Convention to Elect the 14th Bishop of Maryland
The Rev. Canon Eugene Taylor Sutton is elected the 14th Bishop of Maryland on the First Ballot
On Saturday March 29, at St. James’ Church, Lafayette Square in Baltimore, ballots were cast, hymns were sung and in the spirit of the Episcopal Church the Rev. Canon Eugene Taylor Sutton was elected to be the 14th Bishop of Maryland on the first ballot cast by the electing convention.
Almighty God, whose gentle hands shaped the shores of the Chesapeake and molded the hills of the Alleghenies: Support those who hear your call to discernment and surround their families with your care. Lead us by your grace to a greater understanding of your mission and ministry so that together we might grow more and more into Christ-likeness; through Him who died and rose for us and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.
The majority of Bishops and Standing Committees of the Episcopal Church consenting, Canon Sutton will be ordained and consecrated a bishop by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and all Bishops of The Episcopal Church present on June 28, 2008 at Reid Temple, an AME Church in Prince Georges County.
Click here to read Canon Sutton's greeting to the Diocese.
Election Results and Convention Agenda
Ballot One
Needed to elect: 110 CLERGY and 76 LAY
The Rev. Canon Mark Gatza -- 22 Clergy -- 12 Lay
The Rev. Jane Gould -- 41 Clergy -- 19 Lay
The Rev. John Hall -- 22 Clergy -- 29 Lay
The Rev. Lura Kaval -- 9 Clergy -- 4 Lay
The Rev. Canon Eugene Sutton -- 125 Clergy -- 85 Lay
The Rev Canon Eugene Taylor Sutton is elected the 14th Bishop of Maryland on the first ballot.
Convention Agenda
- 8:00 AM Registration begins at in the Parish Center a continental breakfast will be served
- 9:00 AM Convention called to order
- 9:30 AM Opening Eucharist – Bishop John Rabb, celebrant
Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams, preacher - 10:45 AM First Ballot Cast
- The Rev. Canon Eugene Sutton is elected on the first ballot
- Convention Delegates sign the Election Testimonial
- Electing Convention adjourned
Frequently Asked Questions about the Electing Convention
Click here to read more about the election process.
Special rules of order for the Electing Convention.
Message from Canon Mary Glasspool
Special Rules of Order
Proposed Rules of Order
Who may vote?
Lay delegates certified for the 223rd Diocesan Convention (May 2007) are the lay delegates with vote at the Electing Convention. Should a parish desire to change their lay delegates, they must do so according to procedure posted on the web-site. Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese of Maryland are eligible to vote provided they were canonically resident May 2007 and remain canonically resident in the Diocese of Maryland at the time of the election. A resolution to permit clergy who have become canonically resident since May 2007 to vote will be presented at the beginning of the Electing Convention.
Can non-delegates attend?
St. James will seat between 500 and 550 persons so there is room for non-delegates to attend in limited numbers. Seating will not be assigned, however observers must yield seats to delegates if necessary. Lunch and convention materials will be provided only to registered delegates and convention workers.
Is the election site handicapped accessible?
St. James Parish Center and the nave of the church are handicapped accessible. Restroom facilities in the Parish Center are handicapped accessible.
What is required for an election?
A majority of votes must be cast for the same candidate from each order, laity and clergy, on the same ballot for there to be an election.
What if we fail to elect by the set ending time?
If an election is likely to take place on the next ballot, the convention may agree to extend the hours of the convention. If we fail to elect, then the convention will be recessed to reconvene at a specified date, time and location. The Diocese of Maryland normally is able to elect a bishop within five ballots.
About St. James', Lafayette Square
St. James', Lafayette Square, was established as St. James' First African Protestant Episcopal Church. Today St. James' continues as a progressive multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multicultural Church committed to Jesus Christ in the mutual traditions of the Episcopal Church and the African American Christian experience. Click here to read a more complete history of St. James' Church
Visit St. James' website to learn more: www.stjamesonthesquare.org
About our electing convention preacher, Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams:
Dr. Fentress-Williams received her PhD., M.A., and M.Phil. in Religious Studies from Yale University in 1999, having previously earned an M. Div. at Yale Divinity School. She is currently Associate Professor in Old Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary where she has taught since 2002. Prior to that, she was Professor of Hebrew Bible at Hartford Seminary.
