Diocesan Council Meeting Recap
By the Rev. Earl Kooperkamp
The Diocesan Council reviewed the Treasurer’s Report; discussion mostly centered on the Mission support Revenue is substantially below budget. This is due to income, not overspending, as some congregations are not yet fully up to date with monthly payments, and actual receipts from parishes are less than estimated. There will be further analysis of this item and recommendations will be made to the Council for the September meeting.
Solid progress has been made on the planning of our November Diocesan convention.
A reported $33,000 has been pledged to the Alleluiafund to date, and with the upcoming golf tournament we expect to meet the $40,000 goal.
The October Clergy Day, tentatively scheduled for Clements Family Farm in Charlotte, VT, will be on the topic of dismantling racism.
The Vermont Disaster Preparedness Workshop is set for September 23.
A training for Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) will take place on September 16 as part of developing a “Local Mission Approach.”
Council members have been encouraged to improve communication within their respective Mission Districts by contacting their parishes periodically with updates.
Canon Lynn Bates will be working with Council members on a Diocesan priority identified at the beginning of the year: Strategies to recruit clergy to Vermont.
The council reviewed various upcoming vacancies, which are to be filled at the Diocesan Convention.
Bishop Ely reminded the Council that resolutions for Diocesan Convention need to be ready for discussion and action at the September meeting, and that there would be a Budget Resolution and a Clergy Compensation Resolution for consideration.