Meeting Summary Feb. 8, 2011

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island

Summary of Meeting of Feb. 8, 2011

The Hon. Scott Avedisian, President, called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm. at St. Mary’s Church, Portsmouth, RI. Other members in attendance were Ms. Caryl Frink, the Rev. Pamela Mott, the Rev. Jennifer Pedrick,, Mr. WIlliam Plumb, the Rev. Anita Schell-Lambert and the Rev. Stephanie Shoemaker. Ms. Betsy Fornal, Canon for Congregations and Clergy and Mr. Edmund Bennett, Chancellor, were also present for the entire meeting.

Present for the discussion on the proposed merger of their congregations were the Rev. Dennis Bucco and Mr. Joseph Tassone, representing St. Luke’s Church, Pawtucket and Mr. Michael Robertson, Mr. John Vieira, and Ms. Monique Doherty, representing St. John’s Church, Ashton.

1. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Pamela Mott.

2. The minutes of the January 11, 2011 meeting were approved.

3. The guests from St. John’s Church, Ashton and St. Luke’s, Pawtucket were introduced and there was a lengthy discussion of a potential merger between these congregations. The Standing Committee approved a formal conversation between St. John’s and St. Luke’s and authorized them to work together to prepare a formal plan of merger.

4. The. Rev. Pamela Mott then described a proposal of the Aquidneck Land Trust,to acquire from St. Mary’s Church, Portsmouth approximately 24 acres of land known as the Young Parcel and from the Sarah Gibbs Trust a conservation easement for approximately 40 acres of open space land. This proposal would proceed in stages. A resolution was passed approving this in the manner described in a proposed Memorandum od Understanding which had been circulated to all members.

5. There was an extensive update from Canon Betsy Fornal on the status of congregational vacancies. In the light of the previous question and answer period with St. John’s and St. Luke’s, there was also discussion about the official merger policy of the Diocese of RI.

7. It was voted to consent to the Ordination of Rayford J. Ray as Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Northern Michigan.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 4:30 pm in the Higgins Room.

Respectfully Submitted,

Caryl Frink, Secretary