Dear Friends,
In mid-September, while President Ayala Harris was still recovering from surgery, I had the distinct pleasure of attending, on her, and your, behalf, the Episcopal Chancellors Network’s annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. I can assure you; it was no a sacrifice on my part as the Big Easy is one of my favorite cities in the world. Three days in New Orleans with fifty or so church lawyers, what could be more fun?
The lawyers in the room were there to connect with one another, to tap into each other’s experience and expertise, and to secure many hours of continuing legal education. Not needing such credits, my schedule was a bit more flexible. I was able to slip away for some beignets and chicory coffee at Café Du Monde and raw oysters on the half shell at Gallier’s. I even had the chance to listen to some quintessential New Orleans jazz.
One of the stark realities of the conference was a presentation by PHoD Chancellor Michael Glass and the Rev. Cn. Carla Robinson on the diversity (or lack thereof) among diocesan chancellors. There, in one of the blackest cities in America, was some honest and real conversation about the reality that 94.74% of chancellors identify as white, while 1.32%, or one respondent each, identified as Black, Asian, and Other. Like many of the conversations happening in the church around ordained leadership and the lack of a pipeline of diverse leadership due to historic racism and intentional gatekeeping, the group hit on a stark realization that there is much work to be done. I left that session hopeful that the next generation of chancellors will be intentional about raising up diverse voices to grow into leadership, and that one day, the ECN Conference will look much different than it did in 2024.
The two guests, Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe and me, were invited to give presentations. Bishop Rowe presented on adaptive change, something that will be the hallmark of his ministry as the 28th Presiding Bishop. My presentation was entitled “The Ever-Changing Priesthood and How Chancellors Can Help.” I shared with them my experience as a parish priest. How much legal knowledge I have – approximately 0; and how much legal knowledge I needed on a daily basis – more than you’d expect. There was a lot of energy in the room, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Chancellors, on average, give about 20 billable hours of free legal services to their dioceses a month. This is a significant gift to the church that often goes unnoticed or even taken for granted. The next time you run across your diocesan chancellor, vice-chancellor, or deputy vice-chancellor at Diocesan Convention, be sure to thank them for their hard work, and, if they are a Deputy, give them double thanks for sharing their gifts to the wider church. It was my delight to spend a few days in NOLA with the Chancellors. Thank you to Madam President for inviting me to attend.
Grace and Peace,
