Proposed Constitution and Canons, Joint Agreement of Union, Documents for May 4 Convention Now Available

Dear People of God in Wisconsin:

In October, our diocesan conventions each approved a resolution calling on the Trialogue Steering Committee to present a Joint Agreement of Union to the governing bodies of each diocese and, in March, to the people of the dioceses. Thanks to the hard work of our Constitution & Canons Task Force of the Trialogue, we have now fulfilled that commitment. In the last several days, each of our diocesan governing bodies has endorsed the documents, and we are sending them to you now for your review.

Along with the Joint Agreement of Union, which includes the proposed Constitution and Canons of a reunified diocese, the Constitution & Canons Task Force has also prepared a set of governance policies that are not binding, but would guide the development of our new diocese. Working together, our dioceses’ chancellors and parliamentarians have developed the resolution that the joint convention will be asked to approve on May 4, and special rules of order for that convention.

Each of these documents is linked below and is available on the Trialogue website:

• proposed Joint Agreement of Union
• proposed Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
• proposed Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin
• proposed governance policies
• proposed rules of order for May 4 joint convention
• Diocese of Fond du Lac resolution
• Diocese of Eau Claire resolution
• Diocese of Milwaukee resolution
  
  

As we prepare for a final vote on reunion, we will hold another series of Town Hall meetings on Zoom in April so that you can ask questions, offer input, and hear the perspectives of fellow Episcopalians across the state. You can find the list of dates and links to register on Zoom below.

All of these documents are the result of years of faithful discernment, hours of collaborative work, and belief that God is calling us to a future in which we will be even more able to confidently bear witness to the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We invite you to read them and prayerfully consider your questions, your hopes, and the ways that you might hope to contribute to our reunified diocese.

Next week, each of our dioceses will open registration for the May 4 special convention in Baraboo. Everyone — not just delegates, deputies and clergy — is invited to join us for this historic event. If you have questions, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Diocese of Fond du Lac Registration
• Diocese of Eau Claire Registration
• Diocese of Milwaukee Registration
  
  

As we prepare for our joint convention, please join us once again in praying this prayer from the Trialogue Prayer and Discernment Task Force:

Lord,

It is Your voice that calls each of us

To play our part in the story of Your Church in Wisconsin, 

For You have made us for Your purpose of revealing love

In a challenging time and in a divided world.

As our three dioceses move forward to become one,

Continuing to seek your will for us,

Enlighten our hearts to know what things we ought to do.

Enlighten our minds to know what things we need to leave behind.

Enlighten our spirits to embrace a future none but You know.

Give us peace, give us courage, give us hope.

And give us perseverance to make the steps necessary to 

Continue to follow Your lead. Amen.

Thank you, as always, for your commitment to our dioceses and to God’s mission in Wisconsin.

Faithfully,

The Rt. Rev. Matthew Gunter

Bishop, Diocese of Fond du Lac

Bishop Provisional, Diocese of Eau Claire

Assisting Bishop, Diocese of Milwaukee

The Rev. Canon Kathleen Charles, Tim Donahue, The Rev. Canon Aaron Zook

Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Eau Claire

The Rev. Portia Corbin, Patricia Pfeifer, The Rev. Canon Wilson Roane

Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Fond du Lac

The Rev. Canon Scott Leannah, The Rev. Dave Mowers, The Rev. Jana Troutman-Miller, John N. Vogel

Trialogue Steering Committee members, Diocese of Milwaukee