Diocesan Council Highlights, November 12th, 2013

WELCOME

The majority of members of Diocesan Council gathered at St. Augustine’s, Marpole at 6pm on November 12th for sandwiches followed by the commencement of the meeting at 6:30pm. The Dean and Administrator of the Diocese, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott began by welcoming new DC members, the Venerable Grant Rodgers the new Archdeacon of Westminster, and Mr. James Conklin who is the new DC rep filling a vacancy from the Burrard Archdeaconry. The Dean then drew the attention of Council to the newly invested members of the ODNW who are also DC members; Nancy Southam and Charles Nurse and invited Council to offer their congratulations which they did with sustained applause.

The Dean next pointed out that there were many guests present at the meeting: a representative of the Ecumenical Advocates group to the TRC Reconciliation Week , three members of the Sorrento Centre “Embracing Transformation” capital campaign team and two representatives of the Christian Camping Task Force of the diocese.

PRESENTATION

3.2 Report on TRC Reconciliation Week

The Dean thanked diocesan communications for its coverage of TRC Reconciliation Week events and then he introduced the Venerable Ian MacKenzie who presented at the meeting in place of the Reverend Clarence Li who was originally scheduled to present the report but sent his regrets.

 Ian who with his wife, the Reverend Paula Sampson is an adopted member of the Nisga’a Nation gave a personal reflection of being at the front of the Walk for Reconciliation on September 22nd, 2013.

Ian did not want to dwell on the first two pages of the report, he wanted to direct Council’s focus to the follow-up recommendations on page 3. He did however comment on then-Bishop, Michael Ingham’s Pastoral Letter of May 19th urging all parishes to consider cancelling their morning worship and participating in the walk. Ian shared with Council that the parish of St. David and St. Paul in Powell River a parish with no First Nations members cancelled their morning worship so people could attend a walk in concert with the Vancouver Reconciliation walk hosted by the Sliammon First Nation on the Sunshine Coast. 

 Ian said that the overriding principle of the recommendations is for all of us to consider what was and is present in our society, and in our church that enabled our ancestors to do these terrible things. We must keep that question present in our minds, prayers and in our discussions and interactions with First Nations people.

For the remainder of his time Ian went through the four recommendations points on page 3 and stressed the importance of following through.

 He focused Council’s attention on the importance of the Bishop to the First Nations persons as the main representative of the Church and of Jesus. The new Bishop will need to take leadership on this as a major part of reconciliation is giving First Nations people, Residential School Survivors, the opportunity to speak with a Bishop if that is what will help them.

The Dean then proposed that later in the meeting these recommendations particularly number 3 be moved for adoption by Council and that the National Church Office for Indigenous Ministry be contacted as they are an excellent resource for material to effectively adopt these recommendations particularly number 3.
(The MOTION to adopt the Recommendations of the Report was CARRIED later in the meeting)

3.3 Sorrento Centre

The Dean introduced the representatives from the Sorrento Centre in attendance at the meeting.

Dr. Christopher Lind the Executive Director of Sorrento Centre introduced their Fundraising Consultant, the Reverend Rob Waller who began their presentation by showing a video. Following the video, Council’s attention was directed to the Embracing Transformation - The ‘Next 50’ Campaign case for support. A web version of the case document and the video are available by clicking this LINK. Dr. Lind directed Council through the document. 

Dr. Lind described and provided context for the various programs that have been introduced at Sorrento Central and have displayed growth every year, specifically programs for youth. Youth leadership development is a key purpose of the Sorrento Centre and the programming that relates to that purpose is showing phenomenal growth in registration.

Dr. Lind reminded Council of the 1.6 million dollar ask made to the Diocese of New Westminster in 2012, and the loan of $250,000 received from the Diocese of New Westminster to launch the campaign. The 1.6 million if received will be used for the proposed Endowment Fund (the 1st Pillar) and for Youth Leadership Development.

Dr Lind closed his portion of the presentation by informing Council that there is a healthy potential for partnerships with Sorrento, local, regional, national and international.

The Venerable Andrew Pike, Chair of the Sorrento Board said that of the 6 dioceses accessing Sorrento programs the Diocese of New Westminster is by far the largest contributor of participants at Sorrento.

He said that Sorrento’s funding problem is not because of dwindling numbers but is a consequence of the majority of subscribers to the programming being young, with limited resources and therefore need to be subsidized by Sorrento.

In Andrew’s presentation he stressed that the church must participate in a meaningful and generous way. When donors are approached for major gifts to Sorrento, often the question asked is “What is the church doing?”

What the Sorrento Group was asking DC for is contained in the first paragraph of the linked document.

Dean Peter reminded Council that the information given by the Sorrento group and the Christian Camping Task Force that evening is for Council to consider and then pass on to the appropriate committees to develop motions that would return to Council for voting.

By Christmas this year Sorrento Centre is on target to raise more money corporately than has ever been raised before for Sorrento Centre Ministry.

3.4 Camping Ministry Task Force – presentation of report.

Gordon Lee, ODNW, with the other members of the Task Force, Phil Colvin and Maria Denholm presented the report.

The Key Recommendation is that an integrated Christian Camping Ministry be affirmed as an essential component of diocesan ministry.
Gordon gave some background on how information was sourced in order to prepare this report and he acknowledged those resources involved.
Gordon then spoke to the Executive Summary sections of the report and shared that the information that contributed to this report came from previous reports submitted over the last 20 years. Gordon said that this Task Force effort should be the end of writing reports as it is now time for action, grounded in a clear vision of where the diocese wants to go. He admitted that the Task Force has a bias as they “like camping” and think it is a vital part of ministry, but it is important that the diocese through its governance make some decisions about a purposeful approach to camping ministry in this diocese.
To give the report some “flavour” he spoke to the various sections and solicited questions from the floor as they went along.
Maria spoke about the focus group process utilized for information gathering by the Task Force and emphasized the connecting threads that surfaced in the discussions.
Council members who commented congratulated the Task Force on the report praising it for being “a very comprehensive document.”
Maria stressed that Christian Camping must be an integrated intentional part of diocesan programming. There is no way to continue this kind of ministry at the level needed with “well- intentioned volunteers”.
Phil Colvin spoke to the fact that many say that Christian Camping is a “good thing, a nice thing”, but made it very clear that the Task Force believes that it is in fact a “vital” thing. Regarding Camp Artaban specifically, Phil focused on the “parallel relationship” and the inability of the diocese to articulate the relationship with Camp Artaban and the role of Christian Camping in diocesan ministry. Before we talk about details or money or business plans the diocese needs to decide if Christian Camping ministry is part of the vision of the diocese and integrates with the diocesan priorities and the Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion.
Gordon summed up by saying that we must have excellence in all facets of Camping and a year round program could be a goal with created financial sustainability through a variety of different methods. Then Gordon went on to flag some of the recommendations found on pages 7 and 8 of the linked document.
In closing, Gordon spoke to the need for new structures and for partnerships.
As of this meeting of Council, the Camp Artaban Society Board had not seen the report and they will likely need to spend some time with the information before making any statements or decisions about next steps.
Some members of Council wanted to address issues of cost and the subsequent sourcing of revenues for costs, however the Chancellor and the Dean reminded Council that both reports 3.3 and 3.4 will need to be brought forward at the diocesan committee levels and then back to Diocesan Council for some very serious consideration and discussion.

MINUTES
The Dean asked if there were any errors or omissions. None were raised.
The Minutes of the 10-08-2013 meeting were moved and adopted as circulated.

3.1 Electoral Synod Update

Following a brief break, the Chancellor, George Cadman, QC, co- Chair, following a began by thanking the members of the Search & Nominations Committee particularly those present at Council that evening: Helen Brown, Starr Allaby, Charles Nurse, Reinhard Rudersdorfer, and the absent members of Council that evening who are also members of the Committee, the Reverend David Price, the Reverend Brian Vickers and the Venerable John Struthers.

The Chancellor reminded Council about the second call for nominations as per Canon 219 which will close 4pm, Tuesday, November 19th.
The Chancellor then referred Council to agenda item 5.1 that he received prior to the release of the REPORT OF THE SEARCH & NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE.

5.1 Correspondence from George Goater dated October 28th, 2013

The Chancellor responded to Mr Goater with this RESPONSE. The Chancellor went on to give some context for his response. Because four of the current eight candidates are not resident in the diocese he would not be in favour of a forum of this nature. He did however, inform Mr. Goater that he would take his request to Council for their consideration.

There was no interest from any members of Council to propose a resolution to support Mr. Goater’s request.

Granville-Point Grey Deanery Representative Elizabeth Hodgson began the discussion by asking if there would be Q&A time with the nominees at the Electoral Synod. This prompted an additional discussion about information from the nominees and how it is obtained.

The Dean reminded Council that a discussion about the amending of Canon 2 will happen after the election.
The Chancellor and the Registrar, Don Paul presented the Precis and the ELECTORAL SYNOD RULES 2013.

The MOTION at the bottom of the Precis was unanimously CARRIED.

The Chancellor moved the resolution based on item 8.2 Ordination/Consecration Service for a New Bishop which was also unanimously CARRIED.
The Consecration and Ordination is scheduled for March 1st, 2014.

Before going into the ACTION portion of the agenda, Dean Peter Elliott made reference to the last scheduled worship service at St. Margaret’s of Scotland a parish that has voluntarily decided to move into the process of merger with St. John’s, Port Moody.
The Dean also spoke about the devastation taking place in the Philipines and the desire of many with the support of the three Filipino priests of our diocese to have a diocesan worship event to pray for and support the victims on this disaster. He said that a plan to hold an event at Christ Church Cathedral will be undertaken in a timely manner.

 

ACTION – FOR DEBATE
6.8 The Adoption of the TRC Report recommendations and a proposal to appoint a Task Force was unanimously CARRIED by Council. (See PRESENTATION Item 3.2 Summary)

6.1 St. John, Maple Ridge - request to sell duplex

Rob Dickson the Business Administrator of the diocese gave an executive summary of the linked documents. Archdeacon Grant Rodgers asked what the vote tally was at the Vestry meeting at St. John’s when the issue was discussed and he was told the vote was unanimous

The MOTION was CARRIED


6.5 St. Monica – request for closure of parish & loan request

The Dean began the discussion on this item by thanking the Reverend Janice Lowell for her ministry and to Diocesan Legal Registrar Don Paul for his work with the parish. The Dean gave the floor to Don who went into some details with the issues surrounding the financial ramifications of the closing of the parish. This involves the diocese loaning the money to the parish to pay the parish mortgage to CNIBC so that the equity of the parish assets is not jeopardized.

Only Bishop’s may close a parish so the work of council is to determine whether or not to facilitate the loan. In Don’s words in “round ballpark figures” the diocese loans $100,000 to the parish in order to secure a 1.1 million dollar asset.

Don then went into more detail about the financial holdings of the parish including a fund of $60,000 restricted under the Charitable Purposes Preservation Act, the Norah Norman Fund which is a bequest to fund Christian Education. A bequest that can certainly be honoured through diocesan ministry

The RESOLUTION was CARRIED

6.6 Church of the Epiphany – request for extension of daycare lease

One of the reasons that the extension for the daycare lease is so short is that Epiphany is working hard toward their goal of tearing down their current building and building a new church, and they don’t want to be committed to a multi-year lease situation when they are ready to build.

There was a question about details involved in the lease but those details are already dealt with, as this is a lease extension.

The RESOLUTION WAS CARRIED

6.3 Boundaries Task Force

Proposed boundary changes and re-naming of Deaneries and Archdeaconries were presented at Diocesan Council for discussion at the October 8, 2013, meeting.
After receiving comments from across the Diocese and requests for changes from a number of parishes in the Fraser Archdeaconry, a revised plan for boundary changes was presented to Diocesan Council on November 12, 2013.

Diocesan Council tabled the report for decision until January 14, 2014, to give Parishes an opportunity to provide their comments to the reports. The report was updated and is now being sent to Parishes for review and comment. Parishes are asked to respond to the Venerable Lynne McNaughton, Chair, at lynne@mcnaughton.org by December 9, 2013 so that an interim report can be made to Diocesan Council at its December 10, 2013 meeting with final decisions to be made at the January 14, 2014 meeting of Diocesan Council. This will also give the Bishop-elect an opportunity for input if desired.

At 9:25pm Council moved IN CAMERA for two agenda items.

NOMINATIONS

Helen Cheung of St. Matthias and St. Luke has been nominated to serve on the Ordained Ministry Division a standing committee of the diocese. Her nomination was accepted and she is duly appointed.

Diocesan Council adjourned after joining hands and saying the Doxology (“Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine…”) at 9:50pm.
Next Meeting will be December 10th: It was proposed that Council again meets for sandwiches at 6pm with the meeting commencing at 6:30pm. TBC

Images: Top and homepage, DC members transitioning between dinner and the meeting as the unusual 6:30pm start time draws near. Other photos from top to bottom:

• Reinhard Rudersdorfer at the buffet.
  
• DC members enjoy the delicious sandwiches prior to the meeting.
  
• the Venerable Ian MacKenzie.
•  Dr. Christopher Lind guides Council through the Embracing Transformation - The ‘Next 50’ Campaign case publication.
  
• The Venerable Andrew Pike
  
• Gordon Lee
•  Maria Denholm
• Executive Archdeacon, the Venerable Douglas Fenton and the Dean and Administrator of the Diocese who is also co-Chair of Council, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott discuss the agenda prior to the meeting.
• An impromptu Archdeacons meeting
• George Cadman presents the rules for the 2013 Electoral Synod.

Diocesan Council is the decision making, governing body of the Diocese of New Westminster consisting of: the Diocesan Officers (Bishop, Dean, Executive Archdeacon, Chancellor, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer)
the Archdeacons of the five Archdeaconries
the Archdeacon who is the Director of Deacons, two additional Diocesan Legal Officers, (Registrar and Legal Assessor), a Lay Secretary, a Clergy Secretary, the chairs of the Diocesan Standing Committees
There are two Deanery reps either Ordained or Lay. Sometimes Deaneries have two lay reps and sometimes two clergy reps, sometimes one of each. A Deanery is a group of churches, geographically affiliated and the reps are elected at the Annual Synod Meeting.
Synod Staff also attend meetings but are not members of Diocesan Council. They include: Business Administrator, Stewardship and Planned Giving Officer, Comptroller, Youth Coordinator and Communications Officer (and other staff as required).
Diocesan Synod consists of all the active clergy in the Diocese of New Westminster and 2-6 lay people elected from each diocesan parish proportionate to the size of the parish community.
Diocesan Council functions as the Synod between Synods, it is a representation of the large group that meets annually.
Diocesan Council and Diocesan Synod are both chaired by the Bishop.
Diocesan Council meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month usually at St. Augustine, Marpole customarily at 7:30pm. Diocesan Council is adjourned for the months of July and August.