[Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs — Press Release] Nominations to serve as the Episcopal Church lay representative on the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) are now being accepted through April 10.

The ACC is one of the four instruments of communion in the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is one of the 38 province members. The ACC is the only instrument of communion in which there is lay representation. According to the ACC website, the role of the ACC is to facilitate the cooperative work of the churches of the Anglican Communion.

The ACC constitution speaks of the desirability that members be part of the governing structures of the church they represent. In The Episcopal Church this means that potential nominees would be lay members of Executive Council or lay deputies to General Convention. A thorough knowledge of the Anglican Communion and The Episcopal Church is required, as well as familiarity with governance structures.

The term is for three meetings of the ACC, which is generally nine years. The triennial meetings require a two-week commitment. The next ACC meeting is slated for 2016 in Central Africa.

Nominations must include the nominee’s permission to stand for election, a one-page explanation of the nominee’s qualifications, and a digital photo. These materials should be sent to General Convention Executive Officer the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe at mbarlowe@episcopalchurch.org.

The lay representative will be elected by Executive Council, according to Canon 1.4.2(g). The election will occur at the June 2013 Executive Council meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Following a review of the nominations by the Executive Committee of Executive Council, two to five names will be presented for voting. Nominations may also be made by Executive Council. The term will take effect immediately.

Current Episcopal Church members of ACC are Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori (who is a member of the Anglican Communion Standing Committee by virtue of her membership on the Primates Standing Committee), Bishop Ian Douglas of the Diocese of Connecticut (bishop), and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings of the Diocese of Ohio and President of the House of Deputies (clergy).