CONSTITUTION OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEVADA
Revision of October 12, 2002
Article I: Name and Boundaries of the Diocese.
This Diocese shall be known as "The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada" and
shall embrace all the congregations of the Episcopal
Church within the state of Nevada and that part of
Arizona comprising of Bullhead City.
Article II: Incorporation of the Diocese.
The Diocese shall be incorporated under the laws
of the State of Nevada as "The
Episcopal Diocese of Nevada."
Article III: Conformity.
The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada, as a constituent part of and in communion
with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, also
known as The Episcopal Church, accedes to the Constitution and Canons of the
Church and the authority of the General Convention of the same.
Article IV: The Diocesan Convention.
Section 1: The legislative powers of the Diocese are vested in an Annual Convention
whose members shall be the clergy and laity of the Diocese.
Section 2: The Convention shall meet at least annually at such times and places
as may be prescribed by Canon.
Section 3: The composition of the Convention, the manner of selection and tenure
of the members thereof shall be specified by Canon.
Section 4: The Convention shall have the following powers to be exercised in
the manner prescribed by this Constitution and Canons:
a) To elect the Bishop of the Diocese; to elect a Bishop Coadjutor; and elect
one or more Suffragan Bishops.
b) To elect all such officers, boards and committees of the Diocese as may
be provided for in the Canons and in the manner prescribed therein.
c) To confirm appointments made by the Bishop when so provided by the Canons.
d) To approve, amend or disapprove the budget.
e) To determine and provide for assessments, quotas, apportionments, and askings
from the churches of the Diocese and to provide for the financing of diocesan
activities.
f) To amend this Constitution and adopt and amend the Canons.
g) To admit any parish congregation into union with the Church and to determine
the status of every congregation in union with the Church. (Amended 1982).
h) To established such others powers as may be necessary and proper to fulfill
the purposes and policies, both religious and temporal, of the Diocese.
Section 5: The Convention shall deliberate as one body, and vote as such, except
in the election of a Bishop or when a vote by orders is required by the Constitution
and Canons of the National Church.
Section 6: The Bishop shall be the presiding officer of the Convention. In
the absence of the Bishop, the presiding officers shall be in the order named:
a) the Bishop Coadjutor; b) the Senior Suffragan Bishop; c) President of the
Standing Committee.
Section 7: Other officers of the Convention shall be prescribed by Canon.
Section 8: A quorum of the Convention, except in the case of the election of
a Bishop, shall consist of a majority of the clergy and a majority of the lay
representatives entitled to representation at the Convention. (See Canon VIII).
Article V: The Ecclesiastical Authority.
Section 1: The Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese shall be vested in and
exercised by the Bishop and the Standing Committee in accordance with the Constitution
and Canons of the National Church.
Section 2: The Bishop shall have and exercise all of the powers vested in the
Bishop by the Constitution and Canons of the National Church and by the Constitution
and Canons of this Diocese.
Section 3: As Ordinary the Bishop shall have original jurisdiction over all
ecclesiastical causes and matters.
ARTICLE VI: Standing Committee.
The Standing Committee required by the Constitution of the National Church
shall consist of not less than three (3) presbyters, and not less that three
(3) lay communicants in good standing in the diocese. The lay and clerical
members shall be elected by the annual convention as provided by Canon. The
Bishop shall have seat and voice in all meetings of the Standing Committee
but not vote.
ARTICLE VII: Diocesan Council.
Section 1: There shall be a Diocesan Council formed and constituted in the
manner specified by Canon.
Section 2: The Bishop shall be president of the Diocesan Council. The Council
shall select such other officers as may be specified by Canon.
Section 3: The Diocesan Council shall, between meetings of the Convention,
have full power and authority to act for the Convention in all matters not
expressly reserved to the Convention.
ARTICLE VIII: Election of a Bishop.
Section 1: The election of a Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop for
the diocese shall be by the Annual Convention or by special Convention called
for that purpose.
Section 2: A Bishop, Bishop Coadjutor or Suffragan Bishop shall be election
by a concurrent majority vote of the clergy and laity, the two orders voting
separately.
Section 3: Nominations for the Office of Bishop shall be made in accordance
with the requirements of the Canons. (See Canon VIII).
ARTICLE IX: Amendments to the Constitution.
Section 1: This constitution may be altered or amended by a majority vote of
the Convention at two successive annual conventions.
Section 2: No proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be voted on unless
it shall have been submitted to the Secretary of Convention at least sixty
(60) days prior to the date of the meeting of Convention.
Section 3: Upon receipt of any proposed amendment to this Constitution within
the time above specified, the Secretary of Convention shall cause copies thereof
to be sent to each Parish congregation entitled to representation in Convention
at least thirty (30) day prior to the meeting of Convention.
Certified as adopted by the Convention of the Diocese of Nevada April 15, 1971.
/s/ William G. Wright
Bishop of Nevada
/s/ Carl N. Tamblyn
Secretary of Convocation
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Amendments were adopted on first reading by the Convention of the Diocese of
Nevada on May 2, 1982, and on second reading April 9, 1983.
Attest:
/s/ Wesley Frensdorff
Bishop of Nevada
/s/ Jim D. McGrew
Secretary of Convention
Amendments were adopted on the first reading by the
Convention of the Diocese of Nevada on October 12, 2002
and on second reading _____________.
Attest:
______________________________
The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Bishop of Nevada
____________________________
JoAnn Roberts Armstead
Secretary to Convention
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