Resolutions for consideration by the 222nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut,
Oct. 20-21, 2006
INDEX
- Minimum Salary Schedule for Clergy PASSED
- 2007 Diocesan Budget PASSED
- Amend Constitution to name elected Gen'l. Conv. delegates as ex-officio members of the Convention PASSED
- General Convention Resolution B033 FAILED
- Election of bishop suffragan in Connecticut FAILED
- Universal health care in Connecticut. PASSED WITH AMENDMENT TO ADD DETAILS
- Affordable Housing in Connecticut PASSED
- Human Rights: Immigration and Undocumented Workers PASSED
- On the Merger of the Parishes of Christ Church, West Haven and St. John's-by-the-Sea, West Haven into one parish
Committee on the Bishop's Address:
RESOLUTION #1 – Minimum Salary Schedule for Clergy (PASSED)
Submitted by: The Personnel Policy Committee of the Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
A 3.5% increase for 2007 has been recommended by the Personnel Policy Committee. Details are available on the print version of the resolutions, or the PDF file.
2. RESOLUTION #2 – 2007 Diocesan Budget (PASSED)
Submitted by: The Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut adopts the Diocesan Budget for 2007 as proposed and appended to this resolution (print version) or link to budget, when available.
RESOLUTION # 3 -- Amending Diocesan Constitution to name elected Lay Deputies and Alternates to General Convention as ex-officio members of Diocesan Convention (PASSED)
Submitted by: The Rev. Ellen Tillotson, Trinity Church, Torrington
RESOLVED: That the Constitution of the Diocese of Connecticut be amended in the following manner: In Article IV, paragraph 5, to read “Lay members of the Diocesan Executive Council and of the Standing Committee and all elected lay Deans and Sub-Deans and current elected Lay Deputies and Alternate Deputies to General Convention shall be ex-officio members of the Convention unless they be otherwise elected delegates from their respective Parishes and Mission Stations. (New wording is italicized and underlined.)
Explanation: Our elected deputies to General Convention serve the Diocese and the wider church in ways in which is it important that they be allowed voice, vote and seat in our convention. They bring a perspective of the wider church to us and their counsel ought to be welcome. Deputies are elected to serve until the election for the next set of Deputies is held; then, presumably, those newly elected would serve as members of convention.
This resolution, passed by the 2005 Diocesan Convention, requires an affirmative vote at two consecutive diocesan conventions, since it involves a change in the Constitution.
RESOLUTION # 4 General Convention Resolution B033 (FAILED)
Submitted by: The Rev. Jim Bradley, St. John’s, Waterbury; the Rev. Scott Hankins, Christ Church, Norwich; the Rev. Michael Ray, St. Thomas’s, New Haven; the Rev. Malinda Johnson, St. John’s, Waterbury; David Walker, Trinity, Collinsville; the Rev. Joseph Pace, St. John’s, West Hartford; the Rev. Nicholas Lang, St. Paul’s, Norwalk; the Rev. William Loutrel; the Rev. Holley Slauson; the Rev. Richard Maxwell, Grace, Hartford; Lyn Meyers, St. James, Danbury; the Rev. Susan McCone; the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn, St. Paul’s, Fairfield; the Rev. Joanne Neel-Richard; Ernest Harrington, St. James, Danbury; A. Theodore Mollegen, Jr., St .James, Glastonbury; Elizabeth Adams, St. Francis, Stamford; Anne Watkins, St. Paul’s, Norwalk; the Rev. Canon Robert J. Brooks; the Rev. Barbara T. Cheney, St. Paul and St. James, New Haven; Ronald Coons, St. Paul’s, Willimantic; the Rev. Ellen Tillotson, Trinity, Torrington; the Rev. Richard Mayberry, St. Francis, Stamford.
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut urges the Bishop of Connecticut and the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut to publicly and openly disassociate themselves and the Diocese of Connecticut from the limitation on the consecration of bishops contained in B033, passed at General Convention in June 2006.
Explanation: B033, passed on the last legislative day of General Convention 2006, urges that bishops and standing committees not consent to the consecration of any candidate for bishop whose “manner of life” might be challenging to the larger Anglican Church. B033 is aimed, without naming them, at partnered gay and lesbian candidates, preventing the consent to their consecration, which, if named, would violate canon law. The resolution asks for prophetic leadership from the bishop in publicly and openly refuting the implications of B033 and declaring his support of partnered gay and lesbian candidates as well as his willingness to advocate for the consent to consecration of a partnered gay or lesbian elected as bishop in this church.
Text of B033 from General Convention:
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention receive and embrace The Windsor Report’s invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.
RESOLUTION # 5 Election of a Bishop Suffragan
Submitted by: The Rev. Jim Bradley, St. John’s, Waterbury;the Rev. Scott Hankins, Christ Church, Norwich; the Rev. Michael Ray, St. Thomas’s, New Haven; the Rev. Malinda Johnson, St. John’s, Waterbury; David Walker, Trinity, Collinsville; the Rev. Nicholas Lang, St. Paul’s, Norwalk; the Rev. William Loutrel; the Rev. Holley Slauson; Lyn Meyers, St. James, Danbury; the Rev. Susan McCone; the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn, St. Paul’s, Fairfield; the Rev. Joanne Neel-Richard; Ernest Harrington, St. James, Danbury; A. Theodore Mollegen, Jr., St.James, Glastonbury; Elizabeth Adams, St. Francis, Stamford; Anne Watkins, St. Paul’s, Norwalk ;the Rev. Canon Robert J. Brooks; the Rev. Barbara T. Cheney, St. Paul and St. James, New Haven; Ronald Coons, St. Paul’s, Willimantic; the Rev. Ellen Tillotson, Trinity, Torrington; the Rev. Richard Mayberry, St. Francis, Stamford.
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut urges the Rt. Rev. Andrew Smith to take the steps necessary to delay the election of a Bishop Suffragan until the church at large rejects the limitations on consecrations contained in B033, passed at General Convention in June 2006.
Explanation: B033 passed on the last legislative day of General Convention 2006, urges that bishops and standing committees not consent to the consecration of any candidate for bishop whose “manner of life” might be challenging to the larger Anglican Church. B033 is aimed, without naming them, at partnered gay and lesbian candidates, preventing the consent to their consecration, which, if named, would violate canon law. This resolution asks for prophetic leadership from our bishop in refusing to allow the election of Bishop Suffragan under the restrictions of B033.
Text of B033 from General Convention:
Resolved, That the 75 th General Convention receive and embrace The Windsor Report’s invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.
RESOLUTION # 6 Universal Health Care In Connecticut (PASSED - AMENDED TO ADD FIVE SPECIFIC QUALITIES OF THE PROPOSED STATE INITIATIVE)
Submitted by the Social Concerns and Witness Committee and the Rev. Brendan McCormick, St. Paul’s, Wallingford
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut calls on the Governor and state legislature to address the state’s health care crisis in a comprehensive manner and adopt a plan to achieve universal health care in Connecticut. Universal health care is defined as a system of coverage that provides quality, affordable health care for all. And, be it further
RESOLVED: That this Convention directs the chair of the Social Concerns and Witness Committee to communicate this resolution to the appropriate State authorities.
Explanation: In the state of Connecticut 356,000 citizens do not have health care insurance. The State of Connecticut is spending $15 billion annually on health care; yet the ranks of the state’s uninsured and underinsured are growing. 80% of the state’s uninsured are employed, many of work for small businesses. Each year health care costs are rising at high rates, causing businesses to shift health care costs to employees in the form of increased co-pays, deductions, increased employee contributions - or decreased or reduced health care benefits. Many people whose income is above eligibility levels for state aid for healthcare costs do not have enough income to afford health care insurance, and are less likely to obtain health care when it is needed. Increasing numbers of people are at-risk of losing health insurance due to employment change, job loss, and changes in their family - causing many to make life decisions based on health care coverage. The current system is costing individuals, families, business, health care providers, and the state too much. We’re spending more and getting less, and not solving the problem. This is having a negative impact on the state’s economy, and is undermining the ability of Connecticut corporations to compete in a global economy.
RESOLUTION # 7 Affordable Housing in Connecticut (PASSED)
Submitted by Social Concerns and Witness Committee
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut reaffirms Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that everyone is entitled to a standard of living adequate for health and well being of self and family including food, clothing, housing, and medical care. And be it further
RESOLVED: That as the rising cost of housing for the poor in Connecticut is depriving thousands of the right to affordable housing, this Convention strongly urges members of the state legislature and the Governor: 1) to restore the rental assistance programs to the previous level of 2600 families; 2) to appropriate substantial funds from the Housing Trust Fund for construction and rehabilitation of moderate and low income housing; 3) to mandate towns and municipalities to require developers of multi-unit housing projects either to set aside some units for affordable housing, or contribute a portion of the costs to an affordable housing fund. And, be it further
RESOLVED: That this Convention directs the Chair of the Social Concerns and Witness Committee to communicate this resolution to the appropriate State authorities.
Explanation: The best definition of human oppression is the deprivation of basic human rights.
In Connecticut housing costs have grown to such an extent that many lower-middle class people and families cannot afford to own their home, and the poor are being deprived of the right to affordable housing. Among the poor, homelessness is on the rise, causing extreme deprivation and often, family breakup. This oppression also has the effect of decreasing the rights of children to benefit from education, as it is difficult to provide education to children whose families are homeless
In recent years the state has succumbed to pressures to hold down taxes by drastically reducing rental subsidies and eliminating funds for affordable housing construction. It is to be noted that rental subsidies, while helping families to pay their rent, tend to keep rents up, and a great percentage of recent land development in Connecticut has been for high-cost housing that further increases land prices, and thereby, housing costs.
Consequently, many municipalities have realized that new developments must set aside some units as affordable housing, or contribute a portion of the costs to an affordable housing trust fund. It is increasingly recognized that shortage of affordable housing for workers is hurting economic development.
RESOLUTION # 8 Human Rights: Immigration and Undocumented Workers (PASSED)
Submitted by: The Rev. Emmett Jarrett, TSSF; the Rev. Gail Keeney-Mulligan, St. John’s, New Milford; the Rev. Margaret Minnick, Holy Trinity, Middletown; the Rev. James A. Mulligan; the Rev. Kyle Pedersen, St. Paul & St. James, New Haven; the Rev. Mark K. J. Robinson, Calvary, Stonington; the Rev. Mark Santucci, St. Mark’s, Mystic
RESOLVED: That the 222nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, urges the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to expand temporary workers’ programs to include: 1) all persons who enter the United States and engage in meaningful work; and, 2) overseas workers offered employment in the United States through formal contractual arrangements in response to the labor needs of specific sections of the economy; and be it further
RESOLVED: That such temporary workers’ programs include: the right to change employers, obtain a driver’s license, access to education, particularly post-secondary education; and, benefits including appropriate mandated minimum hourly wage, Social Security, workers’ compensation, healthcare and pension; and be it further
RESOLVED: That based upon a specified period of residence in the United States, such workers have the option of seeking permanent resident status, which could lead to naturalization; and be it further
RESOLVED: That Connecticut Episcopalians be urged to advocate in the public arena for human rights for immigrants and undocumented workers; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the submitters of this resolution communicate this resolution to the appropriate state and federal authorities.
Explanation: As members of The Episcopal Church, we believe that God the Creator “made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent” Jesus Christ “to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near” (BCP, p. 100). The history of God’s people, from Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) to Jesus and his disciples, shows a people who leave home and wander as strangers until they find a home amidst people who were there before them, in Canaan and in Nazareth. Holy Scripture remembers Israel’s origin as a migrant people by commanding them to cherish “the heart of a stranger” (Exod. 23:9) and to care for sojourners now dwelling in their midst (Lev. 19:33-34). Jesus built his community of disciples among the poor, the alien and the excluded in his culture, recognizing in a Canaanite woman a person of dignity and worth who, despite her alien status, should not be ignored (Mark 7:26-30). The United States of America was formed out of many peoples and cultures, most of whom came to these shores without documents. Some of our citizens were brought to these shores as slaves.
Estimates of the number of undocumented immigrants in the United States today range from 6 to 14 million. Many of these live and work in Connecticut, and are members of Episcopal and other churches. They have come among us to work, and their work assists in the building up of our community and nation. The economy of the United States needs these workers if it is to continue in prosperity. Over the next fifty years our country will probably experience labor shortages due to the retirement of the “baby boom” generation. More foreign-born workers will be a necessity for us. The system currently in place leaves millions of undocumented workers without legal status. They are often separated from their children and experience abuse in the workplace. Health and safety regulations, minimum wage laws, and statutory limits on hours worked do not cover these workers.
In an election year, the forces of “nativism” are again rampant in our country. Some are exploiting the immigration issue to connect undocumented workers to terrorists, and to play on the fear of our people. The racism implicit in these accusations is unworthy of Christians and citizens. The emphasis on border security and the criminalization of immigrants is unworthy of a generous people. The 74 th General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopted a resolution similar to the one proposed. Adoption of this resolution by the Diocese of Connecticut will place us firmly among the Christians and other people of faith who are seeking to “respect the dignity of every human being” (BCP, p. 305).
Statement of Requirements to Implement the Resolution: The requirements to implement the resolution include a willingness on the part of Episcopal Church and diocesan leaders to take a stand on this justice issue. In financial terms, all that is required is postage to send the resolution to members of Congress and state officials.
RESOLUTION #9 On the Merger of the Parishes of Christ Church, West Haven and St. John's-by-the-Sea, West Haven into one parish (This resolution was presented on Oct. 20 and the convention voted to accept it into its business on Oct. 21, see explanation)
Submitted by: The Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut
RESOLVED: That under the Provisions of Canon I, Section 16, of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of CT, the Bishop and Standing COmmittee have approved the merge of the parishes of Christ Church, West Haven and St. John's-by-the-Sea, West Haven into one parish to be known as Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven, and be it further
RESOLVED: That the action of the Bishop and Standing Committee be ratified by the 222nd Annual Convention, and that the new parish congregation of the Church of the Holy Spirit, West Haven, be welcomed into union with the Diocese of Connecticut, and that their representatives be recognized at this time.
EXPLANATION: The Resolutions Committee meeting on September 7 preceded the September 21 meeting of the Standing Committee. It is therefore necessary to seek the 2/3 vote of the 222nd convention to place the resolution on the floor for its business session on October 21, in accordance with the provisions of the 1971 Standing Resolution of the Canons of the Diocese of Connecticut.
Committee on the Bishop's Address: RESOLUTION #1
RESOLVED: That this 222nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut commends the Bishop for his leadership; thanks him for his patience; and supports his call to end dissension and the diversion of assets and energy within the diocese. We embrace the gospel values and imperatives in mission relationships, recognizing that we act in Christ out of a new spirit of generosity.
Committee on the Bishop's Address: RESOLUTION #2
RESOLVED: That this 222nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut welcomes the opportunity to offer Christ's blessing for same-sex committed partners who seek, in faith, the recognition, prayer, and support of the Church for their lives as followers and servants of Christ.
