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Approved Minutes
The Synod of Province II of the Episcopal Church
Thursday - Friday, May 11-12, 2000
Holiday Inn Turf on Wolf Road, Albany, NY
The meeting of Synod was called to order by Vice-President Michael Rehill at 2:04 pm. The opening prayer was
offered by the Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber. The Secretary of the Province, the Reverend John Rollins, certified that
a quorum was present. Michael introduced the members of the Provincial Council.
The appointments made by Synod President, the Right Reverend Jack McKelvey, were announced:
Dispatch of Business - Michael Rehill, Steve Lane, John Rollins
Resolutions: Joe Jerome, Joyce Hogg, Virginia Nagle, Alan Smith, Carr Holland, Fred Wibralske
Michael announced the revision of the agenda to move the reports of networks to an earlier time. There being no
further revisions, it was moved, seconded, and passed that the agenda be approved.
Minutes of the 1999 Synod. There were no corrections or additions. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the
minutes be approved as circulated.
Treasurer's report. Treasurer Gwen Carter. The report was circulated for discussion and approval.
Gwen explained the 1999 end-of-year budget, and responded to questions. Unpaid assessments include New Jersey,
Albany, New York, Newark, Western New York, CACE. It was moved, seconded, and passed to approve the Treasurer's
report subject to audit.
Program Networks. Mary Flad, Program Network Coordinator, commended the published reports of the networks which
she had compiled.
Mary introduced:
Joyce Hogg - Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief.
Lillian Davis-Wilson - ECW
Betty Carrington - Health Ministries Network
Sandy Pacyga - Christian Education
Chris Day - Higher Education
Jorge Gutierrez - Standing Commission on Ministry Development (term expiring)
After a recess, the Vice President Rehill greeted the members of the House of Bishops who joined the Synod following
the meeting of the House of Bishops.
Report: Proposed Changes in Synod Structure and Role.
Michael introduced the rationale for changes in the synod structure. Time was made for small group discussion.
Michael then introduced the proposed amendments to the ordinances. Questions and answers followed.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE ORDINANCES OF THE SECOND PROVINCE
Under the planned re-organization of the Provincial Synod, full regular meetings of the Synod will take place
once every three years (in May prior to General Convention). In the other years network meetings/conferences will
be held. The Provincial Council will continue to meet at least annually to plan such meetings and to oversee the
work and budget of the Province. Each of the proposed amendments to the Ordinances would permit (but not require)
this new meeting format. Because the Synod will only meet once every three years a triennial (rather than an annual
budget) will be required (much like the way General Convention operates). The Proposed Amendments are as follows:
[red
indicates new language; italics
indicates deletions]
Ordinance III
Section 6 _ ELECTION, PRIVILEGES OF OFFICERS, TERM OF OFFICE, AND VACANCIES
(a) All officers of the Province shall be elected at a the Synod meeting at least 12 months immediately prior to General Convention.
Ordinance IV
Section I _ REGULAR MEETINGS
The Synod shall meet in May preceding General Convention at a date, time and place to be set by the Provincial Council.
Ordinance VII
Section 3 _ BUDGET
The Provincial Council shall submit to the Synod for its approval triennial annual assessment budgets for its income and expenses.
Section 4 _ ANNUAL REPORT
The Provincial Council shall submit to Synod a triennial
report of its activities.
The Provincial Council shall submit to the Synod Dioceses an annual report of its activities between
meetings of Synod for dissemination to Synod Deputies.
Section 6 _ COMMITTEES
(a) The Synod meeting next before General Convention shall consider issues of the national church. The Provincial Council shall
also be the
Program Committee. It shall plan the Synod meetings and study and suggest action on specific matters to be brought
to the Synod meeting. It may appoint special committees for such purpose.
(b) The program of the Synod shall support and coordinate the various networks within the Province.
It was moved and seconded to adopt the proposed amendments. The motion passed unanimously, followed by a motion
(seconded and passed) to record that it was an unanimous vote.
Triennial budget.
The 2001-2003 budget was introduced and explained, including the way in which program networks would receive monies
for programs, and the salary for the Provincial Executive Officer.
It was moved and seconded that the budget be accepted. Considerable discussion followed. The motion passed with
few dissenting votes.
Friday, May 12
Vice-President Michael Rehill called the meeting to order at 9:00 am, following the Office of Morning Prayer.
Executive Council Representatives' reports
Ginny Sheay and Al Price offered personal reflections on the work of Executive Council, and information about
the forthcoming General Convention.
Convocation of American Churches in Europe.
The Rev. Canon Charles Atcheson, representative of Bishop Jeffrey Rowthorn, greeted the Synod in the bishop's
stead. He explained the relationship of CACE to Province II and the developments in planning for a separate province.
He explained the CACE Mission 2000 imperatives.
Resolutions.
Vice-President Rehill called for resolutions.
On Provincial Synods
It was moved, seconded that the Synod of Province II meeting in Albany, NY, May 11-12, 2000, endorse the following
resolution (already submitted) regarding the place of synods:
Resolved the House of .----------------. concurring that this 73rd General
Convention reaffirm the current system of organizing the dioceses of our church into geographical provinces for
more effective mission and ministry, in recognition of the momentum, positive experience, and energy within the
provinces during this triennium; and be it further
Resolved, that the provinces utilize and broaden existing networks and resources to strengthen and expand their
capacity to facilitate, coordinate, and support their mission and ministry initiative; and be it further
Resolved, that provinces continue to fulfill their canonical responsibilities and those that may be assigned to
them by General Convention or Executive Council; and be it further
Resolved, that provinces demonstrate accountability by reporting regularly to diocese, Provinces, ECC and Executive
Council and Executive Council, and by submitting a formal report to the 74th General Convention.
The motion passed.
The Rev. Joseph Jerome, Chair of the Resolutions Committee, reported that the following were submitted:
Parish Health Ministries Network.
Resolved that this Synod of Province II, meeting in Albany, NY, on May
11-12, 2000, accepts the Parish Health Ministries Network as a Program Network of the province. Moved, Seconded.
No discussion. Passed.
On the Death of Bishop Van Duzer
Resolved that the Synod of Province II extends its sympathy to Marion Van
Duzer and her daughters, Daryl, Gayle and Lynne, of the death of the Right Reverend Albert W. Van Duzer, Eighth
Bishop of New Jersey and long-time supporter of the work and ministry of Province II.
Moved. Seconded. No discussion. Passed. The secretary is instructed to convey the resolution to Marion Van Duzer.
Friday afternoon
Vice-President Rehill called the meeting back to order at 2:00 pm. He recognized Barbara Humphrey, Dean of the
Finger Lakes Conference, to relate information about the forthcoming conference season. Then he recognized Jan
Paxton, Editor of The Grapevine, who announced the forthcoming edition and requested continuing help in providing
content.
The Vice-President polled the members of the Synod who are General Convention deputies for their interest in a
Provincial Dinner. Sufficient interest was expressed to warrant the planning of such an event.
Michael recognized Pat Mordecai, the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for Administration, who brought greetings.
She was followed by the Reverend Rosemari Sullivan, General Convention Executive Officer, who explained the forthcoming
General Convention. A detailed, day-by-day review of the event was given. Next was Stephen Duggan, Treasurer of
the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society, to explain the General Convention proposed triennial budget. And Sonia
Francis, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for Program, presented a video on the program activities supported by
the work of the Episcopal Church Center staff.
The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief presented a video "A House Upon the Rock". Time was offered
for any reports for any General Convention deputies to offer them for the good of the order.
A resolution of courtesy was offered:
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II of the Episcopal Church meeting
in Albany, NY, on May 11-12, 2000, expresses its gratitude to the Reverend Dr. Virginia Sheay, Diocese of New Jersey,
for her years of service to this province, and especially for her six years of faithful service on the Executive
Council of the Episcopal Church.
It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously with a standing
ovation to Ginny. The Vice President instructed the Secretary
to transmit the official copy to the Rev. Dr. Sheay.
The Synod was adjourned at 5:00 pm. A Synod Eucharist, hosted
by the Diocese of Western New York, followed.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. John A. Rollins,
Province II Secretary.
Approved by Synod, May 8, 2003
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