R25-2 Raising Awareness of Episcopal Public Policy Network  

Resolved, that this Diocese commend the work done by The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Public Policy Network to engage in and support essential Christian witness; and be it

Further resolved that this Diocese encourages all parishes to identify a leader to liaise with the Office of Government Relations and participate in the Episcopal Public Policy Network to heighten awareness in parishes of the public policy advocacy actions and resources of our church.

R25-3 Intergenerational Mentorship and Leadership

Whereas, the Episcopal Church has long affirmed the baptismal covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” and to “respect the dignity of every human being”; and

Whereas, Canon 20 of the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta states, “It shall be the duty of every Parish and Mission of this Diocese to provide for the Christian Formation and Education of persons of all ages”; and

Whereas, Canon 26 of the Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta states, “It shall be the duty of the Diocese to foster the spiritual, emotional, and social development of youth, and to encourage their active participation in the mission and ministry of the Church”; and

Whereas, youth ministry is often siloed from the wider life of the congregation, limiting opportunities for intergenerational mentorship and for youth to exercise leadership in their parish alongside adults; and

Whereas, healthy intergenerational relationships that include mutual storytelling and learning cultivate belonging, strengthen discipleship, and form lifelong Christian leaders for both youth and adults; therefore, be it

Resolved, that the 119th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta encourages each parish and worshiping community to host intentional intergenerational event(s) (outside of worship) that bring youth and adults together for the purpose of shared ministry, learning, or service, with affirmation of youth-led events and initiatives whenever possible; and be it further

Resolved, that this Council also encourages the ongoing development of mentoring relationships between adults and youth in every congregation, fostering discipleship, leadership, and belonging in ways appropriate to local context and resources.

R25-4 Sharing the Costs of Annual Council

Resolved, that the 119th Council of the Diocese of Atlanta, recognize the disproportionate costs incurred by parishes whose clergy and lay delegates must travel to Atlanta every year for Council. Be it further 

Resolved, that the Diocese of Atlanta create a Task Force appointed by the Bishop to study this issue and bring a proposal for more equitable sharing of costs of participation in Annual Council to the 120th Council of the Diocese of Atlanta for implementation by the 121st Council of the Diocese of Atlanta. Be it further 

Resolved, that the Task Force consist of at least nine persons including Diocesan staff, clergy and lay members from the Atlanta area, and clergy and lay members from both the northern and southern parts of the Diocese.

Resolved, that the Executive Board of the Diocese of Atlanta hear an interim report on the progress of this Task Force in the first half of 2026.

R25-6 Task Force on Funding Mission with the Marginalized

Resolved, That the Annual Council of the Diocese of Atlanta establish a Task Force on Funding Mission with the Marginalized to design and bring to the 2026 Annual Council a proposal for a permanent Mission Start-Up Fund dedicated to launching worshiping communities among the marginalized in mission areas as defined below; and be it further

Resolved, That for the purposes of this resolution a “mission area” shall mean a geographic area that: (a) has no current Episcopal worshiping presence in the vicinity, and (b) has above-average poverty relative to the State of Georgia, indicating that a worshiping community is unlikely to form and become self-supporting without external start-up funding; and be it further

Resolved, That the Fund is intended for start-up, not ongoing operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force’s proposal shall include a clear non-supplanting rule: Fund grants must be additive, time-limited start-up awards for distinct new worshiping communities in mission areas and may not replace diocesan support for existing diocesan missions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force shall recommend whether to allow any time-limited transitional support and, if so, set clear parameters for duration, tapering, and guardrails against indefinite underwriting; and be it further

Resolved, That the Mission Start-Up Fund, once created, shall not be used to support existing diocesan missions such as Church of the Common Ground, Emmaus House, or Church of the Holy Comforter, but shall be focused on new mission starts throughout the Diocese, including and beyond Metro Atlanta; and be it further 

Resolved, That in developing eligibility and evaluation criteria, the Task Force shall expressly encourage proposals from smaller parishes that are rich in enthusiasm and volunteers yet constrained financially, so that parish-led mission initiatives have a clear pathway to apply for start-up support; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force’s proposal shall include a funding mechanism designed to raise approximately $200,000 per year for the Mission Start-Up Fund, beginning in 2027; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force shall propose the Fund’s structure, governance and board composition, eligibility and evaluation criteria, grant terms and duration appropriate to start-up funding, administration, and reporting practices, including how the Fund may accept and steward donations and bequests; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force shall be composed of one representative from each of the eleven convocations, all to be approved by the Bishop, and shall include a minimum of two deacons.

R25-7 Reaffirm R24-1 Task Force on Environmental Issues

Resolved, that the 119th Council of the Diocese of Atlanta reaffirm the commitment made at the 118th Council of the Diocese of Atlanta to create a “Task Force on Environmental Issues,” consisting of five persons, appointed by the Bishop, to consider several recognitions, recommendations and remedial actions to align the Diocese of Atlanta with some of the creation care goals affirmed by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

Resolved, that the Task Force report its findings and recommendations to the 120th Annual Council in 2026, with the goal of helping Diocese of Atlanta entities develop plans by 2027 for reducing their carbon footprint.

Resolved, that the Executive Board of the Diocese of Atlanta hear an interim report on the progress of this task force in the first half of 2026.