Minutes of Meeting of the COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF KANSAS, INC. December 20, 2005

Transcription

1 Minutes of Meeting of the COUNCIL OF TRUSTEES OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF KANSAS, INC. December 20, 2005 The Council of Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, Inc., met on December 20, 2005, at 10:04 a.m. in Room 205 of Grace Cathedral, Topeka. The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Bishop and Chairman, opened the meeting with prayer. Trustees present were: Bishop Wolfe Mr. Michael Morrow, President The Rev. Barbara K. Bloxsom The Rev. James B. Cook The Rev. Dr. Donald F. Davidson The Rev. James P. Haney V The Very Rev. Michael G. Munro Mr. Michael W. Murphy Mr. Richard Norman The Rev. Ronald R. Peak The Rev. Nancy J. Shank Mr. Robert Skaggs Members of the Council of Trustees absent were: Mrs. Linda Bemis Ms. Rogene Schille Ms. Wendy Sheedy Advisors to the Council of Trustees present were: Mr. Douglas K. Anning, Treasurer Mr. Richard V. Foote, Vice Chancellor Advisors to the Council of Trustees absent were: Mr. L. Franklin Taylor, Chancellor and Clerk Mr. Michael Francis, Vice Chancellor Diocesan staff members present were: The Rev. Canon Jo Ann T. Ford, Canon to the Ordinary C. Jay Currie, Comptroller Mrs. Dorothy Emory, Diocesan Administrator and Assistant Clerk Mr. Chad Senuta, Youth Coordinator Mrs. Melodie Woerman, Communications Director Minutes of the October 14, October 15, and November 14, 2005, meetings were presented for consideration. It was moved and seconded that the minutes be approved as min Approved

2 Minutes, Council of Trustees December 20, 2005 Page 2 written with a correction made to the date of the Council of Trustees Retreat in the October 15, 2005, minutes. The motion was approved. Mr. Anning presented the treasurer s report. The Diocese is in better shape than originally projected with a deficit of $130,000 compared to the $250,000 projection. Revenue was down in November by $20,000, but some 2005 apportionment payments are expected in January. Most major expenses have come in under budget with the exception of Convention and Meetings which is off-set by income collected. Christ Church did make their first scheduled payment. The final payment of $29,000 was received from Lois Baum s estate totaling $170,000. This money has been restricted to seminarians. Two other bequests are coming into the diocese totaling $200,000. Mr. Jay Currie, Diocesan Comptroller, was recognized for his continued good work in getting reports to the Council of Trustees in a timely manner. Bishop Wolfe mentioned the following members were unable to attend today s meeting for the following reasons: Mrs. Linda Bemis had a death in the family; Mrs. Wendy Sheedy had work-related end-of-the-year deadlines; and Ms. Rogene Schille is ill. Mr. Norman reported he is serving as liaison between St. Paul s Church, Kansas City, Kansas, and the Council of Trustees. At the November meeting St. Paul s requested assistance regarding a problem with a boiler in its heating system. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee for further evaluation. Mr. Norman moved St. Paul s request to use the building as collateral for a loan be approved. Mr. Mike Morrow seconded the motion. Discussion ensued. It was mentioned that St. Paul s is one of a few urban churches left in the diocese; it offers an opportunity to an increasing Hispanic community; current budget calls for full payment of loan and payment of apportionment; and if the church closed there is an endowment that would go to the diocese. Mr. Norman will attend St. Paul s annual meeting in January. A request was made to have a representative from St. Paul s attend the January or February Council of Trustees meeting to make a presentation. The motion was unanimously approved. At the November 14, 2005, meeting of the Council of Trustees it was requested additional information be obtained prior to terminating the suspension of the Reverend Alan R. Tilson, who was suspended from the exercise of his gifts as a priest by the Right Reverend William E. Smalley a little over two years ago. Following a report from Mr. Mike Morrow, he moved that the Council of Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, acting in its capacity as the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, approve the removal of the Sentence of Suspension upon Voluntary Submission to Discipline pronounced on April 30, 2003, upon Alan R. Tilson and recommend he be restored to good standing as a priest of the Church. It was mentioned stipulations will be attached. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Mrs. Emory apprised members on usage of the Council of Trustees private web page. Bishop Wolfe reported Mrs. Barbara Fizer has been appointed as new chairperson of the Community Life Committee. The committee plans to meet in January 2006.

3 Minutes, Council of Trustees December 20, 2005 Page 3 Mr. Chad Senuta reported for the Children s and Youth Ministries Committee. On behalf of the national youth office, MIQRA will be part of a film documentary being made. Plans are to show this to General Convention. Bishop Wolfe reported that several of the committees are being restructured. The Young Adult and Higher Education Committee will be split into two committees. The Reverend Lisa Senuta will chair the Young Adult, and Deacon Monte Giddings will continue to chair the Higher Education portion which includes College Work. Fr. Haney reported Mthr. Senuta is recruiting members, and Deacon Giddings has met with the southwest clericus regarding campus ministry. Bishop Wolfe mentioned that Canterbury KU is undergoing renovations as a result of a generous contribution. Mr. Mike Morrow reported on the Adult Formation Committee. EFM training for mentors is scheduled in January Three new EFM groups started in the fall of The Reverend Canon Andrew Grosso has forwarded an offer on the possibility of the diocese purchasing materials from Kerygma as a resource library to be made available to all parishes; Kerygma is offering a 70 percent discount for these items. In Ms. Schille s absence, Bishop Wolfe reported that a luncheon was held for retirees and was well received. Mr. Morrow reported for the Ecclesiastical Relations Committee, recommending the approval of the election of a Bishop Coadjutor to provide for the orderly transition of the office of Bishop in anticipation of the retirement of the Right Reverend Edwin M. Leidel, Jr., first Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, on January 1, The recommendation was seconded, which carried by unanimous vote of the Council of Trustees, acting as Standing Committee of the Diocese. Mr. Morrow circulated the forms required for signatures from elected members of the Council of Trustees following the unanimous approval at the November 14, 2005, meeting for the ordination to the priesthood for the Reverend Maria J. Hoecker and the Reverend Robert Harris. No further action is necessary. In Mr. Taylor s absence, his letter addressing the proposed revised Manual and Policies on Child Protection and Adult Sexual Awareness in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas were reviewed and discussed. Mr. Senuta distributed a cost analysis for the screening process. The Manual and Policies on Child Protection and Adult Sexual Awareness in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas will be referred to the Administration and Personnel Committee for final recommendations. The Council of Trustees recessed at 11:10 a.m. and reconvened at 11:25 a.m. The Reverend James Cook joined the meeting.

4 Minutes, Council of Trustees December 20, 2005 Page 4 Mr. Skaggs reported for the Finance Committee. St. Alban s Church, Wichita, is coming to the end of their loan payment and is unable to make the balloon payment. The Finance Committee recommends approval of a one year extension on the balloon payment at the same level. It was seconded and approved unanimously. Bishop Wolfe reported briefly for the Architecture, Property and Allied Arts Committee. The Pflumm property is in process of being transferred. The Fort Scott property has reports of more persons interested in the property since the selling price was lowered. The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fort Scott flooded and they would like to rent the property for a few months. It can still be shown to prospective buyers during this time. Deacon Don Chubb has agreed to manage property rental. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to establish a rental agreement with the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Fort Scott while the property is being sold. Fr. Peak has been appointed as the liaison to the Architecture, Property and Allied Arts Committee. He reported the committee plans to meet in Bishop Wolfe reported Mr. Robert Telhorst has been appointed as the chair of the Stewardship and Planned Giving Committee. Mr. Telhorst is one of four attorneys who coauthored the book, Giving, Philanthropy for Everyone. The Bishop continues to seek new experts in this area for a broadened representation. Mrs. Melodie Woerman reported for the Communications Committee. Dave Siefert is developing a new program to help parishes increase visibility and signs. West Missouri has asked Mrs. Woerman to offer the Parish Communicators Workshop. As the result of Mrs. Woerman s work and efforts in handling the communication with Christ Church, she has been asked to cover the House of Deputies at General Convention. She is also working with five churches in the Fort Riley area in regard to the return of the Big Red One. This could result in an influx of 30,000 people to this region of Kansas. Mthr. Bloxsom reported for the Liturgy, Arts and Music Committee. The committee is currently working on the upcoming ordinations. A new subcommittee has been established for the arts. In January the committee plans to have a link on the diocesan web site with liturgy resources. Fr. Cook reported for the Congregational Development Committee (CDC). Grace Church, Ottawa, is in the process of making their initial report to the CDC. St. Martin in the Fields Church, Edwardsville, wishes to expand their facility. CDC will begin work with them in The CDC continues to work with Bishop Wolfe on a new parish in the South Johnson County area. The committee is looking for individuals with knowledge and/or interest in church/business development. Canon Ford reported for the Commission on Ministry. The committee has not met since the last Council of Trustees meeting but did approve the discernment manual. There is a new process in place in which interested persons meet with the Bishop and he approves their entry into the discernment process.

5 Minutes, Council of Trustees December 20, 2005 Page 5 The Council of Trustees recessed for lunch at 12:00 noon and reconvened at 12:38 p.m. Canons Report: Deployment -- St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Overland Park, has three candidates they have invited into the diocese. The search committee is on target where they want to be. Trinity Church, Lawrence, called an assistant. St. John s Church, Wichita -- The Reverend William Wood is retiring effective February 1, They will establish their search committee in February. Calvary, Yates Center -- The parish does have coverage for Christmas. Diocesan and Congregation Disaster Plan David Lynch, a member of St. Michael and All Angels Church, Mission, is developing a manual for emergency management. Plans are to also develop a diocesan-wide database with information on who is prepared to help. Bishop s Report: Bishop Wolfe reported he continues to have conversation with St. Aidan s, Olathe, and after the first of the year will schedule a conversation with St. Francis of Assisi Church, Overland Park. St. James Church, Wichita, is undertaking thoughts of expansion. St. Margaret s Church, Lawrence, hopes to have their expansion complete in the spring. Trinity Church, Lawrence, has undergone a capital campaign. They fell short of their dream but did very well. The goals discussed at the Council of Trustees retreat have been placed in a resource book. These books will be made available at each meeting. Task forces will be established for feasibility studies for diocesan campus and conference center and renovation of diocesan properties. The goals need to include an outreach component. David Wetzler is chair of the Health Insurance Task Force. He plans to have a telephone conference in January The task force plans to make a recommendation to the Council of Trustees in time to influence the 2007 budget. An updated list of those who transferred from Christ Church was distributed. Bishop Wolfe mentioned the letter that went to parish Senior Wardens of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas asking them to consider leaving the Episcopal Church. Council of Trustees members have received a copy of the Bishop s response. Bishop Wolfe mentioned plans are to have interns in one or both houses at KU or KSU next year. No update on the campus missioner at this time. The Council of Trustees met briefly in Executive Session. Bishop Wolfe informed the Council of Trustees of his official Episcopal actions since September 13, p.m. There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was adjourned at 1:19 Dorothy Emory, Assistant Clerk

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