Governance news posted Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Letter from the Standing Committee

Christmas 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Friends, it is not our intention to write each month, but we are eager to share news from our December meeting:

With gratitude and anticipation, we have elected the Rev. Sherry Crompton Deets for a one year term on the Standing Committee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation last month of the Rev. Isaac Miller. The Standing Committee received the names of ten candidates, and invited each to submit a brief statement of interest. We elected Sherry from among these highly qualified applicants. If she chooses, Sherry may stand for election for a full term at our next Convention.

Sherry is the rector at Trinity Episcopal Church, Coatesville: a diverse congregation, currently reaching out to the community by organizing/supporting the Coatesville Community Garden with 30 raised beds and more to come in the Spring of 2012. Sherry has served as Dean of the Brandywine Deanery and is on the Diocesan Consultation Team. She recently earned a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Direction from Neumann University. Prior to attending seminary, she worked in the Personal Trust area of Core States as Vice President.

With gratitude and anticipation, we approved Bishop Bennison’s appointment of Mr. Norman McClave to serve as Treasurer of the Diocese. Mr. McClave was one of the candidates who responded to the announcement of the open position. A parishioner at Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, with a Harvard MBA and forty years’ experience as a senior level executive at several large banks, Norman is highly qualified. He has a proven record in structuring new entities and turning around difficult situations as an effective “change agent.”

We look forward to the leadership both Sherry and Norman will offer our Diocese.

The Standing Committee and Bishop approved Guidelines for use of the Property Fund, appended below.

Among other business, Committee members agreed to serve on, or as liaison to, other diocesan committees for the coming year:

  • Commission on Ministry – Kathy Andonian, Mac McCausland, & Arlene McGurk
  • Committee on Canons – Christopher Hart & Mac McCausland
  • Diocesan Consultation Team – Frank Allen, Sam Andoh, & Sherry Crompton Deets
  • Diocesan Council – Sherry Crompton Deets & Ledlie Laughlin
  • Diocesan Mission Planning Commission – Sam Andoh & Jane Cosby
  • Episcopate Budget – Frank Allen & Mac McCausland
  • Finance & Property Committee – Jo Ann Jones
  • Financial Review Committee – Kathy Andonian & Christopher Hart
  • Gathering of Diocesan Leaders – Ledlie Laughlin
  • Program Budget – Mac McCausland & Arlene McGurk
  • Retired Clergy Medical Investments Working Group – Frank Allen & Jane Cosby
  • Wapiti Sale Working Group – Jo Ann Jones

If you have questions, concerns, or hopes to share, please contact me at laughlin@stpetersphila.org or contact any member of the Standing Committee.

May the light of Christ shine brightly in your life during this Epiphany season.

Peace! Ledlie

The Rev. Ledlie I. Laughlin, President
The Standing Committee

Operating Guidelines for the Diocesan “Property Fund”

This proposal was prepared by the Diocesan Consultation Team with input from the Treasurer, the Canon for Finance, members of Diocesan Council, the Finance & Property Committee, and the Diocesan Mission Planning Commission. It was approved by the Bishop and Standing Committee on December 20, 2011.

Reporting and Public Record
At present, the balance, sources and expenditures of the Property Fund are included in the monthly Financial Report and the monthly Treasurer’s Report, but do not appear on either the Program or Episcopate Budgets.

Source of Funds

  • At present, the sole source of “income” for the Property Fund is the proceeds from the sale of churches.
  • Proceeds from the sale of churches do not go to the Property Fund in every instance. Exceptions to this can occur when, in consultation with the DCT, Bishop, and Standing Committee and in conformity with diocesan canons, two or more congregations merge and the combined assets serve as incentive for such merger and future growth; e.g., with Calvary–St. Augustine. In these cases, the newly merged congregation usually receives some or all of the proceeds.
  • “Income” to the Property Fund fluctuates considerably from year to year.

Distribution of Funds

  • Funds are distributed solely with joint approval by the Bishop and Standing Committee. Recommendations for use of Property Funds generally come from the Property Manager or the Diocesan Consultation Team. Routine distributions for predictable expenses may be pre-approved by the Standing Committee, so the Canon for Finance does not have to secure monthly approval for bill payment.

1. Maintenance of “Closed” Properties
Funds are available to provide basic security and maintenance of property pending sale or re-purposing of property. Approximately $150,000 per year for Wapiti1.

2. Emergency Property Grants
Funds may be made available as emergency property grants to congregations in need, as determined by the Bishop and Standing Committee with recommendation from the Diocesan Consultation Team. At the recommendation of the DCT, funds may be used for: 1) property repairs, 2) a consultant to guide parish leadership in planning for long-term health, or 3) property-related legal fees.

3. Wapiti Loan
Funds may be used toward paying down the balance of the Wapiti loan.

4. Salary for the Property Manager
Funds may be used for the salary and benefits of the Diocesan Property Manager.

5. New Mission Work
Funds may be used for planning and developing new mission ministry and/or church planting, pending development and approval (by Convention) of a comprehensive diocesan mission strategy.

1 SC resolution of April 19, 2011 ~
Resolved: That no money now in the Property Fund and no money that may be deposited in the Property Fund shall be used to pay expenses of any kind for the care or maintenance of Wapiti, or for the development or delivery of any program or ministry at Wapiti, until such time as Wapiti is placed on the market for sale. This prohibition is effective immediately.