TO:  Brooklyn Clergy, Wardens & Lay Delegates to Diocesan Convention

FROM: The Ven. Cn. Howard K. Williams, Archdeacon

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Archdeaconry is responsible to elect four representatives, two lay and two clergy, to participate in the process that will lead to the election and consecration of our Coadjutor Bishop. Persons elected will join a pool from which the Joint Oversight Committee will select representatives to serve on the Nomination/Search Committee, and the Transition Committee.

This election takes place in the context of the Holy Eucharist, on January 5, 2008 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 800 Marcy Avenue at 10:00 a.m.  All are encouraged to participate in the service, but only canonically resident clergy and lay delegates to the Archdeaconry Meeting may vote.

I am aware of your involvement in your congregation and for this I give thanks to God.  It is said that it is the busy people who get things done, and so I come to you for your assistance and immediate attention. 

How can you help?

• Please ensure that your congregation sends in:
  •  the names, address, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your two designated lay delegates, who will participate at the January 5 Archdeaconry Meeting to my office, no later than December 15, 2007.  You may submit this information by e-mail, fax or regular mail.  These two persons may or may not have attended the Diocesan Convention.
  • the name, photograph and a brief biography of one lay candidate who is eligible to serve on the Nomination/Search or the Transitional Committee to your Dean no later than December  9. 

Criteria for Eligibility to Serve on the Nomination/Search or the Transitional Committee

Persons wishing to serve as members of the Nomination/Search or the Transitional Committee MUST

• have flexible time to attend and participate fully in frequently called meetings from mid January 2008 through early fall of 2009.
  
• be able to manage a specific assignment, as requested, in addition to the general work of the Committee.
  
• be confidential.
  
• be open-minded.
  
• be willing to prayerfully work with the leadership of the diocese until a chief pastor is elected.
  
• be in good standing in their congregations.
  
• have a working knowledge of the polity of the Episcopal Church.
  
• believe in the power and movement of the Holy Spirit.
  
• be domiciled in the Diocese of Long Island.

The Archdeaconry Process

• No later than December 9, each congregation nominates one layperson to the Dean.
  
• Prior to December 18, 2007, each of the four Deaneries meets to choose two clergy and two laypersons.
  
• December 18, the Archdeacon and Deans review submissions, select four clergy and four laypersons, and notify each congregation.
  
• Final list circulated prior to our January 5, 2008 meeting.
  
• January 5, 2008 – Archdeaconry elects two clergy and two laypersons.

NOTE: Nominations may be taken from the floor, and must be made by no fewer than two clergy and two lay persons.

Also at our January 5, 2008 Meeting

We will need to elect four clergy to serve on the following diocesan departments for two years: Mission, Budget, Program & Services, and Stewardship.

Other Important Archdeaconry Dates

May 17, 2008 General Meeting  Church of the Ascension 10:00 a.m.

Nov. 04, 2008 Pre-Convention Meeting Grace Church  7:30 p.m.

Nov. 22, 2008 Annual General Meeting St. Gabriel’s  10:00 a.m.

Other News

We welcome the Rev. Dr. Audley Donaldson who begins on December 1, 2007 to serve as Priest in Charge of St. Stephen and St. Martins, and the Church of the Redeemer.

Our sympathies go out to Bishop Walker and his family on the death of his mother Mrs. Llewellyn Walker.  We wish for them God’s continued peace and comfort.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter, and may God continue to bless you as you share in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Contact Information for Your Deans 

ST. MATTHEW'S DEANERY

The Very Reverend Glenworth D. Miles, Dean
800 Marcy Avenue
Brooklyn, NY  11216
(718) 789-6036
(718) 654-9022
stgeorge@worldnet.att.net

ST. MARK'S DEANERY

The Very Reverend Ronald T. Lau, Dean
180 Kane Street
Brooklyn, NY  11231
(718) 624-0083
(718) 875-3144
rtlau@aol.com

ST. LUKE'S DEANERY

The Very Reverend Edmund T. Alleyne, Dean
331 Hawthorne Street
Brooklyn, NY  11225
(718) 774-5248
(718) 871-7759
jseta7@aol.com

ST. JOHN'S DEANERY

The Very Reverend Berry E. Parsons, Dean
9818 Ft Hamilton Pky
Brooklyn, NY  11209
(718) 745-2377
(718) 836-3626
berrybearr9818@msn.com