Summary of June 7, 2011 meeting

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island

Summary of Meeting of June 7, 2011

The Hon. Scott Avedisian, President, called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.. Other members in attendance were Ms. Caryl Frink, Ms. Frances Gammell-Roach, the Rev. Pamela Mott, the Rev. Jennifer Pedrick,, Mr. WIlliam Plumb and the Rev. Stephanie Shoemaker. Mr. Edmund C. Bennett, Chancellor of the Diocese of RI was also present.

1. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Stephanie Shoemaker.

2. The minutes of the May 10, 2011 meeting were approved.

3. Request of St. Paul’s Church, North Kingstown, to revise the by-laws of the parish.

Mr. Bennett explained the change in the Canons at the 2010 Diocesan Convention to clarify the process for amending governing instruments of a parish. After time for discussion the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved: That the Standing Committee hereby consents to the revision of the By-Laws of the Minister, Church Wardens, Vestry and Congregation of St. Paul’s Church in North Kingstown as approved by the vestry and the corporation and as presented to this meeting.

4. The consultant to the selection, election and transition process has suggested that the Standing Committee create a theology statement.We have had some internet conversation about this before today’s meeting. There was a continuation of this discussion and a trial statement will be circulated to all members in the next few days.

5. Ms. Gammell-Roach gave an update on the 2015 Task Force. Representatives will join the Comm. on Congregational Development at deanery meetings. Their first inventory will be on the state of the health of congregations through numbers:

financial inventory

information on capital repairs and future plans for capital repairs

maintenance and deferred maintenance

The second inventory will be on the spiritual health of congregations. The 2015 Task Force is evaluating instruments for assessing this.

6. The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick gave on update on the Mission Task Force; they are planning the 2012 Convocation which will be on March 9th and 10th.

7. The Rev. Pamela Mott was thanked for hosting at St. Mary’s Church, Portsmouth, the retreat for the

Search and Transition Committees.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 4:30 pm in the Higgins Room of Diocesan House.

Respectfully Submitted,

Caryl Frink, Secretary