Nominations are open through Nov. 20 for a bishop to serve on the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) to fill a slot left by the expired term of the Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut.
The ACC is one of the four Instruments of Communion in the Anglican Communion. The role of the ACC is to enable cooperative work among the churches of the Anglican Communion.
The term is for three meetings of the ACC, which is generally nine years. The triennial meetings require a two-week commitment. The next ACC meeting is scheduled for 2019, at a location to be determined.
Among the requirements, the bishop must be a member of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops. A thorough knowledge of the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church is required, as well as familiarity with their governance structures.
Nominations must include the nominee’s consent to stand for election, a one-page explanation of the nominee’s qualifications, and a digital photo. Materials should be sent via email to the Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe, executive committee of General Convention.
The bishop member will be elected by Executive Council, according to Canon 1.4.2(g), at Executive Council’s January meeting in Baltimore. Following a review of the nominations by the Executive Committee of Executive Council, two to five names will be presented for election. Nominations may also be made by Executive Council. The term will take effect immediately.
Current members of ACC are the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings of the Diocese of Ohio and President of the House of Deputies (clergy) and Rosalie Ballantine of Virgin Islands (laity).
Adapted from the Office of Public Affairs
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
