Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18 – 19
Georgia International Convention Center, College Park

Agenda

Friday, November 18

7:30 a.m.
Registration – Coffee and Light Breakfast

9:00 a.m.
Council Eucharist, Salons 1 – 2 – 3

10:30 a.m.
Business Session, International Ballroom

Noon
Lunch

1:00 p.m.
Business Session/Committee Meetings
Stop Hunger Now Service Project

Saturday, November 19

8:00 a.m.
Registration
Light Breakfast

9:00 a.m.
Business Session

Adjourns before lunch

Nominees

Standing Committee

Elect one lay member and one priest member, each for a three-year term; no successive full terms permitted.

Priest

The Rev. Stuart Higginbotham | Rector, Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville, GA
stuart@gracechurchgainesville.org

Stuart is the rector of Grace Church, Gainesville, and is also a Benedictine oblate with the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur. Having studied with the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation, he will graduate with his Doctor of Ministry degree from Sewanee in May. His doctoral studies explore how leadership can be nurtured by prayer and contemplative practices to foster spiritual imagination and collaboration within the entire community, hence his interest in the Standing Committee.

Lay

Angela Williamson | St. Martin in the Fields, Brookhaven
angela.henderson.williamson@gmail.com

General Conventions: 2015 Approval of PB Committee; 2012 Ecumenical Relations;
2009 alternate attendee; 2006 deputy; 2003 deputy; 2000 alternate attendee
Diocese: member Ecclesiastical Authority for 6 months; Standing Committee 3 terms; Centennial Committee Chair overseeing 9 sub-committees; AC Chair; Executive Committee.; ECW Board; Now: Atlanta EFM Development Chair for Sewanee School of Theology
Parish: Stewardship Chair, Finance Chair, vestry, lay reader
Also: mother of clergy spouse. Devoted with family to our branch of Christ’s kingdom.

Beth King | St. Philips
bethking@benniekingcpa.com

Beloved Community:Commission for Dismantling Racism – Trainer and Commission Member
Diocesan Standing Committee
Ministry Innovations Task Force
Lay Missioner and Advisory Committee member of The Church of the Common Ground
Verger at Cathedral of St. Philip
Volunteer 2012 General Convention
My work has given me a wide perspective of the church from the parish to the broader church level. I feel especially equipped and called to bring a voice from the margins to the table.

Bruce Garner | Head Verger, All Saints’ Atlanta, GA
bruce.garner@att.net

Experience at all levels of The Episcopal Church with our structure, governance and accountability
Served on committees/commissions at parish, diocesan, provincial, church-wide levels
Over 35 years of non-profit board governance experience
Lay Deputy for 2015 Convention; alternate deputy 1994-2012 General Conventions
Open heart and mind to what the Holy Spirit has in mind for us: an eye on the future while honoring and respecting our traditions as we strive to become the beloved community

John Andrews | Grace-Calvary, Clarkesville
johnandrews1327@gmail.com

Former member of St. Bartholomew’s, St. Anne’s and St. Luke’s Parish. Member of Grace-Calvary for 30+ years. Served as Junior and Senior Wardens and on many other parish committees. Served as a delegate to Diocesan Council 25+ years. Served on the following Diocesan committees or commissions: Mikell Board, Standing Committee (two terms), five time Deputy to General Convention, Centennial Committee, Bishop’s Election Committee (Wright). Presently serving on Executive Committee (2nd term) and Commission on Ministry.

Matt Skilling | St. Matthias, Toccoa
mskilling@toccoalaw.com

Matt Skilling has been a member of St. Matthias in Toccoa, Georgia since 2011. He served for three years on Vestry from 2014-2016, including two years as Senior Warden. He is also involved in planning St. Matthias’ Annual Retreat at Camp Mikell each year and also served on the Finance Committee. Matt is an attorney in Toccoa and has been married to his wife, Rachel, since 2000.

Raz Schreiber | Member, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
raz.schreiber@gmail.com

The week before the last General Convention I found myself 1st Lay Alternate (bumped up from 3rd) and was able to attend the convention. To hear, and be a part of, the gears of the Church surprised me. The reality of the wider church can be shocking but made me feel closer to that wider church. I hope to serve the Diocese of Atlanta once more as a Deputy (or alternate) to the General Convention.

Clergy

Arthur W. Villareal | Deacon, Christ Church, Macon
carthur1010@gmail.com

Clergy Deputy for the 78th General Convention (Social Justice & International Policy
Legislative Committee Member). First Alternate Lay Deputy for the 76th General Convention (Ecumenical Relations Committee Review). I also serve as Chaplain for Common Ground at Mercer University, on the Advisory Board at the Lane Center at Wesleyan College, and on the Mayor’s Council of Clergy for Macon-Bibb County. I am inspired by the work we do together as The Episcopal Church.

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Park | Grace Episcopal Church
cynthia@gracechurchgainesville.org

Director of Ministries of Compassion, Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville, Ga.
Ordained Deacon 2004 Diocese of Alabama
Ordained Priest 2012 Diocese of Virginia
Licensed Professional Counselor
MS, Counseling Psychology
MTS, Virginia Theological Seminary
MA, Akkadian
PhD, Hebrew and Aramaic
Author of Commentary for 1 & 2 Kings, for CEB, Women’s Bible
Consultant, The Seed Company (Wycliffe Bible Translators), Oral Transmission Project of Ruth in Amharic (Ethiopia)

The Rev. Grace Burton-Edwards, DMin | Rector, St. Thomas Columbus
rector@stthomascolumbus.org

General Convention experience: Clergy Deputy in 2012, Legislative Aide in 2015.
Wrote blog for Diocese of Atlanta from General Convention at yewatchers.com. Will do so again if elected.
Member Global Missions Commission, Vital Statistics Task Force, Executive Board.
Founded clergy Facebook group.
Candidate for Bishop of Indianapolis (election October 28).
My hope is for the Episcopal Church to grow in witness, diversity, justice, and participation as we invite all to follow the way of Jesus.

The Rev. Jeff Jackson | Rector, St. Nicholas, Hamilton
fatherjeff@stnicholashamilton.org

Passionate about the inclusion of all people in the life of the Church
Rector of St. Nicholas, Hamilton, 2008-current
Steward of historic Zion, Talbotton, 2009-current
Standing Committee member 2013-2015, president 2015
Diocesan Communications Committee chair, 2009-2012
Diocesan Youth Programs & Camp Mikell Summer Camp dean, 2009-2011
CVEM board member, 2008-2014, spiritual director 2016
Thompson-Pound Art Program (TAP) chaplain, 2009-current

The Very Rev. Mary Demmler | Rector, St. Matthias, Toccoa
mary@toccoachurch.com

Rector of St. Matthias Episcopal Church
Dean of the Northeast Georgia Convocation
Chaplain, St. Anne’s Chapter of the DOK
Former Chaplain, Diocese of Atlanta ECW board
Retreat and Workshop Leader
Attended General Theological Seminary and Graduated with M. Div. from Duke University

The Rev. Patricia Templeton | Rector, St. Dunstan’s Atlanta
tricia@stdunstan.net

I have served as rector of St. Dunstan’s since 2004, and grew up at St. Martin’s. Diocesan involvement includes two terms as president of the Standing Committee, frequent contributor to Pathways, and chair of the Transition Committee that oversaw the walkabouts, election, and ordination of the Tenth Bishop of the diocese. I was also a GC deputy in 2015 and would love to continue the work that began there.

The Rev. P. Richard Game | Rector, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Dunwoody
prgame@gmail.com

Dean, Northeast Metro Convocation, 2016-present
Assistant Secretary of Diocesan Council, 2015-present
Rector, St. Patrick’s, Dunwoody, 2011-present
Curate/Associate Rector, Trinity Columbus, 2007-10
Diocesan Committees:
Finance and Budget, 2014-present
Disciplinary Board, 2012-present
Executive Board, 2011-14
Christian Faith Formation, 2010-14
Title IV Task Force, 2010
Life-long Episcopalian; Atlanta attorney for 17 years; Senior and Junior Warden
I am excited to share the richness of our diocese with the larger church and to bring new ideas and energy home.

The Very Rev. Sam Candler | Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta
Scandler@stphilipscathedral.org

I would love to represent Atlanta at General Convention, and I love seeing Jesus in our Church’s beautiful diversity. Raised in St. Paul’s, Newnan, been Dean of St. Philip’s Cathedral since 1998. Served in Marietta, Cumming, in two other dioceses, and on several church-wide committees. Have been Deputy at Convention seven times; chaired the Prayer Book Committee in 2006, 2009. I strive to promote the generous spirit of Anglicanism as a gift to the world!

The Rev. Sharon Hiers | Senior Associate Rector, Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta
sharon@epiphany.org

Sharon is lucky enough to be the senior associate rector at The Church of the Epiphany, Atlanta. Currently she serves as chaplain to the Beloved Community: Dismantling Racism Commission and as clerical trustee at Sewanee: The University of the South. Her passion for equality and equity among all people and a desire for more diverse representation in all facets of The Episcopal Church call her to run for delegate to General Convention.

The Rev. Zachary Thompson | Rector, The Church of Our Saviour
zachary42@gmail.com

Serve as rector of Virginia-Highland parish with a large number of young adults; parish has seen growth with families. I also serve as the Campus Missioner to Emory University. Served as an assisting priest at Holy Innocents. Helped lead our discernment process for 18-24 year olds. Serve on the task force for Innovative Ministries. I recently hosted 70 priests from across the country to discuss priestly formation and evangelism.

Trustee for Sewanee: The University of the South

Elect one clerical trustee for a three-year term. Must consult with bishop diocesan prior to nomination.

The Rev. Nikki Mathis | Priest, Associate Rector, St. Peter’s, Rome, GA
nikki@stpetersrome.org

As an alumna of the School of Theology (T’ 08), I am committed to the growth of Sewanee. I was the first African American Student Body President and returned as Associate Dean of Community Life, I bring a deep and varied familiarity to the role of Trustee and a perspective that could be of assistance in advancing the best interests of the university, particularly the commitment to expanding their reach within under-represented populations.

Board of Governors, Mikell Camp & Conference Center

Elect two governors, lay or clerical, for a three-year term; no consecutive full terms.

Amanda Livermont | Lay Director New Beginnings, St. Matthews, Snellville
amandalivermont@bellsouth.net

Lay director for New Beginnings (Diocesan Middle School Renewal Movement) for 10+ years.
My husband and I have 2 young children who are camp age next year.
I’m a Safeguarding trainer and lead ministries on the parish level as well.
Former lead nursery worker.
Current lead parenting group.
Parenting group Christian Ed facilitator.

Doug Smith | Grace Episcopal Church, Gainesville
kaela@bellsouth.net

Doug Smith is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville. He is a believer in the Good News and a registered engineer for a local electric power cooperative. He is married to Kaela Smith and has three children, Adrianne, Emerson and Farran. Doug is involved in several leadership positions supporting Flatwater Sprint Canoe Kayak and several committee assignments at Grace.

Please click on each header to read or download report.

Appleton Episcopal Ministry
Canon 20 Appeals Report
Commission on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking
Diocese of Atlanta Commission on AIDS
Diocese of Atlanta Commission on LGBTQ Ministry
Diocese of Atlanta Jubilee Ministries Report
Beloved Community: Commission for Dismantling Racism Report to Council
The Church of the Common Ground Annual Council Ministry Report
Global Mission Commission Annual Report
The Commission on Stewardship Annual Report
Ministry Innovations Task Force
Episcopal Charities Foundation
Standing Committee

Resolutions

Annual Council Resolutions and Canon Revisions

R16-1 through R16-7 and Canon Revision C16-2

Please note that the posted resolutions are drafts until approved by the Secretary of Council.