Resolutions 1-9 223rd Annual Diocesan Convention
Click here for PDF of all resolutions (printable)
Index:
Resolution #1 – Minimum Salary Schedule for Clergy – 2008 - PASSED
Submitted by: The Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
See PDF for chart with full details. 3% increase recommended with increase to $1000 for continuing education allowance.
Resolution #2 – 2008 Diocesan - PASSED
Submitted by: Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut adopts the Diocesan Budget for 2008 as proposed and appended to this resolution. (Click for PDF of proposed budget)
Resolution #3 -- Concerning the Election of Bishops - PASSED
Submitted by: The Rev. Mark Delcuze, St. Stephen's, Ridgefield; Mr. Brian Snover, St. Francis Church, Stamford; Ms. Karanne Farling, Trinity Church, Collinsville
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut affirms the precedence of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church to Resolutions of General Convention, and will faithfully adhere to Title III.1.2 which states that, "No person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age"; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That this Convention dissents from Resolution B033 of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which states
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;
and, be it further
RESOLVED: That this Convention strongly encourages our Bishop and Standing Committee to consent to the consecration of all qualified candidates duly elected to the Episcopate; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That this resolution be forwarded by the Secretary of this Convention to the Secretary of General Convention.
Explanation:
More than a year after General Convention 2006, it has become increasingly clear to many in our Church that the passage of Resolution B033 is in violation of the Canons of the Episcopal Church. The injury to lesbian, gay and transgender Episcopalians who feel this resolution was directed at them adds to our sense that this resolution was not well conceived. By disassociating from this resolution, we seek not to divide our Church, but to join with other Dioceses and organizations which call for continued dialogue about the mystery of human sexuality and the radical welcome that we each receive in Jesus Christ.
Resolution #4 – Revision of Canon II, Section 6 - PASSED AS AMENDED (new text in red, below)
Submitted by: Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut amends Canon II, Section 6 to read:
The basis AND RATE of financial assessments laid by the Convention upon the
several Parishes and Mission Stations shall be voted by the Annual
Diocesan Convention. The Diocesan Executive Council is responsible
to present an assessment proposal to the Diocesan Convention for all monies
to be raised from Parishes and Mission Stations in support of the
budgets adopted by the Convention.
Explanation:
The above amended language of Canon II, Section 6 was voted on by BDEC at its June 6, 2007 meeting. This is a form over substance change to have the language conform to present practice, deleting the boldfaced words in the text of the current Canon II, Section 6 printed below and adding the clarifying words “from Parishes and Mission Stations” in the second sentence:
The basis of financial assessments laid by the Convention upon the
several Parishes and Mission Stations shall be on a basis voted by the
Annual Diocesan Convention. The Diocesan Executive Council is responsible
to present an assessment and quota proposal to the Diocesan Convention
for all monies to be raised in the support of budgets adopted by the
Convention.
Resolution #5 – Parish Compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard of 12.5% - PASSED AS AMENDED (new text in red, below)
Submitted by: Bishop and Diocesan Executive Council
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut affirms that financial support of the work of the diocese and the episcopate is the responsibility of all Episcopalians; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the bishop and others he may designate will assist and encourage all parishes in the diocese to reach a level of giving for the diocese of at least the minimum standard mandated by the Diocesan Convention (currently 12.5% of Operating Income as defined in the Parochial Report); and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the assistance and encouragement will take the form of such means as:
1. Education of and consultation with clergy, vestry, and other parishioners of the work of the diocese;
2. Teaching of the importance of stewardship in the lives of individuals and parishes;
3. Providing financial training to clergy and laity;
4. Helping parishes to plan ways and timing of reaching the mandated level of diocesan support; and,
5. Offering non-financial resources for congregational development that will lead to new growth and vitality.
6. And upon the Bishop's discretion, prohibiting the licensing of additional paid clergy in parishes that do not pay their full assessments until such a time that full annual payments are made.
Explanation:
It is acknowledged that in order to maintain a consistent level of activity in this area, it will be the responsibility of the Diocesan Finance Committee and the Bishop and Executive Diocesan Council to consult with the bishop and others who assist him on a regular basis, so that all parishes and mission stations are made continually aware of the expectation that they will support the work of the diocese as voted annually by the Diocesan Convention.
Resolution #6 – Withdrawal of forces from Iraq - PASSED
Submitted by: Social Concerns and Witness Committee
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut reaffirms its previous action urging the President and members of Congress from Connecticut to do all in their power to commence immediately a withdrawal of U. S. occupying forces from Iraq and to set a definite time table for completion; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the Chair of the Social Concerns and Witness Committee communicate this resolution to the President and the Connecticut Congressional delegation.
Explanation:
This diocese has previously opposed the invasion of Iraq as failing to meet the criteria for a just war.
It should be obvious by now that a democratic government cannot be imposed on a nation by force, and that this interference is not supported by a majority of the people of Iraq. A significant impetus for continuing acts of terrorism is rooted in a desire to end U.S. occupation of Iraq. So long as U.S. armed forces remain in place, they will continue to be a ready target.
U.S. armed forces cannot and should not be a means of resolving the conflicts between the various factions In Iraq. Ideally, it should be up to other (especially Arab) nations to supply peace keeping forces to assure that law and order are maintained, and that the safety of all persons be assured, in order that the government of Iraq can function, and the process of nation-building go forward.
Our military commanders have said repeatedly that peace in Iraq requires a political, rather than a military solution. The people of the U.S. and the rest of the world clearly want to know what plans the U.S. has for ending the occupation, and when this will come about.
Resolution #7 -- Paid Sick Leave Days- PASSED
Submitted by: Social Concerns and Witness Committee
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut supports legislation in Connecticut that would require employers with fifty or more employees to provide their employees with paid sick leave days. Employers would be required to pay one hour of sick leave for every forty (40) hours worked, but could establish a maximum of six and a half (6 1/2) paid sick leave days a year; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the Chair of the Social Concerns and Witness Committee send copies of this resolution to the appropriate State authorities.
Explanation:
Nationally, forty seven percent (47%) of employees do not receive any paid sick leave days, and among low wage workers, the figure rises to eighty percent (80%). Without paid sick leave days, workers with infectious conditions still come to work, and often do not have time to seek proper medical treatment.
Resolution #8 – Increasing State Rental Assistance Program - PASSED
Submitted by: Social Concerns and Witness Committee
RESOLVED: That this 223rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut supports legislation increasing the state rental assistance program by at least a thousand or more units, and requiring developers of low and moderate rental housing to set aside more units for families receiving rental assistance; and, be it further
RESOLVED: That the Chair of the Social Concerns and Witness Committee send copies of this resolution to the appropriate State authorities.
Explanation:
Currently federal Section 8 (housing subsidy) and the state rental assistance program are only meeting a quarter of the need. There is strong opposition, with racial and ethnic overtones, to constructing more low-income housing. As a consequence, rental assistance remains as the best path to take. Many low-income families are spending over half their income for rent, and go from month-to-month not knowing whether they will be able to pay the next month’s rent. This causes a cascade of results, sometimes in the directions of homelessness, family instability, and poor performance in school by children.
Resolution #9 - On the merger of the parishes of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Enfield, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Enfield, Calvary Episcopal Church, Suffield, into one parish - PASSED
Submitted by the Bishop and Standing Committee of the Diocese. Received into Convention business on Oct. 19 by a 2/3 majority of voting members.
RESOLVED: That under the provisions of Canon I, Section 16, of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, the Bishop and Standing Committee have approved the merger of the parishes of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Enfield, St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Enfield, and Calvary Episcopal Church, Suffield into one parish to be known as Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Enfield, and be it further
RESOLVED: that the action of the Bishop and Standing Committee be ratified by the 223rd Annual Convention, and that the new parish congregation of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Enfield, be welcomed into union with the Diocese of Connecticut, and that their representatives be recognized at this time.