Governance news posted Friday, July 02, 2010
Diocesan Council Meeting
June 12, 2010
Bishop Michel opened the meeting with prayer at 9:07 AM. The Rev. Keith Marsh, the rector of Messiah, Gwynedd, welcomed the Council to the Church of the Messiah and introduced Jane Harrelson, Rector’s Warden. The Council thanked the parish for its hospitality.
The Minutes of the May meeting were approved with minor corrections.
The Rev. Kathryn Andonian ,Vice-Chair of Diocesan Council, reported that she is working with other appropriate Diocesan leaders to develop language for a Resolution that will put in place a procedure to address mid-year vacancies of unexpired terms on the Committee for Finance and Property. The Council voted to support this resolution. The Rev. Andonian also reported that planning is underway to schedule six or seven pre-Convention meetings in the Fall.
Bishop Rodney Michel reported on a number of changes at Church House, including the reconfiguration of the entrance, staffing and leadership updates and events around the Diocese. He also reported on the evaluations of the 2009 Diocesan Convention which expressed broad support for continued use of the Convention Center as the venue, including the lunch meal and other refreshments, and a fee for the costs of attending Convention.
Mr. Joseph Suprenek, Treasurer of the Diocese, offered an in-depth report regarding the finances of the Diocese. The year-to-date payments of assessments are favorable, although pledge payments are unfavorable in comparison to 2009. He expressed his opinion that the use of the Property Fund (which is not under the control of Diocesan Council) requires a strategic plan by the Standing Committee. He reported on the status of various funds and provided an update on the status of carrying costs associated with the Wapiti property. The Rev. Judith Beck then offered a comprehensive review of the Servant Year program, which is a joint program with the ELCA that provides a one-year internship for recent college graduates who with social service agencies; it is an AmeriCorps program. The social service agency pays a stipend for the servant year students.
Mr. Peter Wilmerding, Finance and Property Committee Chair, reported that a new set of insurance standards have been developed and a new liability/property insurance provider identified for parishes. All churches have received information about this change. The contract with Prudential was renewed for the sale of the Wapiti property. A group of representatives from various leadership committees continues to provide direction to the realtors, with the approval of the Committee on Finance and Property, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee.
The Rev. Kirk Berlenbach, chair of the Program Budget Committee, presented the proposed 2011 Program Budget that has been developed by the Program Budget Committee. Following a review and discussion by the Diocesan Council, the proposed budged was accepted and thanks offered to the Committee for their work. There may be minor changes that will be reviewed at the September meeting.
The Rev. Thomas Wand, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Clergy Salaries and Pensions provided a detailed review of the assessments under the auspices of this committee: the Retired Clergy Medical Assistance fund (RCMA) and the Clergy Financial Assistance fund (CFA).
The Rev. Isaac Miller, Standing Committee representative to the Diocesan Council, provided information about the status of the proposed 2011 Episcopate Budget, which is not expected to increase from 2010 levels and a number of other topics.
Each of the Diocesan Council liaisons reported on the activities of the committees to which they are assigned. The Diocesan Mission Planning Commission requested that the Diocesan Convention include a an interactive exercise reflecting the work of this committee. This was approved by the Diocesan Council.
As New Business, the Schuylkill Deanery and the Anti-Racism Committee voiced their concerns regarding the amount of the Convention registration fee. As the registration fee reflects actual costs, there was no motion to reduce the amount. However, Bishop Michel informed the Council there are provisions for congregations that are unable to pay the full cost of the registration fee. His office will send letters to clergy that explain the availability of grant money for Convention attendance.
The next meeting of Diocesan Council will be held on Saturday, September 25, 9 AM-Noon at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Harleysville.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 PM by Bp. Michel.
Submission by The Rev. Kathryn Andonian, Vice-Chair, Diocesan Council
