229th Diocesan Convention: Parishes in Christ's Service

By NEVA RAE FOX and NICOLE SEIFERTH

Highlighting the theme Parishes in Christ’s Service, the 229th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of New York on November 19 lived up to its purpose of being one of the important annual events in the life of the diocese.

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine was transformed into a massive meeting place, with nearly one thousand clergy, lay delegates, alternates, visitors, vendors, staff and interested others attending the daylong event. The Diocesan Convention is the annual gathering and business meeting of the clergy and lay representatives of the 200+ churches in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. The decisions ranged from where funding is to be allocated for the next year, elections to diocesan posts and a review of various resolutions.

Illustrations and examples of what it means to be Parishes in Christ’s Service surrounded the attendees in the addresses, reports and presentations as well as in a multi-media video featuring photos from churches throughout the diocese.

The Bishop’s Address
In an address marked with an overview of current world situations and challenges for actions by the congregations, Bishop Mark Sisk received a standing ovation for his address to Convention.

In speaking of the Anglican Communion, he stated, “That which holds us together is so much greater than that which divides us. We really have no choice but to get on with the mission that God has given us.”

Within the larger church, he noted, “We face not only the danger of the struggle over division, but we face a much greater danger: the enormous temptation to lose respect for those with whom we disagree. To do that is to violate our Baptismal promise to respect the dignity of every human being.”
As for the world, he commented, “We are a nation at war, and we are a nation warred upon. Make no mistake, these two are deeply linked and profoundly dangerous.”

In his conclusion, the Bishop said “I challenge each and every congregation in this Diocese to look again at their programs and their educational offerings, and ask themselves: Have our programs engaged the true diversity that our community offers…I challenge each and all of us to have the courage of our convictions.”

He concluded, “What a challenge. What a glorious moment! And it’s our moment.”

Budget
The 2006 budget was passed with no amendments or discussion. New projects funded by the budget include the CAP Program, a Congregational Support Plan project that will help small congregations conduct successful capital campaigns and the Public Voice Initiative, which was created to encourage a mainstream Christian voice in the secular media. Budget increases were also introduced for Property Support for its new “roof reserve” program, which will help congregations to plan for roof replacements; for Social Concerns and Congregational Life & Mission, and for Campus Ministry and Christian Formation.

Reports
Reports were given on a variety of different programs and ministries in the diocese. The Rev. Dr. Richard Sloan, coordinator of the Congregational Support Plan, spoke about new developments in the Plan, including the effort that has been made this year and will continue next to have members of the CSP committee visit every parish in the program. “Building relationships between the committee members and every congregation in the Plan,” Sloan said, “is the only way to understand their expectations and to offer the appropriate form and level of assistance.”

C. Douglas Mercer, II, president of Episcopal Charities’ Board, thanked all those who contribute to Episcopal Charities or take part in one of the many parish outreach ministries that Episcopal Charities helps fund. Referring to those relationships as a “network of service,” he said that members of the diocese have touched the life of someone in need 10 million times since Episcopal Charities was founded 10 years ago. Mercer also reported on the new logo and tagline adopted earlier this year to better reflect Episcopal Charity’s mission and work for the larger community.

Following lunch, the Very Rev. James Kowalski, dean of the Cathedral welcomed the convention and spoke about the restoration and subsequent renewal that is underway at the Cathedral. He also reported on the real estate deals the Cathedral recently entered into with Columbia University and Avalon Bay Properties.

Delegates then heard a report on the status of the diocesan Credit Union from the Rev. Gawain deLeeuw of the Credit Union Committee. He thanked all those who have returned the credit union survey to the committee; enough have been received to submit the first letter requesting approval to the Federal Credit Union Commission. deLeeuw encouraged all members of the diocese of who have not completed the survey, to do so. “We have the minimum,” he said, “but we need more.”

The Rev. Canon Patricia Mitchell, canon for Christian Formation, introduced herself to the convention, saying that she is ready and willing to assist parishes looking to create, change or improve their Christian Formation programs. She also had a message for the people in the diocese who have an interest in or are already involved in Christian education and youth programs. “I intend to find out who you are, where you are, what your gifts are,” she said, “and put you to work.”

Robert Radke, president of Episcopal Relief and Development, also spoke briefly to the convention, thanking the diocese for their extraordinary generosity this year. Through the end of September, members of the diocese have donated $912,000 to ERD in 2005; Radke expects that number will top $1 million before the end of the year. “The outpouring of generosity from you and Episcopalians from around the country has been stunning,” he said. “Thank you very much.”

Reports on resolutions regarding the Diocesan Investment Trust (DIT) and the Compensation Guidelines for Priests were also delivered.

Resolutions
The resolutions approved by Convention were:

•The creation of a Task Force to study the development of a Diocesan Retreat and Conference Center and to report back at next year’s convention.

•Reaffirming and broadening the Episcopal Response to Hunger which urges individuals and congregations to broaden their response to hunger.

•Promoting a Culture A Non-Violence which commends to congregations to The Creative PeaceMaking program of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.

•The study of the history of slavery in the Episcopal Church which calls for the establishment of a Reparations Committee to report back at next year’s convention. This was sponsored by members of the Diocesan Reparations Task Force.

•The election of Trustees of Estate and Property: William Nolan, St. Peter’s Lithgow, Kenneth Page, Heavenly Rest, Manhattan, David Willmott, St. Luke’s In the Fields, Manhattan.

•Creating a Parish-to-Parish Partnership in Tanzania which encourages congregations to create a mutual relationship with a congregation in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika of prayer, communication, and support, including financial support of $50 per year per child for school uniforms, shoes, books/pencils, and breakfast to help AIDS Orphans.

After a lengthy discussion which included the proposal and defeat of various amendments, Convention tabled a resolution concerning genocide in Northern Uganda, in which the Diocese was to call upon the Secretary General of the United Nations to seek to implement the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948, with respect to the crimes being committed against the Acholi people in Northern Uganda.

People at the Convention
Jim Forde of Good Shepherd, Bronx, was elected Secretary of Convention and Sister Faith Margaret of the Community of Holy Spirit was elected treasurer.
The Rev. Don Waring, Grace Church, Manhattan, served as Chaplain for the Convention.

Bishop’s Appointments were:

•Canons Committee: Winthrop B. Conrad, Jr., Wolcott B. Dunham

•Resolutions Committee: The Rev. David Lee Carlson; the Rev. L. Kathleen Liles; Mary Elin Korchinsky.

•Credential Committee: Jeannette Matthews; Margaret Cotterell; Maurice Seaton; Carol Williams

•Convention Planning Committee: The Rev. J. Randolph Alexander; Marsha Ra.

•Incorporation and Admission of Parishes: Isabel Hewitt; Donald Snyder.

Annette Fredenburgh, Evelyn Lombardi, Jeannette Matthews and Sara Ssavedra were appointed Assistant Secretaries of Convention.

230th Convention in 2006

The 230th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of New York will be held on Friday, and Saturday, November 10 and 11 at the Marriott in Tarrytown.