Christ Episcopal Church, Alameda CA

Christ Church and the Alameda Deanery

The Episcopal Church is a democratic body with a system of government resembling that of the United States.  There is a national church and, within it, state dioceses, which are groups of parishes.  Each diocese is led by (at least) one Bishop.  Each parish elects lay delegates to attend an Annual Convention to conduct business for that diocese.  Deaneries are smaller groups of parishes within dioceses.  The Diocese of California is one of eight dioceses in the national church and has six deaneries.  Christ Church is part of the Alameda Deanery.  Deaneries play a key role in developing and implementing the policies and plans of the Diocese through sharing diocesan information with each parish, communicating with the diocese about congregational/deanery concerns, providing educational forums and a communication link for organizations and individuals performing similar ministries.

Deaneries are made up of lay and clergy representatives from each parish. Lay representatives are elected by each church.  The number of lay representatives is determined from a formula based on the number of members of each church.  Christ Church has a total of nine lay representatives.  All of these people are Deanery delegates, but only five are also Convention delegates and vote at the Convention.  Traditionally, we elect representatives at our Annual Meeting and the top five vote-getters become the Convention delegates.  CEC’s 2010 Deanery representatives are Jean Brennan, Joan Clerk, Virginia Darrow, Elizabeth Eliassen, Jane Petersen, Anne Parker Melendez, Helen Sause, Robin Sperry, and Deb White.  Deb currently serves as Deanery Convener (or Chairperson).  We are also fortunate to have our interim rector, Anne Jensen, and our assisting priest, Laurie Moyer, actively participate in Deanery.  Deb also serves on the Diocesan Executive Council, which is the Board of Directors for the Diocese of California.

There are four Deanery meetings each year and a Diocesan Convention held in the fall.  We had our first Alameda Deanery on March 11th.  This year, there is a significant effort being made for the California deaneries to find their place in a changing diocesan landscape.  Given declining membership in the church at large and in California in particular, the Diocese has launched initiatives to shore up and expand Episcopal Church membership.  Two important components of this effort are Congregational Development and Area Ministry.  Christ Church is participating actively in both by reaching out to other Episcopal churches to form partnerships for outreach ministry.  The emphasis in the diocese at this time is for all of us to understand ourselves as having dual church membership – in Christ Church, Alameda, and in “Diocal,” the Diocese of California.  To that end, we encourage everyone at Christ Church and beyond to come forward with their ideas and concerns so that the members of our Deanery will hear them and communicate them to the Diocese.  Do not hesitate to talk to any of us about any Diocesan issues.  We have a box in the Church Office.  In addition, you can email Deb White here or find her email address in the parish directory and Lych Gate.

In peace,

The Christ Church Deanery Delegation