On February 26 through 28, 2006, members of the Board of the National Network of Lay Professionals (NNLP), meeting in Washington DC, moved to change the name of the organization to the National Network of Episcopal Church Employees (NNECE), and to broaden the organization’s reach and services.

For twenty-one years, the National Network of Lay Professionals has served the needs of lay professionals in the Episcopal Church, providing information about -- and resources for -- employment, education and training, accessibility, support, and vocation. One key accomplishment was their work on getting resolutions passed that discouraged pro-forma resignations when a church or diocese chose a new rector or bishop.  Another was the work and support that NNLP has given to the Justice and Accountability in the Church Workplace issue.  But, perhaps the most valuable resource NNLP could provide was relationships with other lay professionals through their nationwide network.

In the late February meeting, the Board of NNLP gathered at the Cathedral College at the National Cathedral to begin a revisioning process. Wayne Floyd, Director of the Cathedral College's Center for Christian Formation, guided the board through a process of discerning the needs of those employed by the Church in traditionally lay positions, and the gifts that the organization could offer those employees.

In the conversation the board began thinking about barriers the name of the organization created. Members of the board recognized that, although an important partner in the ministry of the Church, often a layperson does not see his or her work as “ministry” and to some the word “lay” even connotes secondary importance. Also, there are many employees of the Church who are not Episcopalians, and who do not identify as laypersons. Their contributions to the life of the Church are valued as much as an Episcopal employee.

There are also a great many employees of the Church who do not recognize their role as "professional." There are many positions that do not require extended education or certification, yet are also greatly valued.

Consequently, the words "Lay" and "Professionals" were dropped from the organization's name and replaced by "Episcopal Church Employees."  In making this change, the Board formulated a simple statement of purpose:  To serve, support, and provide resources for employees of the Episcopal Church.

NNECE will continue to focus primarily on the work of non-ordained persons, while partnering with the National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations (NNECA) to make sure that all who serve God's Church have access to the support and resources they need. Members of the clergy who would like to partner with non-ordained employees to improve work and working conditions in the Church are invited to become members of NNECE.

A member of the Colloquium of Episcopal Professional and Vocational Associations (CEPVA), NNECE will serve the employment needs of any non-ordained person who receives a paycheck from, or contracts with, an Episcopal congregation, school, or organization. NNECE will also plans to build a state of the art web resource providing networking opportunities for members, resources to best practices in church employment, and links to resources produced by partnering organizations.

NNECE will begin a membership drive at this Summer's General Convention in Columbus, Ohio, where they will share booth space with CEPVA and its other member organizations.

Membership Dues:
Individual membership $25
Congregations or organizations with six to fifty employees can join at $15 per person.
Congregations of organizations with more than fifty employees can join at $10 per person.

NNECE Board Members are:

President – Beth Matthews, Bishop’s Administrative Assistant, Diocese of Arkansas
Vice President – Sean McConnell, Communications Officer, Diocese of California
Secretary – Carly Rowe, Program Coordinator, Cathedral of St. Paul, Erie PA
Treasurer – Linda R. Hay, Parish Administrator, St. Peter’s, Bay Shore NY
Membership Chair – Michael Francaviglia, Administrative Officer, Diocese of Newark
Communications Chair – George Hubbard, Retired, Charleston SC

For more information about NNECE, or to become a member, send an email to Info@nnece.org, or call Beth Matthews at 501.372.2168