Sunset Convocation
Meeting Minutes
October 24, 2004
St. Barnabas,
Portland
Attendees:
All Saints, Hillsboro: Bill Whipple
Christ Church, Lake Oswego: Harriet Bennett
San Pablo, Hillsboro: absent
St. Alban, Tillamook: absent
St. Barnabas, Portland: Nan DeRouse, Sheila Dougherty, Cynthia Reynolds, The Rev. Ted Rodrigues
St. Bartholomew, Beaverton: Stu Cato
St. Bede, Forest Grove: Scott Richards
St. Catherine, Manzanita: Ann Andriesse
St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville: The Rev. Craig MacColl, Koko Sutton
St. Gabriel, Portland: Kirk Bass
St. James, Tigard: absent
St. John the Baptist, Portland: The Rev. Robert Bryant, Sean Dunnahoo, Miki Grove, Dan Tabizon
St. Michael/San Miguel, Newberg: Michael Everest
Guests: Judy Cato
The meeting opened with prayer led by President Cynthia Reynolds.
Minutes from the September 12 meeting were not yet available.
Treasurer’s Report:
We received $1100.00 in funds for our McMenimen’s Outreach event in August, including a loan of $200 from event organizer Paul Brodie. The only cost was the band at $800, leaving us with a balance of $300, enough to repay the loan. Leaving a balance of $100.
Diocesan Council & Budget Report:
The final budget draft as it will be presented at diocesan convention was reviewed. No changes were noted or suggested.
Youth ministry is being reviewed, especially in terms of increasing attendance at events.
Diocesan resources are available for adult education as well as Sunday School classes.
The Peace Village that was presented and displayed at the 2003 convention is traveling overseas as well as to Oregon churches and those in other states.
The diocesan leadership program is full and will proceed as scheduled.
Convocation budget letter to Council:
It was approved to send on to Council per the change suggested at the September meeting. (See last page for final draft.)
Convention (November 18 – 20, Seaside, Oregon):
The delegation was reminded to become familiar with the agenda, proposed canonical changes, available workshops, and the traditional Convocation lunch during the Friday break.
2005 Convocation officers:
Be thinking about nominations for President (layperson).
Both Miki Grove and The Rev. Ted Rodrigues agreed to continue as Diocesan Council Reps through 2005.
We need two reps to the Diocesan Nominating Committee (one clergy, one lay).
The Diocese is asking for a Peace & Justice liaison from each convocation (clergy or lay).
Mary Dorscheimer has agreed to serve as convocation secretary through 2005.
Kirk Bass continues to serve as convocation treasurer.
Deacon Roger Reynolds continues to serve as convocation web-site and e-mail list manager.
Thanks to all who volunteered!
The bishop will hopefully be appointing a new dean by the end of the year.
Michael Everest raised the possibility of Sunset going on record as supporting the Windsor report. A discussion followed in which it was decided that the report needed to be studied further, and that the convocation would draft and submit a statement for the bishop’s office to that effect.
Sharing:
St. Michael/San Miguel – celebrated Mexican Independence Day.
St. John the Baptist – Luanne Pickering will be leaving in order to serve at St. Gabriel. The Coulter Concert Series has begun and will continue throughout 2005.
St. Gabriel – Continuing the ministry partnership with St. Bartholomew. Tom Lang was ordained deacon on September 18.
St. Francis – Utilizing the Precept Program for revisioning parish goals and objectives.
St. Bede – A fall gourmet dinner for Outreach netted over $700. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew continues to offer spiritual support.
St. Bartholomew – A “Country Fair” fundraiser is planned for helping with Karen Bretl’s Divinity School expenses.
St. Barnabas – The Harvest Bazaar is in November. The parish hall has new paint, floors, chairs, tables, and framed historical photographs.
Christ Church – Flu shots were given to all qualifying parish members. A Parish Nursing workshop has been scheduled.
The meeting closed with prayer led by The Rev. Ted Rodrigues.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Reynolds, President
Fall, 2004
Diocesan Council
Episcopal Diocese of Oregon
11800 SW Military Lane
Portland, OR 97219-8436
Dear Members of Council,
At the June 27 meeting of Sunset Convocation, we had the opportunity to review the first draft of the 2005 proposed Diocesan budget. At the outset, we were informed of the Bishop’s ministry priorities for the future as follows:
· Young Adults and Children
· Reconciliation/Evangelism
· Congregational Development
· Justice/Peace
· Partnerships (companion Dioceses)
First, we would like to recognize the significant undertaking of Council by evaluating, reviewing and prioritizing the many requests for funding to achieve a balanced budget for presentation at convention. Our process consisted of a line-by-line review with explanation and discussion of selected budget changed, led by The Rev. Ted Rodrigues and Miki Grove, the Sunset Convocation Representatives to Council. At the conclusion of our review, there were no proposals for revision to the draft budget.
Many members were, however, concerned with what appeared to be a lack of correlation between the 2004 budget and the proposed 2005 budget changes, with the ministry priorities outlined by Bishop Itty. While the 2005 budget is anticipating an increase in Total Support and Revenue of $68,000, the budget section 7 & 8 representing Diocesan Administration and Bishop and Diocesan Staff have been apparently increased by $95,000. This will result in an apparent decrease of $27,000 for all other ministries of the diocese combined. While we attributed this year’s proposed increase due primarily to the reorganization of Diocesan roles and responsibilities, there appears to be a trend in recent years toward an increasing proportion of the budget toward administrative related costs.
It is our hope that in the future, the Diocesan budget will allocate a greater proportion of its financial resources to programs that enhance our churches’ abilities to support the priorities outlined by our Bishop.
Faithfully submitted,
Sunset Convocation 2004 delegation