The 15th Annual Council
Diocese of Southern Virginia
February 9-11, 2007
The 15th Annual Council was called to Order on Friday, February 9, 2007, at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. The Church of the Good Shepherd was represented at Council by our Rector, Ross Wright, along with delegates Ben Lehman and Rick Curtis. Vikki Curtis also attended as an alternate delegate. These representatives of the Church of Good Shepherd attended the opening of Council on Friday and the business meeting on Saturday, February 10, 2007. Following is a summary.
Friday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.
The opening of the Council was followed by Evening Prayer. Attendance at the Council was reported: 96 of 113 clergy in the Diocese were registered and 81 of 122 congregations in the Diocese were represented by 183 delegates and alternates. Minutes of the 114th Council were approved. Several Bishops attending the Council were recognized as well as retired Southern Diocese Bishops Charles Vache and David Bane. Bishop Frank Vest was not able to attend. Bishop Bane commented that he had retired just in time to have both hips replaced and shoulder surgery.
Bishop Buchanan welcomed all to Williamsburg, commenting on the upcoming 400th year anniversary celebration of Jamestown and a Holy Eucharist at Jamestown Island scheduled for Sunday, June 24, 2007. In recognizing that the Diocese of Southern Virginia was formed here in 1894, Bishop Buchanan commented that as we convene in this location designated as the heart of history, we learn from the past and the present to discern what God wants us to do.
Bishop Buchanan welcomed new clergy to the Diocese including Dick Budd at Christ the King in Williamsburg and Ross Wright at the Church of the Good Shepherd. He then followed up with business items, referring Resolutions not received before Council, the granting of seat and voice to non-delegates, and nominations of lay and clergy to the Standing Committee, the Ecclesiastical Court and the Provincial Synod for voting on Saturday, February 10, 2007.
The Report of the Committee on Status of Parishes and Missions was made reporting on changes in the status of 6 congregations. It was recommended that the canons be changed or rewritten in light of the clergy shortage taking into account the current trends in the national church. The importance of submitting the annual parochial report in a timely and accurate manner was also emphasized. The report is due on March 1st. Other reports were filed, including one from the Chanco Board, the Provincial Synod and the Historiographer.
The opening meeting was closed with Compline.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Council reconvened Saturday morning opening with a Morning Devotional. Bishop Buchanan then provided his opening remarks. As a retired Bishop from the Diocese of Missouri, he stated his presence here was in answer to God’s call and that his ambition is to be helpful to the Lord, to His Church and to us. He reminded us that the upcoming anniversary of the first Anglican Eucharist in America is a present reminder that for 400 years there have been Bishops with Anglican over site in America. In the Book of Common Prayer, Bishops are charged with carrying on the Anglican work of leading, supervising and uniting the Church. The Greek word, Episcopal, means Bishop and the name, Episcopal Church indicates a desire to be faithful to our Anglican tradition.
In 1888, the Lambeth Commission expressed the Anglican Commission’s desire to heal the division within Christiandom. Doing this with (1) the Holy Scripture, (2) Creeds, (3) Sacraments, and (4) Bishops. The ministry of Bishops is a visible sign of apostolic life, mission and industry. The unity of congregations with one another is through their Bishops. The Bishop serves as an apostle, the chief priest and a pastor. Christiandom has historically found its completeness and fullness when there is a Bishop.
Bishop Buchanan identified the main challenges facing us as a Diocese: stewardship and the challenge of providing for sacramental life to smaller congregations of the Diocese. He noted that there is not enough income to the Diocese to support its needs. Some unmet needs reflected in the budget include placing chaplains in some colleges, and more support for Jackson Field and the Department of Stewardship. Data shows that in this Diocese voluntary giving is not working. In his Missouri Diocese a mandatory assessment of 19% was placed on all congregations. He recommended that the Diocese address this issue before calling a new Bishop.
He recommended that we all increased giving to the local congregation without restriction and those local congregations in turn give to the Diocese without restriction. Institutions that do not have an outward focus do not thrive or survive. If a church’s focus is not outward it will not thrive.
With respect to the issue of providing for sacramental life of our smaller congregations, Bishop Buchanan noted that the idealistic life portrayed by Jan Karon in the Mitford book series was not realistic. Due to personnel shortage there are not enough seminary trained priests to supply all congregations. With a retirement age of 55 and seminaries half full, there is a lack of traditionally trained seminary personnel. In addition he noted that many smaller congregations don’t have enough money to support the minimum cost of a compensation package (about $70,000/year). He recommended that another model be considered that would provide the opportunity for sacramental worship for those in smaller congregations.
The Bishop’s Address was followed by short presentations from Joe Green (inviting all to attend a service at St. Paul’s in Suffolk to salute Black congregations in remembrance of Absalom Jones) and Bruce Cameron, the resident scholar at Bruton Parish Church. These were followed with the presentation of the Treasurer’s report and the proposed budget for 2007. It was noted that there are 2 reasons for supporting a diocese: (1) to provide an administrative framework, and (2) to fund and support ministry on a large scale. The Diocese of Southern Virginia is poorly funded. Data shows that contributions to the Diocese have dropped significantly (from $2,391,219 in 1987 to $1,456,122 in 2006). In comparing this to the number of baptized members in the Episcopal Church for the period 1995-2005 it is clear this is not due to a drop in the number of people in the Diocese. This data shows that the number of baptized members for this 10 year period has remained fairly stable and the dollars contributed to local congregations has been slowly increasing.
The projected revenues for the 2007 budget are $1,965,743. The Canons require that a balanced budget be approved at annual Council. In deciding how to allocate revenues, participants in the budget process were asked to define priorities as (1) vital, (2) important, and (3) only if funding available. The top third of the priorities received 80 percent of requested funding. The second third received 40 percent on their 2006 approved budget and the bottom third received 20 percent of their 2006 approved budget.
The major categories of the budget as presented and approved are:
Formation 161,190
Mission 287,345
Support 300,427
Properties 66,039
Personnel 975,111
Total $1,965,007
Much discussion revolved around the decision of the budget committee to roll up the personnel amount rather than provide detail. The compensation package for the Canon to the Ordinary (which was detailed in another part of the budget report) was questioned as being excessive. This amount was later clarified. Other comments questioned the decision to not provide funding or to provide limited funding to certain areas such as St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Jackson Field, the Virginia Faith Council and Chanco. A motion to return the budget to committee for further review was denied as being out of order. Other comments questioned the process and the failure to communicate back to those making the budget requests.
In addressing the use of proceeds from the sell of real property to pay off loans used to fund severance packages, concern was expressed about not keeping this money for future property purchases. In responding to comments, it was noted that a 9 percent tithe of 2005 pledge and plate income from all congregations would have allowed the requested budget items to have been fully funded. After a motion to terminate debate, the budget was approved and following a noon day devotional, Council adjourned for lunch.
Following the lunch break the afternoon session convened without break to discuss and vote on submitted Canonical Resolutions and other Resolutions concerning support for the Millennium Development Goals, Commitment to Anti-Racism, the Windsor Report, the Status of Parishes and Missions, the Format of Annual Council, Funding the Diocese and Use of Diocesan Funds for Filing Lawsuits, The successful lay and clergy members elected for the Standing Committee, Ecclesiastic Court and Provincial Synod were also announced. The Bishops appointments to various Council committees and positions had previously been announced.
The Report of the Committee on Constitution and Canons recommended numerous changes to the Canons in a general “house cleaning” effort. The intent was to modernize the language. Changes were presented as Canonical Resolutions 1 through 6. Canonical Resolution C-1 submitted by the Executive Board provided for changes to Canons I, II (provide that the secretary of the Diocese also serve as the secretary for the Executive Board) and IV (major revisions to the duties of the Treasurer), Canon VII Finances, and Canons XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, and XXVIII. Changes to Canon VII drew the most comments and ultimately changes to Section 3 of this Canon which would have added a tithe requirement from local churches to the Diocese was withdrawn. Several other “friendly” amendments to the proposed language were accepted and Canonical Resolution C-1 passed.
Canonical Resolution C-2 submitted by the Executive Board was also passed. In commenting on this resolution it was noted that a recommendation to reduce the size of the Executive Board was considered and rejected. Other changes to Canons VIII: OF Convocation and IX: Of the Executive Board were passed with a minor “friendly” amendment to make Section 3 of Canon VIII gender neutral. Changes to these canons included clarification of how the Executive Board was made up, designated the Diocesan Bishop as the Chair of the Executive Board and made the time for submitting appropriations requests a function of the Treasurer rather than the Executive Board.
Canonical Resolution C-3 was submitted by the Committee on the Status of Parishes and Missions with a comment that it was intended to make Canon XIII less confusing. This canon sets forth categories of congregations. The recommended amendments were intended to make the canons less confusing. When questioned about the motivation for the change, delegates were reassured that it was not the intent to change the status of any current congregation or require it to resubmit any additional paperwork. The Resolution passed and categories of congregations are parishes, cures, missions, mission stations, ecumenical communities, chapels and shrines. Section 1 of Canon XIV was modified to define a Parish in union with Council as consisting of (a) a congregation of not less than 45 adult confirmed communicants in good standing, (b) who contribute to the operating account of the Diocese as outlined in Canon VII, Section 3 and (c) provides for full support of a rector and any additional clergy by maintaining an annually approved agreement between vestry and clergy that addresses clergy compensation and benefits and minimum base salary as specified in the Canons. In addition a Parish shall provide for Comprehensive Sexual Misconduct Liability insurance coverage and for all other operating expenses and obligations. The resolution passed.
Canonical Resolution C-4 was submitted by the Committee on Constitution and Canons and was necessitated by changes to the canons adopted in Resolution C-3. Resolution C-4 was adopted.
Canonical Resolution C-5 was submitted by members of the 2006 deputation to General Convention and others. This resolution amends Canon XI to add a section providing that at least one of the lay deputies or alternates to General Convention shall be a young adult who is 16 years of age or older at the time of election and 26 years of age or younger on the opening day of the General Convention to which he/she attends. It was pointed out that the national canons grant full adult membership to youth at age 16. Those ages 16-17 are considered youth and 18 and older are considered young adults. The resolution generated much discussion, primarily in support of the amendment, including comments by youth and young adults present at this Council. The canon amendment was adopted.
Canonical Resolution C-6 was submitted by the vestries of several churches from the Norfolk-Virginia Beach region. The resolution amends Canon XIV so that the definition of Parish does not require a full-time rector. The resolution passed.
Resolutions 1 through 3 were included in the most recent edition of the Jamestown Cross. Resolutions 4-5 and Canonical Resolution C-8 and Resolution (Newly Occasioned): Use of Diocesan Funds… were added later.
Resolution 1: Concerning Continued Support for the Millennium Development Goals and Resolution 2: Concerning Our Commitment to Anti-Racism Training were adopted with little comment. Resolution 3: Concerning the Windsor Report generated many comments. As reported in the Jamestown Cross, Council was asked to reaffirm Resolution R-2 (The Windsor Report #1) as amended and approved at its 114th Council and in particular the phrase, “fully embraces the Windsor Report in letter and spirit” A sampling of the numerous comments follows. It was stated that the resolution was not needed as Archbishop Eames had said the Episcopal Church had done all it needed to do. It was later stated that this was Archbishop Eames personal opinion and did not reflect the view of the wider church. It was suggested that Bishop Buchanan not become a signatory to with the “Windsor Bishops.” When questioned, Bishop Buchanan upon consultation with other Council leaders confirmed that Resolution 3 whether adopted or not would not remove or alter Resolution 2 at the 114th Council to affirm the Windsor Report.
A motion was made to delete the second and third paragraphs of Resolution 3. The second paragraph resolved that the 115th Council expresses disappointment over the failure of the 75th General Convention to respond adequately to the recommendations of the Windsor Report. The third paragraph resolves that the 115th Council commends the initial work of the “Windsor Bishops” and their acknowledgment of the need for The Episcopal Church to comply with the Windsor report. The motion to delete these paragraphs was carried. Another motion was made to divide the question (vote on the remaining resolved paragraphs, 1 and 4, separately) and to vote by orders (lay and clergy). This motion was also carried and discussion continued. Paragraph 1 simply resolved that the 115th Council reaffirms its 114th Council position that “fully embraces the Windsor Report in Letter and Spirit.” Paragraph 4 resolved that the 115th Council calls upon the Presiding Bishop to “…exercise all power and influence…fully adopting and enacting the recommendations of the Windsor Report…evidencing its desire…to restore and strengthen full communion with the 37 other Provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion.” The resolution was not adopted with 70 lay delegates voting for adoption and 120 voting not to adopt the resolution. The clergy vote was 43 in favor and 48 against the resolution.
Resolution 4 agreeing to freeze use of the current designations assigned to congregations was passed. Resolution 5 concerning the change of dates for annual Council from a Friday-Sunday to Thursday through Saturday was referred to the Executive Board for further study. This resolution generated much discussion. The Diocese currently has a contract with Colonial Williamsburg through 2011 which stipulates a Friday through Sunday format. Any change in this contract would involve a significant cost. In addition, any format involving only one night as suggested by some would involve a significant increase in cost. Many spoke in favor of a move to Thursday through Saturday so clergy could serve in their own congregations on Sunday. Others were concerned that such a change would reduce the ability of working and young high school student delegates as well as clergy spouses to attend Council.
Canonical Resolution C-8: Concerning Funding the Diocese was submitted by Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church Virginia Beach. This resolution would have amended Canon VII to state that each Parish and Mission shall pledge…a tithe of the annual average of the preceding two years’ total operating expenses, less Rector stipend and other documented Outreach Expenses. Discussion of this resolution was made moot by the earlier withdrawal of the proposed amendment put forth in Canonical Resolution C-3.
Resolution - Proposed (Newly Occasioned): Use of Diocesan Funds for Initiation of Lawsuits generated much discussion and a close vote. In general the resolution called upon the Diocese of Southern Virginia to seek to maintain relations with parishioners, clergy and officials of departing parishes that are “as amicable, loving and respectful as possible.” Specifically the resolution stated that the 115th Council “does not permit the use of Diocesan Treasury funds or any other resources for the purposes of initiating lawsuits against departing parishes, including any such parishes that may have declared disassociation from the Diocese since January 1, 2001.” The rationale for the limitation on lawsuits was concern for the “staggering financial burden (estimated to be at least $500,000 per case),” and the likelihood that any trust or future cooperation would exist in the event of such litigation. The paragraph prohibiting use of Diocesan funds to initiate lawsuits was of most concern as it would impede the fiduciary duty of the Diocese. The resolution was amended to withdraw this paragraph. The amended resolution failed to pass with a vote of 139 for it and 153 against it.
Election results were reported as follows:
Standing Committee:
Provincial Synod: Lay - Clergy-The Rev John Boucher
Ecclesiastical Court: Lay-Nettie Bailey, Clergy-The Rev Susan Grimm and The Rev Michael Delk
The Chairman of the Standing Committee provided a report to Council. The recommendations to the Standing Committee from three Bishops included the following: (1) appoint your best leaders to a transition team and enter into a healing phase for your Diocese that lets all express feelings, (2) Bishop Johnson, followed by Bishop Buchanan as Interim Bishop, (3) reduce the size of the Executive Board, (4) overhaul the Diocesan finances, (5) provide for congregational participation in the Diocesan budget, and (6) improve communications between the Executive Board and the Standing Committee. Other parts of this summary indicate how these recommendations have been addressed. The Standing Committee voted to begin the Bishop search process with the election of a transition team and a call for election of the new Bishop by May 9, 2008. After a general discussion (many of the opinion this was too soon) a motion to begin the process of searching and electing a new Bishop in the recommended time frame was passed.
Since the room had to be vacated by 5:00 p.m. any remaining items on the agenda were carried over until Sunday morning. The Council was adjourned until 7:30 am Sunday morning. The meeting concluded with Evening Prayer.