Around the Diocese
Posted Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Diocesan Council meeting
March 29, 2008
In an effort to keep the Diocese informed of the business of Council, like other governance bodies of the diocese, we will attempt, through electronic media to provide a synopsis of our meetings. If you have any questions, please contact your Deanery representative to Council or any member of Council’s Executive Committee, whose members are; the Rev. Kathy Andonian, Mr. Alan Lindsay, Mr. F. Joseph Merlino, and Mr. George Whitfield, Vice-chairperson of the committee.
At the last meeting of Diocesan Council held Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Trinity, Solebury, the following business was transacted:
1. Financial Management – Presented by Mr. Rob Rogers, CFO of Diocese
- Parish pledge collection is at 86% and assessments at 95%
- Wapiti is closed down with all weddings and other non-Diocesan events canceled
- There is still $982,000.00 in outstanding pledges. This is typical as all money paid by the parishes go toward the assessment first then toward the pledge, unless the finance office is notified otherwise.
- Parochial reports are due May, 2008
- St. Aidan property was sold for $900,000.00
2. Report of the Fact finding team on possible Canonical violations by the Church of the Annunciation B.V.M. – Presented by the Rev. Kirk Berlenbach
- At Council’s January meeting, the Executive Committee informed the body that a request had been received from the Episcopal Authority that they had been notified of possible Canonical violations at Annunciation. Council selected the Rev. Kirk Berlenbach, the Very Rev. Carl Metzger, and Ms. Patricia Smith to conduct a fact-finding investigation in relation to Diocesan Canon 9.3.1. The results of the investigation yielded recommendations from Council, with Annunciation being required to report back to Council on some items within 30 days, others in 90 days and others by September 13, 2008. At the time of this writing, there has been progress. Council encouraged Annunciation to become compliant with all of its recommendations.
3. Finance and Property – Presented by Mr. Peter Wilmerding, Chairman
- Mr. Wilmerding reported that finance and Property contacted Bishop Bennison in regard to his $150,000.00 pledge for operational costs at Wapiti. If the pledge is not met, the matter will be taken to Standing Committee.
- Clergy representatives of the DCMM parishes met with members the leadership of the Committee to discuss their concerns.
- As requested by the auditors, a proposal was submitted to Standing Committee to separate Cathedral Village from the Diocese. Standing Committee declined the request.
- There is no budgeted money to support the operational cost of Wapiti, where the Diocesan Summer Camp is to be held this year. Money to support the operational costs would have been received from events scheduled at Wapiti, which were canceled.
4. Report of the Ecclesiastical Authority – Presented by the Rev. William Wood and Mr. Christopher Hart
- The Rt. Rev. Allen Bartlett, retired Bishop of Pennsylvania is the assisting Bishop. His concern is the pastoral care of clergy and the Diocese. Bishop Bartlett will attend Standing Committee meetings.
- The Standing Committee will host an Open Forum for the people of the Dioceses on Sunday, April 27th at St. Mary’s, Wayne. The forum is from 4:00 – 6:00.
- The Nominating Committee for Diocesan Convention will consist of one clergy and one lay person from each Deanery. As of March 29, only the Wissohickon and Southwark Deaneries had submitted any names.
- Michael Rehill, Diocesan Chancellor reported that the arrangements for the trial of Bishop Bennison are being handled by the National Church out of New York. George Whitfield requested that there be transparency of who is admitted to the trial.
5. Camp Wapiti – Presented by Mr. Doug Sherwood
- Mr. Sherwood introduced the Rev. John Williams as Director of the Diocesan Summer Camp, to be held at Wapiti. Rev. Williams presented a budget of $146,000.00. A fee for camp is $275.00. The budget was accepted by Council contingent there is funding for operational expenses by April 15th.