March 13, 2012 Standing Committee Meeting Summary

Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island

Meeting Summary of the Standing Committee

March 13, 2012

 The regular monthly meeting of The Standing Committee was held on Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 4:30 PM in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, 275 North Main Street, Providence.

In attendance: The Hon. Scott Avedisian, President of The Standing Committee, The Reverend Mike Coburn, Ms. Frances Gammell-Roach, Mr. James Kelliher, The Reverend Pam Mott, The Rev. Jennifer Pedrick, Mr. William Plumb, and The Reverend Anita Schell-Lambert. The Right Reverend Geralyn Wolf was also present.

Guests for latter part of meeting: Ms. Elizabeth E. Anderson, Jr. Warden, Transfiguration, Cranston; Mr. Bill Baddeley, Jr. Warden, Trinity, Cranston; Mr. Dwight Barrett, Senior Warden, Transfiguration, Cranston; Mr. Mark Grimm, Vestry Member, Transfiguration, Cranston; The Rev. Marsue Harris, Interim Rector, Trinity, Cranston; Ms. Sue Hurn, Senior Warden, St. David’s, Cranston; The Rev. Peter Lane, interim rector, St. David’s, Cranston; The Rev. Mary J. Korte, interim rector, Transfiguration, Cranston; Mr. Stephan Sloan, Senior Warden, Trinity, Cranston; Mr. Michael Tullie, Senior Warden, Church of the Ascension, Cranston.

The Hon. Scott Avedisian, President of The Standing Committee, called the meeting to order at 4:35 PM. Opening Prayer was given by Bishop Wolf in memory of James Theodore Holley, first African American bishop, Bishop of Haiti.

1. During the Bishop’s Time, Bishop Wolf reflected on her sabbatical, particularly being a guest in England of WATCH, enjoying a cruise with her husband and a visit to the Diocese of Florida.  She returned from her sabbatical to news of the cathedral’s closing and the death of the Chancellor. In the diocesan office, Gloria Williams announced her retirement; Ty Creason leaves the end of June.

2. The Bishop and Standing Committee reminisced on the contributions of the Chancellor. A resolution was passed in deep appreciation of the longtime ministry to the diocese of Chancellor Edmund C. Bennett.

3. Motion was passed to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2012 meeting.

4. Motion was passed to accept the amended by-laws of St. Martin’s, Providence.

5. Motion was passed to accept the revised agreement for the merger of St. Matthew’s, Barrington & St. Mark’s, Riverside.

6. Motion was passed to consent to the election of Bishop Suffragan for the Diocese of Texas.

7. Motion was passed to give permission to begin merger discussion between St. Alban’s and Trinity, North Scituate.

 8. Members of Standing Committee, the Bishop met clergy and lay leaders from the 4 Cranston congregations. These leaders summarized their shared worship experiences and fellowship as well as delineating short-term goals for each parish.

The suggestion was made to have a uniform statement from all parishes about what is going on in their conversations around shared ministries. SC support the exploration of merger between St. David’s and Transfiguration

9. The Standing Committee acknowledged and congratulated one of its own, The Rev Pedrick as a candidate for Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island.

The Meeting closed at 6:30 with a prayer by The Rev. Coburn.

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Anita Schell-Lambert

Secretary