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Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
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Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
182nd Annual Convention
Resolutions
Resolution #1 |
Resolution #2 |
Substitute |
| Resolution #4 RE: Business Methods in Church Affairs Withdrawn Substitute Resolution Did not pass |
Resolution
#5 |
Resolution
#6 |
Resolution
#7 |
Resolution
#8 |
Resolution
#9 |
Resolutions
A |
While line numbers do not appear with the resolutions on this
page, they will appear with the Resolutions printed in the official convention packet
inserted into The Northeast.
RESOLUTION # 1
passed
RE: Number of Delegates
SUBMITTED BY: The Rev. Edwin Cox
Strikeout = deleted wording
Underline = added working
Section 4. Each Parish in union with the Convention, or the Vestry thereof, and each Organized Mission in union with the Convention, or the Bishop’s Committee thereof, having not less than ten communicants in good standing, may, at any meeting duly convened for the purpose, elect Lay Delegates to represent them in the Convention as follows:
(1) Each having not less than ten or more than twenty-five communicants in good
standing may elect one Delegate.
(2) Each having more than twenty-five and not over one hundred communicants in good
standing may elect two Delegates.
(3) Each having over one hundred communicants in good standing may
elect
three Delegates, and one additional Delegate for each one hundred communicants in good
standing above the first one hundred. Any fraction over
one-half of the stated number shall be counted as that number.
RESOLVED that the Constitution, Article III, Section 7, be amended to read:
Section 7. The definition of the words "communicant in good standing," the manner of ascertaining the number of Delegates to which each Parish or Mission is entitled, and of conducting and certifying their election shall be established by Canon.
Explanation
The parochial report requires reporting of "total active baptized members" and of "communicants in good standing," but not "communicants." Consequently, the present criterion for determining delegates – "communicants" – is a number not otherwise kept or reported by congregations.
This resolution proposes to simplify congregational record keeping by changing the criterion to "communicants in good standing," a figure that each congregation is required to report annually on its parochial report. As proposed, the change would result in a slight decrease in the number of lay delegates to convention from 234 to 227. Most congregations would remain the same or vary no more than one delegate. Attached is a list of each congregation’s delegate present delegate count and what each would have if this change were approved.
Because this is a constitutional change, it requires approval at two successive conventions. A parallel change to Canon 19 will be needed when the Constitutional change comes to a second reading.
Actions Taken on Resolution #2 of the 181st Convention
The Committee on Canons moved and the Rev. Edwin Cox accepted as a friendly amendment that
the words "three Delegates, and" in line 11 be undeleted.
RESOLUTION #1 CARRIED FOR THE FIRST READING AT THE 181ST CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF MAINE (AS AMENDED RESOLUTION #2) ON NOVEMBER 10-11, 2000.
RESOLUTION #2
passed
RE: Editorial Changes to the Constitution of the Diocese of Maine
SUBMITTED BY: Convention Committee on Canons
Strikeout = deleted wording
Underline = added wording
RESOLVED that the following provisions of the Constitution of the Diocese of Maine be amended to read as indicated:
ARTICLE III
Section 1. The Convention shall be composed of both clergymen
and laity lay persons.
Section 3. (3) The right to a seat and vote in the Convention shall not be
forfeited by any Presbyter or Deacon canonically resident in the Diocese who for at least
five consecutive years shall have possessed such right under the provisions of this
Article and, after having such right for five consecutive years, shall, by reason of age
or infirmity, be disabled from the performance of the active duties of the his
ministry of such Presbyter or Deacon.
Section 10. No Lay Delegate shall be entitled to a seat in any Convention
other than that for which he the Delegate was elected.
ARTICLE VI
Section 3. The Clergy and Lay Delegates shall vote simultaneously and after
said votes the choices of each order shall be communicated to the other. If both
orders have chosen the same person, that person he shall be
declared elected; but if they have chosen different persons they shall vote again in the
order and manner described.
ARTICLE VIII
Section 3. A member of the clergyman shall be
appointed by the Bishop to act as the Bishop’s his vicar in
the Mission. In the absence of the Bishop, the vicar he
shall preside at all meetings of the Bishop’s Committee, have responsibility for the
conduct of all services, and for the religious nurture and pastoral care of the members of
the Mission. The vicar He shall make monthly reports to the
Bishop.
Section 4. All property of the Mission shall be held by the Trustees of
Diocesan Funds. The treasurer shall receive and expend the monies of the Mission as
directed by the Bishop, or the Bishop’s Committee acting in the Bishop’s his
stead; and shall meet such requirements of bonding and auditing and reports as are
required by the action of the Convention.
RESOLUTION #2 CARRIED FOR THE FIRST READING AT THE 181ST CONVENTION OF THE DIOCESE OF MAINE (AS RESOLUTION #11) ON NOVEMBER 10-11, 2000.
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION #3
withdrawn from consideration
RE: Loring House Staff Benefits
SUBMITTED BY: The Rev. Harold Birkenhead, St. Peter’s, Portland; Robert Taylor, St. Nicholas, Scarborough; Kenneth Barrett, St. George’s, York Harbor; Joan Conner, St. David’s, Kennebunk
RESOLVED that Section J.1. of the Human Resources Guide which applies to Diocesan staff and describes medical and dental insurance benefits be amended by deleting, "The employee may be required to pay a percentage of the premium cost as determined by the Convention", and substituting the words, "The Diocese is responsible for at least 90% of the health and dental premiums and 100% of the life insurance premiums." This language is then identical to that in Canon 22 applying to Presbyters in the Diocese.
Explanation
A task group was formed early this year to review the question of the benefits provided to the staff at Loring House. It was recognized that the policy was not consistent with that which was stated in Canon 22, and it was inequitable in that some members of the staff were receiving full benefits, while others were opting out and receiving coverage elsewhere. Those opting out frequently incurred a fee to receive coverage under a spouse’s policy. The task group met monthly, collected data from other diocesan staff policies, from other non-profits in the area, and from some congregations. They considered a range of options, and concluded that moving to consistency with the policy for Presbyters makes the most sense in view of ever increasing health insurance costs. When implementing this policy, those members of the Loring House staff who opt out of the plan will receive an annual payment equal to 90% of the cost of individual coverage as compensation for any additional cost which they incur in receiving coverage from another source.
RESOLUTION
#4
Substitute Resolution failed
RE: Business Methods in Church Affairs
SUBMITTED BY: The Rector and Vestry of St. Andrew & St. John Church, Southwest Harbor
RESOLVED that Canon 18, Section 1 (6) be amended to read:
CANON 18
Of Business Methods in Church Affairs
Section 1(6) All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured. Treasurers and custodians other than banking institutions shall be adequately bonded. Comprehensive general liability coverage with limits of coverage prescribed from time to time by the Diocesan Council shall be kept in force at all times.
Each church shall deliver by February 1st of each year to the Diocesan Treasurer’s Office a Certificate of Insurance showing the church’s coverage and carriers. The Diocese is to be named as "additional insured and loss payee" on the insurance for comprehensive general and umbrella liability coverage. Additionally, the Diocese shall be named as "additional insured and loss payee as its interest may appear" on the insurance for all real and tangible personal property as may be required from time to time by the Diocesan Council.
If any church shall neglect to deliver to the Diocesan Treasurer’s Office in a timely manner the Certificate of Insurance prescribed above and such neglect shall continue for more than 30 days after notice of such neglect has been given in writing to the Church by the Diocese, the church shall be required for the year then in progress and for the next ensuing year to participate in the insurance program endorsed by the Diocese.
Explanation
At last year’s convention this canon was amended to require that, effective in January 2002, all parishes insure under the diocesan group plan. The diocesan group plan is unsatisfactory to a number of our parishes, particularly in regard to high deductibles. Compulsory participation is demonstrably unnecessary in that only one other diocese in Province I has a similar requirement.
The proposed amendment would rescind this requirement, but would provide a mechanism for assuring that all parishes are adequately insured and the interest of the diocese protected.
Substitute Resolution #4 (failed)
Submitted by the Rector and Vestry
of St. Andrew and St. John, Southwest Harbor
RESOLVED that Canon 18, Section 1 (6) be amended to read:
Canon 18
Of Business Methods in Church Affairs
Section 1(6) All buildings and their contents shall be kept adequately insured. Comprehensive general liability coverage at not less than on million dollar limit shall be kept in force at all times. Those congregations not included in the diocesan group coverage shall provide insurance certificates to the diocesan office showing the Diocese of Maine as an additional insured.
Explanation
At last year's convention this canon was amended to require that, effective in January 2002, all parishes insure under the diocesan group plan. The diocesan group plan is unsatisfactory to a number of our parishes, particularly in regard to high deductibles. It is demonstrably unnecessary in that only one other diocese in Province 1 has a similar requirement.
The proposed amendment would rescind this requirement, but would provide a mechanism for assuring that all parishes are adequately insured and the interest of the diocese protected.
RESOLUTION #5
passed
RE: Companion Diocese
SUBMITTED BY: Rita Redfield and Acadia Regional Council
RESOLVED that the Diocesan Council, at their first regularly scheduled meeting following the 182
nd Convention of the Diocese of Maine, appoint a Companion Diocese Committee to explore establishing a companion relationship with a foreign Diocese, and be it furtherRESOLVED that the Companion Diocese Committee report its recommendations to the 183
rd convention of the Diocese of Maine.Explanation
The Diocese of Maine has not had a companion relationship for more than 12 years since our successful six-year relationship with Liberia.
Of the 100 domestic dioceses, 80 have one or more companion diocese relationships. Most of the others have either just completed a relationship and are in a period of transition or are in the process of negotiating a relationship.
A brochure from the Anglican and Global Relations Office of the Episcopal Church explains the purpose of a companion relationship is: "To help strengthen the Anglican Communion through the direct experience of interdependence across cultural and geographic boundaries within the Body of Christ; and to strengthen one another for mission by building a relationship in which each partner is both giver and receiver.
RESOLUTION #6
passed
RE: Exploring long term capital needs in the Diocese
SUBMITTED BY: Bishop’s Advisory Group on Capital Needs
RESOLVED that the Bishop consult broadly across the Diocese, gather such ad hoc groups as she believes may offer useful advice and counsel, and review with all presently constituted commissions, committees and task forces as she finds appropriate, to develop a process and means, implemented as widely across the Diocese as possible, to explore and identify (1) the expanding opportunities for ministry in the Diocese of Maine; (2) the resources necessary to support diocesan and congregational responses to those opportunities; (3) how such resources might be marshaled, including initiating a major capital campaign; and (4) ways in which expansion of planned giving programs might assist in that process; and
RESOLVED, FURTHER that the Bishop and such ad hoc committee as might be established by her to carry out the purposes of this resolution report to, and make such recommendations for further action as they believe appropriate, at the 183rd Convention of this Diocese to be held in the year 2002.
Explanation
As the work of the Diocese has progressed during these first years of the Bishop’s tenure opportunities for expanded and improved ministries have emerged, some of which might include:
· Enhancing the ability of congregations to engage in ministry by restraining growth of the assessment;
· Strengthening resources for clergy deployment and presence across the Diocese;
· Planting new congregations, such as St. Elizabeth’s;
· Building resources to provide the long-term support necessary for the whole Diocese;
· Establishing and strengthening the presence of the Episcopal Church on college campuses in Maine;
· Addressing "bricks and mortar" issues necessary to support the Diocesan mission; and
· Expansion of planned giving programs, both by the Diocese and by congregations, that might contribute to the long-term financial health of the diocese.
Some of the needs and opportunities were set forth in the Diocesan Profile that
preceded the Bishop’s election, and continue to demand attention. The resolution is
intended to guide the Bishop in developing a process by which as broad representation
across the Diocese as possible can be involved in identifying and prioritizing the
opportunities for mission, the needs related to those opportunities, and how they might be
met and addressed. The Bishop, and such ad hoc committee or task force as she might
establish, is requested to return to the next convention with recommendations, proposals
and a plan for engaging the opportunities and meeting the needs, that have been identified
most broadly across the Diocese.
RESOLUTION #7
Substitute Resolution passed
RE: Amendment of Canon 2 and Canon 19
SUBMITTED BY: The Rev. Edwin Cox
Strikeout = deleted wording
Underline = added wording
RESOLVED
that Canon 2, Section 2, second paragraph, be amended to read as follows:CANON 2
Of Lay Delegates
The Committee shall also examine all certificates of the number of communicants
and Annual Parochial Reports and certificates of the election of Lay
Delegates and report thereon to the Convention, but should any dispute arise it shall be
referred to the Committee on Credentials before decision by the Convention.
RESOLVED
that Canon 19 the Diocesan Canons be amended to read as follows:CANON 19
Of Delegates to the Annual Convention
Of Communicants
Section 1. Effective January 1, 1999, communicants shall have the meaning
ascribed to it by the Canons of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
Section 2. All Rectors and Priests in Charge are required to verify, each year, the list of communicants, as defined in this Canon, under their care on the date of the election of Delegates to the Convention, and to send a certificate of the number of such communicants belonging to each Parish or Mission in their charge to the Secretary of the Diocese, with a list of Delegates elected to the Convention.
All doubtful cases shall be submitted to the Bishop for decision.
Section 3. In case there is no Rector or Priest in Charge the list may be
verified, and the certificate
Section 1. The number of Lay Delegates to which a parish or mission is entitled at the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Maine will be based on the number of Communicants in Good Standing specified in the Annual Parochial Report for the calendar year just passed, and the parish or mission shall be entitled to the same number of delegates until the next Annual Convention. All doubtful cases shall be submitted to the Bishop for decision.
Section 2. Where no Annual Parochial Report is filed, the parish or mission shall not be entitled to any delegates.
Section 3. Lay Delegates may be elected by their Vestry or at the Annual Meeting of the congregation. A certificate of the Delegates elected to the Convention shall be verified, signed, and sent by the Rector or Priest in Charge, or in the absence of either, by a Warden.
Explanation
These changes are to bring the Canons into compliance with the Constitution, if the Constitutional Change in Resolution #1 is approved on second reading. The instructions for completing the Annual Parochial Report are prepared and distributed annually as prescribed by the National Canons. Those instructions also provide for situations where there is no Rector or Priest-in-Charge. Canon 19 has also been modified to comply with provisions of the Constitution, Article III, and Sections 7 & 8, not previously addressed.
Substitute Resolution #7 (passed)
RE: Amendment of Canon 2 and
Canon 19
Submitted by The Rev. Edwin Cox
Canon 2
Of Lay Delegates
RESOLVED that Canon 2, Section 2, second paragraph, be amended to read as follows:
The Committee shall also examine
all certificates of the number of communicants and Annual
Parochial Reports and certificates of the election of Lay Delegates and
report thereon to the Convention, but should any dispute arise it shall be
referred to the Committee on Credentials before decision by the Convention.
RESOLVED that Canon 19 of the Diocesan Canons be amended to read as follows:
Canon 19
Of Delegates to the Annual Convention
Of Communicants
Section 1. Effective January 1, 1999, communicants shall have the meaning
ascribed to it by the Canons of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.
Section 2. All Rectors and Priests in Charge are required to verify, each year,
the list of communicants, as defined in this Canon, under their care on the date
of the election of Delegates to the Convention, and to send a certificate of the
number of such communicants belonging to each Parish or Mission in their charge
to the Secretary of the Diocese, with a list of Delegates elected to the
Convention.
All doubtful cases shall be submitted to the Bishop for
decision.
Section 3. In case there is no Rector or Priest in Charge the list may be
verified, and the certificate and list signed and sent by a Warden.
Section 1. The number of Lay
Delegates to which a parish or mission is entitled at any convention of the
Diocese of Maine will be based on the number of Communicants in Good Standing
specified in the Annual Parochial Report for the calendar year just
passed. All doubtful cases shall be submitted to the Bishop for decision.
Section 2. Where no Annual Parochial Report is filed for the calendar year just
passed, the parish or mission shall not be entitled to any delegates. In
the case of a parish or mission newly admitted to union with the convention, the
number of delegates shall be based upon the number of Communicants in Good
Standing at the time of union.
Section 3. Lay Delegates may be elected by their Vestry or at the Annual Meeting of the congregation. A certificate of the Delegates elected to the Convention shall be verified, signed, and sent by the Rector or Priest in Charge, or in the absence of either, by a Warden.
Explanation
These changes are to bring the Canons into compliance with the Constitution,
if the Constitutional Change in Resolution #1 is approved on second
reading. The instructions for completing the Annual Parochial Report are
prepared and distributed annually as prescribed by the National Canons.
Those instructions also provide for situations where there is no Rector or
Priest in Charge. Canon 19 has also been modified to comply with
provisions of the Constitution, Article III, and Sections 7 & 8, not
previously addressed.
RESOLUTION # 8
passed
RE: Clerical Compensation
SUBMITTED BY: Clerical & Lay Employee Compensation & Review Committee
RESOLVED that the minimum cash salary for a presbyter in full time service in the Diocese of Maine for the year 2002 be $25,903.; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in cases where suitable housing and utilities are not provided, a housing and utilities allowance of not less than $11,768. be provided for 2002; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in cases where suitable housing and utilities are not provided, any combination of salary and housing and utilities allowance of not less than $37,671. shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the two previous clauses for the year 2002; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this 182nd Convention of the Diocese of Maine, recognizing that the previous clauses represent only minimum required compensation, urges congregations to observe the attached guidelines in setting compensation for their own clergy in 2002; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the guidelines for minimum compensation for supply clergy be those contained in Attachment #3 to this Resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the travel allowance for 2002 be set at the rate recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.
Explanation
In 1997 Maine ranked 79th among the 100 dioceses of the Episcopal Church in clergy compensation adjusted for cost of living. In 1990 we were 65th. The figures for 2000 indicate that the Diocese of Maine remains in the fourth quartile in the Episcopal Church in terms of compensation. There are no other dioceses in New England in the fourth quartile.
The Clergy & Lay Employee Compensation Committee continues to confront the issues of justice and mission as outlined in the "Eight Principles for Mission Within Congregations" that was adopted by the 181
st Convention of the Diocese of Maine. We are well aware of the apparently conflicting needs for a fair level of clergy compensation and the struggle of many congregations to meet their basic financial obligations. We are also aware that the median full-time clerical compensation in the Diocese of Maine, when adjusted for local cost of living figures is $16,400 below the highest Diocesan compensation in New England and $3,200 and $6,431 below our neighboring northern New England Diocese of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively.It is our intention to bring before the 183
rd Diocesan Convention a clerical compensation resolution that will begin to address these inequities in a comprehensive way.Attachment #1 to RESOLUTION # 8
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2002 TOTAL CLERICAL COMPENSATION
The Clerical and Lay Employee Compensation and Review Committee is required by canon to recommend to the Convention minimum clerical compensation and benefits. However, since most congregations do not want minimum clerical services, the Committee recommends that serious consideration be given to the guidelines contained in the following charts. The Committee, in their review of clerical compensation reports provided to the Diocesan Office, is pleased to note that very few congregations hold to the minimum compensation as specified by Convention. Since these guidelines were initiated, many congregations have used them in the determination of compensation for their priest. The use of these guidelines allows Bishop’s Committees and Vestries to build a rationale for appropriate compensation which can be understood by all members of the congregation. Clergy compensation reports for our clergy for 2001 cover the entire range of these guidelines.
The guidelines assume priests in charge of congregations at full compensation. The recommendations for assistants or curates is 80% of the compensation for the priest in charge but in no case less than the minimum established by Convention.
Attachment #2 to RESOLUTION # 8
GUIDELINES FOR TOTAL CLERICAL COMPENSATION
SALARY GRADE DETERMINATION
The salary grade for your congregation is determined using a numerical point system based on four key statistics taken from the annual Parochial Report. The salary grade is computed as follows:
I. Total Operating Revenues
[page 3, line B in $1,000’s] multiplied by 25% _______________________
II. Pledging Units
[page 3, line 1] multiplied by 25% _______________________
III. Average Sunday Attendance
[page 2, line 6] multiplied by 25% _______________________
IV. Communicants in Good Standing
[page 2, line 3] multiplied by 25% _______________________
TOTAL _______________________
SALARY GRADE
Grade I 10 to 83
Grade II 84 to 145
Grade III 146 to 205
Grade IV 206 to 330
RECOMMENDED COMPENSATION RANGE
[Salary, Social Security Allowance, Housing* and Utilities]
Salary Grade Low Middle High
I $40,554** $46,637 $53,632
II 45,401 52,223 60,069
III 50,871 58,501 67,272
IV 56,975 65,521 75,350
* Where housing is provided, this is the fair rental value.
** Based on 2002 recommended minimum.
ATTACHMENT #3 TO RESOLUTION # 8
GUIDELINES FOR TOTAL CLERICAL COMPENSATION
The diocesan Clerical Compensation and Review Committee recommends the following minimum fees for supply clergy:
One Sunday Service $100.00
Two Sunday Services 130.00
Other Liturgical Services 70.00
Pastoral or other assigned responsibilities 70.00 per unit*
* a unit is a morning, afternoon or evening
Expenses are reimbursed at cost for meals, lodging, telephone, etc., and at the IRS approved rate for mileage. (2001 @ $.345 per mile)
RESOLUTION #9
(withdrawn from consideration, but please read it anyway and make sure you fill out the
convention evaluation/survey at the close of convention. Thanks.)
RE: Flow of Convention
SUBMITTED BY: Convention Committee
RESOLVED
that the 182nd Convention of the Diocese of Maine authorize the Convention Committee to study the following specific areas:1. Whether to continue convention in the Fall or move it to the Spring;
2. Whether to continue with a 1 1/2 day convention or move to a 1 day convention
3. Whether to keep the site of convention constant or continue to vary the sites; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that input/comments from members of the Diocese of Maine would be gratefully received and considered; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Convention Committee recruit additional members; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Convention Committee report their findings at the 183rd Convention
Explanation
The support by the 182nd Convention of this resolution would charge the Convention Committee with the task of re-evaluating how, when, and where we hold convention in the Diocese of Maine. Part of that task will include studying how to make Convention a gathering that builds community among congregations and gets the business of the Diocese done in an efficient manner. The resolution will also serve to bring to Convention’s attention the need for more members on the Convention Committee to assist in accomplishing these tasks.
Presented by the Rev. John Widdows, St. Nicholas, Scarborough
Be it resolved that the 182nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine urge our national political leaders to recognize the evil of violence, and its causes in the systems which make the world's abundance unavailable to huge numbers of people, and to devote significant resources, energy, and resolve to alleviating massive poverty and suffering in the world, as a major part of our fight against the evil of violence.
Explanation
Bishop Knudsen has exhorted this Convention to accept and grieve the end of the myth of scarcity in our life as a Church and a Nation. The death of the myth of scarcity enables us to see with greater clarity its role in the violence that afflicts the world. The message of Jesus Christ's life and death is one of non-violence, but active resistance to evil, which involves addressing its causes, not only its results.
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