Decision Number 1510

Decision

Paragraph 32 of the Constitution gives active deaconesses lay membership with voice and vote in an annual conference. Paragraph 602.4 does not modify the requirement that such lay membership is provided to active deaconesses, because it must be read in conjunction with ¶32. Finally, because ¶602.6 must also be read in light of the foregoing to give participatory and voting rights only to active deaconesses, only active deaconesses may participate and vote in sessions of the conference.

Molly Hlekani Mwayera was absent. Erin Hawkins, first lay alternate, participated in this decision. 

Øyvind Helliesen was absent.