By Gavin Drake of Anglican News

A lay canon of England’s Liverpool Cathedral has been elected unopposed to serve as vice-chair of the Anglican Consultative Council. She joins the Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Revd Dr Paul Kwong, who was elected last week as chair of the body; and five new members of the Standing Committee.

The Anglican Consultative Council is the legally constituted body that brings together representatives of the different provinces – national or regional churches – in the Anglican Communion. It is an English company and charity; meeting every three to four years. It has just concluded its 16th meeting (ACC-16) at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka. Its Standing Committee are the trustees and directors of the charity and company.

Canon Margaret Swinson, a charted accountant and company secretary in private practice, was elected unopposed as vice-chair on Monday. She brings experience of finance, governance, chairing, shared conversations (Indaba) and ecumenical working.

She said: “I am committed to bishops, clergy and laity working together for the Kingdom through the Communion and ACC, both at the full meetings and through developing its life between meetings.”

One member from Costa Rica was elected to the Committee.

Mr Jeroham Melendez, from the Anglican Church of the Region of Central America, is the communications officer for the diocese of Costa Rica. “In my first ACC participation, I feel inspired to take one step forward into assuming new responsibilities,” he said. “As a Standing Committee member I will have the opportunity to serve the communion by coordinating different work initiatives through the various networks. I will support the implementation of communication strategies and improve the channels used with multi-language regions.”

Also from the Americas is the Rt Revd Jane Alexander, Bishop of the Diocese of Edmonton in the Anglican Church of Canada. “I bring a passion for ministry and for the empowerment of the whole church as disciples through the Five Marks of Mission,” she said. “I gave my life to Christ at age 25 and I love this expression of his body – the Anglican Communion.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is the President of the Standing Committee.

According to the Diocese of Texas:

La Iglesia Episcopal Costarricense of the Anglican Church of Central America is home to 17 congregations scattered mainly in the central valley and Caribbean coast. The Caribbean coast, which has been largely English-speaking and Afro-Caribbean in culture and ethnicity, is fast giving way to a continuing influx of migrating Costa Ricans and immigrant Nicaraguans who are more ethnically Spanish and mestizo in lineage, culture and language.

The Diocese is planting churches, opening whole-child learning and wellness centers in impoverished communities, expanding an HIV/AIDS women’s co-op, partnering with coffee producers, and much more. The Diocese House in San Jose is home to a 30-bed guest accommodation, a full-time American Companion Officer and is close to language schools. The Diocese of Costa Rica understands itself to be a missionary church and grabs onto big ideas and expects the Spirit to lead in miraculous ways.

The diocese focuses primarily in three areas: 1) Expansion of the church 2) Christian education and theological reflection 3) Christian testimony through service. In the words of Bishop Hectór Montorroso, “When we contribute to life transformation, we are connecting with the Gospel.”