Highlights from the 249th Annual Diocesan Convention

• The Convention recognized the Rev. Theodora Brooks, who received the bishop’s cross earlier this fall.
• The Rev. Chloe Breyer, executive director of the Interfaith Center of New York, received the bishop’s cross for bringing together the interfaith community to create a more just, open, equitable, and welcoming New York.
• Mary Rothwell Davis, vice-chancellor for immigration and refugees, received the bishop’s cross for helping congregations across the Diocese serve as sanctuary for immigrants who are in danger.
• Sr. Faith Margaret, who is stepping down as treasurer of the Diocese after twenty-two years, was named an honorary canon.

Standing Committee Clergy
Meredith Sanderson

Standing Committee Lay   
Amelia Anderson

Committee To Elect a Bishop Clergy
Hyacinth Lee

Committee To Elect a Bishop Lay
Lucy Keummerle

Trustees
Holly Galgano
William Haffner
Ben Nnaji

Council Clergy
Anne Marie Witchger
Jorge Ortiz
Mary McCarthy

Council Lay
Emily Nevill
William Haffner
Joe Chavez Carey

Disciplinary Board
Deborah Lee
Bill Baker
Dorothee Caufield
Carol Williams
Victor Sarrazin
Earl Francis

Deputies to General Convention Clergy
Pam Tang
Anne Marie Witchger
Kyle T Martindale
Susan Fortunato

Deputies to General Convention Lay
Yvonne O’Neal
Kyoko Toyama
Diane Pollard
Lauren Reid

• Delegates nearly unanimously voted to forgive arrearages from past apportioned share.

• More than 80% of clergy and lay delegates from congregations voted to reform our “common mission share” – which will now include two levels— 1% for congregations with expenses below $250,000 and 5.75% for congregations with expenses more than $250,000. About half our congregations fall into one category and half fall into the other.

These reforms will help stabilize finances both for congregations and for diocesan mission. With the new formula, 90% of congregations experience financial relief.

The reforms have now been adopted into the canons of the Diocese of New York for our common life together.

We always seek to work through change together – and for our changes to support the congregations, chaplaincies, and schools that represent the heart of the Diocese of New York.

Thank you to Canon Alissa Newton, Convention Secretary Julia Macy Offinger, Special Projects Coordinator Zach Tallman who coordinated the planning, and everyone at the Diocese whose work made this Convention possible.