Sunset Convocation Meeting Minutes

March 16, 2003

St. Francis of Assisi, Wilsonville

 

Attendees:

 

All Saints:  Roger Baughman, Jan Pedersen

St. Barnabas:  Mark Mahon, Cynthia Reynolds, Ted Rodrigues

St. Bartholomew:  Roger Reynolds, Janet Roth

St. Bede:  Brandon Filbert, Mica Monsantofils

St. Catherine:  Joel Sacks

St. Francis:  Nancy Kopelk, KoKo Sutton, John Wysock

St. Gabriel:  Paul Brodie, David Brownmiller, Thomas Lang

St. James:  Judy Lebens

St. John the Baptist:  Robert Bryant, Mary Dorscheimer, Sean Dunnahoo, Pat Morris-Rader, Alice Speers

St. Margaret:  Milt Howe, Bruce Schroeder

St. Michael/San Miguel:  Linda Seelye

Parishes not represented were:  Christ Church, St. Alban, San Pablo

 

The meeting opened at 2:05 with prayer, and was chaired by Cynthia Reynolds and Roger Reynolds.

 

The convocation welcomed the attendees from St. Margaret – the newest mission parish in the diocese.  Cynthia also welcomed all the new convocation delegates, and thanked

St. Francis for hosting us.

 

Diocesan Council Report:  Miki Grove, our representative to Council, talked about the

January retreat, being prison ministry liaison to Council, and having learned about

budget preparation   Ted Rodrigues told of visitations to parishes by Council members,

and will tell them of resources of diocese (also to learn of parish resources that diocese

can use).  William Temple House is putting its building on the market for sale.  Will move into three separate needy locations, although the Thrift Store will stay and

another one will open in the SE area.  April 17, at Trinity Cathedral, there will be a celebration of its past and future.  Was recommended that each parish do a mutual

ministry review so that Council will know the health of each parish before they arrive.

Miki said the visits will be more an exchange of information.  Ted will let Simon

Justice, Chair of Council, know of this suggestion.  St. James has already done a

Perscept process.

 

Robert Bryant, new rector at St. John the Baptist, introduced himself to the convocation.

 

Parish Sharing:

 

All Saints, Hillsboro::  Lenten soup suppers with a service and study of the

            Psalms; ShroveTuesday pancake supper; growing in attendance.

St. Barnabas, Portland:  Reinvigorating the Men’s Group (Beer and Brats); monthly pot-lucks; Lenten soup suppers with study of  History of the Episcopal Church;  has recently received several thanksgiving gifts;  bought a projector;  working on 50th Anniversary celebration;  a lot of youth involvement;  Cynthia Reynolds has completed her training and is now a licensed lay preacher.

St . Bartholomew, Portland:  Linda Potter doing the Lenten program; has produced a Lenten booklet; having a separate Lenten program for the children and they will do the flood story at the Easter Vigil.

St. Bede, Forest Grove:  Held their 26th annual pancake supper; a Hispanic group is using their facility – called “Women Forward”; youth are having a fund raiser for their activities; Lenten series is a Review of Seeking God; contemplative prayer group held each week; outreach committee reinvigorated; Friendship dinners being held within congregation.

            St. Catherine, Manzanita:  Congregation growing, having a half time vicar is a

            real help;  their annual pancake supper proceeds will go to the Tillamook Food

            Bank; Lectio Divina is held each week, as well as a Christian/Zen meditation

            Group; in process of selecting an architect for new church building.

            St. Francis, Wilsonville:  Rector on sabbatical; two brunch groups in place;

            bible study being held between services; choir did a concert with desserts; there

            are two seminarians from their congregation; encouraging first year vestry

            members to go to stewardship workshop; holds a quilting class for woman

            prison inmates.

St. Gabriel, Portland: Has hired new choir director and is in a search

            for a new Youth Director;  a Korean mission is using the church – two services

            each Sunday.  A Montessori school also uses the facility (getting income of

$1,000 per month from the Korean Mission and the school); doing Rule of Life for Lenten series; putting together a home meditation booklet; Adult Ed Lenten

            Series is on simplicity; will have a concert series in the Fall; refinanced mortgage

            In December; former vicar, Craig McCall is now with Vision Network in

            Washington County (brochures of that program were handed out).

St. James, Tigard:  Just hired a Music Director – trying blended musical service; part-time Youth Director; will soon need to go to three services; all events and

meetings end with prayer;  food is important at all events;  youth participate in

services; Lenten program is C.S. Lewis’ “Screwtape Letters”; numerous small

group activities; still doing Sinners Dinners; will put on a formal Spring Tea; men

will put on a golf scramble.

            St. John the Baptist, Portland:  Lenten soup suppers are held with new rector,

            Robert Bryant, leading the forums on Discovering a Balanced Strategy for

Spiritual Growth, and Stations of the Cross and Compline held during Lent; has begun Godly Play for church school; held a fund raiser for pew cushions.

St. Margaret, Tualatin:  Newest Mission in diocese; meets at Marylhurst; Priest

In Charge is Palmer Pardington; about 20 people at Sunday service; looking for

Outreach projects.

St. Michael/San Miguel, Newberg:  Trying to raise funds to buy Baptist church located next door; several small groups meeting; Adult Ed doing contemplative bible readings; children’s choir being formed.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

            -Bishop Search Update:

 

Cynthia asked us to study information put out on candidates.  She handed out details on walkabouts.  It was suggested that convocation meet between the

Walkabouts and the election.  It was decided, however, to meet with our congregations, instead.

 

-Discrimination Letter

 

Cynthia has proposed a change in wording of letter (see letter).

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

            -Election of Convocation President:

Cynthia Reynolds was nominated and  unanimously elected as our Convocation

            President for this year.

 

            -General Convention:

Alice Speers told us the dates of GC, which are July 28 through August 10.  She says conversations have ensued as possible resolutions.  She will communicate these with convocation.  Janet Roth suggested a diocesan chat line for convention news only, and will present a report at our August meeting.

 

-Cursillo Activities:

Judy Lebens has asked for volunteers for Cursillo activities.  The next Men’s Cursillo will be held April 24-27, and the next Women’s Cursillo will be 5/1-5/4.

 

-Roger Reynolds reported that we are the only convocation in the diocese with a web site (sunsetcon.org).

 

-Upcoming Convocation Meeting Dates:

            June 22 – St. Barnabas

            August 24 – St. Bartholomew

            October 26 – St. John the Baptist

 

-The Diocesan Convention will be held in Corvallis.

 

 

Roger Reynolds led us in a closing prayer.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Dorscheimer, Acting Secretary