Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-03
CHANGE IN DIOCESE
DIRECTION IS URGED
Executive Council Proposed
at Opening of Episcopal
Convention Here.

The twenty-third annual conven-
ton Of the Diocese of Washington of
the Episcopal Church opened for a
two-day session this morning at the
All Souls Memorial Church, Connec-
ticut and Cathedral avenues, with q
number Of far-reaching proposals
scheduled for early consideration, in
Guiding a revolutionary change in the
conduct of the business of the diocese
One of the most important features
Of the program for today will be a
discussion late this afternoon on the
layman's opportunity in the diocese,
which will be conducted by Bishop
Philip NJ. Rhinelander. retired, former
Bishop of Pennsylvania, now Il canon
Of the Washington Cathedral.
Cathedral Funds Raised.
With virtually the complete MEM
bership of the diocese of $50 clergy
men and lay delegates present, the
session was opened by Right Rev.
James e. Freeman. Bishop of Wash
ington. who spoke of the progress
made in the raising of funds for
completion of the great cathedral on
Mount st. Alban. He reported that
during his recent stay in New York
600 day. and lauded that metropolis
for It's support. While he was
a trifte anxious about contributions
toward the cathedral at present, he
said, the general progress WIS most
favorable.
The change in the conduct Of the
business Of the diocese is proposed
in abandoning the present practice of
the bishop appointing the many
boards and committees to carry on the
work Of the diocese and setting up
an executive council, which would be
the co-ordinating unit OF the many
boards, and which the council itself
would elect.
A largo number OF the delegates
is believed to be favorable to the
general proposition, and the only point
OK discussion expected Is over the pos
sibtlfty OF an increase in expenses.
A report is to be made tomorrow
morning by the committee on canons,
following which action Will be taken
on the proposal.
The committee which proposed the
change is composed Of Rev. b. T.
Phillips. Rev. Robert Johnson. Rev.
c. w. Whitmore, Rev. q. r. Dudley,
Rev. J. S. Moses, Rev. W. II. Pettus,
Rev. F. l. A. Bennett, A. s. Browne,
IL,
8. L. Kramer, b. g. Adams, William
Stanley and w. s.. Hutchins.
The change IN the organization
would mean that the proposed execu-
tive council would have the power
to perform corporate acts on behalf
OF the convention and have charge
Of the development of the work of
the missions, church extension, re-
ligious education, Christian social
service. finance, publicity and depart
ment Of city missions Of the diocese.
Consolidation Proposed.
Another important item recon-
mended at the morning session was
the consolidation of the st. Stephens
Episcopal Church, Fourteenth street
and Columbia road, with the Church
of the Incarnation, Twelfth and y
streets. A new church building to
house the two consolidated congrega-
lions Is projected.
Report was made that the invita-
ton to the general convention OF the
Episcopal Church. which met last
year in New Orleans, to meet IN
Washington In 1928, was made to the
convention and a committee was in
structed to consider plans.
A petition was presented by DR..
George +. Dudley Of st. stephens
asking for suffrage for women Of the
parish in the election of certain
church officials. Such suffrage is now
granted to the women of most OF
the parishes.
Tho Church Of the TRANSPORTATION,
Fourteenth and Gallatin streets. OF
which Rev. J. j. Queally Is pastor,
was admitted to membership In the
convention. At the organization meet
ing this morning. Rev. II. Allen Grit
fifth was reelected secretary, together
with his assistants. who are: Rev. e.
P. Wroth, Rev. i. NJ. Thompson. John
L. Johns and o. r. Singleton.
Bishop Freeman appointed the fol-
lowing committees: Committee on
canons and other business, Rev. w.
L. DeVries, Rev. Robert Johnson,
Rev. H. S. Smith, Rev. A. S. Browne
and William Stanley; committee on
parishes. II. c. Parkman, H. i. Du-
rant. James Kirkpatrick, David NJ.
Lea, E. G. Emack, and committee on
state of the church. Rev. c. NJ. Young,
Rev. f. S. Dunlap. Rev. John Rigg,
L. G. Wilton and DR.. II. NJ. Bowen.