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Approved Official Minutes
Thursday, May 8
The House of Deputies was called to order by Vice President Michael
Rehill at 2:00 pm. After an opening prayer by Provincial Executive
Coordinator David Badgley, the Secretary of Province II, John
Rollins, certified that a quorum was present. Vice President Rehill
then appointed the following to Synod committees:
Dispatch of Business: The Rev. Earle King (Chair), the Rev. Joseph
Jerome, Ms. Dawn Wilkins
Resolutions: The Rev. Anne Hare (Chair) Bishop Skip Adams, Ms.
Martha Gardner, Charles Perfater, the Rev. David Robinson
Ordinances: John Goldsack (Chair), the Rev. Ambrose Gumbs, the
Rev. Richard Hamlin, Bishop Rodney Michel
Elections: Mr. Richard Simms (Chair), the Rev. David Andrews,
the Rev. Rawle Belle, Louie Crew, Bishop Michael Garrison, Ms.
June Gerbracht, Ms. Bonnie Tyo, the Rev. Susan Williams
The Vice President then called for the adoption of the agenda.
It was so ordered.
The Vice President called for the approval of the minutes of
the previous Synod, held May 11-12, 2000, at the Holiday Inn Turf
on Wolf Road, Albany, NY. As moved by Louie Crew, seconded by
David Robinson, the minutes were approved as presented.
The Vice President led the House of Deputies through the Treasurer’s
report (Treasurer Michael Francaviglia was unable to attend).
Among the several questions raised was the nature of a $31,000
contingency expense. Michael Rehill promised to get an answer
to be included in these minutes. It was moved and seconded that
the Treasurer’s report be accepted as presented subject to
audit. Passed.
After the members of the House of Bishops joined the gathering,
the Synod was called to order at 3:12 p.m by President Jack McKelvey.
He introduced the members of the Provincial Council and Jan Paxton,
editor of the Grapevine.
President McKelvey called for the report of the nominating committee
chairman, Bishop Rodney Michel. He placed in nomination the names
of Bishop Jack McKelvey, President; Michael Rehill, Vice President;
the Rev. John Rollins, Secretary; Peter Hausman, Treasurer; the
Rev. Canon Petero Sabune, Clerical Representative to Provincial
Council; Ms. Valarie Crosedale, Lay Representative to Provincial
Council; Mary Flad, Executive Council Lay Order; E. Kim Byham,
Executive Council Lay Order; Bishop John Croneberger, Bishop for
the Provincial Court of Review; the Rev. Frank Hubbard, the Rev.
James Brooks-McDonald, the Rev. J. Elton Smith, Clergy for the
Provincial Court of Review; Estrada Bernard, George Mackey, Dorothy
Jane Goldsack Porpeglia and E. David Robertson as Lay Persons
for Provincial Court of Review; and Neva Rae Fox, and Debra Wagner
for the provincial representative to the Board of Governors of
Episcopal Life.
Nominated from the floor was the Rev. Joseph Jerome as Clergy
Representative to Provincial Council. A motion was made, seconded
and passed to close the nominations.
With no further nominations, the President called for a motion
for the Secretary to cast one unanimous ballot for the uncontested
elections. The motion was made, seconded and passed.
John Goldsack was appointed as chancellor and upon motion, confirmed
by the Synod.
It was suggested that at future Synods, biographical statements
be provided for all uncontested as well as contested elections.
The President introduced Ralph O’Hara, treasurer of the
Episcopal Church, who addressed the Synod on the Proposed 2004-2006
budget. The budget for the triennium is to be $146 million. Questions
followed.
Following the presentation, the President offered thanks to the
Diocese of Albany for welcoming the Synod in its midst. Thanks
also were given to the Diocese of Central New York which is serving
as host. He named four “giants” - long-time Treasurer
Gwen Carter, Bishop Walter Dennis (previous Vice President of
the Province), Bishop Ned Cole and Bishop Paul Moore. He rejoiced
in the election of George Councell as Bishop of the Diocese of
New Jersey. He spoke warmly about the work before the Province
which is beginning to grow with the work of the Executive Coordinators.
The Vice President gave his report, noting the work of the Provincial
Leadership Conference and explaining the procedure to be used
in the selection of the candidates for the Nomination Committee
for the Presiding Bishop.
Then followed opportunity for members of Synod to speak on behalf
of those to be elected in the contested elections.
Michael Rehill reported that the error in the contingency item
was explained by a fax received from Michael Francaviglia.. The
error was a posting error involving a transfer of funds from one
account to another.
Michael Rehill then introduced the 2004-2006 budget. Questions
followed. The total for the triennium is $353,900. An amendment
was proposed to add $8000 per year to the New York State Episcopal
Public Policy Network and the New Jersey State Episcopal Public
Policy Network. After much discussion the matter was referred
to the Provincial Council for consideration before the final budget
is presented.
The meeting was recessed for dinner and the after-dinner address
by the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson, Province I Executive Coordinator.
Friday, May 9
The Synod reconvened at 9:00 a.m. with Bishop McKelvey presiding.
The Rev. Earle King, Chair of the Committee on Dispatch of Business,
reported . The committee moved a streamlined agenda. The motion
passed.
Richard Simms, Chair of Elections, reported. The following were
elected: George Mackey and Dorothy Jane Goldsack Porpeglia for
Lay Provincial Court of Review; E. Kim Byham as Representative
to Executive Council; and Debra Wagner as representative to the
Board of Governors of Episcopal Life. There were ties between
the Petero Sabune and Joe Jerome, for clerical representative
to Provincial Council; and between Estrada Bernard and David Robertson
for Provincial Court of Review, Lay Order. A second ballot was
called for.
Michael Rehill reported on a revised budget. The request from
the NY and NJ Public Policy Network was included at $8000 per
year, using some unanticipated surplus and modification of previously
proposed items to make it balance. The new budget would be $379,900
for the triennium.
Martha Gardner moved that there be created a new network for
public policy within the Province. The motion was seconded. Discussion
followed Motion passed. The budget line would read “Province
II Public Policy Network”.
Michael Rehill moved the 2004-2006 budget. The vote on the budget
was called for. Passed.
Historian Mary Sudman Donovan was introduced by Neva Rae Fox
to present “Ministry in Crisis Is What We Do”, a review
of the work of the Episcopal Church following the September 11,
2001, destruction of the World Trade Center.
At 10:00 a. m. the Synod recessed to attend four workshops: “The
Gift of Sexuality - A Theological Perspective” led by Bishop
Catherine Roskam; “Title III Proposed Revisions” led
by Bishop Jack Croneberger; “Committee on Structure and Province
IX” led by John Goldsack; and “2020 Program” led
by Kim Byham. The workshops were repeated at 11:00 a.m.
Following lunch, President McKelvey reconvened the Synod at 1:30
a.m. Richard Simms, was called to give a report of the Elections
Committee. Estrada Bernard was elected to the Provincial Court
of Review (Lay Order); Petero Sabune was elected to the Clerical
Order of the Provincial Council.
President McKelvey called upon Provincial Executive Coordinator
David Badgley and Provincial Program Coordinator Chris Badgley
to give their report. Both expanded on their vision of what can
be the Province and some of the plans they have begun to lay for
future events.
The Rev. Ann Hare, Chair of the Resolutions Committee, gave its
report.
Resolution 1
Resolved that the Synod of Province II support the resolution
of the Diocese of Long Island that urges the Congress of the United
States to expand the Temporary Workers Program to cover all persons
who enter this country to do legitimate work. This support includes
urging the Congress to provide access to education for the children
of undocumented workers. Passed
Resolution 2
On the death of Mrs. Gwen Carter
Resolved that the Synod of Province II extend its sympathy to
Tanya DeShields, daughter, and the Diocese of New York, on the
death of Gwen Carter, who died January 6, 2003. Gwen Carter was
a meticulous treasurer of the Province, long time delegate to
the Synod, and recipient of the Bishop’s Cross for outstanding
Diocesan service. Passed
Resolution 3
On the death of the Rt. Rev. Paul Moore
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II extends its sympathy to
the nine children and nineteen grandchildren of the Rt. Rev. Paul
Moore on his death, May 1, 2003. Paul Moore, 13th Bishop of New
York, and outspoken advocate for peace and urban justice, never
hesitated to use the pulpit to express his vision on social causes
and civil rights – his life epitomized a commitment of dedication
and service. He was a recipient of military honors and a renowned
author. Passed
Resolution 4
On the death of Bishop Ned Cole
Resolved that the Synod of Province II extends its condolences
to the family of the Rt. Rev. Ned Cole, D.D., retired Bishop of
the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York who died December 16,
2002. Bishop Cole was a significant voice in tumultuous times
in the life of our Province during the period surrounding the
Vietnam War. Passed
Resolution 5
On the death of Bishop Walter Dennis
Resolved that the Synod of Province II extends its sympathy to
the family of the Rt. Rev. Walter Dennis, D.D. and the Diocese
of New York. Bishop Dennis was Suffragan Bishop of New York, one
of the founders of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and founder
of the Guild of St. Ives, as well as a renowned author and lawyer.
We will miss the former Provincial Vice President, who died on
March 30, 2003. He offered incisive and appreciated commentaries
on the work of General Convention. Passed
Resolution 6
Resolved that the Synod of Province II offers sincere
gratitude to Mary Donovan for her moving and thorough presentation
about the reactions of the faith communities, particularly Episcopalian,
in dealing with the aftermath of the 9/11//01 trauma. Passed
Resolution 7
Resolved that the Synod of Province II graciously
thank the Very Reverend George Werner, President of the House
of Deputies for his presence at this gathering and for his comments.
Passed
Resolution 8
Resolved that the Synod of Province II extend sincere appreciation
to Ralph O’Hara, Treasurer, ECUSA, for his presentation of
the Triennial Budget, and his helpful comments and candid answers
to questions that followed. Passed
Resolution 9
Resolved that the Synod of Province II graciously thanks the Reverend
Rosemari Sullivan, Executive Officer of the General Convention
for giving us a structural overview of what we can expect from
July 30 to August 8, 2003, at our General Convention. Passed
Resolution 10
Resolved that the Synod of Province II thanks the Reverend Canon
Gene Robinson, Executive Coordinator of Province I and Canon to
the Ordinary of the Diocese of New Hampshire for his gracious
Thursday evening presentation following the Synod dinner. Passed
Vice President Rehill then introduced the Rev. Rosemari Sullivan,
who in turn introduced the Very Rev. George Werner, President
of the House of Deputies, who addressed the Synod. Following his
remarks, Rosemari Sullivan, Secretary of the House of Deputies,
presented an overview of the General Convention process.
Rosemari introduced Thom Chu, Youth Ministries Director of the
Episcopal Church, who presented information about the role of
youth at General Convention, and a video on the programmatic aspects
of the Episcopal Church Center, with a preview of an Episcopal
ad campaign.
The Synod was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
The Synod concluded with a celebration of the Eucharist.
Respectfully submitted,
The Reverend John
Rollins, Province II Secretary
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