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Provincial Council Minutes

Provincial Council Meeting
Episcopal House in Newark
Friday, February 05, 2010

Present: The Honorable Michael Rehill, The Right Reverend George Councell, The Right Reverend E. Ambrose Gumbs, The Reverend Edward Thompson, Attorney Rosalie Simmonds-Ballentine, The Reverend Canon Sandye Wilson, Attorney Dorothy-Jean Porpeglia, The Reverend Jerry Keucher, The Reverend Dahn Gandell, Mrs. Martha Gardner, Mrs. Laurie Wozniak, Mr. Charles "Chuck" Perfater

The semiannual meeting of the Provincial Council (Executive Committee) of the Second Province was called to order at 9:08 a.m. by the President, the Honorable Michael Rehill in the parish hall of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Sugar Estate, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The Agenda was reviewed and approved, followed by approval of the Minutes of the October meeting of Council without any corrections.

Chuck Perfater shared information from the Diocese of Haiti – information from a Reverend Ajax and the Reverend Canon Ogé Beauvois who is head of the theological seminary in Haiti.

An idea was put forth to fund a particular project in Haiti – Rescue, Relief and Recovery and add Remember. The 900 parishes in the Province can sharpen the focus after, say a million dollar campaign, sort of a capital campaign for Haiti, suggested by Bishop Councell. Suggestions were to rebuild the Cathedral, another church, the Seminary, a school, a clinic or a hospital. Consensus was to focus current relief on the outskirts or places outside of Port au Prince – providing the likes of chlorinators, water purification systems.

Martha Gardner was confirmed as our representative to Episcopal Relief and Development. She reported on recent ERD meetings and info shared by ERD's direct representative in Haiti. A small committee to keep the momentum, strategize and craft a plan was formed, comprising Bishop Councel, Martha Gardner, Laurie Wozniak, Sandye Wilson, Dahn Gandell and Rosalie Ballentine. It is absolutely necessary that all bishops and diocesan councils be on board. Photos and videos could be very effective.

Laurie emphasized the need for communication – suggested a separate website that the Diocese of Western New York would host free of charge, and she would maintain. This will give purpose to the Province. Martha pointed out that such purposefulness should eventually lead to: where else in our Province are the needs? Martha read a note from Helena Mbele-Mbong about her daughter Lisa who died in the Haiti earthquake. The family will set up a scholarship in Lisa's name for orphaned Haitian children.

Jerry wondered whether the $15,000 raised for the Haiti Seminary could be used by Haiti for related purposes. Contact will be made to assure them.

Treasurer’s Report (see Jerry’s report)


We started 2010 with reserves less than anticipated – from $50,000 to $35,774.
Jerry pointed out that the triennial’s financial situation is much more dire than anticipated by last Synod, because of smaller amount from national church and the decision of PLC to give a larger share to Province IX, as well as the low appropriation for New York. Chuck and Jerry will look into a responsible, acceptable and relatively inexpensive process for auditing the Province’s finances.

[Incidental: thanks to Wes Williams for last night’s dinner and the people of St. Andrew’s for meeting facilities and Friday food. Sandye will get a framed photo and a stole for Wes; Bishop Gumbs will check with Fr. Cabey about what would be appropriate for St. Andrew’s.]

Jerry and Sandye emphasized the need to communicate the askings intentionally to dioceses and place the Province before dioceses. Greater commitment from dioceses will be needed to solve the dwindling finances problem; it is time we all faced the question: what does the Province mean to us? Jerry asserted that, the fact that diocesan assessments and Executive Council grant(s) do not meet our administrative and program needs is a structural problem. The realistic thing to do is to begin budgeting for the next triennium 2009 and 2010 diocesan budget figures. Dorothy-Jane: we must resolve to do something about this anticipated shortfall. Jerry will work to update the deputies’ list.

A resolution to thank Peter Hausman for his service as treasurer was passed unanimously.

President’s Report


Michael gave clarification about his line of work as a Canon Lawyer, arising out of concerns recently about mediation work he has done in dioceses. He communicated his decision that he will not serve in said role with any clergy within the Second Province, unless with the bishop’s permission, in order to avoid the perception of inappropriateness. The question of whether we Council members sign conflict agreements arose. Chancellor Porpeglia answered that that’s being addressed in the current Ordinance review process.

Reports


Provincial Leadership Council – Michael reported that that meeting was dominated by appropriating Executive Council grant. He on behalf of Provincial Council agreed to accept less than our 1/9th share. PLC also spent considerable time on organizational and structural issues. Coming out of that discussion was the suggested that the PLC be included on The Episcopal Church’s organizational chart.

Chuck Perfater informed Council that the PLC has decided from now on to meet in Newark, NJ due to cost. It would cost the Provinces virtually nothing for the PLC to meet in Newark.

Convocation 2011


Our Congregational Development Network planning a Convocation for May 7-9 at Doubletree in Syracuse, NY. Attorney Ballentine hoped that presenters would be ones with a diversity of experience and perspective.

LUNCH

Lunch was followed by a Presentation on mission and ministry in the Diocese of the Virgin Islands, made by Roger Speer, diocesan Youth missioner.

P II House of Bishops’ Report, by Bishop Councell


The bishops were in a meeting in Longbranch, NJ when the earthquake hit in Haiti. They would like to visit Haiti sooner than later. The bishops also had an impassioned conversation about giving consent to the election of Mary Glaspool. He gave a preview of next March’s HOBs’ meeting.

Report on Executive Council Meeting in Memphis, TN, made by all three representatives – Sandye, Rosalie and Martha.

Martha was elected our representative to the Anglican Church of Canada, liaison to Status of Women and finance, Rosalie to Agenda and chair of World Mission. Executive was led by Presiding Bishop Katherine Jeffers Schori in a discussion on the book, Governance for Mission.

Report from Episcopal Life Board of Governors by Laurie Wozniak

– attended a meeting in the wake of the recent firing of the communications staff person at TEC New York headquarters. Issues of the relationship between the Board and the organization of Episcopal communicators were sorted out; it was a productive meeting, in Laurie’s view.

Executive Coordinator’s Report

(see written report) - Lay emphasis on the Evangelism convocation being scheduled for May in Syracuse.

Executive Coordinator Position (Mr. Perfater was excused at this time.)


Council discussed extensively the Coordinator's contract. Some points from the discussion:

  1. All contracts should be checked and okayed by the President and Chancellor
  2. Identifying Chuck as "independent contractor" is a wrong classification
  3. Need to define a job description and classification for both Chuck and going forward
  4. Need to be a written Letter of Agreement
  5. Are there Provincial policies regarding the Coordinator position?
  6. Chuck will give written representation that his company covers Workers Compensation – better but still risky
  7. Asked for suggestions in a month's time.

Moved and seconded that all contracts be reviewed by the President and Chancellor before they are executed.

Ordinance Discussion – led by Chancellor Dorothy Jane.

  1. Chancellor would better not be a voting member of Council, but expected to attend
  2. Plan to discuss ordinances change NOT in May 2011 but in 2012.

Diocesan Feedback


Albany: Dorothy-Jane -- uncertainty remains about the direction of the diocese. Diocesan Convention is in June this year.
Virgin Islands – diocesan convention in March, three full-time priests; Cathedral close to acquiring a full-time priest
Rochester – “High tea for Haiti” was a fund-raiser undertaken. There are a number of vacancies in clergy positions.
Newark – new mission statement adopted; Bp Councell preached at their convention; Alleluia Fund (outreach); the Marge Christie Endowment Fund
New Jersey – new budget that pledges full asking to TEC and MDGs; Assisting Bishop is retiring
Western New York – search for bishop under way; electing convention in November; anxiety over impending change; largest congregation left TEC; study whether to relocate diocesan office; recovering from recent flood.
Long Island, by Chuck -- beginning to thrive under the new bishop, positive feedback so far from across the diocese.

Network Activities


Another Stewardship workshop pending sometime this summer
Chancellors’ Conference, by Dorothy-Jane – motion to pay our due of $250 and to attend national Chancellors’ Conference passed unanimously. Cost will come out of Program item in budget. A new recruit for Immigration network head is being sought. Consideration should be given to merging Jubilee and Justice ministries.

Motion to give $250 to St. Andrew’s for their After School Program in appreciation of their gracious hosting was passed unanimously.

The Next meeting of the Provincial Council will be in Newark on Oct. 1st.
Click here to download these minutes in rtf 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.