Bishop Michael welcomed DC back from the summer break and gave a brief synopsis of events that took place over the summer.
The events of the summer involved the conclusion of the litigation that has consumed a great deal of energy over the past few years and the creation of three transition teams to facilitate the resumption of Anglican Church of Canada worship in the three locations: St. Matthew, Abbotsford, St. Matthias and St. Luke, Oakridge, and St. John’s, Shaughnessy.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
3.1 Archbishop John Privett and The Province Restructuring Task Force
A conversation about our Ecclesiastical province.
The film that was scheduled to be shown to DC could not be played due to audio difficulties. The film can be viewed by clicking the link,
A Conversation with Archbishop John Privett.
Archbishop John then went on to present a synopsis of the content of the film.
A Task Force consisting of: Archbishop John Privett, Bishop James Cowan, Archdeacon John Bailey and Canon Dr. Randall Fairey has been charged with the task of looking at the re-organization of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon. The Task Force would like to hear from Diocesan Councils and have them share ideas about working more closely together, and identifying a Provincial Mission. What does God want us to do as a “Province?”
Here is the key question posed in the film and by Archbishop John at the meeting
“In what ways can we build relationships in the Province and identify ways to cooperate beyond our diocesan/regional boundaries to further God’s mission at the beginning of the 21st Century.”
Diocesan Council members counted off 1-5 around the room and formed into the five groups for discussions. A reporter was chosen for each group and was given a response sheet.
After 30 minutes the groups broke and came back to their seats and reported to the group.
Here are some of the comments:
- some areas already being addressed: youth ministry resources, clergy conferences might work but not every year as the numbers would be too great.
- Even though each proposed area has challenges a holistic approach to seriously consider all the suggestions should be encouraged
- Each diocese has divers needs
- Camping ministry could be shared but shared marketing would make the most sense i.e. “ Here are three camping opportunities around BC and the Yukon.”
- A regional approach to administrative functions, as opposed to a provincial approach. The Island is very different than the main land dioceses and has different needs.
- Shared Insurance purchasing would certainly increase bargaining power with our insurance providers.
- A concern expressed was the perceived potential for domination by the larger dioceses
- Providing standards of certification for non-stipendary ministry on a provincial level may be a good idea.
- Technology and Social networking could be used to bring the province together by sharing websites and material developed by individual dioceses.
- Shared refugee ministry and other ministries that require a longer timeline and significant resources.
- Increased First Nations involvement and closer relationships
- Shared information, one provincial newspaper
- clergy conferences for the whole province are large so they would be difficult to organize
- web-based structures that could be used as a forum to bring the province together: Bishops on Twitter etc.
- The various Summer camps in the province could work together to schedule programming so that there was more diversity and less program overlap, offering diversity
- Shared financial and Human Resources services could be shared throughout the Province.
The events of the summer involved the conclusion of the litigation that has consumed a great deal of energy over the past few years and the creation of three transition teams to facilitate the resumption of Anglican Church of Canada worship in the three locations: St. Matthew, Abbotsford, St. Matthias and St. Luke, Oakridge, and St. John’s, Shaughnessy.
AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
3.1 Archbishop John Privett and The Province Restructuring Task Force
A conversation about our Ecclesiastical province.
The film that was scheduled to be shown to DC could not be played due to audio difficulties. The film can be viewed by clicking the link,
A Conversation with Archbishop John Privett.
Archbishop John then went on to present a synopsis of the content of the film.
A Task Force consisting of: Archbishop John Privett, Bishop James Cowan, Archdeacon John Bailey and Canon Dr. Randall Fairey has been charged with the task of looking at the re-organization of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon. The Task Force would like to hear from Diocesan Councils and have them share ideas about working more closely together, and identifying a Provincial Mission. What does God want us to do as a “Province?”
Here is the key question posed in the film and by Archbishop John at the meeting
“In what ways can we build relationships in the Province and identify ways to cooperate beyond our diocesan/regional boundaries to further God’s mission at the beginning of the 21st Century.”
Diocesan Council members counted off 1-5 around the room and formed into the five groups for discussions. A reporter was chosen for each group and was given a response sheet.
After 30 minutes the groups broke and came back to their seats and reported to the group.
Here are some of the comments:
- some areas already being addressed: youth ministry resources, clergy conferences might work but not every year as the numbers would be too great.
- Even though each proposed area has challenges a holistic approach to seriously consider all the suggestions should be encouraged
- Each diocese has divers needs
- Camping ministry could be shared but shared marketing would make the most sense i.e. “ Here are three camping opportunities around BC and the Yukon.”
- A regional approach to administrative functions, as opposed to a provincial approach. The Island is very different than the main land dioceses and has different needs.
- Shared Insurance purchasing would certainly increase bargaining power with our insurance providers.
- A concern expressed was the perceived potential for domination by the larger dioceses
- Providing standards of certification for non-stipendary ministry on a provincial level may be a good idea.
- Technology and Social networking could be used to bring the province together by sharing websites and material developed by individual dioceses.
- Shared refugee ministry and other ministries that require a longer timeline and significant resources.
- Increased First Nations involvement and closer relationships
- Shared information, one provincial newspaper
- clergy conferences for the whole province are large so they would be difficult to organize
- web-based structures that could be used as a forum to bring the province together: Bishops on Twitter etc.
- The various Summer camps in the province could work together to schedule programming so that there was more diversity and less program overlap, offering diversity
- Shared financial and Human Resources services could be shared throughout the Province.
Members of the Task Force will attend most meetings of Diocesan Councils around the Province this fall and the information that they gather will be used in the report to Provincial Synod in 2012.
4.1 Minutes of June 14th, 2011
There were some corrections to the Minutes. A Corrected version will be posted in the Diocesan Council section of the Downloads pages of the Resources Module on the D of NW website when available.
5.1 Letter from VST of August 23rd, 2011
6.1 Grant Request from St. Dunstan’s Aldergrove
Chancellor George Cadman spoke to this and verified that this grant request has met all of the necessary conditions and put forward the motion.
The Rev’d Dr. Richard Leggett asked for information about the balance of funds in the New Development Fund which is the source for this funding. Business Administrator Rob Dickson responded by saying that he would make that information available.
The MOTION was carried.
6.2 Grant Request from All Saints, Agassiz
4.1 Minutes of June 14th, 2011
There were some corrections to the Minutes. A Corrected version will be posted in the Diocesan Council section of the Downloads pages of the Resources Module on the D of NW website when available.
5.1 Letter from VST of August 23rd, 2011
6.1 Grant Request from St. Dunstan’s Aldergrove
Chancellor George Cadman spoke to this and verified that this grant request has met all of the necessary conditions and put forward the motion.
The Rev’d Dr. Richard Leggett asked for information about the balance of funds in the New Development Fund which is the source for this funding. Business Administrator Rob Dickson responded by saying that he would make that information available.
The MOTION was carried.
6.2 Grant Request from All Saints, Agassiz
Chancellor George Cadman moved the motion.
A discussion between the Business Administrator and the Registrar about the status of the Grant being requested versus the existing loans to that parish resulted in the motion being tabled for a few minutes in order for the Registrar to change the wording to make the motion clearer.
The Grant is a separate request not in conjunction with two current loans and the revenue is sourced from monies received from the sale of St. Peter’s Rosedale after that congregation chose to close in 2007.
Don Paul the Registrar changed the wording so that the loans and the grant are clearly separate.
As one of the loans is a forgivable loan, the nature of forgiveable loans was explained by the Registrar in order to give new DC members a clearer understanding of the discussion.
A forgivable loan is something that is given to the parish as long as the Parish meets certain criteria. A trigger for the loan to cease being forgivable would be something like a cessation of payment of assessments or the imminent sale of property.
The MOTION was Carried.
6.3 Grant Request from the North Vancouver Deanery
A discussion between the Business Administrator and the Registrar about the status of the Grant being requested versus the existing loans to that parish resulted in the motion being tabled for a few minutes in order for the Registrar to change the wording to make the motion clearer.
The Grant is a separate request not in conjunction with two current loans and the revenue is sourced from monies received from the sale of St. Peter’s Rosedale after that congregation chose to close in 2007.
Don Paul the Registrar changed the wording so that the loans and the grant are clearly separate.
As one of the loans is a forgivable loan, the nature of forgiveable loans was explained by the Registrar in order to give new DC members a clearer understanding of the discussion.
A forgivable loan is something that is given to the parish as long as the Parish meets certain criteria. A trigger for the loan to cease being forgivable would be something like a cessation of payment of assessments or the imminent sale of property.
The MOTION was Carried.
6.3 Grant Request from the North Vancouver Deanery
The Rev. Stephen Muir, Incumbent of St. Agnes, North Vancouver presented an overview of the Grant and he was supported by Penny Connell, Rector’s Warden and Trustee of St. John the Evangelist, North Vancouver.
Penny spoke to DC about the growing community ministry emerging at St. John’s NV and how that may well create growth in that community, suggesting that growth would also create revenue to the Parish and the deanery creating a sustainable climate for the funding of the clergy position.
The Reverend David Price thought that the job posting was well done but he was concerned that there could be tension created by the demands of the two facets of the job.
The funding for this new ministry will be sourced from revenue created from the sale of the St. Richard’s rectory. This source of funding is a major step forward in the implementation of the St. Richard's congregation's wishes expressed to Diocesan Council at the time of that parish's closing. The congregation was eager that monies obtained from the sale of St. Richard's assets be used to support the mission and ministry of the North Vancouver Deanery.
The MOTION was Carried.
6.4 Order of the Diocese of New Westminster Additional Regulation
Dean of the Diocese, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott spoke to the amendment and the motion.
The D of NW may run into circumstances from time to time where people who are not members of the diocese and have given extraordinary service to the diocese can not be recognized by nomination to the ODNW. This change would allow for that eventuality.
Background
In January 2009 Diocesan Council passed Regulation 22 establishing the Order of the
Diocese of New Westminster. The summary presented to Diocesan Council at its January
2009 meeting is attached for reference.
Proposed Amendments
A simple amendment is proposed to Process 2.D and to regulation 4.6 This would
remove previous sections pertaining to the number of appointments that the Bishop had
in the first year of the Orders being conferred and replaces it with a provision allowing
for, from time to time, the Bishop’s appointment of honorary members of the Order.
PROPOSED MOTION:
That Regulation 22 be amended as follows:
By deleting current section 4.6 and replacing it with:
The Bishop may appoint Honorary Members of the Order, provided that there shall
be no more than 5 such Members appointed in any given calendar year, that such
appointment shall be for meritorious service to the Diocese, and that such persons
shall not be, at the time of the appointment, members of any Parish within the
Diocese.
The MOTION was Carried.
8.1 Financial Statements – May, June and July 2011
8.2 Interim Report from Property Redevelopment Committee
Penny spoke to DC about the growing community ministry emerging at St. John’s NV and how that may well create growth in that community, suggesting that growth would also create revenue to the Parish and the deanery creating a sustainable climate for the funding of the clergy position.
The Reverend David Price thought that the job posting was well done but he was concerned that there could be tension created by the demands of the two facets of the job.
The funding for this new ministry will be sourced from revenue created from the sale of the St. Richard’s rectory. This source of funding is a major step forward in the implementation of the St. Richard's congregation's wishes expressed to Diocesan Council at the time of that parish's closing. The congregation was eager that monies obtained from the sale of St. Richard's assets be used to support the mission and ministry of the North Vancouver Deanery.
The MOTION was Carried.
6.4 Order of the Diocese of New Westminster Additional Regulation
Dean of the Diocese, the Very Reverend Peter Elliott spoke to the amendment and the motion.
The D of NW may run into circumstances from time to time where people who are not members of the diocese and have given extraordinary service to the diocese can not be recognized by nomination to the ODNW. This change would allow for that eventuality.
Background
In January 2009 Diocesan Council passed Regulation 22 establishing the Order of the
Diocese of New Westminster. The summary presented to Diocesan Council at its January
2009 meeting is attached for reference.
Proposed Amendments
A simple amendment is proposed to Process 2.D and to regulation 4.6 This would
remove previous sections pertaining to the number of appointments that the Bishop had
in the first year of the Orders being conferred and replaces it with a provision allowing
for, from time to time, the Bishop’s appointment of honorary members of the Order.
PROPOSED MOTION:
That Regulation 22 be amended as follows:
By deleting current section 4.6 and replacing it with:
The Bishop may appoint Honorary Members of the Order, provided that there shall
be no more than 5 such Members appointed in any given calendar year, that such
appointment shall be for meritorious service to the Diocese, and that such persons
shall not be, at the time of the appointment, members of any Parish within the
Diocese.
The MOTION was Carried.
8.1 Financial Statements – May, June and July 2011
8.2 Interim Report from Property Redevelopment Committee
Dean Peter Elliott reported that this work is much more complicated than was first
imagined.
The development of a database that would list the properties and details about those properties regarding things like zoning would be very helpful but would consume time and resources.
The linked document contains a list of challenges with doing this work and the motion is a request for an extension of the report deadline to January 2010.
Rob Dickson asked DC to have a good look at the interim report and invited DC to comment and offer suggestions to assist the Ad Hoc Committee on Property Development.
The Motion was Carried
8.3 An Update on the Dissident Congregations
Chancellor George Cadman reminded council that there is prior approval from DC for funding of the re-establishment of ACoC ministry at the three locations.
Isaac Hampson-Thorpe asked if there was a Priest appointed yet for St. John’s Shaughnessy.
Bishop Michael responded that he would like to appoint an Interim Priest-in-Charge to be in place for at least a year in the near future. At the moment Archdeacon of Vancouver, the Venerable John Stephens is managing a Rota of clergy and musicians to lead worship there through the coming weeks beginning with the Venerable Andrew Pike. A service of Holy Communion will be celebrated by Archdeacon Pike at 11am on September 25th and he will also be the Celebrant, October 2nd and October 9th. Beginning October 2nd there will be two services each Sunday at 8 and 10am.
9.1 Standing Committee Nominations
A list of Standing Committee members and their chairs was presented to DC
And the MOTION that they be appointed to the Diocesan Standing Committees, effective immediately was Carried.
Diocesan Treasurer Ian Robertson was absent due to ankle surgery but he had written a letter to DC to be read by Assistant Treasurer Jim Stewart.
The letter was an overview of the current World financial situation and how it may effect the diocese and diocesan revenue both through investments and through giving.
The letter will be added to the September 13, 2011 Minutes.
10. Adjournment at 10pm
Next meeting, Tuesday October 11th, 2011 at St. Augustine, Marpole
imagined.
The development of a database that would list the properties and details about those properties regarding things like zoning would be very helpful but would consume time and resources.
The linked document contains a list of challenges with doing this work and the motion is a request for an extension of the report deadline to January 2010.
Rob Dickson asked DC to have a good look at the interim report and invited DC to comment and offer suggestions to assist the Ad Hoc Committee on Property Development.
The Motion was Carried
8.3 An Update on the Dissident Congregations
Chancellor George Cadman reminded council that there is prior approval from DC for funding of the re-establishment of ACoC ministry at the three locations.
Isaac Hampson-Thorpe asked if there was a Priest appointed yet for St. John’s Shaughnessy.
Bishop Michael responded that he would like to appoint an Interim Priest-in-Charge to be in place for at least a year in the near future. At the moment Archdeacon of Vancouver, the Venerable John Stephens is managing a Rota of clergy and musicians to lead worship there through the coming weeks beginning with the Venerable Andrew Pike. A service of Holy Communion will be celebrated by Archdeacon Pike at 11am on September 25th and he will also be the Celebrant, October 2nd and October 9th. Beginning October 2nd there will be two services each Sunday at 8 and 10am.
9.1 Standing Committee Nominations
A list of Standing Committee members and their chairs was presented to DC
And the MOTION that they be appointed to the Diocesan Standing Committees, effective immediately was Carried.
Diocesan Treasurer Ian Robertson was absent due to ankle surgery but he had written a letter to DC to be read by Assistant Treasurer Jim Stewart.
The letter was an overview of the current World financial situation and how it may effect the diocese and diocesan revenue both through investments and through giving.
The letter will be added to the September 13, 2011 Minutes.
10. Adjournment at 10pm
Next meeting, Tuesday October 11th, 2011 at St. Augustine, Marpole
Images taken by Nancy Southam: Top: DC broke up into five discussion groups for a conversation about the Ecclesiastical Province. Upper right, Dean Peter, Archbishop John and Randy try to get the sound working but to no avail. Lower right: Chancellor, Dean and Archdeacon at coffee time. Lower left, the Diocesan Officers respond to a bon mot made by the Archdeacon of Fraser during the ODNW discussion.
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, Director of Planned Giving, 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.