist of either:

1) a majority of the entire membership including a majority of the clerical members; or

2) all clerical members in active service.

Section 4.

(a) A Deanery Chapter including three or more presbyters entitled to vote therein shall nominate one of them to the Bishop for appointment as Rural Dean. Rural Deans shall be appointed for terms of three calendar years including the year in which they are appointed. They may succeed themselves.

(b) A Deanery having fewer than three eligible presbyters shall be administered by a Chairman pro tem. If there be one presbyter, he shall be the Chairman. If there be two, they shall serve in alternate years as ordered by the Bishop. If there is no presbyter, a Deacon shall serve as Chairman.

Section 5.

Subject to the Bishop’s direction and to the counsel of his Chapter, the Rural Dean shall have supervision over the missionary work in his Deanery.

(a) He shall preside at all meetings of the Deanery and the Chapter, except as herein otherwise provided.

(b) He shall have the cure of souls in all unoccupied areas within the Deanery. He may assign any part of this responsibility to other clergy of the Deanery by mutual agreement; which assignment, once given, shall not be withdrawn except for good and sufficient cause.

(c) He shall have authority to consult and advise with each missionary priest as to strategy, congregational difficulties, and finance.

(d) He shall supervise the work of all Deacons and lay readers in charge of congregations, and shall provide for the administration of the Sacraments in such congregations.

(e) In consultation with the Bishop and the local Bishop’s Committee, he shall arrange for the maintenance of Divine Worship and the administration of the Sacraments in vacant missionary cures.

(f) He shall be available for counsel to the vestries of vacant parishes with regard to the provision of services during such vacancies.

(g) He may be deputized by the Bishop as his representative in such occasional offices as do not require the exercise of Episcopal Orders.

(h) As he may have opportunity he shall visit the unoccupied areas of the Deanery for ministration to isolated communicants and exploration of the possibilities of new work.

(i) He shall bring to the attention of the Bishop any situations which in his opinion require such attention. He shall report from time to time to the Bishop and Diocesan Council on the progress, needs, and prospects of the work within his Deanery. He shall make an annual report to the Convention of his official acts.

(j) The provisions of this section shall apply to Chairmen pro tem, with such exceptions as the Bishop may direct.

(k) Rural Deans, but not Chairmen pro tem, shall be Honorary Canons of the Cathedral

Section 6.

(a) An open meeting of each Deanery shall be held within 30 days prior to a regular or special Convention of the Diocese to discuss matters to be presented to the Convention. The lay delegates(s) to Convention from each congregation in the Deanery and the clergy of the Deanery are strongly urged to attend such meeting. Other members of the congregations are urged to attend. All attendees are urged to raise questions about any issue in the pre-Convention materials distributed to clergy and delegates, and any other issues individuals wish to have discussed.

(b) Other meetings of the Deanery may be called by the Deanery Chapter for such purposes and with such arrangements as may seem to them appropriate.

(c) Meetings held in accordance with sub-sections (a) and (b) above shall have advisory and consultative powers only.

Canon XVIII Of The Diocesan Council

Section 1.

The Bishop and the Diocesan Council, as hereinafter constituted, shall have charge of the unification, development, and prosecution of the Missionary, Educational, Financial and Social Work of the Diocese, of which work the Bishop shall be the executive head.

Section 2.

(a) The Diocesan Council, hereafter referred to as the Council, shall consist of the following: The Bishop, ex-officio and without restriction; two clergymen and two laymen appointed annually by the Bishop to serve for one year; six clergymen and six laymen elected by the Convention in rotation. At each annual Convention, two clergymen and two laymen shall be elected to serve for three years; and no one may be elected to succeed himself except as provided for in sub-section (d) below. Clerical members shall be presbyters or deacons entitled to sit and vote in the Convention; lay members shall have the qualifications prescribed for delegates to the Convention.

(b) The Secretary of Convention, the Treasurer of the Convention, the Chancellor of the Diocese, the President of the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, and the Rural Deans or Chairmen of the several Deaneries shall be members ex-officio of the Council, with voice but without vote in its deliberations, except that as members of the Foundation, the ex officio members of Council shall each have a vote in the election of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

(c) A quorum of the Council shall consist of not less than seven voting members. A smaller number may adjourn from time to time.

(d) Vacancies in appointive membership shall be filled by appointment by the Bishop. Vacancies in elective memberships shall be filled by the Council; persons so elected shall serve until the next annual Convention, at which time members shall be elected to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, provided that any person elected either by the Council or by the Convention to fill an unexpired term shall be eligible for re-election to Council if that person shall have served less than two full years as an elected member prior.

Section 3.

The officers of the Diocesan Council shall be a President, a Vice President, and a Secretary, with such duties as the Council may prescribe. The Bishop of the Diocese shall be the President. The Vice President shall be elected, upon nomination by the Bishop, from among its voting members. The Council shall elect the Vice President and Secretary at its first meeting following the adjournment of each Annual Convention, to serve until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. In addition to the foregoing the Council may elect, upon nomination by the Bishop, an administrative assistant to the Bishop, to serve until his successor shall be elected and qualified. He shall have such duties as the Council may prescribe.

Section 4.

The Council shall exercise the powers conferred upon it by Canon and discharge the responsibilities thereby imposed, together with such further powers or duties as may be delegated by the Convention from time to time. Between sessions of the Convention it may initiate and develop such new work as it may deem necessary. For these purposes it shall have the power to organize such departments, committees, or task forces as may be appropriate or necessary, to designate their membership and the scope of their several activities, and to merge, divide, or dissolve them at its discretion. It may, subject to provision of the Canons, adopt By-Laws for its own government. It shall administer all funds contributed or received from any source for the above named purpose, subject to provision of the Canons and direction of the Convention.

Section 5

(a) The Council shall adopt annually a budget for all the work of the Diocese it may have undertaken, or may propose to undertake for the ensuing year. Provision shall be made in the budget for the necessary and reasonable expenses of the Council. The Council shall have power to authorize the expenditure of all monies provided for in the budget and of any money actually received in any year over and above the amount required for the budget of that year for the work above described, and to transfer unexpended balances.

(b) The Council as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year shall make a full report of its work to the Convention. This report shall include an itemized statement of all receipts and disbursements.

(c) The Council shall submit to each annual Convention for appropriate action and authorization to the Council a statement of the amount to be asked of the parishes and missions for the ensuing calendar year. The total asking shall have been apportioned among the several congregations in accordance with the formula adopted by the Convention.

Section 6.

The Council shall make an annual report to the Convention of all work done under its direction.

Section 7.

The Council shall meet for organization as soon as practicable after the election of its members, and shall meet thereafter at the call of its President. It shall be the duty of the President to call a meeting upon the written request of seven voting members of the Council.

Canon XIX Of The Finance Committee

Section 1.

At each annual Convention the Chair shall appoint a Finance Committee of the Diocese for the following purposes:

(a) To maintain general supervision of the financial affairs of the Diocese; to secure simplicity and accuracy in the collection and disbursement of all funds, and cooperation between the various officers, trusts, and boards of the Convention.

(b) To act as advisor to the Bishop, the Directors of the Diocesan Corporations, the Diocesan Council, and the Trustees of the Foundation for the Diocese, and, upon request, as advisor to individual congregations within the Diocese.

(c) To perform such other duties relating to the business affairs of the Diocese as may be referred to it by the Convention, the Diocesan Council, the Directors of the Corporations, or the Trustees of the Foundation for the Diocese.

(d) For these purposes it shall establish its own rules and keep a record of its meetings which shall be reported annually to the Convention.

Section 2.

In carrying out the duties outlined in Section 1. (b), the Committee shall have power to offer its services to any diocesan body or congregation whenever the Committee deems it can be helpful.

Section 3.

The Chairman of the Finance Committee shall be ex-officio a member of the Diocesan Council, with voice but without vote.

Canon XX Of The Diocesan Assessment

Section 1.

The Convention shall lay no assessment under penalty upon its constituent congregations except by a majority of two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote. Such assessment shall be for a time certain, and for specified purposes agreeable to Article XVI of the Constitution. It may be either uniform or proportional at the discretion of the Convention.

Section 2.

The Convention laying an assessment shall specify by a two-thirds majority the penalty for non-payment of an assessment, which penalty shall be limited to loss of representation in the Convention. Unless remitted or modified by a like two-thirds majority of the Convention the penalty shall remain in force until the delinquent assessment is paid.

Canon XXI Of The Church’s Program

Section 1.

Parishes and missions shall normally be expected to pledge in full the Askings authorized by the Convention under Canon XVIII, Section 5, as their fair shares of the amount needed to fund the Diocesan and General Church Program. Should it appear for any reason that a congregation will be unable to meet this expectation for the ensuing year its Vestry or Bishop’s Committee shall give timely notice thereof to the Treasurer of the Diocese, together with a request for a consultation with members of the Finance Committee. Such consultation shall take place if possible before the first day of February. Results of the consultation shall be reported by the Finance Committee to the Diocesan Council for its information.

Section 2.

Annual pledges by parishes and missions to the Church’s Program shall be payable in twelve equal installments, each installment to be paid no later than the 20th day of the calendar month in which it is current. If local circumstances require a different schedule of payments, suitable arrangements shall be made between the congregation and the Diocesan Treasurer before the first day of March.

A congregation which has failed to pay two consecutive installments in full shall request consultation with the Finance Committee to seek for such adjustment as will be for the benefit both of the Diocese and of the congregation.

Section 3.

A parish which for more than three consecutive years has failed to pledge and pay at least 75% of its Asking for the Church’s Program may be cited by the Bishop to the Standing Committee for consideration of a change of status as specified in Canon VIII, Section 6., or for some other supportive action by the Diocese.

Canon XXII Of The Commission On Ministry

Section 1.

There shall be a Commission on Ministry, to be composed of seven clergy, canonically resident in the Diocese, and five lay persons, communicants of this Church in good standing.

They shall serve for terms of three years and until their successors are elected and qualified; four members being elected by each annual Convention upon nomination by the Bishop. They may succeed themselves. Vacancies occurring in their number shall be filled by the Diocesan Council upon nomination by the Bishop, such election being for the remainder of the unexpired term or terms.

Section 2.

The Commission on Ministry shall enjoy the powers and discharge the duties prescribed in Title III, Canon 2, of the General Convention (1991) and by reference in other Canons of the General Church or of this Diocese; together with such other duties consonant therewith as may be assigned by the Bishop from time to time and which are not by the Canons reposed in any other person or agency.

Section 3.

As soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual Convention the Commission on Ministry shall meet, and shall elect a chairman and a secretary from among its members either clerical or lay. The secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the Commission which shall be open at all times to inspection by the Bishop and the Standing Committee. The Commission shall give a full report of its official actions to each annual Convention.

Canon XXIII Of Ecclesiastical Discipline

Section 1.

Disciplinary procedures within this Diocese shall be conducted in strict accordance with the provisions of Title IV of the Canons of the General Convention. Members of the Diocese involved in or subject to disciplinary proceedings are expected to become familiar with the provisions of that Title IV, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Section 2.

(a) At each annual Convention, on nomination of the Ecclesiastical Authority, an Ecclesiastical Trial Court shall be elected, consisting of three priests or vocational deacons canonically and actually resident in the Diocese and two lay persons, communicants in good standing of congregations of this Diocese. The members of the Court shall confer within thirty days of the adjournment of the Convention to elect from its members a Presiding Judge. Trials shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Canon IV.4, secs. 3 and 7 through 27.

(b) In case of a vacancy in the Court under Section 4 and/or 6 of Canon IV.4, the Diocesan Council shall elect the replacement member(s) on nomination by the Ecclesiastical Authority.

(c) As soon as the President of the Court is notified that a charge has been filed with the Standing Committee, he shall consult the Bishop and the other members of the Court for the appoint of a Church Attorney. The Church Attorney shall be a communicant in good standing of a congregation of the Diocese who is a licensed lawyer. The Church Attorney shall not be the Diocesan Chancellor or Vice Chancellor, nor shall the Church Attorney be related to the Chancellor or Vice Chancellor by family ties or as members of the same law firm. The duties of the Church Attorney shall be (i) to investigate a charge brought against a Priest or Deacon and report the findings thereof to the Standing Committee, (ii) to represent the Diocese in the prosecution of presentments against a Priest or Deacon, and (iii) to represent the Diocese in an appeal to the Provincial Court of Review of the Trial of a Priest or Deacon.

Canon XXIV Of The Cathedral

Section 1.

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Evangelist in the City of Spokane shall be the Cathedral Church of the Bishop of Spokane. In conformity to primitive usage, and as an essential organ of the Bishop for the reality of his office and the discharge of its duties, it shall be the center of Church life, work and zeal in the Diocese. It shall be a pattern for all other Churches in missionary enterprise, in works of charity, in Christian Education, in frequency of services, and the illustration of the principles upon which they should be rendered, and in keeping an open Church free to all worshipers.

Section 2.

The congregation of the Cathedral shall be a parish, with all the usual parochial organizations, rights, and privileges, except as herein otherwise provided.

Canon XXV Of Vested Property

Section 1.

The Episcopal Diocese of Spokane Foundation, Inc., a Washington Not-for Profit Corporation licensed to do business in the State of Washington and qualified to do business in Idaho, is hereby constituted the trustee of all endowed funds and other gifts of realty and property to the Diocese, which shall include, but not be restricted to, property collected, bestowed, devised, or provided for the support of the Episcopate and other work of the Church; except such funds and property as are or shall be entrusted by Canon to other boards or commissions of the Diocese. Funds held by the Foundation, not immediately required for other purposes, may be invested by the Trustees.

Section 2.

Any incorporated parish or institution of the Diocese may hold the title of and administer the real property and trust funds of such parish or institution, except no real property shall be disposed of without the consent of the Ecclesiastical Authority and the Standing Committee.

Canon XXVI Of The Endowment Fund

Section 1.

The Fund for the Endowment of the Episcopate, called the Endowment Fund, shall consist of all monies now in hand or hereafter to be received from any source for the purpose of Diocesan Endowment. It shall be administered by the Trustees of the Foundation for the Diocese as provided in Canon XIX, Section 1, hereof, and Title I, Canon 7, of the General Convention 2000.

Section 2.

No part of the Endowment Fund shall be diverted to any other purpose except by a two-thirds vote of two succeeding Conventions.

Section 3.

It shall be the duty of the Trustees of the Foundation for the Diocese to encourage gifts and bequests to the Endowment Fund.

Section 4.

A stated offering for the Endowment Fund for the Episcopate shall be received annually in all parishes and missions of the Diocese on the Day of Pentecost.

Canon XXVII Of The New Growth/Mission Imperative Fund

Section 1.

The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane shall hold and administer a fund known as the Bishop’s Building Fund for the benefit of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.

Section 2.

The Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane shall receive and administer property, real, personal or mixed, contributed, devised, bequeathed, or transferred to the Bishop’s Building Fund or to the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane for the Building Fund. Interest earned by the Fund not immediately used for the purposes set out in Section 3 below shall be added to the corpus of the fund.

Section 3.

Monies of the Fund shall be available for loan to parishes and missions of the Diocese for the purpose of:

(a) Construction of a building for church purposes;

(b) Purchase of property for church purposes;

(c) Loans to assist in financing the purchase by its clergy of a residence in lieu of a church-owned or supplied home. The congregation, but not the individual members of the congregation, shall be directly responsible for the repayment of the loan to the Foundation for the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane.

(d) The Trustees of the Foundation shall have the power to approve or reject any application for a loan, and to determine the amount of any loan, and the terms thereof.

Section 4.

Assets of the Fund may be invested and re-invested by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation under limitations prescribed by the laws of the States of Washington and Idaho regarding trust funds.

Section 5.

No portion of this Fund shall be used for stipend or emolument to the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, or any of them.

Canon XXVIII Of the Church Growth and Development Committee

Section 1.

The Church Growth and Development Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “Committee,” shall have the responsibility for receiving, reviewing, and approving or rejecting requests by congregations and diocesan organizations for the funding of initiatives and programs from available funds relating thereto arising from the Growth and Development Endowment Fund administered by the Diocesan Foundation.

Section 2.

The Committee shall be formed effective January 1, 2007, and shall consist of eight members with one member each being appointed by the Bishop, Diocesan Council and the six Deaneries. The member being selected by Diocesan Council shall be selected by the Council as then constituted following the Annual Convention immediately preceding the commencement of the term of such member. The member selected by the Bishop and each of the Deaneries shall be selected within five months preceding the commencement of the respective terms of such members. In the event the Chapter of a Deanery is summoned for the purpose of the selection of a member to the Committee and a quorum of the Chapter fails to attend, the Rural Dean of such Deanery shall select the member from such Deanery to serve on the Committee.

Section 3.

The members of the Committee shall serve for terms of three years with each term commencing as of January 1 of the applicable calendar year. The members shall serve staggered terms with the members deciding at their first meeting which three members shall serve a full three-year term, which three members shall serve an initial two-year term, and which two members shall serve an initial one-year term. Thereafter, members may be reappointed to successive three-year terms.

Section 4.

In the event a vacancy arises relating to the members appointed by the Bishop or Diocesan Council, the Bishop or Diocesan Council, as the case may be, shall appoint a successor member to serve for the remaining term of such position. In the event a vacancy arises relating to a member appointed by a Deanery, the Rural Dean of such Deanery shall appoint a successor member to serve for the remaining term of such position.

Section 5.

At its first meeting in any calendar year, the Committee shall elect a President and a Secretary from among its members to serve in those capacities during such calendar year. The President shall be the presiding officer at the meetings of the Committee. The Secretary shall keep a record of all the proceedings of the Committee which shall be open at all times to inspection by the Bishop and Diocesan Council and shall give a full report of the Committee’s actions to each Annual Convention of the Diocese.

Section 6.

A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and a majority of a quorum so convened shall be authorized to take actions on behalf of the Committee.

Section 7.

The members of the Committee shall meet as reasonably necessary to carry out its functions as set forth herein. A meeting of the Committee may be called by any member of the Committee. Once the Committee is informed by the Diocesan Foundation that funds from the Growth and Development Endowment Fund are available for distribution during the following calendar year, the President of the Committee shall establish a deadline by which applications must be received from parishes, missions and diocesan organizations for the funding of initiatives or programs for church growth and development. The President shall cause notification of such deadline to be sent to each congregation. After such deadline, the Committee shall have such meetings as are necessary to review the applications in order to determine what funding, if any, shall be approved for the following calendar year. In taking such actions, the Committee shall act following consultation with the Bishop and, in so acting, shall be mindful of the then existing mission imperatives or policies of the Diocese. The Committee shall not award any grants that would exceed the amount of funds available for such grants as the Committee is advised by the Diocesan Foundation. In reviewing grant applications, the Committee shall not approve any grant for a matter that would normally be included in the general operational budget of a congregation with the understanding that the grants from the Growth and Development Endowment Fund are intended to be used for initiatives and programs that are not normally funded by general operating funds of a parish or mission. Upon the awarding of a grant, the Committee shall instruct the Diocesan Foundation to send one or more payments directly to the recipient as is necessary to fund the approved grant.

Section 8.

The Committee shall require, as a condition of the awarding of any grant, that the recipient fully account to the Committee, at least on an annual basis, as to the expenditure of the funds and the benefits, if any, obtained from such expenditures.

Section 9.

The Committee shall have no authority relating to the administration or investment of the Growth and Development Endowment Fund, which authority lies solely with the Diocesan Foundation.

Canon XXIX Of The Archivist/Historian

Section 1.

There shall be an Archivist/Historian of the Diocese, appointed by the Ecclesiastical Authority for a term of five years.

Section 2.

It shall be the duty of the Archivist/Historian to receive and keep safely all books, documents and manuscripts belonging to the Diocese and not required to be kept by any other person or officer; and to collect and preserve such materials as can be obtained relative to the history of the Diocese and of particular congregations. The Archivist/Historian shall catalogue and classify all books, documents and papers so as to make their contents accessible for reference and use by persons so desiring. S/He shall make a report to each annual Convention of the Diocese.

Section 3.

The Diocesan Council shall provide funds in the general budget for the expenses of the Archivist/Historian.

Canon XXX Of Alterations And Amendments

Section 1.

By a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote the Convention may revise, amend, or repeal existing Canons and may enact additional Canons, consistent with the Diocesan Constitution and the General Canons. Whenever there shall be a demand for a Vote by Orders on a motion to amend the Canons, the concurrence of two-thirds in each Order shall be necessary for adoption.

Section 2.

At each Convention a Committee on Constitution and Canons shall be appointed, to consist of two clergymen and two laymen. All proposed alterations or additions to the Constitution or Canons shall be referred to this Committee, to be reported to the Convention with such recommendations as it may offer.

At the close of each annual Convention the Committee on Constitution and Canons, sitting with the Bishop and Secretary of Convention, shall certify the changes, if any, made in the Canons, including a correction of the references made in any Canon to another and of the proper numbering of the Canons in order.

Section 3.

Amendments to the Canons shall take effect with the adjournment of the Convention by which they are adopted; provided, that by express provision they may take effect immediately.