Discovery, Development, Deployment

Transcription

1 Diocese of Rupert s Land Diocesan Council Minutes November 30, 2013 St. Luke, Winnipeg Present = Y Regrets = R Absent = A (*) = ex officio (a) = appointed Y Allen, Mr. E. Martin Y Lysecki, The Rev. Mary Y Bardsley, The Ven. James* Y Mawejje, The Ven. Godfrey* Y Braid, Mr. E. Arthur* R McKenzie, The Rev. Donald Y Blanchard, The Rev. Jonathan R Parsons, The Rev. Deacon Eric n/a Carlson, Mr. Sean (a) R Pawling, Mr. Gordon* R Clarke, Ms Margaret* Y Pelser, Mrs. Leslie R Clow, Mrs. Cathie Y Phillips, The Rt. Rev. Donald* Y Elliott, The Rev. Dr. Brad Y Ross, Mrs. Valerie R Ford, The Rev. Brian Y Routley, Ms Sharon Y Fortier, Ms Roselyn Y Silk, Mr. Ian Y Hunter, The Rev. Deacon Helen Y Sisson, The Ven. Jennifer* Y James, Dr. June Y Solomon, The Rev. Vincent (a) Y Johnson, The Very Rev. Paul* Y Stagg, Mr. Roger (a) Y Kennedy, The Rev. Helen Y Thagard, Mrs. Claudine R Kawka, Mr. Bill (a) Y Trott, Dr. Christopher* (Warden St. John s College) R Lado, Mr. David Y Webster, Ms Tannis Y Laki, The Rev. Justin R West, Mrs. Lorraine Y Laldin, The Rev. Edmund Staff: Mrs. Susan Suppes (Secretary of Diocesan Council) Ms Bernice Funk (Director of Finance) Guests: Mr. Bob Wedlake and The Rev. Michael Bruce The meeting opened with worship led by Archdeacon Mawejje, who also chaired the meeting. The regrets were read after which the Council expressed its thanks to Mrs. Bertha and Mr. Bill Brant for the wonderful hospitality they provided for the meeting. The Chair welcomed new council members, The Rev. Jonathan Blanchard and The Rev. Justin Laki, filling the vacancies left by The Rev. Lyndon Hutchison-Hounsell and The Rev. Dr. Lee Titterington. Resignation of Mr. Bud Oliver: The chair advised of the resignation of Mr. Bud Oliver who was an appointee, to Council in his capacity of Chair of the Companion Diocese Committee. Mr. Oliver has resigned from this position after many years of faithful service. Mr. Sean Carlson was appointed by the Bishop to chair the Companion Diocese Committee and is willing to accept appointment to the Council, if that is Council s wish. Phillips/ Johnson THAT Diocesan Council appoint Mr. Sean Carlson, chair of the Companion Diocese Committee to be a member of Diocesan Council, in accordance with the Constitution 9.02 (c). Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 1

2 Minutes of September 24, 2013 Diocesan Council THAT the minutes of Diocesan Council of September 24, 2013 be adopted. James/Bardsley Minutes of the Executive Committee meetings: THAT Diocesan Council receive the minutes of October 15, 2013 as amended. James/Johnson THAT Diocesan Council receive the minutes of November 12, Fortier /Sisson Waverley West Mission Developer : Archdeacon Jennifer Sisson presented her report. THAT the report be received. Sisson/ Kennedy Jennifer highlighted some events upcoming in the Waverley West Area. Questions were asked and answered. As the current contract for the quarter time (1/4 time) Waverley West Mission Researcher position comes to an end on January 31, 2014, a motion for continuing the funding for an additional year, as recommended by the Executive Committee, was put by Paul Johnson. THAT support and funding (from the New Church Development Fund) for the position of Johnson/ Mission Researcher for Waverley West continue for another year, to January 31, AMENDMENT: THAT the contract date be extended to January 31, Laldin / Lysecki Defeated The original motion was back on the floor. A second amendment was put to extend the term to July 2015, to coincide with the current term contract for the United Church Minister. AMENDMENT: THAT the contract be extended to July Bardsley /Blanchard Motion as amended was put and The motion reads: THAT support and funding (from the New Church Development Fund) for the position of Mission Researcher for Waverley West continue to July, *As it was unknown if the United Church Minister s contract ends on June 30, or July 30, the end date of this contract was specifically vague for a time in July. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 2

3 Diocesan Appointee to PWRDF: Long time PWRDF Coordinator and Diocesan Representative Susan Roe Finlay has concluded her ministry. The Bishop has invited the Rev. Deacon Maylanne Maybee to accept this appointment, which requires ratification by Diocesan Council. Phillips/Webster THAT The Rev. Deacon Maylanne Maybee be appointed as Rupert s Land s representative to the Primate s World Relief and Development Fund. Report of the Finance Committee: In the absence of the Treasurer, Bernice Funk, Director of Finance reported that Investment income is currently at 11% year-to-date. Bernice reported as of Sept 30, 2013, there is a surplus of $1,457. Revenue is coming in less than budgeted as two parishes have indicated they will not be able to meet their 2013 Common Ministry and Mission amounts. Expenses are under budget at this time. Routley/Trott THAT the Financial Statements to September 30, 2013 be received. Ms. Funk also presented, for information, the National Church benefits plan rates for She noted that pension plan changes are effective January 1/2014. Employer contributions will decrease from 12.4 to 11.9 %, but there is a new category for the employer for administration costs associated with the plan in the amount of 1.3%. At the present, we re paying the maximum into the pension plan, but now we are paying separately for the administration of plan. She also noted that the health benefit plan will be moving to a two-tier plan. Pelser/Lysecki THAT the National Church benefit plan rates for 2014 be received. Proposal for Urban Indigenous Ministry Developer The Very Rev. Paul Johnson presented a proposal from the Development Team. In early March 2013, when the original proposal (which was a ½ time position for 3 years) was submitted to the Executive. Prior to the March Diocesan Council the Bishop shared this proposal at a meeting of the Rupert s Land Indigenous Circle. Their response resulted in the following motion: That RLIC is delighted to hear the Diocesan Executive has taken leadership in reviewing and developing the Bishop s proposal, that we encourage the Executive to establish a development team to bring the proposal to a point at which the proposal can be presented to the Diocesan Council. The Development Team membership was established with nominees recommended by RLIC and the membership affirmed by the Executive Committee. The Development Team, with Dean Paul Johnson, as its chair, was charged with responsibility to come up with a job description, outcomes, hiring process, interviewing, term position/review process, supervisory board members and Role of the Board, funding proposal, and consideration of the full time / part time issue. The Development Team, after consultation with RLIC, is suggesting a new proposal for a full time position for 1.5 years, rather than a ½ time position, for three years, reasoning that half-time would not be successful. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 3

4 A motion to receive the report was moved so discussion could proceed. THAT the report of the Development Team be received. Johnson /Kennedy After the presentation the following motion was put, as recommended in the report: THAT an Urban Indigenous Ministry Developer be hired on a full-time basis for 1.5 years Johnson/ and that Diocesan Council ensure holding of 2013 funds ($19,000 from the 2013 Thagard diocesan budget and $20,000 in 2013 from the New Church Development Fund) into A lengthy discussion ensued. Several members of Council expressed concern with the proposed change from the original proposal. The original proposal provided combined funding from the Diocesan budget and a grant from the New Church Development Fund. The three year time frame also allowed time to seek future funding. This new proposal calls for an additional $40,000 in 1.5 years time. Strong concern was voiced about raising the expectations of the indigenous community, and then finding that we cannot, once again, sustain a full time ministry. We need to start small and grow, not start large and then fail. There is uncertainty if a full time position could be maintained. To build up expectations that we may not be able to achieve is simply wrong. This same history was evident with youth ministry: Full time, part time, full time: It is not healthy for the community and for sustaining trust of the community. It was suggested that we need a longer term plan for the use of the New Church Development Fund, rather than bits of money here and there. The Rupert s Land Indigenous Council (RLIC) and others are raising their expectations of the Diocesan Council in a significant way. In RLIC discussions both official and informal, they like the idea of the initiative, but they do not think the part time will be successful. A member of RLC stated that: If you can t find the funds then don t do it at all. Even a full time position for 1.5 years is not long enough to get anything going. Diocesan Council supported the original plan as it committed us to get moving on this matter; in a parttime way for at least three years to enable the program to get traction. Several members expressed their preference for the longer term at part-time proposal. It was noted that Jennifer Sisson has worked ¼ time for at least the past three years, and there is merit to what she is doing, but of course is limited in what she can do because of the part-time nature. A concern raised at the Executive Committee is what happens after three years? Sustainability was a significant piece of the initial proposal. We should not be approving a position without sustainability. Bishop noted hearing a great deal of concern from Council about starting something that is not sustainable -- that we don t move forward and build up expectations only to have expectations crushed again. Several suggested that we lower our expectations at the start, and grow from there and work toward a full time position. The Bishop commented that the ½ time position could continue indefinitely, but also wants to suggest we approve in principle the desire for this ministry to become full time. One of the priorities of Vision 2019 has identified ministry with indigenous people a priority. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 4

5 Concern was also expressed about programming costs. There will be programming costs; also what resources will be given to this person? What about an office, telephone, and the programming costs for this program? How are these to be funded? The ministry will happen -- the fields are ripe for the harvest -- the ministry is out there. Are we going to make a commitment or postpone? A job description is still required, as well as other items noted in the mandate of the Development Team, but this is not possible until we know if it is to be a full time or part time position. There is significant distrust of Diocesan Council s intention for aboriginal ministry; to invite a response to a proposal and then disregard advice will not improve the relationship. MOTION TO REFER: Phillips/ THAT the proposal for a full time Urban Indigenous Ministry Developer be Johnson referred back to the Development Team, working with the Bishop and Executive Committee and the Rupert s Land Indigenous Circle, to develop a sustainable ministry and financial vision for this work and report back no later than the March 2014 meeting of Diocesan Council. (11 for and 9 against) A further statement was made: half (or part) time ministry is not useless. To say that that person (who is not full time) is not doing a job or a significant ministry is simply not true. Trinity Anglican Ministry: The Council welcomed Mr. Bob Wedlake and The Rev. Michael Bruce to make a presentation on behalf of Trinity Anglican Ministry. Bob walked members of Council through the written presentation they had, using a PowerPoint presentation. Bob explained that St. Barnabas does not want to be part of the amalgamated parish but that St. Martin-in-the-Fields and St. Anne wish to proceed. What they require now is approval in principal by Diocesan Council for the amalgamation of St. Anne and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. As per Canon 19 the Parishes have submitted to the Bishop a proposal to amalgamate St. Anne & St. Martin. If the Bishop is in agreement, he submits same to Diocesan Council for approval. The hope is that the amalgamation can become effective as of January 1, Bob explained all the steps the parishes have taken in moving toward this proposed amalgamation. In accordance with the Canon, the Bishop has authority to name the new parish. This is expected before year-end. The three parishes (St. Martin, St. Anne and St. Barnabas) are mid-way into a 3-year contract with their clergy. The Bishop will be working with ordained ministers concerned regarding the contract and future. The Council needs to be aware that it may be necessary to ask for some assets from the sale of one of the buildings to meet the expenses. While the future vision of the newly amalgamated parish is to reach out into the area not currently being served, this process has taken much energy and focus and the parishioners need a little time to do church for the spiritual well-being of the parishioners to strengthen the congregation before they move out into the wider community. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 5

6 The Bishop has given his approval to the proposal and in doing so is now bringing it forward for Diocesan Council s consideration: THAT Diocesan Council approve in principal the amalgamation proposal for St. Anne, Phillips/ Winnipeg, and St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Winnipeg, in accordance with Canon 19, Section Stagg 3c, and refer to the Executive Committee to finalise the details of the proposal in consultation with the churchwardens and the incumbents of the parishes. Carried unanimously. Report of The Synod Agenda Committee: In the absence of Secretary of Synod, Margaret Clarke, Susan Suppes, presented the report. The dates of Synod are October 16-18, 2014, with the theme being: Discipleship in 3-D: (Discovery, Development, Deployment) As the Father has sent me, so I send you. (John 20:21b). THAT the report of the Synod Agenda Committee be received. Hunter/Webster THAT the fee for delegates to the synod remain at $85. Hunter /Webster Accessibility Task Force Update: Approx. $5600 has been raised from Corporate Sponsorship through the Annual Bishop s Dinner for the Accessibility Project. $ has come from St. Mary Magdalene who held a fund-raiser. $500 from St. Mary la Prairie. Three applications are still awaiting decision as to grant funding: Anglican Foundation and the Kathleen Richardson Foundation and the Mary DeFehr Foundation. The Funding shortfall will be approx $150,000 which is the amount that has been borrowed from the Rupert s Land Capital Fund. The Finance Committee will be making a recommendation to the Executive and Council in respect of this matter. A Vote of Thanks was expressed to June James and Gordon Pawling, as well as to James Bardsley, Edmund Laldin and Susan Suppes for spearheading the Bishop s Dinner for corporate sponsorship. Other business: St. John s College Task Force: Bishop and Warden of St. John s College have been working at naming members to the College and Diocesan Theological Education Review Task Force to look at the study of theology in our Diocese, with particular reference to St. John s College. The Members are: The Rev. Jamie Howison, The Rev. Canon Dr. Cathy Campbell, Ms. Kirstin Pinto0Groferer, Mr. Paul Dyck, Mr. David Watt and The Rev. Allison Chubb. James/ Johnson THAT Diocesan Council ratify membership of the Commission on Theological Education as follows: The Rev. Jamie Howison, The Rev. Canon Dr. Cathy Campbell, Ms. Kirstin Pinto-Groferer, Mr. Paul Dyck, Mr. David Watt, The Rev. Allison Chubb The Bishop and Dr. Chris Trott are working on terms of reference. Kirsten has been invited to be the convenor of the group, and to facilitate the work. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 6

7 Motion of thanks: THAT Diocesan Council express thanks to the parish of St. Luke for the hospitality Phillips/ extended to the Council and for the use of the church hall. Blanchard A motion to adjourn was moved by Dr. Trott, and carried. Unapproved Minutes - Diocesan Council November 30, 2013 Page 7