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The following is is a report of the Inaugural Synod of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, our new diocese. Members of Christ Church attending this historic gathering were The Rev. Marc Robertson, The Rev. Greg Malley, The Rev. Sally Lufburrow, Stephen Lufburrow, Gail Prevatt. Gene Prevatt, Carol Rogers Smith, Joan Malley and Sharon Mays.

On Saturday August 29th, 2009, the Anglican Alliance of North Florida and South Georgia met at Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park Florida to take the specific steps necessary to transition from a “Diocese in  Formation” to full status as a new diocese in the Anglican Church in North America. Forty seven clergy delegates and thirty nine lay delegates were certified representing twenty churches from Jacksonville to Tallahassee in Florida and from Thomasville to Savannah in Georgia.

The Inaugural Synod was opened with prayer and teaching by The Rev. David Pileggi, Rector of Christ Church, Jerusalem. His message centered on unity and grace and he encouraged the delegates to recognize that revival comes in the context of the unity exhibited in humble service.

From the necessary procedures of ratifying a Constitution and Canons to the election of our first bishop and the governing bodies of the new diocese, the new diocese was then formed under an "umbrella of mercy" toward one another. Throughout the day, every conversation was bathed in prayer and grace even when differing opinions emerged on the details; each voice was heard and consensus formed. A specific canon was passed that gave voice and vote to delegates of parishes of other Anglican jurisdictions such as the Anglican Mission and Reformed Episcopal Church who are partnering in the ministry and mission of the new diocese. The only limitation was that such parish representatives could not elect or serve on the diocesan Standing Committee which serves as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the diocese in a bishop's absence. These parishes are already under their own ecclesiastical authorities.

Following a section by section review and vote on the Constitution and Canons led by The Rev. Eric Dudley, Chair of the Committee on Constitutions and Canons, the Synod excused the two nominees for Bishop, The Rev. Jim Hobby and The Rev. Neil Lebhar and their wives. The period of discernment prior to the vote for bishop was facilitated by acting chancellor Mr. Tom Crapps and the Rev. Marc Robertson who began it with a teaching from Acts 1:15-26.

After about forty minutes of conversation about the merits of each nominee and the complementary nature of their ministry styles, Marc Robertson called for a time of silent prayer and reflection on each nominee and a request for an open heart to hear the leading of the Holy Spirit in the election of our first bishop. The two nominees and their families were brought back into the room for additional prayer and the casting of ballots.

The ballots were collected by non-voting tellers to count and certify the results of the election. Within a few minutes, Mr. Crapps returned and reported to Synod that we have an election with votes in excess of the two thirds requirement and that The Rev. Neil G. Lebhar would be presented to the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America for confirmation.

Following a brief recess for lunch, Vicar General Neil Lebhar chaired the rest of the meeting. The Rev. Travis Boline was elected for a term of two years as Secretary of the Synod. Following that election, two slates were offered to Synod for Standing Committee and Diocesan Council respectively.

Following one of the canons, members of the previous Anglican Alliance Steering Committee and others were elected to serve.

Members of the first Standing Committee are The Rev. David Allert, The Rev.

Bob Coon, The Rev. Jim McCaslin, Mr. Bob Ashmead, Mr. Rick Groves, and Ms.

Joan Malley.

Members of the first Diocesan Council are The Rev. Neil Lebhar, The Rev.

Travis Boline, Mr. Harris Willman, The Rev. Alex Farmer (Dean of Gainesville),The Rev. Marc Robertson (Dean of Savannah), The Rev. John Eason, The Rev. Mark Eldredge, The Rev. Sally Lufburrow, Ms. Beth Kirby, Mr.

Neal Ford, and Mr. Jim Barnidge. Deans for Jacksonville and Tallahassee will be appointed to the Council soon.

The final order of business was to decide on the name of the diocese. The initial name for Diocese in Formation was “The Anglican Diocese in the Southeast.” However there was already a diocese within the Reformed Episcopal Church with a similar name.

On Friday evening in the final meeting of the Anglican Alliance Steering Committee, the name “The Gulf Atlantic Diocese” was suggested. It seemed to meet the goals of being geographically specific while not creating boundaries that might limit embracing all Anglicans who might seek to join in the diocesan mission and ministry.

The two names brought to Synod for consideration were “The Gulf Atlantic Diocese” and “The Suwannee Diocese.” The Suwannee name was suggested because the river of that name bisects the diocesan geography. Following a brief time of discussion, "The Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church in North America" was embraced by all as the name for the new diocese.

The Diocesan Inaugural Synod was closed in prayer led by The Rev. Alex Farmer.

-Harris G. Willman