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Unapproved Official Minutes
Thursday, April 27, 2006
The House of Deputies was called to order by Vice President
Michael Rehill at 1:15 pm. After an opening prayer by the Rev.
Petero Sabune, Provincial Secretary John Rollins certified that
a quorum was present. Vice President Rehill then appointed the
following to Synod committees:
- Dispatch of Business: The Rev. John Rollins (Chair),
Dawn Wilkins
- Resolutions: The Rev. David Robinson (Chair),
the Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel, Martha Gardner
- Elections: John
Goldsack (Chair), Valarie Crosdale, the Rt. Rev. Gladstone
Adams
The Vice President then called for the adoption of the agenda.
Dispatch of Business Chair John Rollins presented the modified
agenda and moved its acceptance.
It was so ordered.
The Vice President called for the approval of the minutes of the previous Synod,
held May 8-9, 2003, at the Century House Hotel, Latham, NY. One correction
was offered: the Rev. David Andrews was appointed to the Committee on Elections.
As moved and seconded the minutes were approved as corrected.
After a recess, the Synod was convened in plenary session by President Jack
McKelvey, Bishop of Rochester. He offered words of welcome and an overview
of the two days work. He introduced Bishop Ambrose Gumbs of the Virgin Islands
and Bishop George Councell of New Jersey, and Bishop Coadjutor-elect Bill Love
of Albany, new to the Synod since its last meeting..
President McKelvey offered the President’s report. He noted that the
province had turned a corner with changes for the good, such as moving from
one Synod a year to a triennial system with the Synod meeting in the year of
General Convention, with Convocations in the other years. Networks are being
reinvigorated, with about 30 presently in place, in order to foster ministry
in those areas. The bishops of the Province now meet annually for fellowship
and reflection. He offered thanks to Provincial Coordinator, Chuck Perfater,
for his administrative leadership and commitment. He offered thanks to those
who served on the Provincial Council: Michael Rehill, John Rollins, John Goldsack,
Steve Lane, Gladstone Adams, Petero Sabune, Valarie Crosdale. He thanked Peter
Hausman, Kim Byham, and Debra Wagner who continue in their provincial offices.
And he offered especial thanks to Jan Paxton for her work as editor of The
Grapevine.
Vice President Michael Rehill offered his report, beginning with thanks and
appreciation to President McKelvey, noting that he was instrumental in bringing
about the positive changes in the province. He reported his work as a member
of the Province Leadership Council, sharing news and resources of the work
of the nine provinces. He noted that a “B” resolution is being
put forward at the 2006 General Convention to give canonical status to the
Provincial Leadership Council.
Steve Lane was introduced to offer the report of the Nominating Committee.
The committee consisted of Bishop Catherine Roskam and Neva Rae Fox, Steve
Lane and Kim Byham.
Nominated for Provincial Council were President: Michael Rehill, Vice-President:
the Rt. Rev. George Councell, Secretary: Louie Crew, and Treasurer: Peter Hausman.
A motion was made and seconded that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot for
the slate.
Synod elections followed.
Nominated as Bishop representative to the Provincial Council was Bishop J.
Michael Garrison of Western New York. It was moved and seconded that the secretary
cast a unanimous ballot to elect Bishop Garrison.
A motion was made and seconded that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot for
the election of the Court of Review: the Rt. Rev. Orris G. Walker, Jr., the
Rev. H. Gaylord Hitchcock, the Rev. James Brooks-McDonald, the Rev. Susan Anslow-Williams,
Paul Ambos, Esq., Rosalie Ballentine, Esq., and C. Thomas Wright, Esq.
Steve completed the nominations. John Goldsack, Chair of Elections, announced
the procedure for elections and balloting followed.
Elected were: Clerical Representative to Provincial Council, the Rev. David
K. Robinson; Lay Representative to Provincial Council, Martha Gardner; and
as Clerical Representative to Executive Council, the Rev. Canon Petero Sabune.
Nominated by President-elect Rehill as Chancellor was Dorothy Jane Goldsack
Porpeglia, Esq, and her nomination was confirmed by concurrent majority of
the Synod deputies.
Treasurer Peter Hausman presented the Treasurer’s report. After a summary
of the previous triennium, he presented the estimated Triennial Budget for
2007-2009. He then moved the budget, which was seconded and discussion followed.
On question, the budget was approved by the Synod.
Executive Council Representative Steve Lane gave his report, noting that it
was his privilege to serve with the other members from Province II for the
past six years. He explained the role of Executive Council and highlights from
his perspective as to accomplishments during his tenure: mission priorities;
an office at the Episcopal Church Center to translate the documents of the
church into Spanish; mission funding initiative; Episcopal Relief and Development’s
independent status; response to the Windsor Report. He concluded with thanks
for the opportunity to serve the province.
Martha Gardner reported on plans for the 2007 Convocation, to be held the week
after the week after Easter, continuing the process of “Discover, Connect
and Celebrate”, to be called “Come and Grow with Province II”.
The Synod was recessed until Friday morning. Worship was led by the Rt. Rev.
Daniel Herzog and other members of the Diocese of Albany.
Friday, April 28, 2006
The Synod was reconvened at 9:00 am with prayers by President Jack McKelvey.
He introduced the Very Reverend George Werner, President of the House of Deputies,
for a preview of General Convention. Speakers included the Rev. Jim Lemler,
Director of Mission, on Mission Priorities; Kurt Barnes, Treasurer, who presented
the preliminary 2007-2009 budget; Lyn Headley-Deavours, member of Program,
Budget and Finance, who presented information about how PB&F functions
in the budget-setting process; the Rev. Gregory Straub, Secretary of General
Convention, who gave historical perspective and practical directions for deputies;
and Bonnie Anderson, Vice-President of the House of Deputies, who addressed
expressly first-time deputies regarding the legislative process, and what is
new at this General Convention.
Following lunch Katrina Browne, a seminarian, presented a preview of a documentary
in production called “Traces of the Trade”, addressing the issue
of the church’s involvement in the slave trade.
Bishop Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York, spoke on the Report of the Special Commission
on State of the Church, to be considered at General Convention. Bishop Sisk
and Professor Ian Douglas were co-chairs of the special commission called into
being by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to
address issues regarding responses to the Windsor Report and other documents.
Discussion and responses followed.
President McKelvey called for resolutions. David Robinson, chair of resolutions
introduced the following:
Resolution 1
On the death of the Rt. Rev. Vincent Pettit
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II extend its condolences to the family
of the Rt. Rev. Vincent Pettit, retired Suffragan Bishop of New Jersey.
Resolution 2
On the death of Mr. Warren Ramshaw
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II extend its condolences to the family
of Mr. Warren Ramshaw, member of the Diocese of Central New York and one time
member of the Executive Council.
Resolution 3
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II graciously thank the Rt. Rev. Jack
McKelvey for his dedication and for sharing his gifts of leadership while serving
as President of the Province.
Resolution 4
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II express sincere appreciation to the
Rev. Canon Stephen Lane for his ministry and service as Province representative
to Executive Council.
Resolution 5
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II offers heartfelt gratitude to the Rev.
John Rollins for his many years of service as Secretary to the Province.
Resolution 6
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II express our gratefulness to Mr. John
Goldsack, Esquire for his service as Chancellor of the Province.
Resolution 7
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II offer our thanks to the Rt. Rev. Gladstone
Adams, III, Bishop Representative; to the Rev. Petero Sabune, Clerical Representative;
and Ms. Valerie Crosdale, Lay Representative, for their dedication and diligence
while serving their term on Provincial Council.
Resolution 8
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II offer our appreciation to the Rev.
Jim Lemler, Director of Mission for the Episcopal Church; Kurt Barnes, Treasurer
of the Episcopal Church; the Rev. Gregory Straub, Secretary to General Convention;
the Very Rev. George Werner, President of the House of Deputies; and Ms. Bonnie
Anderson, Vice President of the House of Deputies; for their presentations
on General Convention
Resolution 9
Resolved, that the Synod of Province II offer our thanks to the Rt. Rev. Mark
Sisk for his report on the Anglican Communion; Ms. Rosalie Ballentine, Esquire
for leading the workshop on Title III; the Honorable Michael Rehill for his
workshop on Title IV; and Mr. John Goldsack, Esquire for his workshop on Structure.
Upon second, the resolutions were passed on voice vote by the members of the
Synod.
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded that the meeting
be adjourned. The motion passed. The 2006 Synod was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
The Reverend John
Rollins, Province II Secretary
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