Rocky Mountain Regional Council Notes May 4, 2017

Transcription

1 Rocky Mountain Regional Council Notes May 4, 2017 Present: Kae (COB), Lara (HF), Denise (PC, HF), Winnie (LOC), Bob (LOC), Jim D. (MOM), Michael (PC), Amy (COB), Kerrie (MOM) Visitors: Stan Manickam, Mike Weil, Len Schreiner 1. Jim opened with prayer. 2. Visitors welcomed. 3. Agenda Review: Roadshow and PC Discussion Key elements to hit in depth this evening. Addition: Call to Action Conference. 4. April Notes: Approved by Finance Report: 20% decrease in income for Fiscal 2016, Used Reserve to balance. Finance Report sent via Vicar Report: Sent via , Michael presented highlights: CCC Board Meeting Denver Rabbi Minister Group Advocacy Groups: Gun Violence, CFGun violence has an updated, more user friendly website. Are quite active. Bishop/Vicar Call: Groundswell of interest in thinking out of the box, such as in LGBTQ outreach and gatherings for food, community fellowship. Bishop Rafe pointed out 4 areas of interest in younger population as regards to committing to a church or organization. 1. Causes/mission, 2. Community, 3. Church, 4. Theology and understanding of Christ. We discussed a bit on how to attract younger population to our churches and retain them. They have a different way of acting and thinking and we (ECC Churches) may have to rethink the way we do Church if we want to attract/keep them. A former PC member has moved south of Elbert and is interested in ECC outreach there for new community/church possibility. All RMRC members to

2 channel any contacts in the area to V. Michael so he can pass them on There should soon be a white paper on Calling a Female Bishop from national, perhaps by the end of May. Church of Holy Family Ordination event: June 11 th, 10AM. Send Michael photos please. 7. Interim Vicar Report: Jim D. was welcomed wholeheartedly by CHF, and is impressed by the Community s spirituality and leadership. Rev. Denise is doing a great job as Interim Pastor, she is concerned about Deacon Brent Rowlings who has health issues but she is working to keep included about proceedings. June 1 st is new deadline or Pastor Applications. 8. Pride Fest, Denver. There is a good outline in Vicar Report. Still need a tent, Insurance Rider from LOC not verified yet. Parade: Need to get word out. Jim Burnik going to meeting to get more info. Need to be at location by 9AM for actual walk in parade to get set up. Will use last year s banner but we can have more than one so individual communities can also have their own banners. Kae and Michael will coordinate preparation of printed materials to hand out at booth. no set shifts to cover/sign up for. Just show up when you can, Denise and Michael plan to be there all day. Send all Pridefest Support checks to Lara M. 9. Pax Christi Discussion: They are currently running in deficit each month because there are not enough members to support. Their host church did reduce their rent. They have lost members due to moving. They need PRAYER, as well as new people. with such a small group it is less attractive to get new people. Not enough people to do all that needs to be done, Have worked on being more visible on social media. They have a lot of hope and faith but also there are realistic expectations

3 of what PC can do to remain financially viable. We discussed some ideas: Location not ideal for signage to attract or inform people. Some of the issue is result of a retreat a few years ago: an outreach goal was NOT affirmed, rather their main ministry was to each other (supporting the ones who are there now.) All RMRC churches need to pray for PC, for new members but also clear vision Discussed possibility of local neighborhood advertising, college newspapers, or perhaps Westword perhaps Michael could offer them an interview as Vicar/Pastor. In terms of the 4 points brought out be B. Rafe, The Homeless Women Initiative is their main outreach mission as well as Gun Violence issues. We also need to pray for: CHF new pastor selection, LOC has decided to call new pastor from within their community. 10. Road Show: Kae put together a summary for all of us. Thank YOU! Lara working on Power Point, Jim: Perhaps a video of B. Francis giving history of ECC, Utrecht as an introduction. Stan: The Catholic connection/identity is important to many people. Kae: Our 1 st audience is our current membership eventually though RS could be uses with new people wanting to know about ECC. Action Item: Jim, Michael, Art Bavoso (MOM), to approach B. Francis about video on Old Catholic Roots/history of ECC. Len emphasized that we need to seriously begin thinking about passing the torch to a younger generation of people, some of them may not necessarily be interested in history. Michael feels it is important to communicate our roots, validity, how the ECC is loosely defined and that it is still evolving in response to its members, as members are able and active in creating forward movement

4 and change. Kae: What information is relevant? We will probably need a handout packet with some of the info see Kae s flow chart. Winnie: How are we going to inspire new generations? Denise: No tricks, she would like people to be excited because ECC is exciting, so the end purpose is to get people excited about the ECC and wanting to be part of the growing movement as a valued member. Kae: Roots (101) and Wings (102). Amy: Power of the Laity is important and what got her excited, your voice matters, is heard and you can be part of the change. Michael W. RMRC needs to have a clear vision of what the RS is. Utrect is nice but what is exciting is the participation of the people from their local church to Synods, Laity participation is key to the ECC and the focus on what we are able to do today. Vicar Michael: Acknowledgement: we can t grow our vision, our future until we are all on the same page. Stan: Best approach may be to go from known to unknown, we as Americans focus on canonical, political, social life move to how ECC empowers laity. Bob: Likes what he is hearing. Len: Is the region going through a renewal of purpose/personality? Does that speak to what 101 and 102 should be? Answer may clarify reason for information in RS. Action Item: Next step: Right now we are just rehashing each time we meet to discuss RS. We need a task force/committee to focus and move RS forward. Mike W. will assist. 11. Call to Action Conference: Sept 8-9 th, 2017, Golden CO. Registration is not open yet. See Vicar Report for more info. 12. Next Newsletter Date/Photos Deadline: Aug 3-5 th. 13. Short mention about B. Francis Regional Gatherings Friday evening, June 9 th, Saturday, June 10 th. 14. Next meeting is June 1 st. 15. Kerrie closed in prayer.

5 APPENDIX A Vicar Report for the RMRC 5_4_2017 meeting DEACON FORMATION UPDATES Coordinated information sharing with members of deacon candidates Evaluation Teams. Led ordination/chrism rehearsal 4/28 at MOM, and served as bishop s chaplain at liturgy 4/29. COLORADO COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 4/16/17 CCC Sunrise Service at Red Rocks Ampitheatre, flute call to worship, prayer over offering, and led closing hymn. Major ECC presence at event and in social media and press. VIDEO: < PHOTOS: < os-70th-annual-red-rocks-easter-sunriseservice/> CCC Board meeting 4/26/17 Review of Sunrise Service, 11K attended at Red Rocks; tentative net raised after expenses $15,775.28, enabling CCC to pay some of ED s back pay. Media hitch---simulcast was not broadcast. Great exposure for ECC! Considered signing letters of support for various undocumented immigrants in sanctuary awaiting court dates. Unfortunately text very specific about having journeyed with said individuals, which does not apply to our Judictories or Board Members. Encouraged prayer support for +Karen Oliveto and the UMC, but no public statements possible given some CCC covenanted congregations maintain biblical proscriptions against homosexuality. Boulder Community in Discernment Due to scheduling mix-up, May 7th vicar visit about their question, Why do we need the ECC? for postponed. Rev. Denise Denato s chronicle of Mary of Magdala/Rochester s discernment and rationales for joining ECC still pending. ADVOCACY GROUPS and REGIONAL PARTNERS 4/19/17 Denver rabbi/minister group discussed judicial challenge to Bishop Oliveto s election; parallels between Holy Week liturgies and Passover Seder; the historic anti-jewish bias regarding the death of Jesus and current Christian education countering such interpretations. Last gathering before summer recess is May 10th dessert potluck. 4/25/17 attended Abrahamic Initiative Veggie Potluck at St. John s Cathedral; gained further understanding of Islamic purity codes of behavior.

6 NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY WITH CTA AND COR REMINDER: Region asked to staff ECC info table at Call To Action (CTA) conference September 8-9 at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden. OPB to cover the cost of the vendor registration so there would be a table available to display our information and materials. Need at least 2 people to help staff that table during the conference. (Michael and ) RE: COR meeting in Colorado--- Catholic Organizations for Reform is considering meeting after CTA conference in Golden for one of our twice yearly meetings. In response to providing housing for +/-20 delegates and/or providing a space where we could meet from Sunday evening through Tuesday morning, Sept thus far, we have offers to host 5 at LOC, 2 at COB and 1 at PC...which are all pretty spread out; commute time from our ECC communities to Golden may be a big factor on whether COR members would take you up on this generous offer. BISHOP/VICAR CALL 3/15/17 focused mostly on regional updates NE: o +Francis and Vicar Rosa to attend June anniversary of Mary of Magdala/Rochester s incorporation and celebrate their reception into the ECC o regional gatherings starting o St. Luke s/cape Cod beginning process of reception into the ECC with their Bishop-Abbot John (Benedictine Grey Monks) whose independent church dissolved. +John is a PhD Prof in English and Communications o Holy Spirit ECC/Boston planning intergenerational LGBTQ Meal Site Café; traditionally at senior centers, meal followed by entertainment or lecture will include high school Gay/Straight Alliances, college students and seniors Rocky Mtn: o missed opportunity to sign on to letter supporting Planned Parenthood funding due to CCC director s schedule conflicts o increased ECC presence at Easter Sunrise Service o clergy group meeting every other month; well-received o preparations for regional diaconal ordinations, Chrism Mass and leadership retreat with Bishop Francis underway (+Francis wants to speak with CHF leadership; agrees vicar/pastor-candidate conflicts of interest should be avoided but shouldn t restrict attendance at ordination) o former member of PC who moved south interested in forming new ECC community near Colorado Springs

7 Mid America: o +Rafe to celebrate confirmations at St. Jerome s/little Rock after bishops retreat; reports that a retired ELCA bishop is willing to serve as emergency supply presider for that community o +Rafe developing a Road Show with reading list with focus on engaging next generations, acknowledging that first engage around a cause, 2nd community, 3rd church, 4th Christ (vs prior generations focus on faith/church/community/mission) Pacific NW: o +Tom on medical leave, Rev. Kedda serving as temporary vicar; focusing on paperwork of ordination candidates, also incardination of Jack and Liz Miller and reception their community in Mt. Vernon White Paper on calling forward a woman bishop has been shared with EC and LC (released unintentionally to some steering committee members); plan to share communion-wide by mid-may

8 APPENDIX B Denver PrideFest Booth Update Denver PrideFest to be held June in Downtown Denver s Civic Center Park. Organization Name: Pax Christi ECC Church Space Assignment: I 36 (very close to last year s site) map: pdf NEEDED: Liability insurance naming Denver PrideFest as additional insured (LOC update?) Canopy with retractable sides and weights, tables (COB last year) and chairs (PC last year). Exhibitors may not sell or distribute any food or beverages, including water, to event attendees. No vehicle will be allowed to drive into Civic Center Park without a copy of valid auto insurance. EVENT HOURS: Saturday, June 17: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 18: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Vendors may not close down prior to 7p.m. on Saturday or 6p.m. on Sunday. SET-UP: Saturday, June 17: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Site access by vehicle on Saturday morning limited to 20 minutes. No vehicles will be allowed on-site after 9.30 a.m. Sunday, June 18: 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. No cars will be allowed on-site after 8.30 a.m. on Sunday. TEAR-DOWN: Saturday, June You do NOT need to remove your equipment Saturday night. Small equipment only load-out begins at APPROXIMATELY 7:30 p.m. No vehicles may enter the park before 7:30 pm and only when the police deem it safe. Small equipment only load-out ends at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, June Equipment load-out begins at APPROXIMATELY 6:30 p.m. No vehicles may enter the park before 6:30 p.m. and only when the police deem it safe. Equipment load-out ends at 9:00 p.m. APPENDIX C Bishop Visitations Vanessa Henk, PLT President, CHF, confirmed with OPB that Holy Family has funds set aside to help share the cost of Bishop Francis' flight to Denver for Bonnie s ordination June 11. (OPB will split the cost per +Francis.) REGIONAL LEADERSHIP GATHERING June 9-10 Need a venue and a program outline. Intent: +Francis wants to be OUR Bishop, not an absentee figurehead; wants to get to know us, know how our communities understand our respective self-identities and relationship to each other. (If ministry partnerships are part of our communal identity, is there any interest in having a rep of the CCC make a presentation?) LOC is interested in having a visitation by the bishop to coincide with COB Confirmations on Nov. 18; able to share travel expenses.

9 APPENDIX D Rocky Mountain Regional Council 2017 Starting Balance 2, [42] Total Budget % to Budget Total Income , , % Total Expenses , , % ncome - Expenses) (595.00) (500.07) ected End Balance 2, , , , , , , , , , , , APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR Total INCOME Community Offerings Light of Christ , % Church of the Beloved , % Mary of Magdala , % Pax Christi % hurch of the Holy Family , % Offerings at Large - #DIV/0! Other #DIV/0! Total INCOME , % Expenses Vicar Housing , % Vicar Housing- interim Vicar Retreat - Vicar Expenses - Synod Expense- Vicar - Bishop Expenses - Advertising - Meeting Expense - Legal - Website Printing - - Memberships % Postage % Banking Charges - Other Total Expenses , , % 2016 Income LY 1, , , , % to LY 66% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 8%

10 Rocky Mountain Regional Council 2016 Starting Balance 3, [42] Total Budget % to Budget Total Income , , % Total Expenses 1, , , % ncome - Expenses) (470.66) (275.22) (344.86) (182.74) (181.28) (33.44) (263.57) (572.50) ected End Balance 2, , , , , , , , , , , , INCOME Community Offerings APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR Total Light of Christ , , % Church of the Beloved , , % Mary of Magdala , , % Pax Christi % hurch of the Holy Family , , % Offerings at Large - #DIV/0! Other #DIV/0! Total INCOME $ 6, , % Expenses Vicar Housing- TH/MN , , % Vicar Housing- JD , % Vicar Retreat - Vicar Expenses - Synod Expense- Vicar - Bishop Expenses - Advertising - Meeting Expense - Legal - Website Printing Memberships % Postage % Banking Charges Other Total Expenses 1, , , % 2015 Income LY 1, , , , % to LY 62% 78% 81% 62% 179% 73% 132% 106% 70% 53% 211% 22% 80%