The initial meeting of the Constitution and Canons Committee, a regular committee of Convention, was recently held. This committee is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and presenting amendments to the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese at Diocesan Convention. The Committee is composed of four individuals from lay and ordained orders working in consultation with the Bishop Diocesan, and the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese:
- The Rev. Canon Rodney Conn, Convener
- The Rev. Grant Ambrose
- John Feather, Esq.
- David Heywood, Esq.
The review process will check for form, substance, and conformance to the Canons of The Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna and The Episcopal Church, and applicable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania corporate laws. The Committee will then submit a report to the Convention recommending approval, approval with amendments, disapproval, or without comment. The Committee is also charged with annually reviewing the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese in consultation with the Bishop Diocesan and making any necessary
recommendations to the Convention.
The Canons adopted in October 2025 stipulate that proposed amendments be submitted within six months of the date of Convention, unless an exception is granted by Convention. During the Committee’s initial meeting, a consensus was reached that considering recent reunification of the Diocese and easy access to meeting technology this time limit should be relaxed for the upcoming Convention, and that a shorter period be considered for offering of amendments at subsequent Conventions of the Diocese.
As one of the first orders of business of the 2026 Convention, the Committee will recommend a motion to permit submissions filed by July 31, 2026, to be presented at Convention. Going forward, the Committee believes that a three-month deadline for submissions of amendments is more appropriate and will offer an amendment to Diocesan Canons to that effect.
Amendments to the Canons take effect upon adoption, while amendments to the Constitution require successful consideration at two successive Conventions.
Other regular committees are being formed or have been formed to deal with claims of clergy and lay delegates to seats at convention, resolutions, and nominating candidates for the various diocesan bodies.
Proposed Amendments to the Constitution or Canons should be sent to Nichol Free ([email protected]), Executive Assistant to the Bishop Diocesan, no later than July 31, 2026.