The Concerned Laity of the Springfield Diocese (CLSD) are proud to be hosting an important talk by Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies of The Episcopal Church at 7:30 p. m. on Friday, July 23 at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel in Decatur, Illinois
Her presentation, “The Ministry of All the Baptized” is designed to strengthen the ministry of lay people and clergy throughout southern and central Illinois.
Anderson, who was first elected president of the 880-member House of Deputies in 2006, also serves as vice chair of the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council and Vice President of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.
“I am eager to visit the Diocese of Springfield as it prepares to elect a new bishop,” Anderson said. “Such elections provide the perfect opportunity for laity and clergy to collaborate on a new vision for their diocese, and to explore new ways of working together in building up the Church and reaching out to the poor and the marginalized.”
The Rt. Rev. Peter Beckwith, one of the Episcopal Church’s most conservative bishops, retired on February 1, 2010 and the Diocese will elect his successor in mid-September from the four Candidates selected at the Nominating Synod in August..
The Concerned Laity of the Springfield Diocese hopes to appeal to what it characterizes as the moderate majority of local Episcopalians.
Citing a survey conducted by the diocese, which showed that five times more local church members supported the Episcopal Church than conservative lobbying groups such as the American Anglican Council, the leaders of CLSD are attempting to rally support for a platform that includes:
• keeping the diocese within the Episcopal Church
• respecting the decisions of the church’s General Convention
• supporting the ministry of church leaders, especially Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and Bonnie Anderson
• acting as reconcilers who can move the diocese beyond the ideological battles that have divided it in the past.
“As people come together for this speech by President Anderson, CLSD hopes to provide an atmosphere of openness and mutual respect that will encourage everyone to share their God given gifts and talents – not only within their own congregations, but also within the Diocese and the broader church,” said Chuck Evans, Convener of CLSD.