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The Constitution
of The Gulf Atlantic Diocese
of The Anglican Church in North America
1 November 2010
 

Article I

Affiliation

Section 1. The Church in The Gulf Atlantic Diocese is a constituent member of the Anglican Church in North America, a participant in the worldwide Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

Section 2. The Gulf Atlantic Diocese embraces the states of Florida and Georgia. Additionally, for reasons found satisfactory to any Synod of The Gulf Atlantic Diocese, parishes outside the boundaries of the aforementioned states may be considered for admission into union with The Gulf Atlantic Diocese, and will be afforded membership pursuant to the Canons of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.

Section 3. The Synod shall adopt such canons as are necessary for the conduct of business and the mission of the Diocese consistent with the canons of the Anglican Church in North America.

Article II

Mission

The mission of this Diocese shall be to proclaim the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ in every facet of our faith and life.

a. To support and encourage the regular worship of God in Word and Sacrament.

b. To create opportunities for the on-going study of God's Holy Word.

c. To draw God's people together in loving communities of fellowship.

d. To show forth the love of God in our care for the poor, the imprisoned, the hungry, the sick.

e. To fulfill the Great Commission.

 

Article III

Governance

Section 1. The principal governing body of the Diocese shall be the Synod. There shall be an annual meeting of the Synod between Michaelmas and Advent at such time and at such place within the Diocese as shall be fixed by the preceding annual Synod.

Section 2. Diocesan Council and the Standing Committee shall work together with the Bishop to carry out the decisions of the Synod between meetings, as provided by the Canons of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.

Section 3. The Bishop of the Diocese, as Chief Executive Officer of the Diocese, shall preside, ex-officio, in the Synod and shall be entitled to a vote. The Bishop-Coadjutor, when there is one, shall be seated with voice and vote in the Synod, and in the absence of the Bishop, shall preside. In case of vacancy in the Episcopate or in the absence of the Bishop and Bishop-Coadjutor or of their inability to act, the Chair of the Standing Committee shall preside.

Section 4. The Bishop of the Diocese, with concurrence of the majority of the Standing Committee, may convene a Special Synod. When the office of diocesan bishop is vacant, the chair of the Standing Committee, with concurrence of the majority of the Standing Committee, may convene a Special Synod. Notice shall be provided to the diocese of the day, hour, and location of such a Special Synod not later than thirty (30) days prior to the convening of said Special Synod. During any Special Synod convened pursuant to this section, only such diocesan business may be transacted as is within the purview of the purpose or purposes stated in the notice.

Article IV

Composition of the Synod

The Synod shall be composed of clergy and lay delegates, and a Secretary shall be elected, as specified by the Canons of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.

Article V

Property Ownership

All property, real and personal, owned by member parishes shall be solely and exclusively owned by the individual parish and shall not be subject to any trust or other claim of ownership arising out of canon law; neither shall the Diocese assert any claim over the property of its member parishes without the express written consent of the Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of the subject parish.

Article VI

Alteration of the Constitution

This Constitution, or any part thereof, may be altered in the following manner only: The proposed amendment shall be submitted in writing to the annual Synod, and if approved by a majority of each Order, shall lie over to the next annual Synod, and if again approved, by a majority of each Order, the Constitution shall then stand amended as proposed.