The Episcopal New Yorker |

The Episcopal Diocese of New York in the form of nearly 800 people took over the Marriot in Tarrytown on November 10 and 11 for its 230th Convention.

Delegates voted on the diocesan budget and elected officers. They heard reports and debated resolutions. They prayed and they worshipped. They attended workshops and visited exhibits. Mostly, the clergy and laypeople connected,greeted, and gathered to focus on the work of the diocese.

James A. Forde of Good Shepherd, Bronx, and Sister Faith Margaret, CHS, were reelected as convention secretary and treasurer respectively. The Rev. Earl Kooperkamp of St. Mary’s Manhattanville served as chaplain and among the special guests was Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo of Tanzania.

During the Convention Eucharist, Veteran’s Day was observed through the reading of the names of the military dead from the Iraq War, followed by a haunting rendition of Taps (death) and Reveille (resurrection).

Resolutions

Convention devoted the most discussion time to a resolution “Disassociating the Diocese of New York from Resolution B033 of the 2006 General Convention.” Speakers pro and con lined up at the microphones and the debate – always respectful and polite - continued for nearly an hour.

The resolution as originally submitted was split into two. The delegates passed the first, which reaffirmed EDNY’s position on the inclusion and ordination of gays and lesbians. The second resolution urging the bishops to ignore the General Convention’s moratorium on the election of bishops “whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on the communion” was narrowly
defeated (114 yes, 138 no).

Convention approved resolutions which recognized the 231st birthday of the US Marine Corps, called for the commemoration of John Jay, endorsed a census campaign to support millennium development goals projects, asked congregations to respond to prisoners being released, changed the name of the Congregational Life And Mission Commission to Congregational Life for Mission, and called on Turkey to cease curtailing religious liberties of the Eastern Orthodox church.

Budget

The $11.9 million diocesan budget was approved. The Rev. Michael Phillips of Holy Trinity, Manhattan and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, noted “parish income is rising faster than assessment income...that’s the way it should be.” The assessment line of the budget came to almost $9.3 million and with the Congregational Support Plan (CSP) and investment funds, the total was nearly $12 million ($11,922,572). In terms of disbursement, Phillips highlighted three areas: increasing our commitment to the National Church by $125,000 to a total of $1,375,000; the hiring of a full-time chaplain at New York University; and a new budget line called Mission Initiative, which would help parishes that were beyond the scope of CSP’s abilities, with a handful of parishes being picked to pilot the project next year.

Reports

Reports to the delegates included:

Reparations Committee. Chairperson Nell Gibson reported the committee is exploring how the Episcopal Church and the institution of slavery became reconciled to each other. It asks each parish established before 1865 to look into its history. A day of remembrance is planned for Jan. 7, the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade.

Credit Union Task Force. The Rev. Gawain de Leeuw reported the Task Force cannot recommend that the diocese start up a credit union. There is not enough interest and the government would not support serving undocumented workers, one of the project’s primary missions. Instead, the Task Force recommends
considering a program to help with one-time medical expenses for the uninsured and under-insured.

Congregational Support Program (CSP). Now entering its 10th year, the CSP committee is trying to deepen its connections with parishes in the program, reported the Rev. Richard Sloan.

Diocesan Investment Trust (DIT). In addition to managing the $68 million held in trust, DIT has added the Parish Endowment Management Service to help congregations invest effectively, reported Gary Glynn. Find out more at www.ditofny.org

Cathedral of St. John the Divine. A new apartment house at Morningside Drive and 110th Street will set aside 20% of the units for low-income rentals and provide revenue to support operations,
reported the Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski, dean. Also, the restoration of the nave will be finished in 2008.

Episcopal Charities. Since it was created at the 1994 convention, Episcopal Charities has provided more than $7 million and doubled the number of programs it supports to 90, reported chair Douglas Mercer.
Rural Migrant Ministries. The program of supporting the lives and legal rights of migrant farm workers celebrates its 25th year, reported the Rev. Richard Witt.

Conference Center Task Force. Ted Pardoe encouraged delegates to consider already existing camps and conference centers for use for retreats.

Seamen’s Church Institute. Landlocked parishes have assisted thousands from around the world, said the Rev. Andy Moore.

Episcopal Social Services. The agency, whose programs include after-school and early childhood, group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those released from prison, wants to extend its reach including foster care, reported Robert Gutheil.

Appointments

The following Bishop’s appointments were announced.

Committee on Resolutions: The Rev. David Carlson, Good Shepherd, Manhattan; Liz Nealon, St. John’s, Cornwall

Credentials Committee: Jeanette Matthews, Grace, Nyack, Chair; Edward Fritsche, St. James’, Goshen; Maurice Seaton, St. James’, Callicoon; Carol Williams,St. Paul’s, Spring Valley

Convention Planning: Kay Grant, St. Andrew’s, Bronx; the Rev. Dale Cranston, Christ Church, Suffern; PamelaBrown, St. John’s-in-the-Village, Manhattan; the Rev. Michael Delaney, St. Andrew’s, Staten Island
Incorporation and Admission: Isabel Hewitt, Grace, Monroe; Donald Snyder, St. Michael’s, Manhattan

Canons Committee: The Honorable Colleen McMahon, Christ Church, Bronxville, Chair; the Rev. Stephen Gerth, St. Mary the Virgin, Manhattan; the Rev. Dr. Marsha Bacon Glover, St. Peter’s, Westchester Square, Bronx; Gerald E. Ross, Christ and St. Stephen’s, Manhattan; Christopher Mann, Grace, Manhattan

Next page: Convention workshops

THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER
230th Convention	November/December 2006
230th Convention: Focusing on the Work of the Diocese Byline

The Episcopal Diocese of New York in the form of nearly 800 people took over the Marriot in Tarrytown on November 10 and 11 for its 230th Convention. Delegates voted on the diocesan budget and elected officers. They heard reports and debated resolutions. They prayed and they worshipped. They attended workshops and visited exhibits. Mostly, the clergy and laypeople connected,greeted, and gathered to focus on the work of the diocese. James A. Forde of Good Shepherd, Bronx, and Sister Faith Margaret, CHS, were reelected as convention secretary and treasurer respectively. The Rev. Earl Kooperkamp of St. Mary’s Manhattanville served as chaplain and among the special guests was Bishop Mdimi Mhogolo of Tanzania. During the Convention Eucharist, Veteran’s Day was observed through the reading of the names of the military dead from the Iraq War, followed by a haunting rendition of Taps (death) and Reveille (resurrection). Resolutions Convention devoted the most discussion time to a resolution “Disassociating the Diocese of New York from Resolution B033 of the 2006 General Convention.” Speakers pro and con lined up at the microphones and the debate – always respectful and polite - continued for nearly an hour. The resolution as originally submitted was split into two. The delegates passed the first, which reaffirmed EDNY’s position on the inclusion and ordination of gays and lesbians. The second resolution urging the bishops to ignore the General Convention’s moratorium on the election of bishops “whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on the communion” was narrowly defeated (114 yes, 138 no). Convention approved resolutions which recognized the 231st birthday of the US Marine Corps, called for the commemoration of John Jay, endorsed a census campaign to support millennium development goals projects, asked congregations to respond to prisoners being released, changed the name of the Congregational Life And Mission Commission to Congregational Life for Mission, and called on Turkey to cease curtailing religious liberties of the Eastern Orthodox church. Budget The $11.9 million diocesan budget was approved. The Rev. Michael Phillips of Holy Trinity, Manhattan and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, noted “parish income is rising faster than assessment income...that’s the way it should be.” The assessment line of the budget came to almost $9.3 million and with the Congregational Support Plan (CSP) and investment funds, the total was nearly $12 million ($11,922,572). In terms of disbursement, Phillips highlighted three areas: increasing our commitment to the National Church by $125,000 to a total of $1,375,000; the hiring of a full-time chaplain at New York University; and a new budget line called Mission Initiative, which would help parishes that were beyond the scope of CSP’s abilities, with a handful of parishes being picked to pilot the project next year. Reports Reports to the delegates included: Reparations Committee. Chairperson Nell Gibson reported the committee is exploring how the Episcopal Church and the institution of slavery became reconciled to each other. It asks each parish established before 1865 to look into its history. A day of remembrance is planned for Jan. 7, the bicentennial of the abolition of the slave trade. Credit Union Task Force. The Rev. Gawain de Leeuw reported the Task Force cannot recommend that the diocese start up a credit union. There is not enough interest and the government would not support serving undocumented workers, one of the project’s primary missions. Instead, the Task Force recommends considering a program to help with one-time medical expenses for the uninsured and under-insured. Congregational Support Program (CSP). Now entering its 10th year, the CSP committee is trying to deepen its connections with parishes in the program, reported the Rev. Richard Sloan. Diocesan Investment Trust (DIT). In addition to managing the $68 million held in trust, DIT has added the Parish Endowment Management Service to help congregations invest effectively, reported Gary Glynn. Find out more at www.ditofny.org Cathedral of St. John the Divine. A new apartment house at Morningside Drive and 110th Street will set aside 20% of the units for low-income rentals and provide revenue to support operations, reported the Very Rev. Dr. James A. Kowalski, dean. Also, the restoration of the nave will be finished in 2008. Episcopal Charities. Since it was created at the 1994 convention, Episcopal Charities has provided more than $7 million and doubled the number of programs it supports to 90, reported chair Douglas Mercer. Rural Migrant Ministries. The program of supporting the lives and legal rights of migrant farm workers celebrates its 25th year, reported the Rev. Richard Witt. Conference Center Task Force. Ted Pardoe encouraged delegates to consider already existing camps and conference centers for use for retreats. Seamen’s Church Institute. Landlocked parishes have assisted thousands from around the world, said the Rev. Andy Moore. Episcopal Social Services. The agency, whose programs include after-school and early childhood, group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those released from prison, wants to extend its reach including foster care, reported Robert Gutheil. Appointments The following Bishop’s appointments were announced. Committee on Resolutions: The Rev. David Carlson, Good Shepherd, Manhattan; Liz Nealon, St. John’s, Cornwall Credentials Committee: Jeanette Matthews, Grace, Nyack, Chair; Edward Fritsche, St. James’, Goshen; Maurice Seaton, St. James’, Callicoon; Carol Williams,St. Paul’s, Spring Valley Convention Planning: Kay Grant, St. Andrew’s, Bronx; the Rev. Dale Cranston, Christ Church, Suffern; PamelaBrown, St. John’s-in-the-Village, Manhattan; the Rev. Michael Delaney, St. Andrew’s, Staten Island Incorporation and Admission: Isabel Hewitt, Grace, Monroe; Donald Snyder, St. Michael’s, Manhattan Canons Committee: The Honorable Colleen McMahon, Christ Church, Bronxville, Chair; the Rev. Stephen Gerth, St. Mary the Virgin, Manhattan; the Rev. Dr. Marsha Bacon Glover, St. Peter’s, Westchester Square, Bronx; Gerald E. Ross, Christ and St. Stephen’s, Manhattan; Christopher Mann, Grace, Manhattan Next page: Convention workshops

230th Convention: Focusing on the Work of the Diocese

230th Convention:
Focusing on the Work of the Diocese