In Bishop Michael’s absence the Very Reverend Peter Elliott, Dean of the Diocese and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral was Chair for the meeting. Bishop Michael is in South Africa concluding the trip where he participated in the Fourth Annual Bishops in Dialogue Conference earlier in the month.
Diocesan Council’s default meeting location, St. Augustine, Marpole was being used as a Voting Place so the May 14th, 2013 meeting was moved to the Trendell Lounge at St. John’s, Shaughnessy.The Dean put the day’s meeting in the context of Election Day in British Columbia and asked Council if they would be okay with suspending the customary half-time coffee break and feel free to enjoy hot drinks and treats during the meeting in hopes of getting through the AGENDA a little quicker.
Archdeacon Ellen Clark-King offered a special prayer for Election Day.
The dean reminded Council that this will be the final meeting of this Diocesan Council and on behalf of the diocese he thanked Council members for a year of outstanding service. This was a year of many decisions but in particular this 2012-2013 Diocesan Council will be remembered as the last Diocesan Council of Bishop Michael’s episcopate.
The Dean also announced that this would be the final meeting for Clerical Secretary, the Rev. Karin Fulcher; the Assistant Treasurer, Jim Stewart; Grants and Loans Chair, the Rev. Michael McGee and Communications Committee Chair, the Rev. Paul Strudwick who due to his imminent move to Spain sent regrets. This would also be the last meeting for Diocesan Treasurer Ian Robertson who will be stepping down after four years of service. Ian sent his regrets well in advance as he is Campaign Manager for Delta South, Independent MLA, Vicki Huntington and needed to be with his candidate on election day(she won re-election on May 14th).
Dean Peter reinforced Bishop Michael’s wish that the diocese get involved in the TRC wrap-up events in Vancouver scheduled for September 18-21 and to take part in the Walk for Reconciliation on September 22nd.
The third item that Dean Peter presented for Council’s interest and consideration were the results of the 2011 Census that had been discussed in the media during the previous week and what those figures tell us about faith affiliation. He suggested that we get to know people of other faiths and highlighted that the largest single group is the group known as unaffiliated so we have lots of people out there ready to hear the “Good News.”
3 PRESENTATION
The Venerable Lynne McNaughton gave a quick overview of the approaching General Synod triennial meeting this time in conjunction with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCiC) “Joint Assembly” in Ottawa July 3-7th. Lynne wanted to flag for Council the fact that the proposed restructuring of National Church committees will produce task force working groups and Lynne asked Council to be on the lookout for skilled and committed individuals who may be able to offer their gifts, broadening the involvement of Anglicans to the entire country not just Central Canada.
In order to offer some education, awareness and enthusiasm about the upcoming meetings, Lynne will be facilitating Information Sessions:
Tuesday, June 25th, 1:30pm at St. John, the Evangelist, 220 West 8th , North Vancouver
Wednesday, June 26th, 7pm at St. Dunstan, 3025 24th St., Aldergrove
Thursday, June 27th, 7pm, 3400 Institute Rd., North Vancouver
4. MINUTES
5. CORRESPONDENCE
5.1 Letter from P. Kuechler dated April 4th, 2013
5.2 Letter from the Primate dated April 22nd, 2013
6. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION/ACTION
6.1 Sorrento Centre – Capital Funding Proposal
Phil Colvin, the Diocesan Youth Ministry Coordinator and one of the signatories of the letter spoke to the letter and gave Council some additional information relating to Sorrento Centre’s desire to raise in excess of 6 million dollars in a Capital Campaign. The writers of the letter recommend that the Diocese of New Westminster help financially by working at the first “two pillars” of the Sorrento Campaign, a) debt reduction and b) youth leadership development. The amount they are looking for from the diocese would be in the area of 1,100,000.00.
In the recommendation there are concerns about dedicating funding to Sorrento Centre as Camp Artaban is going through this time of suspension. Phil stressed that Sorrento Centre is not a summer camp; it is not in competition with Artaban.
Dr. Starr Allaby, the Chair of the Ministry and Congregational Development Committee, reported that MCDC had taken a look at this letter on May 13th but they would require more information before giving Diocesan Council advice on this request. None of the other Standing Committees had seen it.
It is early days and this recommendation will likely need some additional work as the content of the letter prompted considerable discussion. MCDC did not see a Ministry Plan to support in this recommendation and Granville-Point Grey Regional Dean, the Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett did not see that the information regarding the use of a diocesan financial gift in this recommendation addresses the priorities of the Diocesan Plan 2018.
Chancellor George Cadman said that this proposal needs to be looked at in considerably more depth.
He moved that the recommendations be received and that the report of the ad hoc group be referred to each of A&F, G&L and MCDC to report back to Council their findings and recommendations at the October, 2013 meeting.
The resolution to refer was CARRIED
6.2 Camp Artaban Update
George Cadman gave a very brief update about Camp Artaban as some time has been designated on the upcoming Synod Agenda to examine the current Artaban situation.
6.3 Synod 2013 Update
Executive Archdeacon, the Ven. Douglas Fenton gave Council an update on Synod Planning. He began by thanking the Synod Office Staff for their excellent work ensuring that all the facets of Synod will be made ready when registration takes place 8am, May 24th. Our Synod partner for 2013 will be Bishop James Tengatenga of the Diocese of Southern Malawi and the Metropolitan, Archbishop John Privett will also be attending the Friday session before he flies to Castlegar for a Diocesan Council Meeting of the Diocese of Kootenay.
Business Administrator Rob Dickson asked Council to remind priests that delegates to Synod from their parishes must have signed documentation ready for registration on the morning of May 24th.
6.4 Electoral Synod Update
Chancellor George Cadman summarized the document “The process of discerning a new Bishop for the Diocese of New Westminster” an excellent summary put together by the Venerable Dr. Ellen Clark-King with support of the dean.
George shed some additional light on Item 4 that looks at the development of a Profile for the Diocese. At Synod there will be table discussions. The table discussion topics will look at three questions (still in development) that will help produce feedback and provide some idea of the needs of the diocese as the diocese discerns a new Bishop and moves into an Electoral Synod.
George has received available dates from the Cathedral on which an Electoral Synod might be held and he passed those on to the Metropolitan, Archbishop John Privett to determine if any of those dates would work for him. The Chancellor stressed that two things are needed, a place and the presence of the Metropolitan.
At the upcoming June meeting of Council the Chancellor will likely be able to give a date for members to put on their calendars, but technically the date of the Electoral Synod is not confirmed until the See is vacant, September 1st, 2013.
6.5 White Paper – Update pre-Synod
Executive Archdeacon Douglas Fenton explained to Synod that these recommendations have been much the work of this Diocesan Council. If these recommendations are approved at Synod 2013 then the legal officers must get to work to determine what these changes mean to diocesan canons so the earliest that these significant structural changes could happen would be after Synod 2014.
The Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett asked that the resolution be amended so that there is greater clarity about how the Council members listed in Article 2 are elected.
6.6 Reconnect Task Force
The Venerable John Stephens, Chair of Reconnect Task Force and Dean Peter spoke to this document which brings a resolution before Synod:
THAT the Diocese of New Westminster adopt the Five Marks of Mission, and since the Five Marks of Mission more succinctly articulate the ten strategic priorities, replace the ten strategic priorities with the Five Marks of Mission, and in so doing the Diocese will reflect the cohesive mission of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Communion.Resolution and Rationale Document
5 Marks + 10 Priorities Document
6.7 Financial Statements
Controller Mark Beley directed Council’s attention to the Executive Summary and particularly to the very positive results being shown in diocesan investments. Mark urged Council members to contact him either by phone or email in the Synod Office Finance Office if they have any questions or concerns
7 NOMINATIONS
7.1 The current Lay Secretary of Synod, Stephanie Williams tendered her resignation May 14th, 2013, it was accepted with regret. Anglican Archivist Melanie Delva was nominated to be the Lay Secretary for the life of this Council and she will be nominated for election to be the Lay Secretary at Synod as well.
7.2 Credentials Committee Nominees: Don Paul (Registrar) , Jennifer Dezell (Legal Assesor), Shirley Stockdill and Michael McGee
7.3 The Reverend Fr. Michael Fuller and John Warren to the Communications Committee
All above nominations were APPROVED by Council
7.4 Task Force on Diocesan Boundaries
Archdeacon Douglas Fenton presented the Terms of Reference and the Task Force membership: The Ven. Lynne McNaughton (Chair, Capilano), Mr Don Paul, (Registrar, Burrard), Holly Anonby (Fraser), Ms Melanie Delva, (Archivist, Vancouver), The Rev. Grant Rodgers (Westminster), The Ven. Douglas Fenton (staff).
A resolution to confirm the acceptance of the Terms of Reference was CARRIED
7.5 Diocesan Members of Camp Artaban Board
The four diocesan representatives on the Artaban Board were nominated: the Venerable John Struthers, Barbara Struthers, Bob McGall and Gordon Lee. Because the Camp Artaban Society is in debt to the diocese, the diocese does have the right to appoint these four members to the board plus three more (half plus one because there are 12 members). However, at this time the Diocesan Officers decided not to exercise the additional right of the diocese to appoint the three additional board members in order that the CAS may continue self-governance with the elected board members a majority of the now nine member board.
The resolution to approve these four was CARRIED.
7.6 Canons and Constitutions Committee Members
Chair; Jennifer Dezell, (Legal Assesor), Don Paul (Registrar), Peter Keighley, the Venerable Ellen Clark-King.
The committee members were APPROVED
The Very Reverend Peter Elliott adjourned the meeting at 9:05pm but prior to the closing prayer he reminded Council that it had been many years since there had been a Diocesan Council Meeting held at St. John’s, Shaughnessy.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 11th, 2013 at 7:30pm
Images: Top, The Dean chaired the meeting, the Chancellor is on his left. Upper left, The Reverend Michael McGee and East Vancouver deanery rep Patsi Longmire. This was Michael's last meeting as Grants and Loans Chair. Upper right, The Venerable Lynne McNaughton and West Vancouver lay deanery rep, Kathleen Glyn-Morris. Middle left, Burnaby lay deanery rep, David Nash and Archdeacon of Westminster, the Venerable John Bailey have a conversation before the meeting. Middle and homepage, Ministry Resources Committee Chair, Helen Brown; Richmond/Delta deanery rep, Belinda Kishimoto and New Westminster Clergy deanery rep, the Rev. Georgina Harris each prepare for the meeting using various media: pen and paper; ipad; laptop. The beautiful grounds of St. John's, Shaughnessy can be seen through the large windows of the lounge. Lower right, The Reverend Karin Fulcher relaxes before the beginning of her final Council meeting as Clerical Secretary. Lower left, Diocesan Controller, Mark Beley cleans up the hot drinks "fixin's section" after the meeting.
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 at 7:30pm. Diocesan Council is adjourned for the months of July and August.