12 Sep Nominate a Standing Committee Member – News Roundup Sept 2024
Welcome to the News Roundup, where we aim to provide brief recaps of current news from the Diocese, including the Standing Committee, Task Forces, and more.
In This Issue:
Revive 2024
Safeguarding Task Force
Safeguarding Coordinator Role
Nominations Open for Standing Committee
Trial Update
Job Openings
Gather with others from our diocesan churches for a time of worship, community, and renewal.
Friday, Oct 25, 7-9pm & Saturday, Oct 26, 8am-3pm
Church of the Resurrection, Wheaton, IL.
Learn more and register here.
Safeguarding Task Force
The Diocese is continuing its work to develop adult misconduct prevention standards. From March 2023 through April this year, the Misconduct Prevention Task Force researched best practices and guidelines, reporting protocols, and safeguarding adults–especially the elderly and mentally or physically challenged. The scope aimed to extend beyond the prevention of sexual misconduct to include bullying, harassment, and more. This April, that Task Force submitted draft guidelines to the Standing Committee and stated that further work could be done once the Province shared its adult misconduct policy.
In August, the Province published a Sample Policy for the Protection of Children and Adults, which it recommends as minimum standards. At its August retreat, our Standing Committee created a new Safeguarding Task Force. It will focus on completing policy standards to protect adults in our diocesan churches, complementing the Diocese’s existing Child Protection Policy Standards.
Safeguarding Coordinator Role
The Diocese is in the process of hiring a part-time Safeguarding Coordinator (see the job description) who will establish a Safeguarding Committee to review best practices, and help update child and adult safeguarding policy standards and procedures. He or she will also provide support to children’s pastors and staff in the continued implementation of our Child Protection Standards.
Nominations Open for Standing Committee
The Diocese is now accepting nominations for two positions of three-year terms on the Standing Committee.
What is the Standing Committee?
The Standing Committee functions as the diocesan Board of Directors and consists of seven members: three lay members, three clergy members, and the Bishop. It meets virtually each month and operates similarly to a Vestry or Parish Council. Responsibilities include duties such as:
Serving as a Council of advisors to the Bishop,
Oversight of the annual budget,
Establishing policies and practices, task forces, and subcommittees,
Consulting with the Bishop regarding individuals discerning ordination,
Determining the final nominee slate for annual Standing Committee elections
Qualifications of Nominees
A nominee must be an active, confirmed member of a diocesan congregation. The Diocese seeks nominees of women and men in marketplace professions, ministry roles, and different stages of family life. Above all else, candidates should love the Lord and the Church, be devoted to prayer and fasting, actively engage in discussions collaboratively with love and maturity, and enjoy building relationships and fostering unity among diocesan churches.
Learn more and nominate a candidate by October 5 here.
Trial Update
On Tuesday, September 10, the Archbishop sent a letter to the Province that included an update on Bishop Stewart’s trial for the Court of a Bishop. You can read it here.
Job Openings
The Diocese is seeking a part-time Communications Assistant. Read the job description here. We are grateful to Bonnie McMaken for her excellent service. She is stepping down at the end of September to devote more time to family and ministry at City of Light.
Find more job listings from churches in the Upper Midwest here.
Stay Connected
The Upper Midwest seeks to connect you to leaders and ministries across the Diocese via timely updates, clear information, and encouraging ministry reports via three e-publications:
- UMD Stories – encouraging ministry news of how the Lord is moving through churches in the diocese. Read the last issue here.
- The News Roundup – brief recaps of current news from the Diocese, including the Standing Committee, Task Forces, and more. Read the last issue here.
- Leaders’ Latest – greetings from Bp. Stewart and his introduction to an inspiring lay leader, church staff, or leader from the Diocese. Read the last issue here.
Subscribe here to receive our News Roundup, UMD Stories, Leaders’ Latest, and other updates from the Diocese.
