Does anyone know how the AME geographical boundaries were set for the 19 districts, especially the one in the US? I was ask this question in our new members call as we talked about and showed the new members a map of the 19 districts?

-- Anonymous, March 11, 2001

Answers

Thank you for this mindsetting question. Unfortunately I cannot provide you with an answer but I was anxiously waiting for an opportunity of this nature for my country Namibia, is also facing a similar situation where the boundaries are to be set for the 20th Episcopal District. I am waitng to know how they gonna do that.

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Namibia...- 20th District???!!!

I thought we were moving towards REDUCING the number of districts, not creating more!

Anybody else have info about this?

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2001

Larry:

I agree 100% about the unwarranted "need" for additional districts. We should be following the prudent path of consolidation not expansion of our districts. QED

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

We simply refer to the 20th Episcopal District as proposed in some of the bills defeated at the 1996 General Conference. During 1996 Namibia was almost cut off from the present 15th Episcopal District in a unilateral process in which we were not consulted, and we opposed that process with all the contempt it deserved and all the resources at our disposal. Namibians are now ready for district in southern Africa to be re- aligned. In this realignent process, we campaign to form a seperate district together as Botswana, Angola and Namibia. Cape Town, where the 15th Episcopal District headquarters and residence is, is very far for us. joining with Angola with open up northen and eastern Namibia for new missionary points (church growth!!). My proposal for re-aligmnent is: 1) Europe (England and Holland)and West Africa (Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, etc.) form 14th Episcopal District. 2) Namibia, Botswana and Angola in the 15th Episcopal District. 3) Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi become the 16th Episcopal District. 4) Lesotho, Swaziland, Natal, Transvaal, Orangia and Mozambigue form 17th Episcopal District. 5) Cape, Eastern Cape, Queenstown, Kalahari and West Transvaal becomes 18th Episcopal District. Somebody can come with the new names of the post-apartheid South Africa. This re-alignment will reduce 1 Episcopal District in the overseas areas.

How do our members in the USA think these districts should be reduced, or is the eeduction of districts meant for Africa only? For sure the Ecumneical Office has to close down. And which other districts can be re-aligned?

-- Anonymous, May 31, 2001

Rev. Hanse:

I proposed several years ago that re-defining our Episcopal Districts should be a priority for the General Conference. I do not believe it is efficient for the US-based districts to continue to function as "single-state" Districts, e.g. SC, FL, GA & AL. These states could collectively form one district. The real work is in the gerrymandered 5th districts which encompasses over a dozen states! If we would focus on developing new congregations in these western states this district could be divided into 3. Bishops in the newly created districts would then be evaluated based on church creation and growth criteria. If individual Bishops do not meet the expectations I would favor a demotion in rank much like the military when flag officers are "defrocked" for specified reasons. Under my proposal the net attrition would be 1 less District. QED

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2001