Welcome to the News Roundup, where we aim to provide you with brief recaps of news from the Diocese, including the Standing Committee, Task Forces, and more.

In This Issue:
Nominate a Standing Committee Member
Feedback Invited on Revisions to the Diocesan Constitution & Canons
From the Province:  Public Review of Title IV Revisions
Ecclesiastical Trial Rescheduled

Upcoming Events
New Wineskins Conference Speakers – Sept 17-20
Synod – October 24
Revive Night – October 24, 7-9:30pm

Other News
Congratulations & Thanks
Job Opportunity
ACNA Formalizes Ministry Partnerships

Nomination deadline: September 30
Our Standing Committee functions as the Diocesan Board of Directors and consists of seven members: three elected lay members, three elected clergy members, and the Bishop. Read about our current Standing Committee.

This October, Synod delegates will elect one lay person and one clergy person for a three year term. Fr. Will Chester and Kate Clark will be completing their terms and stepping down.

The Standing Committee functions similarly to a Vestry or Parish Council. Its responsibilities include:

• virtual monthly meetings,
• a council of advice to the Bishop,
• oversee the annual budget,
• establish policies and practices, task forces and subcommittees,
• consult with the Bishop regarding individuals discerning ordination,
• determines the final nominee slate for annual Standing Committee elections

A good Standing Committee member is a person who:

• loves the Lord, loves his Church, and is dedicated to our diocesan vision, mission, and values.
• is devoted to prayer and fasting,
• is a confirmed* member in a diocesan congregation,
• actively engages in discussions collaboratively with love and maturity,
• enjoys building relationships and fostering unity among diocesan churches
  
  Read about our current Standing Committee.

Feedback Invited: Diocesan Constitution & Canons Revisions
Our Diocese’s Constitution and Canons (C&C) are similar to a church’s bylaws–they dictate how the Diocese is governed and conducts ministry. They are the guardrails that help keep our relationship in good, working spiritual order. The Committee on Constitution and Canons has been meeting over the past nine months to discuss and recommend potential modifications to our C&C, which were last modified in 2023. Title IV of the Canons, governing ecclesiastical (Church) discipline, contains the most extensive proposed changes, largely stemming from our Province revising its C&C in 2024, and requiring that Dioceses adopt certain changes by the end of this year. The Committee recommends proposed changes and asks for prayerful consideration and feedback by September 30.

• Read the explanatory letter and timeline from UMD Chancellor Steve Olsen.
• Read the proposed Diocesan C&C revisions.

From the Province: Public Review of Title IV Revisions
The Province invites everyone to review Version 1.0 of proposed revisions to Title IV of the Provincial C&C. Title IV describes and governs how instances of misconduct and abuse are handled to uphold safety, justice, and accountability across the Province. Feedback is requested through September 24.

• View proposed changes and explanatory resources.
• Read an explanation of the Province’s proposed revisions in this article by the Anglican American Council.

Ecclesiastical Trial Rescheduled
The Province’s Ecclesiastical Trial Court has rescheduled the trial regarding allegations against Bishop Stewart’s leadership to resume on October 8, 2025.

Seeking more background? Read Bishop Stewart’s August letter, the diocesan FAQs, or the Province’s summary of recent events.

Upcoming Events
Synod – Friday, October 24
The Synod is the Diocese’s primary legislative body composed of clergy and an elected number of lay delegates based on each congregation’s average Sunday attendance. The Upper Midwest holds two Synod meetings each year. The spring virtual Synod primarily focuses on budget; the ‘25-’26 budget passed at our June Synod. The fall Synod includes, among other things: Standing Committee elections, the Chair’s report, amendments to the Constitution and Canons, and a Synod address and annual report by the Bishop. The upcoming fall Synod will take place on Friday, October 24, at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, IL.

Revive Night 2025
October 24, 7:30-9pm
After much prayer and consultation with leaders across the Diocese, we have made the difficult decision to reduce the length of Revive this year largely due to the significant demands of the Province’s ecclesiastical trial rescheduled for October.

Although this year’s Revive will be shorter, the primary focus remains. We will worship and pray together before the Lord. We will hear testimonies from leaders about how the Lord is moving in the Upper Midwest. Perhaps the Lord will use Revive Night to spark a new ministry idea, or ignite the call for a new church planter. One thing is guaranteed–we will meet the Lord in the beauty of his holiness.

More about Revive Night

New Wineskins Conference Sept 17-20
Speakers from the Upper Midwest
Canon Molly Ruch, Director of Always Forward, the Province’s church planting initiative, will be co-leading a pre-conference at New Wineskins Hope for the Nations, which is being held September 17 to 20. She shares insights in this interview.

Other Upper Midwest speakers include Raina, serving in the Middle East, and Father Gregory Whitaker of Christ our Peace International Anglican Church in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Other News
Congratulations and Thanks
Our gratitude and congratulations to former Diocesan Administrative Assistant Karina Harro. She served the diocese and Canon Brenda Dumper from July 2024 to this May. Karina’s second child was born this June, and she is enjoying motherhood to two beautiful girls.

Job Opportunities
Administrative Assistant 
The Diocese is hiring an in-person Administrative Assistant for 20 hours per week. View the job description. Interested candidates should send a resume to Brenda@midwestanglican.org.

See other job opportunities from our diocesan churches.

ACNA Formalizes Ministry Partners
In late August, the ACNA’s Executive Committee formalized seven official Ministry Partners: the American Anglican Council (AAC), Anglican House Publishers (AHP), Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF), Forward in Faith North America (FiFNA), Matthew 25 Initiative, New Wineskins, and Trinity Anglican Seminary. All ACNA Ministry Partners work in close collaboration with the Archbishop and Provincial leadership to advance the ACNA’s mission to reach all of North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Learn more.

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. In addition to the News Roundup, you’ll receive:

• Our regular e-newsletter, Upper Midwest Anglican Stories (UMD Stories), with highlights from different churches, events, and ministries where the Lord is on the move. Read the last issue here.
• Leaders’ Latest, greetings from Bishop Stewart and his introduction to an inspiring lay person, church staff, or leader in the Diocese. Find the last issue here.
• Subscribe here.