The Rev. Douglas Sparks, GC)09 Deputy

The Rev. Doug Sparks has served in a variety of roles at the congregational and diocesan levels. Currently, he is on Diocesan Council as the clergy representative from Region V and was recently elected to a second term. He was the Dean of Region V from February 2006 to February 2009 and now serves as the Sub Dean.

Doug was a deputy from the Diocese of Milwaukee to General Convention 2000 in Denver. He served on the Lutheran Anglican Roman Catholic Dialogue Process in Milwaukee and had the honor of voting as a deputy in support of "Called to Common Mission" which effectively brought The Episcopal Church into Full Communion with the ELCA. While serving as Dean of the Wellington in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Doug was elected to General Synod in 2004 by the people of the Diocese of Wellington. As a deputy at the 2009 General Convention, Doug has been appointed to Legislative Committee # 18 Ecumenical Relations for General Convention 2009. "My hopes, passions and concerns are for mission and relationship; using our gifts and resources in proclaiming God's love and desire for us...for all of us," says Sparks.

"I believe The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion have a unique charism for Christian Unity, seeking opportunities for unity with other Christians. An example of this charism is the Chicago - Lambeth Quadrilateral. I also believe we have an opportunity as Episcopalians and Anglicans to engage in mutual dialogue with persons of other faiths. My experiences in several dioceses in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia have formed and fashioned my hopes, passions and concerns for mission and relationship as well."