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Provincial Council Minutes

Provincial Council Meeting
Episcopal House in Newark
October 2, 2009

Coffee and Refreshments were served beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The meeting of the Provincial Council of the Second Province was called to Order at 9:10 a.m. by the President of the Synod and Chairman of the Council, the Honorable Michael Rehill, ESQ of Newark. Prayer was led by the Reverend Canon Sandye Wilson.

The President asked for introductions, this being the first meeting since elections at the Synod last May. Present were Jerry Keucher, Treasurer-in-Waiting, the Reverend Dahn Gandell, Canon Rosalie Simmonds-Ballentine, ESQ, Attorney Dorothy Jean-Porpeglia, ESQ, Chancellor, Canon Charles “Chuck” Perfater, Executive Coordinator, Michael Rehill, the Rev. Edward Thompson, Secretary, the Rev. Canon Sandye Wilson. Martha Gardner came later.

The Agenda was approved by unanimous motion.

The Minutes of the February, 2009 Council meeting were approved by unanimous motion. The President reminded the Council that the minutes of the October, 2008 meeting of the Council had not been adopted at the February, 2009 meeting. Those minutes were then approved by unanimous motion.

The President then gave a brief orientation. He talked about the frequency of meetings of both Council and Synod. He announced the resignation of the Rev. Tim Schenck, Episcopal Life Board of Directors’ representative, who has been called as rector of a parish in Western Mass. The President announced the nomination of Laurie Wozniak of the diocese of Western New York, after formal acceptance of Tim’s resignation. Laurie’s nomination, supported the President of the Board of Governors, Episcopal Life, and by Chuck Perfater, received the unanimous consent of the Council.

A question was raised about the nature, identity and functions of the Networks. Chuck gave a brief explanation and then passed out a handout that lists the chairs, their contact information and some explanation of their activities.
The President announced excuses for absence of Bishop George Councell of New Jersey, Bishop Ambrose Gumbs of the Virgin Islands, and Laurie Wozniak; Martha Gardner would be late.

Chuck passed out also the names and contact info of members of the Council. It was suggested that members update that information, with additions and deletions.

Treasurer’s Report – The Treasurer, Peter Hausman, was absent (excused). His report was passed out. Contributions to the Haiti Project were noted. A budget surplus is projected for the year. Province Night generated $1,170 in checks, plus cash payments of $2,470, for a total income of $3,640. Expenses were $2,794, thereby netting $846. Discussion then ensued on previous suggestions to give the surplus, and savings relative to the prior plan, to a charity or to an MDG program. Motion was passed unanimously to give $1,500 (including the net $846 above) – half to the ERD and half to the Haiti’s Future Project.

Chuck reported on the Stewardship workshop held in August. The presenter’s honorarium was $2,000 instead of the projected $1,000.

The Haiti’s Future Project intake is now about half of the projected $30,000 representing about ninety different contributions from about ten per cent of the approximately 1000 congregations in the Province. It was moved and seconded that the Executive Coordinator should liaise with the relevant Network coordinator to make the appeal anew, with recognition of those who have participated. A date will not be specified. It was decided that the amount on hand be sent to Haiti now rather than later through the Bishop of Haiti. The Seminary Dean, the Reverend Ogé Beauvoir, would be notified.

Budget Discussion - An intent was expressed to commit 0.7% of the Province’s income to MDG, as well as of the need to include a line item for Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance in the Budget. There was a question on the authority of the Provincial Council to make adjustments to the Budget after having been approved by Synod. It was clarified that the Council does have the authority. Necessary budget adjustments will be taken up at the February meeting. The treasurer’s report, (as clarified) was accepted upon unanimous motion pending audit.

Reports
Implications for Synod, 2009 – The budget of $5,000 was under-spent by $800; actual expenditure was $4,200. Most people thought it was a great and productive meeting, including the location and the attendance.
Next Synod date – General Convention 2012 is July 4-13 in Indianapolis. Synod will therefore be mid-May, 2012 in Albany, NY.
Chancellor’s Update: Implications of GC 2009 Resolutions --

A subcommittee of Council will be appointed to review our Ordinances to bring us into compliance. The President named Chancellor Dorothy Jean-Porpeglia to chair the Ordinance Review Committee, with Attorney Rosalie Simmonds-Ballantine volunteering as member. Others will be named later. The Committee will report to Council in February, 2010.
Implications for the Provincial Leadership Council - The relevant resolution(s) that would have made the PLC a canonical body of the General Convention died in the House of Bishops.

Convocation - Synod had approved a Convocation for next May in Syracuse, NY. Concerns were expressed about the advisability of the Convocation, given the level of interest, enthusiasm and cost. Michael suggested to continue the conversation and make a decision when we meet with the network liaisons later in the afternoon, with members of Council being urged to consider the option of using video conferencing. “Connecting people and inspiring Community” was the original theme proposed for the Convocation. “Continuing the Story,” referring to the story-telling exercise, Public Narrative, done prior to and during GC 09, is a suggested theme. Need to present the Convocation with enthusiasm.

Other TEC Organizational Issues – In light of budget cuts at TEC headquarters, a question that arises is, why were Provinces’ budgets cut when the over-riding consensus now is to do the work of the Church at local levels? Linda Watts and Toni Daniels will be at the next PLC meeting – to give some clarity to this and the overall re-organizational restructuring: the elimination of several “desks” and programs at “815,” etc.

HOB & Executive Council Feedback –Appointments to commissions, committees, agencies and boards (CCABs) have been made by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies. Bishop Councell was absent but sent a report, read by Chuck Perfater. The Bishop reported on his membership on Program, Budget and Finance (PB&F) committee of the General Convention, the tone of the discussions on resolutions D025 and C056 in the House of Bishops, and bishops’ support of “The Anaheim Statement.” Province Two’s representatives to Executive Council will report after Executive Council’s meeting next week in Memphis, TN.

Chancellors met in April – Chancellor Dorothy-Jean Porpeglia gave an overview: That meeting heard from the chancellors of the reconstituted dioceses of San Joaquin and Fort Worth. She emphasized the need for Provincial or TEC intentional presence in said dioceses, otherwise Episcopalians there feel isolated. The “National Chancellors Conference” is now the “Church-wide Chancellors Conference.” A bishops and chancellors’ conference is coming up soon. The revised canons will be on line soon.
At this juncture Bishop Mark Beckwith of Newark was introduced. He welcomed the Council to diocesan house. He reported on his and Bp Singh’s recent lobbying mission, along bishops from other TEC Provinces, on Capitol Hill. There’s been discussion on how to leverage bishops’ role and use their unique platform. Furthermore, the diocese of Newark has been working on a Mission Statement; triads of congregations are exploring doing mission together, driven mostly by economic realities and by a new energy pervading the diocese.

Executive Coordinator’s contract. Mr. Perfater was asked to excuse the Council while his “contract” was discussed. (He works half-time.) It was suggested to start a ministry review (evaluation) process, craft a clearly defined job description, and codify a hiring process. Chancellor Dorothy-Jean Porpeglia, Martha Gardner and the Reverend Canon Sandye Wilson volunteered as a committee to undertake the tasks above; they’ll report to the February meeting of Council. Council voted unanimously to renew the Executive Director’s contract. He will be asked to present goals and plans for the coming year to Council at their February meeting.

On return to the meeting, Chuck Perfater was briefed by the President; he accepted the renewal of his contract. He outlined a job description that he wrote upon his initial hiring, and will give that in writing to the committee.

On another matter Chuck pitched the need to have the Executive Coordinator at General Convention. It was agreed that the budget should reflect that. The idea was accepted tentatively.

Executive Coordinator’s Report – The Coordinator expressed dismay that some networks have ceased to function, such as Prison and Immigration ministries; but was thankful that new networks or new coordinators had been added/appointed, i.e., a new head for ECCE (Episcopal Council for Christian Education) and youth network. He urged the need to pursue a health ministry (NEHM) liaison. He praised the August stewardship workshop, ministry development, congregational development efforts. With regard to Congregational Development, he met with Bob Honeychurch of TEC staff in April. The liaison for Higher Education network, Lesley Adams, is stepping down but it is hoped Greg Bezilla will step in. The Reverend Larry Provenzano was consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor of Long Island on September 19; but Bishop Walker has already delegated canonical responsibilities to the Bishop Coadjutor.

Next Council meeting – The next meeting of the Provincial Council will meet in the first week in February, 2010 in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands.

The Reverend Dahn Gandell prayed and blessed the food. Lunch was served.

Meeting of Council and Network Representatives
A DVD of General Convention made by Laurie Wozniak was shown by Chuck Perfater. A resolution to thank Laurie for the great work with the Video and her communication work for the Province was approved unanimously.

Introductions: Bp Romero for Hispanic Ministries; Judith Mason for HIV-Aids, Pat Miller for Christian Formation/Christian Education, Ross Wisniewski for Stewardship, Lois Johnson-Rodney for UTO, the Reverend P. Allister Rawlins for Companion Diocese Relations, Rob Dennis of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s, Doris Crocker for Haiti Ministries.

Network Reports: Excused were Connie White, Kep Short, Youth Ministries, Donna Devlin, ECCE, and Lynne Bleich-Weber for Ecumenical Ministries.

Doris Crocker, Chair, Haiti Network – As Project liaison for the “Haiti’s Future” Project, Doris thanked the Council for the amount collected for the Seminary and stressed the urgent need for those funds.

Rob Dennis of Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s spoke for his successor about efforts to strengthen, expand and establish new chapters of the Brotherhood.

The Rev. P Allister Rawlins for Companion Diocese Relations shared a handout– Bro. James Teets is no longer the contact at “815.” The new contact is Elizabeth Beach Hacking. Allister indicated that the companion dioceses chairs will be meeting soon. Many dioceses are without a companion for a variety of reasons. Correction on handout: Newark’s relationship with Panama now “formal” with recent vote of TEC Executive Council.

Lois Johnson-Rodney just came this week from a meeting of the UTO national Board. Board elected new President. Lori will contact all diocesan coordinators to encourage them to hold the UTO In-gatherings. Provincial coordinators meet annual. Provincial Executive Coordinator, Chuck Perfater would like to be at those meetings.

Pat Mitchell for Christian Formation/Christian Education had no report; she was not aware that she needed to give a report.

Bishop Romero for Hispanic Ministries gave update on the network, standing in for Alejandra Trillos, coordinator for Hispanic Ministries. A teleconference was held recently, and it seems teleconferences may be the most effective way to use limited resources of time and money, if there is funding for that. A directory of ministries in the four dioceses that have Hispanic ministries will be developed and shared. The request form on the Province’s website was referenced for funding programs; and, we do have a “conference bridge” for the purpose of teleconferences. The (new) Strategic Plan for Hispanic Ministries in the TEC will be looked at, networking with Anthony Guillen of 815’s Hispanic Ministry Office, Bishop Romero concluded.

Bishop Romero was asked to give his impressions from the HOB’s point of view to last General Convention. He thought the interaction among the bishops was very “very brotherly and sisterly,” despite the differences; it was the most cordial in his experience. The bishops came out disagreeing but still loving each other. “We need to give thanks for our Presiding Bishop for the way she conducted the meetings. She really respected us.”

The question of the future of Province IX, in view of the budget cuts and the political situations in many of the countries (Honduras, Ecuador Central, etc.) was asked.

Ross Wisniewski of Stewardship network reported that 18 or 19 stewardship persons from across the Province came to Newark for a very successful workshop in August. Bruce Rockwell gave excellent presentations.

Judith Mason for HIV/AIDS Ministry is our new volunteer chair. Rates of infection are highest among African-American and Caribbean immigrants! Many infected people are not getting treatment because they do not trust government agencies, but they trust the churches. So, the Church may be the place to invest in and emphasize education, etc.

Return to the question of the Convocation: Can/should we have it? Could Kanuga conferences be alternatives? How about video conferencing rather than and in-person gathering? The Convocation scheduled for May will NOT be held, as additional alternatives are explored; the reservation with the Syracuse Hotel will be cancelled forth with in order to avoid penalty.

Question: Could Provincial funds be sourced to sponsor diocesan programs within the framework of the networks? While no definite answer was given, the general response seemed to lean towards the alternative.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Rev. Edward Thompson, Secretary

Click here to download these minutes in Word 2007 format

 

Province II is comprised of the six dioceses of the State of New York, Albany, Central New York, Long Island, New York, Rochester and Western New York, the two dioceses of the State of New Jersey, Newark and New Jersey, and the Diocese of Haiti, the Diocese of the Virgin Islands and the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.