The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh is now welcoming nominations of clergy and lay persons for election to membership on various governing bodies and committees of the diocese. The Nominating Committee, co-chaired by the Rev. Nancy Chalfant-Walker and Mr. Russell Ayres, will be accepting nominations through July 1 for elections to be held at Diocesan Convention on November 4-5, 2016. The convention will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon.

At this year's convention, four clergy and four lay deputies to the 2018 General Convention of The Episcopal Church will be elected, along with four alternates from each order. In addition, two lay persons will be elected to the Board of Trustees. One clergy and one lay person will be elected to the Standing Committee, the Cathedral Chapter and the Committee on Constitution and Canons. Two clergy and one lay person will be elected to the Disciplinary Board. Finally, one person (clergy or lay) will be elected to the Commission on Ministry.

Multiple candidates for open positions are accepted and encouraged. All positions carry a term of three years, except for the Standing Committee which has a four-year term.

Nomination forms have been mailed to all of the parishes in the Diocese, and are also available on the diocesan web site at www.episcopalpgh.org/2016-convention. Information can also be found there about the canonical responsibilities of each of the boards and committees. Nomination forms (which must be signed by the rector or senior warden of the nominee's parish) are due in the diocesan office by July 1; a brief bio and photograph should be submitted electronically by July 31.

Please note that self-nominations are encouraged and accepted! We invite all faithful Episcopalians to prayerfully consider volunteering to serve the diocese as best suits their time and talents. If anyone has questions about any of the work of any of the diocesan committees, feel free to contact the Rev. Nano at nanojon@gmail.com, or Russ at rwayresiii@gmail.com.

Thanks to all,