Resolutions Passed at the 186th Convention of The Episcopal Church in Vermont
Resolutions passed in the 186th Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Church in Vermont can be found on this page. Scroll down to read the “resolved” summaries, or click the links to download the PDFs, most of which include additional explanatory information for each of the resolutions.
Title: A Resolution Establishing Minimum Clergy Compensation for 2019 (Download PDF)
Proposer: Diocesan Council
RESOLVED: That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont approve the recommendation of the Diocesan Council that the minimum 2019 full time Total Clergy Compensation (TCC) for priests receiving compensation in the Diocese of Vermont be $64,875 of which $43,920 (67.7%) represents the stipend portion. This minimum TCC is all-inclusive and has been designed to compensate for stipend, housing, utilities, SECA reimbursement and equity allowance, when applicable. For clergy living in church provided housing, the actual total value of the Fair Rental Value of the property plus actual utilities provided will be used when determining minimum TCC. Travel allowance shall be reimbursed at the current IRS standard rate; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont endorses a corresponding minimal increase for the year 2019 of 2.0% in monetary compensation to all compensated clergy and lay employees throughout the Episcopal Church in Vermont.
Title: Resolutions Regarding the FY2019 Budget & Alleluia Fund (Download PDF)
Sponsor: Diocesan Council
RESOLVED, That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont approve the recommendation of the Diocesan Council and adopt a balanced diocesan operating budget for the calendar year 2018 in the amount of $1,009,691; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a congregation’s contribution be based on a real time 4-tier percentage of Operating Income reportable on Line A of the Parochial Report, the tier being determined by an average of the preceding 3 years (FY2015, FY2016, FY2017) Line A Parochial Report Operating Income; for 2019, these tiers based on the average above will be 11% [$1- $39,999]; 13% [$40,000-$99,999]; 15% [$100,000- $199,999]; and 16% $200,000 or more; and be it further
RESOLVED, That if actual mission support from congregations (budget line 1) is a surplus of greater than 5% or a deficit of greater than 5% compared to Diocesan budgeted revenue, Diocesan Council will make an appropriate adjustment with each parish; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the 2019 Alleluiafund goal be $40,000 to fund mission programs and ministry activities established by Diocesan Council, including Rock Point Camp (at least $11,000), Rock Point Board/Property (at least $9,000), and the balance for grant distribution through the Grants & Loans Committee for ministries broadly embracing the General Convention priorities of reconciliation, evangelism and creation care.
Title: A Resolution for a Financially Sound Future (Download PDF)
Sponsor: The Vestry of St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, Stowe, Vermont
RESOLVED, That the Convention recommend formation of a working group to explore ways to expand the visibility of the Episcopal Church in Vermont so as to attract new members and reinvigorate current and former Episcopalians.
Title: Resolution to Amend Canon I, Section 1.9 (Download PDF)
Proposer: Steven D. Marshall, Esq., Chair of Diocesan Canons Committee
Resolved, that Canon I, Sec. 1.9 be amended to read as follows:
A quorum of the Convention, except as otherwise provided, shall be not less than one third of the Clergy entitled to vote and Delegates from not less than one-third of the Parishes and Missions entitled to representation, provided the Bishop or Bishop Coadjutor (if there be one) be present. But in their absence, such number shall not have power to do more than receive the usual reports and elect the ordinary officers. In the election of a Bishop, a majority of the Clergy entitled to vote in that Convention shall be present, and two-thirds of all Parishes and Missions entitled to send Delegates shall be represented, before the Convention can proceed. A Parish or Mission shall be entitled to send Delegates to a Special Convention when a Bishop is to be elected if it was represented by Delegates in at least two out of five immediately preceding conventions.
Title: Application of the Leahy Laws to Israel (Download PDF)
Sponsor: Mr. John Heermans and the Rev. Craig Smith
RESOLVED, That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont request the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the Vermont congressional delegation to urge the United States Departments of State and Defense to apply the Leahy Laws to Israel.
Title: Freedom of Speech and the Right to Boycott (Download PDF)
Sponsor: Mr. John Heermans and the Rev. Craig Smith
RESOLVED, That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont urge the President of the United States and the Vermont congressional delegation to oppose legislation that would penalize companies and organizations for their participation in nonviolent boycotts on behalf of Palestinian human rights, as such legislation, at both federal and state levels, would be an infringement on First Amendment rights.
Title: Regarding Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Lands and Israel’s Apartheid Policies toward Palestinian People (Download PDF)
Sponsor: Mr. John Heermans and the Rev. Craig Smith
Resolved, That the 186th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont support the rule of international law and condemn the ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands that is illegal and in direct violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention support the right of Palestinians to self-determination, freedom of movement, property rights, unrestricted access to water, electricity, medical care, primary and secondary education, economic opportunities, permission to build and retain homes, and commerce; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention urge members of The Episcopal Church in Vermont to pray, reflect and openly discuss how the policies of the Israeli government toward Palestinians may contribute to a state of militarization and apartheid, and whether such conditions are consistent with our Baptismal Covenant to strive for human dignity and freedom for all people in the region.