Diocesan conventions focus on stewardship, leadership
Episcopal News Service. October 20, 2009 [102009-04]
Pat McCaughan
Future episcopal leadership was the focus of several of the 11 dioceses of the Episcopal Church that held annual convention meetings over the October 16-17 weekend.
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth L. Price Jr. was unanimously approved as provisional bishop during the 144th annual meeting of the continuing Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, held at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh (see related story).
Delegates to an October 17 special convocation at All Saints' Church in Farmington, New Mexico, selected the Rev. Canon David Bailey of Utah as interim canon to the ordinary for the Episcopal Church in Navajoland. He told the gathering he intends to serve as a "co-leader" as the missionary district moves forward toward the goal of eventually electing a Navajo or Diné bishop. (See related story.)
A slate of five bishop candidates was announced during "Celebrating Changed Lives," the 87th annual convention meeting in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, held October 16-17 at the Carolina First Center in Greenville (see related story).
Despite the tough economy, several diocesan conventions approved budget increases over last year. At least two conventions, in Arizona and Spokane, focused delegates on stewardship and care of creation.
Following is a partial list of the actions of diocesan conventions over the weekend:
Arizona: Delegates to the 49th annual convention October 16-17 left the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix toting energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs as a reminder to care for God's creation. The Rev. Sally Bingham from Interfaith Power and Light served as keynote speaker while numerous workshops focused delegates and visitors on going green.
Delegates approved resolutions supporting jubilee centers and border work and immigration issues and approved a $2,885,689 budget for 2010, representing a slight decrease from $2,981,700 the previous year.
California: Bishop Marc Handley Andrus, still recovering from surgery for prostrate cancer, was unable to be present during the 160th annual convention meeting of the diocese, held at Grace Cathedral. Paul Evans, chair of the diocesan standing committee, on Andrus's behalf, chaired the convention, which approved resolutions to: restructure diocesan convention for more inclusive participation; to study diocesan complicity and participation in the sin of slavery (prompted by General Convention Resolution A123) and to support and advocate for health care for all. Delegates approved a $4.2 million budget, slightly higher than last year's.
Dallas: "Great Fellowship" was the theme of the 113th annual diocesan convention, held at the South Fork Conference Center in Parker, Texas. Convention did not consider any resolutions; rather some 116 clergy and 194 lay delegates studied and discussed the Anglican covenant, according to Bishop Suffragan Paul Lambert of Dallas. Delegates approved a $3,169,600 budget, representing about a $29,000 increase from last year.
Olympia: Delegates to the 99th annual convention October 16-17 at the Hilton Vancouver approved a budget reduced by $350,000. Some staff positions were eliminated and others reduced to part-time while a new position, that of Internet and Social Networking Resources Officer, according to Bishop Greg Rickel. He noted in his address to convention that at least 14 diocesan congregations still do not have websites. It will be the last diocesan convention for Bishop Suffragan Edna Bavi "Nedi" Rivera, who in August announced her intention to retire.
Quincy: The Peoria, Illinois-based continuing diocese of Quincy adopted a slightly reduced budget of about $140,000 at its 132nd annual synod gathering, Oct.17, according to Bishop John Buchanan. Bishop Christopher Epting served as keynote speaker at the gathering, held at St. Paul's Cathedral in Peoria. Quincy and other continuing dioceses are being aided in reorganizational efforts through a Church Pension Fund grant, Buchanan added. The current diocese includes seven congregations but, said, "There is a spirit of optimism and people are anxious to get on with the work of the church."
Quincy Episcopalians will share in a $1.45 million health and wellness benefit package devised by Episcopal Church leaders to address the trauma suffered as a result of schism within the church, according to the Rev. Canon Rick Cluett, a member of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori's staff appointed to help four dioceses reorganize and rebuild after former leadership left the Episcopal Church last year. The Church Pension Fund has awarded the grant to be administered through the CREDO Institute, Inc., offering a series of wellness conferences that would be tailored to the needs of the diocese. Initially, clergy and lay leaders from the Peoria-based diocese will be invited to one of three eight-day wellness conferences planned in the coming year with all expenses paid for by the grant. The intensive workshops will focus on spiritual, mental, emotional, financial and physical health and recovery.
Rio Grande: Attempts to reach the diocese were unsuccessful. The 57th annual convocation held Oct. 15-17 at the Airport Marriott in El Paso. The diocese is seeking a new bishop.
Spokane: "Living Water for Thirsty People", the 45th annual diocesan convention, was held at the Red Lion Hotel in Lewiston, Idaho on Oct. 16-18. It focused delegates on care of creation, according to Jeffrey Newberger, convention coordinator. For the first time, convention approved a budget over $1 million. About 99 lay delegates and 48 clergy approved the $1,017,916 budget as well as a resolution about clergy compensation.
Newberger said that delegates and visitors were asked to bring a blue strip of cloth to represent water, to drape around the altar; after the close ofconvention the cloth was donated to Project Linus, an organization that makes blankets for underprivileged children.
Western Kansas: Some 96 clergy and lay delegates to the Diocese of Western Kansas's October 15-17 convention, held in Christ Cathedral and Church of the Incarnation, Salina, approved a $350,000 reduced budget, down about 3 percent from previous years, according to Bishop Jim Adams. They also passed resolutions creating an evangelism task force and giving voice and vote to youth during convention. Another resolution approved by convention would provide the loose plate offering on fifth Sundays of the year to go to youth work.