Selected Mailings online
Posted Monday, September 11, 2006
Letter from Bishop Bennison on Sept. 11th, 2006
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Five years ago this morning, we, the clergy of our diocese, gathered together at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill, for Clergy Day, and first heard the terrible news of the terrorist attacks on our country and its people. Little did we know then, and only vaguely do we know now, the extent to which from that moment on our world would change. We completed our prayers, embraced one another, and went our separate ways to open our church doors, and be with, not just our people, but all who came.
At our colleague Ledlie Laughlin's invitation I was privileged that evening to be at St. Peter's, Third and Pine, where a man stood up at the door of a church nave packed with neighborhood people, interrupted us as we began the service, and exclaimed, "Thank you for opening your doors! I'm a Jew, and we're still trying to find my son in the World Trade Center. Thank you for opening your doors to us."
Our doors were open then, and they remain open - wide open - now. Indeed, openness - to others' suffering as our own, to harsh local and global realities, to new ideas, to provocative questions, to self-criticism, to transformation - has become a hallmark of our church. What with the uncertainty, lack of control, and messiness it brings, openness is not easy. But without it we would fall far short of being the corpus mixtum, the via media characterized by comprehensiveness that we believe God calls us to be.
May this spirit of openness blow through our midst as we gather for our ninth Annual Clergy Day tomorrow to welcome into our midst a large number of new colleagues, and renew our old friendships, as well. As we gather I want to bring you up to date on a number of things in our common life:
Congregational Support for the 2007 Program Budget
Clergy in charge of congregations will receive shortly your 2007 assessments and asking for voluntary support of the diocese in 2007. The Episcopate Assessment, established by the Standing Committee on August 29, will drop from $991,663 this year to $703,000 next year. On September 9 Diocesan Council moved ministries funded by the Episcopate Assessment this year to the Proposed 2007 Program Budget. The Proposed Budget reflects a new Diocesan Staff structure that I am in the process of creating, taking into consideration the concerns and advice you, the clergy of our diocese, expressed at our day together last November 16 at the Lutheran Seminary and since. Thus, the new structure includes an emphasis on having clergy in executive leadership roles at Church House, an emphasis on supporting clergy and congregations, and a revitalized and regular worship at Church House. In it there would be three new senior executives - a priest of the diocese who would serve as Canon to the Ordinary, a priest of the diocese who would serve as Canon for Communication and Education, and Rob Rogers, who is now serving as Canon for Finance and Administration. To make this possible, total giving to the diocese - Assessments plus voluntary pledges - must increase $100,000 over this year. I beg of you your generosity as you prepare to offer your pledge November 11.
Canon to the Ordinary
If financial support for the diocese increases $100,000 next year, I will be able to bring on staff a Canon to the Ordinary, who will assume in varying degrees duties formally carried by Susan Mayer, Charles Carroll, and Barbara Alton, and be "the first among equals," supervising the work of the Canon for Finance and Administration and the Canon for Communication and Education, and: (1) carrying responsibility for the human resources function for the entire Diocesan Staff, (2) sharing with me oversight of diocesan responsibility for the clergy and congregations of the diocese, directing those on the staff working in congregational development (including the Archdeacon, Canon for Youth, the Canon for Transitional Ministries, Diocesan Pastoral Assistant, Diocesan Planning Consultant, and Assistant for Diocesan Properties) overseeing the congregations receiving diocesan financial support, and spearheading the planting of new churches where opportunity arises, such as now at St. James-the-Less, East Falls, and the properties of the former St. Martin's, Boothwyn, and St. Alban's, Olney; (3) overseeing the ordination process, and offering staff support to the Commission on Ministry, and (4) organizing worship in the Church House Chapel.
Canon for Communication and Education
Again, if next year financial support for the diocese increases $100,000, I will be able to bring on staff a priest of the diocese to serve as Canon for Communication and Education, who will develop, oversee, and guide the ways in which we as a diocese work to inform and inculcate in ourselves and others our identity as Episcopalian Christians in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, both through effective communications and compelling educational offerings. This priest will be responsible for interpreting to the diocese itself and to the wider public the positions of the diocese on a variety of issues and communicating the goals of the diocese through our website, monthly online newspaper, and print media, including the publication of the Annual Report, Annual Budget, Convention Journal, and Canons. S/he will have ultimate oversight of the Leadership Institute, the Ministry Resource Center, and other present or future components of the diocesan educational ministry. S/he will oversee the work of the Director of Education and Training, his assistant, the consultant who is developing the diocesan website and online newspaper, and the database manager.
Canon for Administration and Finance
Rob Rogers, who since June has done an absolutely superb job overseeing the finances, has agreed to remain on the staff as the Canon for Finance and Administration. He supervises the work of the Treasurer's Office and its staff, supports the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer in their reporting to the Committee on Finance and Property, the Diocesan Council, and Diocesan Convention, and oversees the business of the diocese.
Response to Parishes in Violation of the Canons
As of this month, four years have passed since the deposition of David Moyer, whom the wardens and vestry of Good Shepherd, Rosemont, continue to permit to function in their parish. As of next month, four years will have passed since the wardens and vestry of All Saints', Wynnewood, persisted in permitting Edward Rix to function in their parish without a license. The Standing Committee has declared the wardens and vestries of both parishes to be in violation of the canons, requiring me under Diocesan Canon 13.4, "to take such steps as may be legally necessary or proper to vest such property [of a parish that has ceased in act in accordance with the Constitution, Canons, doctrine, discipline and worship;] real or personal, in the Church Foundation." While Canon 13.4 states that seeking reconciliation is not to be precluded by the Standing Committee's action, I do not believe that further efforts at reconciliation will effect change. As one of seven appointed to the House of Bishops' Property Dispute Task Force I know that the longer we wait now, the more difficult and expensive will be legal action to meet our responsibilities to hold in trust both properties. Later this month the Standing Committee, the Chancellor, and I will meet to discuss what next steps we should take. Our auditors have advised us that this year we have spent $15,000-$20,000 in legal fees versus the budget of $250,000 that has been funded through your Episcopate Assessments. With the unexpended legal fees the Committee on Finance and Property is establishing Legal Defense Reserve.
Caring for Closed Congregations
This past June, I deconsecrated St. Martin's, Boothwyn, and Emmanuel and the Good Shepherd, Kensington, which had closed earlier in the year. Other churches that have closed leaving us property or assets are: Calvary/St. Paul's (2002), St. Alban's, Olney (2003), St. Peter's, Broomall (2004); St. Bartholomew', Wissinoming (2004), St. Peter's, Germantown (2005); Transfiguration, West Chester (January 29, 2006), and the Church- Without-Walls (March 4, 2006). In addition, while St. James-the-Less is not "closed," we face the challenge of re-activating its ministry. The combined Average Sunday Attendance of all ten churches was around 200 worshippers. Many of the members of the churches are now worshipping at other churches in the diocese. To make as pastorally sensitive as possible the decision-making process that leads to their closing, Barbara Blodgett and I meet with the congregations to weigh options, share memories, hear stories, express hopes, and bear with them the burden of their grief, which can be profound. In addition, last week the Rev. Lorne (Bud) Ruby joined our staff in a part-time position as Assistant to the Bishop for Diocesan Properties. Bud has served in interim ministries in a number of our congregations, he knows the diocese well, and he is a skilled property manager who can bring to his task vast pastoral skills in working with our clergy and people.
Transitions:
Roy Almquist begins as Interim of St. Peter's-in-the-Great Valley on October 1. Harper Turney is now the Priest-in-Charge of Good Shepherd, Hilltown. James Robertson is now on the staff of the Cathedral in Wilmington, Delaware. Ernest Curtin is now curate at St. Luke's, Newtown Square. Kathy Andonian, Elizabeth Colton, Robin Martin, and Jill Mathis are the facilitation team for Fresh Start.
Re-activation of the Diocesan Property Fund
On August 29 the Standing Committee concurred with my request to invest the proceeds from the sale of closed church properties (in contrast to other assets left to the diocese from a closed church, such as endowment assets, savings, etc.) in the Diocesan Property Fund, in order to use the monies (both investment income and, occasionally, the principal of the fund) to care for our closed church properties, Church House, 3717-3719 Chestnut Street, and other properties that are under our responsibility.
The Diocesan Property Fund is not new. On October 28, 1980, as a result of discussions between the Church Foundation and the Diocesan Controller in 1978 and 1979, the Standing Committee recommended that twelve of the funds be consolidated into a new Diocesan Property Fund, and "that the principal and/or income from the new fund be allocated for general Diocesan purposes as specified from time-to-time by the Bishop and Standing Committee." The Standing Committee included "a provision that the allocation of principal and/or income from the new fund should supercede any or all previous directions given by the Bishop or Standing Committee with respect to the funds specified by the resolution."
The monies spent from the Property Fund are repaid through the sale of closed churches, or through reimbursements by a new church plant which is launched and built with monies from the Fund, or by a transformational congregation that has borrowed money, once it is strong enough to make repayments. The market value of recently closed churches totals $1,227,348 (St. Bartholomew's, Wissinoming: $218,958; St. Peter, Broomall: $740,246; St. Martin's, Oak Lane: $268,144.04).
Congregations in Transition:
Canon Jill Mathis is currently overseeing 30 congregations in transition, including St. Mark's, Locust Street; Holy Trinity, West Chester; St. Mary's, Warwick; St. John's, Compass; St. Peter's-in-the-Great Valley; Emmanuel, Quakertown; Holy Nativity, Wrightstown; Holy Comforter, Drexel Hill; Trinity, Swarthmore; St. James', Prospect Park; Holy Nativity, Rockledge; Holy Trinity, Lansdale; St. Dunstan's, Blue Bell; St. Andrew's, Somerton; All Saints', Crescentville; Resurrection, Mayfair; Trinity Memorial; St. Philip's Memorial Church; Christ Church, Pottstown; St. Jude and the Nativity; Grace Epiphany; St. Alban's, Roxborough; and Redemption, Southampton.. For information contact Jill Mathis at jills@diopa.org
Canonical Discipline of the Rev. David Ousley
On August 29, 2006, I informed the Rev. David Ousley that I have affirmed the declaration of the Standing Committee on July 24, 2006, that, under Canon IV.10, he has abandoned the communion of this church. Canon IV.10 gives him six months to recant (or until February 28, 2007) or I will be required to depose him. Pray that he does so.
Stevick Theological Library
The Bishop White Parish Library Association has made a $8000 grant to be used to catalogue the Diocesan Stevick Theological Library at the Cathedral. At this point we have almost 13,000 books in the system. Volunteers are currently affixing labels on those books. As the books are labeled they are being arranged. For the past three years the Chapter has been working on making the library accessible. We have purchased software that will allow people to peruse the library on the internet. Our goal is to have the Library fully operational by the next Diocesan Convention in November 2007.
Appointments
I have recently appointed Jill Beimdiek as Judge of Elections, Peter Grandell as chair of the new Stewardship Commission, Lucy Amerman as chair of the Committee on Incorporation, Donna Dambrot as Chair of Convention Arrangements Committee, Hank Galganowicz and Donna Dambrot as our representatives on the Administrative Committee of the Religious Leaders' Council of Greater Philadelphia, Kwabena Owusu- Afriyie as chair of Committee on Eligibility of Clergy Seats, Jim Proud a member of the Committee on Constitution and Canons, Barbara Abbott as Diocesan Coordinator of ER-D, and Peter Doris, a layman at St. Asaph's, Bala Cynwyd, as Chair of the Middle East Study Group
Congratulations:
To Martini Shaw and the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, whose Gospel Choir has been asked to sing at the institution of the new Presiding Bishop on November 4 … Peter Pearson, vicar of St. Philip's in New Hope, for raising the community profile of his parish by hosting "Hogs, Harleys and the Holy Spirit," a blessing of the motorcycles bikes, followed by a procession of cycles into New Hope … to Kevin Moroney, assistant, St. David's, Radnor, and Rosemary E. Curran, on the occasion of their marriage on August 24 … to Richard Giles, who will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on September 25 … to the following parishes that have received grants from Partners for Sacred Spaces - Christ Church, Philadelphia, a grant of $100,000 for capital expenses; St. Andrew and St. Monica, a $100,000 to upgrade its building systems; St. John's, Norristown, a $50,000 grant for facade and roof repair; Holy Trinity West Chester, a grant of $25,000; Trinity Coatesville, a grant of $37,000; St. Mary's, Hamilton Village, a grant of $100,000.
Finally:
Please make every effort to stay the day tomorrow when from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. we will address more such matters. I will speak briefly abut the new structure for the Diocesan Staff, Common Lectionary, UMC Interim Eucharistic Sharing, etc. We will also hear from Treasurer Keel Jones on diocesan finances, the audit, and the 2007 Program Budget; Bud Ruby on diocesan properties; Henry Carnes on electronic communications and the Leadership Institute; ECAP members on the November Clergy Conference they are planning for us; Guy Collins on continuing education; Renee McKenzie-Hayward, Harriet Kollin, Jim Ley on the Black Aspirants Recruitment Task Force Report; David Rivers on the Libro de Oracion Comun Project and the Companion Diocese Committee; Barbara Blodgett on pastoral assistance and Safe Church Training; Barbara Abbott on ER-D Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Response; Greg Wilson on campus ministry; Dave Thomas on the Wapiti land transaction; and Ruth Kirk and Penny Cutler on General Convention outcomes.
I hope and pray that you have had a good summer and are energized for the challenges and opportunities we face in the days ahead, and I very much look forward to seeing each of you tomorrow.
Faithfully in Christ,
Charles E. Bennison, Jr.