Summary of July 12, 2011 meeting

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island

Summary of Meeting of July 12, 2011

The Hon. Scott Avedisian, President, called the meeting to order at 4:38 pm. 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. The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf and the Rev. Casey Shobe were present for part of the meeting. The Rev. Scott Gunn, Mr. Joel Gardner, and Ms. Carlene Hervieux were present only for the discussion on mergers.

1. The meeting was opened with prayer by Bishop Wolf.

2. Bishop’s Time: Bishop Wolf gave an extensive update on Property , Program and Budget decisions, and the beginning of a process for a change in diocesan personnel.

She also noted:

• Program and Budget will conduct four hearings in September.

• It’s July and ten parochial reports are still outstanding!

• She’ll soon go to Washington, DC where she will offer the opening prayer in the U. S. Senate.

• In September she will journey to Ecuador for the House of Bishops.

• There will be a presentation by “Friends of the Groom” at Diocesan Convention.

• Many parishes and missions are seeing the facts of these changing times and being creative as they look to the future.

• Registrations have increased at ECC this summer.

3. The minutes of the June 7, 2011 meeting were approved.

4. The following resolution was passed by a vote of all members present:

That the 2011 Annual Convention of the Diocese of Rhode Island shall take place on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 6 pm at St. Luke’s Church, East Greenwich, RI and Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 9 am at the Providence Marriott, Orms Street, Providence, RI.

5. The following resolution was passed by a vote of all members present:

That, in accordance with Canon III.2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Standing Committee hereby consents to the issuance of a call by the Bishop of Rhode Island for a Special Convention on June 2, 2012 to elect the XIII Bishop of Rhode Island.

6. At the request of the Commission on Congregational Development and after a brief discussion, it was passed by a vote of all members present to consent to the dissolution of Mision el Mesias. This congregation, which did worship at the Cathedral, is now worshipping at the Church of the Ascension, Cranston and all are working to create one parish. Note: the details of the dissolution will be worked out by the Hispanic Ministry Committee.

7. Since he will soon leave the Diocese of RI for new responsibilities as the Executive Director of Forward Movement Publications, the Rev. Scott Gunn was invited to come to this meeting of the Standing Committee to share his reflections on the merger process as it involved Christ Church, Lincoln. Mr. Joel Gardner and Ms. Carlene Hervieux, former Sr. Warden and Jr. Warden of Christ Church, respectfully, were invited to attend our meeting and help us learn from what happened in their parish.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, August 9, 2011, 4:00 pm at St. Mary’s Church, Portsmouth

Respectfully Submitted,

Caryl Frink, Secretary