DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND. College Chaplaincy Task Force

Transcription

1 DIOCESE OF RHODE ISLAND College Chaplaincy Task Force Introduction Report, September, 2016 Bishop Knisely appointed the following people to serve on the College Chaplaincy Task Force: Carol Miro, The Rev. Martin Yost, The Rev. Phil Devens, The Venerable Jan Grinnell, Michael Cunningham, The Rev. Dr. Judy Mitchell, The Rev. Dr. David Ames, and Betsy Fornal (staff) We began our work on March 9, 2016, with a focus on the following questions for our task force members: 1. What has been your experience in campus ministry? 2. How do you interpret Anglican/Episcopal theology and ethics as a contribution to the mission of higher education? 3. How do you think the Diocese should be involved, given the number and differences among our State s diverse higher education institutions? 4. How can we best develop relationships with faculty, administrators, and students? 5. Is there a model or models that we should support? In response to these questions we learned that Episcopalians act as a counterweight to the higher education agenda focused primarily on science, engineering and information technology. It is more difficult to cater to the humanities, especially art and music. Experience indicates that young people moving into adulthood are focused on issues of social justice. Returning to Sunday parish for liturgical worship only succeeds with a small fraction of students. Feeding people through a monthly feed a friend home-cooked meal program is one way to involve students. Another is to provide a safe place and training about issues of diversity including race, gender, ethnicity, and interfaith understanding. Our Christian ministry is about developing relationships and offering opportunities for students to gather in a safe space. We try to offer social alternatives to the world of alcohol and drugs as a way to gather and enjoy life. Communication via constant contact newsletters to students is useful. To develop a sustainable ministry it helps to have an advisory board. Parish-based ministry with Diocesan support provides a small but useful support for some Episcopal students offering a Sunday evening service of Evening Prayer, a meal, and a program of study or presentation. Chaplains serving as advisors to appropriate student groups, working with student affairs staff, providing pastoral support in times of crisis, and participating in matriculation and baccalaureate ceremonies is another avenue of presence and involvement. Meeting with Bishop Knisely An early meeting of the Task Force with Bishop Knisely (March 18, 2016) indicated that his goal is to have an identified clergy person on each campus, and a coordinated state-wide ministry based at the Cathedral. We need to identify the kinds of people and resources needed to be more

2 effective. It is important to develop job descriptions respective of the context and needs of the local campus. Strategies for developing campus religious community include: Young Life as a possible methodology for connecting with college students; Parishes needing to feel called to this ministry; Ways to engage ECC students heading to college (add this to ECC application form); and Understanding the development of relationships on campus. Regarding a possible Diocesan Structure the Task Force feels there needs to be a diocesan committee or commission on college chaplaincy. A staff member to monitor college chaplaincies and call them together to share news, discuss what is working or not, and make sure they are not isolated. Campus Representatives and Neighboring Dioceses In meeting with campus staff and faculty, and in researching what some of our neighboring dioceses are doing, we learned the following: Having someone on campus in designated office space for pastoral care is important as students and others walk in; worship that is ecumenical and/or interfaith is as important as denominational worship; collaborating with other campus chaplains and religious affiliates is an integral dimension in relating to the college or university; Focus on cultural competency and anti-racism training, service learning, social justice and ethical issues are present needs. The Diocese of Connecticut states, Our hope is to accompany on your spiritual journey throughout your college days, encourage your exploration of the life of faith, pray and celebrate with you as you discover the joy of life in Christian community. The Diocese of New Hampshire seeks To support and encourage the ministry of youth, college students and young adults by nurturing, reaching out and welcoming young people from inside and outside of our churches,. The Diocese of Western Massachusetts in an article by the Rev. Dr. Rich Simpson, Canon to the Ordinary concludes, Students need an anchor, that support, that place that reminds them of home. Most young people are eager to talk about their dreams, their passions, the meaning of life. Many of them are deeply interested in cultivating spiritual practices and encountering the Holy. So how can we find new ways of creating spaces where that might happen? The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts has six Episcopal college and university ministries. Whether it is an evening service that provides a space in which to breathe out the angst of the day and breathe in God s peace, a home-cooked meal and conversation around a parish hall table, or forums for asking questions about ethical decision making and vocational discernment, campus ministries are in a position to be all about inviting, forming, sending, serving kind of ministry that is at the heart of mission strategy in the Diocese of Massachusetts. What does it mean to answer God urgent call on campus?

3 Episcopal Conference Center Counselors On June 24, 2016, three of our Task Force members met with fifteen counselors at the Episcopal Conference Center. They were either college students or new high school graduates headed to college. We were there to listen, and invited response to two related questions: What should campus ministry be?, and What is most important in the context of your religious experience? In their responses, several themes predominated: the presence of joy, the promise of a sustaining community, and (very poignantly) the role of religious belief, with its assurance of the ultimate victory over sin, death and tragedy as an antidote to futility and despair. These were, clearly, what the young people hoped to find in campus ministry, and again and again they came back to these characteristics. But they also had some observations to share about church services: The times of services should be flexible, with more than one weekly opportunity to participate. They saw the value of being part of a diverse congregation, and agreed that the community needed to be large enough to incorporate multiple viewpoints, while remaining small enough for intimacy, the kind of sharing that leads to growth. Finally, they endorsed on-going outreach. When the discussion turned to present religious home bases, they were equally frank. When one young adult described the parish celebrations as boring, it was clear he spoke for several of the others. They suggested using music that speaks to and for its audience. They like the idea of varying sacred spaces. They advocated for an environment that raises consciousness of human need and does something to address it, but, balancing this, they cited a ministry of presence, and a context in which their interior lives could be fed and flourish. Meaghan suggested that the word that took in all of the above was authenticity, to widespread agreement. Campus ministry, if it is to work, must be non-judgmental, one young woman added, noting that many students feel unwelcome if their lifestyle choices are out of sync with traditional values (Read: memories of Sunday School...) We were out of time, but all of us felt that the session could easily have stretched to a weekend; the young men and women of E.C.C. are thoughtful, articulate and mature. We are grateful for their time, for their openness, and for the palpable presence of grace they brought to this valuable meeting. Conclusion The General Convention of the Episcopal Church has articulated five marks of mission. They include: Proclaiming the Good News; Teaching, baptizing, and nurturing; Responding to human need; Transforming unjust structures; and Safeguarding creation. Each of these marks of mission is important to the work of campus ministry. College chaplains have traditionally ministered in areas of worship, biblical study, ethical engagement, administration, and pastoral care, not only for students, but for the entire campus community. The mission of the Episcopal Church in higher education is in need of serious evaluation and a rebirth of its historic and vital relationship with the academy. The Church should regain its engagement with the advancement of knowledge including theology, science and technology. It needs this for the sake of its own educated membership and for its mission within an ecumenical and interfaith framework. The hope of our Task Force and the focus of this report is for a renewed sense of Christian mission in higher education. The Diocese should adopt a plan beginning this Fall by responding to the needs of our higher education institutions and the faculty and students who are engaged in study, research, and teaching.

4 2016 REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON MINISTRY Under the guidance and oversight of our Bishop and in accordance with Title III, Canon 2.2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church, the Commissions on Ministry (COM) is governed by the following principle: The Commission shall advise and assist the Bishop in the implementation of Title III of these Canons, in the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons, and in the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor. The COM is composed of six members of the clergy (the Rev. Patrick Campbell, the Venerable Janice Grinnell, the Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, the Rev. Timothy Rich, the Rev. Mark Sutherland, and the Rev. Joan Testin), at least four of whom shall be presbyters, and six lay members (Carol Anne Bennett, Harriet DiCicco, F. Leon Sibielski, Chair, and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler) all of whom were nominated by Bishop Knisely and confirmed by Convention for 3 year terms. For the past year, the COM has met in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House from 4:30-6:00 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the months of September through June. It does not meet during the months of July and August. The following highlights reflect some of the background work of this ministry over the past year: The COM assisted 7 congregations (St. Stephen, Providence; Church of the Good Shepherd, E. Providence; St. David s on-the-hill, Cranston; Church of the Ascension, Cranston; Sts. Matthew & Mark, Barrington; Emmanuel, Cumberland; and Church of the Epiphany, E. Providence) with 10 individuals who were discerning their call to ordained ministry. In discerning a call to ordained ministry, the individual (aspirant) discerning his/her call, their priest, and their congregation have been exploring the aspirant s call to ordained ministry that may or may not result in ordination. As a Commission, we are charged with the responsibility of introducing and guiding a priest and a congregant with an overview of the various stages of priestly and diaconal formation, and in particular with the formation of a Parish Discernment Team (PDT). Of the 7 congregations o 1 individual withdrew from the process o 1 individual decided not to continue in the process at this time o 2 individuals were not recommended o 2 individuals have been recommended by their respective PDTs for postulancy and are awaiting determination by their respective priest and vestry o 2 individuals have been recommended by their respective PDT, priest, and vestry for postulancy o 2 individuals have achieved postulancy As of this date, Bishop Knisely has o admitted Rob Izzi as a postulant for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Rhode Island on November 24, Rob is pursuing his call to the diaconate and is currently interning at St. Augustine s o admitted Jackie Rice as a postulant for ordained ministry in the Diocese of Rhode Island on April 12, Jackie is currently pursuing a PhD at Yale University while further discerning her call to priestly ministry.

5 o admitted Dante Tavolaro as a Candidate for Ordination to the Priesthood effective June 1, Dante is pursuing his call to the priesthood and is currently interning at Church of the Redeemer, Providence o ordained Edward Dean, James Kelliher, and Grace Swinski to the Diaconate on June 11, Ed is serving as a deacon at St. David s on-the-hill, Cranston, Jim is serving as a deacon at All Saints, Providence, and Grace is serving as a deacon at St. Thomas, Greenville. In direct response to lay people who are seeking ways to discern and understand their God given purpose, the COM is currently running its second Appreciative Inquiry (AI) course to 13 members of the laity. The 5 session course is currently being conducted at St. Columba, Middletown during the months of October and November, and is being facilitated by our Archdeacon, The Venerable Janice Grinnell. The COM continues to develop and improve upon its publications and forms that are applicable to the process of priestly and diaconal formation. Those materials can be viewed on our Diocesan website at ry.aspx As recently as October, the COM has entered into an ongoing conversation with Bishop Knisely about their role and function and how best they can assist him with the process of formation for those seeking ordained ministry. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Commission on Ministry, F. Leon Sibielski, Chair

6 DIOCESAN COUNCIL REPORT FROM NOVEMBER 2015 OCTOBER 2016 November 18, 2015 Actions taken Approval of the Episcopal Charities Advisory Board for 2015 Grant Distributions in the amount of $403,700 from the Annual Fund. Approval of the action of the Episcopal Charities Advisory Board for a grants totaling $15,500 from the Susan Hudson Memorial Fund, to be distributed as follows: $500 to the Poverty Conference Sponsorship in collaboration with the Rhode Island State Council of Churches; $15,000 to Jonathan Daniels House to fund one Episcopal Service Corps Member to be placed in local social service and Advocacy organizations in the Providence area and for leadership training, spiritual formation and vocational discernment. Approval of the election of the Rev. Nathan Humphrey, the Rev. Ted Hallenbeck, Mr. Bill Plumb and Ms. Doris De Los Santos for a one-year term to the Executive Committee; Approval of the election of Ms. Liz Crawley to serve a one-year term as Secretary of the Executive Committee. Approval of the following Bishop s appointments to the noted committees: the Rev. Peter Tierney as Chair of Program & Budget; the Rev. Susan Wrathall as member of Episcopal Charities; Sarosh Fenn as member of Commission on Finance; Michael Cunningham as Vice President of Diocesan Council. Approval of the 2016 clergy salary and benefits minimum requirements as presented. Approval of 2 Congregational Development Commission grants as distributed. Approval of Policies on Safe Church, Sexual Misconduct, Protection of Youth. December 16, 2015 Actions taken Approval of the distribution of the 2015 Millennium Development Goal Funds as follows: $5,000 to the Precious Children s Orphan Home; $4,500 to the Society of St. Margaret; and $5,000 to Plan International USA. Approval to table to time certain with a request for more information from an MDG committee member before voting. An amended motion was made to reserve the $14,500 MDG 2015 budget amount into The amended motion was approved. Approval to appoint the Rev. Bettine Besier as liaison to the MDG Committee. Approval of the allocation of the MacSparran/Lee fund estimated 2016 income in the amount of $15,000 to be distributed to support Diaconate Training. Approval of the designation of the following amounts of cash compensation to be clergy housing allowance for 2016 in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code [Section 107]: the Rev. Gillian Barr, $20,000; the Rev. Meaghan Brower, $3,000; the Rev. Canon Linda L. Grenz, $90,000; the Rev. W. Nicholas Knisely, $5,000; and the Rev. Sean Manchester, $8,990. Approval of, upon the recommendation of the Task Force assigned, a 1 one-year membership to the Episcopal Network for Economic Justice [ ENEJ].

7 Affirmation of the Executive Committee s decision on December 10, 2015 to disburse a one-time grant in the amount of $12,000 from the Susan Hudson Fund of Episcopal Charities to HCA/Oasis. Approval to authorize up to $20,000 of the Susan Hudson Fund for 2016 without prior Council approval. Approval to adopt the Policies on Safe Church, Sexual Misconduct, and Protection of Youth. Approval of the Rev. Canon Linda Grenz and Ms. Joan DeCelles, Assistant Treasurer, as signatories for 2016 on the Church Beyond the Walls bank account; the Rev. Canon Linda Grenz, Ms. Joan DeCelles, Assistant Treasurer, and Ms. Elizabeth Crawley as signatories for 2016 on the A.A. Gammell Fund bank accounts; and the Rev. Canon Linda Grenz, Ms. Joan DeCelles, Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Robert L. G. Batchelor, Treasurer and Mr. Dennis Burton, Chief Finanical Officer, as signatories on all other diocesan bank and DIT accounts. Approval of the actions of the Susan Hudson fund Advisory Committee and the Episcopal Charities Advisory Board to disburse $5,000 from the Susan Hudson Fund Grant to the Epiphany Soup Kitchen. January 16, 2016 Actions taken Approval of the appointments of the Rev. Peter Tierney as Chair of the Program & Budget Committee with his term ending in 2018; Ms. Susan Ursillo to the Compensation & Benefits Committee with her term ending in Approval to issue apportionment rebates to those churches who paid in, by June Approval to give $900 to Royal School of Church Music for their spring Evensong. Approval of Council meetings dates for 2016, meeting on the 4 th Wednesday of the month [with exceptions], with a start time of 6:00 pm and with the location through June 2016 at the diocesan office 2 nd floor conference room. February 24, 2016 Actions taken Approval of the appointments to the Diocesan Audit Committee: the Rev. Robert Brooks, Mr. Gregory de Groot and the Rev. Mary Canavan. Approval to support the co-sponsorship with the Interfaith Blessing of the Sea. Approval of the distribution of the 2015 MDG grants to the following agencies: 1,000 Jobs Haiti; Plan International USA; Precious Children s Orphan Home. Approval that the remaining balance of the dedicated $100K for matching grants up to $10,000 be available to churches for accessibility projects or to address safety and code violations. March 30, 2016 Actions taken

8 Approval of the pledging of invested assets in the DIT to establish a Line of Credit with USTrust having a credit limit of $10,000,000. Approval of a one-year membership with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, with recommendation that the diocesan Development Officer determine renewal in one year s time. April 27, 2016 Actions taken Approval of the Diocesan Gifts Policy. Approval to accept the appointment of the Rev. Nathan Humphrey as the Vice President of Council. Approval to accept the appointment of the Rev. Bettine Besier to the unexpired term as member of the Executive Committee. May 25, 2016 Actions taken Approval of the Diocesan Contribution for Use of Church Buildings, offering reimbursement of expenses by having a standard rate. Approval of the Diocesan Conflict of Interest Policy, a requirement for all nonprofits. Approval to adopt the Whistleblower Policy as a formal policy of Council. June 22, 2016 Actions taken Council convenes as membership of the CFR to conduct Annual Meeting of the CFR: Approval of board of directors terms. A motion was made to recess as the Diocesan Council. The motion was approved. A motion to convene as the CFR board. The motion was approved. Approval to confirm the election of The Rev. David Dobbins for a three-year term, term to expire on March 31, 2019; The Rev. David Ames to fulfill the remainder of the term of James DeWolf Perry (who resigned from the board to become executive director), term to expire on March 31, 2018; and Prof. Tony Bogues for a second three-year term, term to expire on March 31, A motion to close nominations. A motion to move the single ballot. The motion was approved. With no more, motion to recess as CFR. The motion was approved. A motion to reconvene as Diocesan Council. The motion was approved. Approval of the CDC Grant Recommendation of $3,200 to St. David s on-the-hill for the upgrading of the preschool program. August 10, 2016 Actions taken Approval to pass the Policy Governing Memberships of Diocesan Committees, Commissions or Board. The motion was passed.

9 Affirmation to the appointment by the bishop of the Rev. Jennifer Zogg to fill the Rev. David Lucey s unexpired term on Council. The motion was passed. Action to appoint Mr. Bob Batchelor, Ms. Sue Hurn, Mr. Henry Dziadosz, and the Rev. Nathan Humphrey to serve as the members of the Supplemental Benefits Committee. The motion was passed. Approval to approve the conveyance of the Plat 379, Block B, Lot 355; Lot 71 & pt. Lot 72 [attached] to St. Barnabas Church as sole member of St. Mary s Church, Warwick Neck, such conveyance being subject to the review and approval of Richard Sayer, Esq., Chancellor. The motion was passed.

10 Significant Actions of the Standing Committee Since the 2015 Diocesan Convention The members of The Standing Committee undertook the following actions between the months of October 2015 and October 2016: Approved for ordination to the Vocational Diaconate: o Edward Dean o James Kelliher o Grace Swinski Approved for ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests: o Linda Griggs Approved for candidacy to the Diaconate: o Dante Tavalaro Granted to consent to the elections of the Bishops of the Dioceses of: o Northern Indiana o Eastern Oregon o Pennsylvania o Easton o Western North Carolina o Central New York Granted approval of the election of the Bishop Coadjutor of: o Los Angeles Granted approval to the election of the Bishop Suffragan of: o West Texas Approved a loan request made of and approved by the Finance Committee through the Diocesan Revolving Loan Fund for the following congregations: o St. Mary s Episcopal Church (East Providence) o St. Mark s Episcopal Church (Warwick) o St. Peter & St. Andrew Church (Providence) Gave approval to restore to full parish status the following congregation: o Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist (Newport) Gave approval to move from mission status to parish status to the following congregation: o St. Thomas (Alton) Approved the new and/or updated bylaws of the following congregations: o St. Columba s Chapel(Middletown) o St. Paul s Episcopal Church (Pawtucket) o St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Alton)

11 o Zabriskie Memorial Church of St. John the Evangelist (Newport) Approved the sale of the Mary Mitchell Land by St. Mary s Episcopal Church (Portsmouth) Approved the sale of the property at 358 Warwick Neck Ave. currently owned by St. Barnabas Episcopal Church (Warwick) as successor for St. Mary s (Warwick) seller to Heritage Christian Fellowship of the Assembly of God, Inc. buyer Approved the meeting time change to 4:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month to 4:00pm on the 3 rd Tuesday of the month Created and approved a checklist for bylaw creation and updates