Resolutions Resolution A-179 Clergy Compensation Submitted by Diocesan Council 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri set the annual standard base compensation for full-time clergy in 2019 as follows: CASH SALARY & HOUSING ALLOWANCE TABLE FOR FULL-TIME PRIESTS. Years of Service Average Sunday Attendance Under 75 75-175 176 or greater 0 $60,664 $63,390 $66,500 5 $63,390 $66,500 $69,763 10 $66,500 $69,763 $73,251 15 $69,763 $73,251 $76,914 20 $73,251 $76,914 $80,760 25 $76,914 $80,760 $84,798 * Table outlines a standard base for full-time solo or senior priests. Full-time associate compensation should follow the left column. This resolution establishes a standard base compensation for clergy. Congregations are urged and invited to compensate clergy beyond the standard. It is understood that under individual circumstances and conditions internal adjustments in the compensation package may be negotiated. CASH SALARY & HOUSING ALLOWANCE TABLE FOR PART-TIME PRIESTS Years of Service 1/4 Time Half Time 3/4 Time 0 $15,166 $30,332 $45,498 5 $15,848 $31,695 $47,543 10 $16,625 $33,250 $49,875 15 $17,441 $34,882 $52,322 20 $18,313 $36,626 $54,939 25 $19,228 $38,457 $57,685 Online at www.diocesemo.org/convention2018 17
2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church Pension Fund assessment will be paid by the congregation; 3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that $50,000 group life will be paid by the congregation; 4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the medical coverage for clergy be in compliance with Diocesan Resolution A-172; 5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a standard of ten days per calendar year and $500 will be provided for continuing education; 6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the standard auto allowance will be $2,000 per year; 7. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all parishes and missions encourage their full-time clergy to set aside the equivalent of two days each week for personal time, 24 hours of which must be consecutive; 8. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all parishes and missions be strongly encouraged to provide dental insurance for clergy and eligible dependents, or be assured they already have such coverage; 9. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clergy in Charge shall accrue two weeks of sabbatical time for each year of service; and 10. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all parishes and missions be encouraged to reimburse deacons and non-stipendiary clergy for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with continuing education and diocesan clergy retreats, including mileage, professional memberships and publications. (See also requirement in Title III Canon III.2 Sec 4 of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri). Rationale The recommendation for 2019 reflects a 2.0% increase. This increase is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index-Midwest Urban Consumers. Current Salary Range for Full-Time Solo or Senior Priests in the Diocese of Missouri ASA Low Median High Average Average Years 0-75 $58,513 $67,900 $77,090 $69,037 16 76-175 $59,634 $75,498 $98,661 $77,243 13 176+ $103,726 $115,194 $211,065 $128,833 24 18 The 179th Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Nov. 17, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
Online at www.diocesemo.org/convention2018 19
Resolution B-179 Baptism Submitted by the Bishop's Task Force on Baptism 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri affirms the centrality of Baptism to our identity as followers of Christ; 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that preparation for Baptism in the Diocese of Missouri shall be undertaken reverently and deliberately so as to communicate the sacrament s importance; 3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED clergy be encouraged to offer as many sessions of baptismal preparation as they do in preparation for other sacraments (such as Marriage); 4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that clergy of the Diocese of Missouri are strongly encouraged to make use of those resources being provided by the Task Force on Baptism for such baptismal preparation (http://wiki.diocesemo.org/baptism-resources:start); 5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Godparents and Sponsors be encouraged to take an active role in both preparation and in the ongoing life of the individual they are sponsoring, so that they might make good on the vows they take on behalf of those being baptized; 6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the sacramental reality of Baptism is full initiation into the Church through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and 7. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that clergy and worshiping communities be encouraged to emphasize our common identity as baptized members of the Body of Christ in as many formation and education offerings as is possible, and to facilitate an understanding of how Baptism, and our new creation through it, informs our understanding about everything that it means to be a Christian. Rationale Holy Baptism is the means of entry into Christian community, the means by which we are adopted as children of God and made members of the Body of Christ. Because through baptism, we are called to our new identity as the Body, it is beneficial for all members of the Body of Christ to have a greater understanding of our baptismal identity and the vows we undertake as the Body of Christ. 20 The 179th Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Nov. 17, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
Resolution C-179 Companion Diocese of Lui Submitted by Companion Diocese Committee 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179 th Convention of the Diocese of Missouri expresses its gratitude to God for the many gifts we have received from our relationship with our brothers and sisters of the Diocese of Lui in South Sudan during the years of our companion relationship; 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Convention expresses its deep gratitude to the people of the Diocese of Lui for their faithfulness to Our Lord Jesus Christ and for their joy in sharing that faith with us; 3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as the Diocese of Lui celebrates 100 years since the arrival of Christianity in the person of Doctor Frazer, this Convention will let our companion relationship lapse; 4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by this Convention of the Diocese of Missouri that any and all moneys raised for the companion relationship, and for various purposes in the Diocese of Lui, be forwarded to the Diocese of Lui for those purposes as expeditiously as possible; 5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Convention encourage the people of the Diocese to continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Lui, and for peace in South Sudan; and 6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Convention encourages the Companion Diocese Committee to prayerfully investigate an appropriate relationship for consideration after the election of the 11 th Bishop of Missouri. Rationale The initial covenant between the Dioceses of Missouri and Lui, signed in April of 2006, was intended to run for five years, and was renewed for another five years in 2011. That renewal has now passed the five-year mark. A civil war in South Sudan, beginning in December 2013, has made travel to the Diocese of Lui practically impossible. Since the beginning of that war, visitors from the Diocese of Missouri have only been able to visit refugees in the camp at Kiryandongo, Uganda. Also, South Sudanese citizens have consistently been denied visas to visit the United States. For these reasons, this companion relationship can no longer serve one of the most important purposes of a companion relationship, viz., the exchange of visits for mutual learning and encouragement. Also, as our bishop will retire in April 2020, now would be an opportune time to wind this relationship down to give our new bishop the chance to pursue a relationship in line with her or his vision of the Diocese. The 100 th anniversary celebration of the arrival of Christian missionaries in Lui gives us the opportunity to celebrate the fruits of this relationship with our friends in Lui. Online at www.diocesemo.org/convention2018 21
Resolution D-179 Dismantling Racism Language Submitted by General Convention Deputation 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179 th Convention of the Diocese of Missouri, following the lead offered by the 79 th General Convention Resolution B004, condemn racism in all its forms, institutional, systemic, and personal; and 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all congregations, task forces, committees, commissions, intentional communities, and individuals of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri engaged in the work of ending racial injustice are encouraged to expand the language used to describe their work as both dismantling racism and as racial healing, justice, and reconciliation in the results they strive to achieve. Rationale One of the issues among many people at the 79 th General Convention who work for racial justice was whether or not to eliminate the words Dismantling Racism in in favor of the words Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation. Questions raised: Are the differences merely semantic? Is the term Dismantling Racism outmoded? The basic argument for keeping Dismantling Racism is that Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation are results requiring some form of dismantling racism, and that we should not, as a church, hide behind the feel-good words of healing and reconciliation to avoid the hard work involved in dealing with systemic issues of injustice and inequality. We need all of the above. GC2018-B004 Encouraging the Language of Dismantling Racism and Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation Resolved, That this 79th General Convention affirms that we condemn racism in all its forms, institutional, systemic, and personal, and we encourage all task forces, commissions, committees, parishes, centers and individuals in The Episcopal Church involved in the work of dismantling racism and seeking to foster racial healing, justice, and reconciliation to expand the language used to designate or describe that work; and be it further Resolved, there continues to be important work needed to confront institutional and systemic racism in many settings and communities before there can be further work in healing, justice and reconciliation, and be it further Resolved, there is also important work being done to begin such healing, justice, and reconciliation, and be it further Resolved, we recognize and affirm that the language around such work is critical to our ability to communicate our purposes with others engaging in this work within the Church and across other organizations, therefore be it further Resolved, That the terms to be utilized to describe such work should include Dismantling Racism and Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation. 22 The 179th Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Nov. 17, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
Resolution E 179 Expansive Language Submitted by the General Convention Deputation 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri commends General Convention Resolution 2018-D067 to clergy, members, congregations, and agencies of the Diocese of Missouri: General Convention 2018 Resolution D067 Bias-Free and Expansive-Language for God and Humanity Resolved, That the 79th General Convention acknowledges as has the Society of Biblical Literature Book of Style, that bias-free language respects all cultures, peoples, and religions and encourages the use of inclusive and expansive language for both God and humanity; and be it further Resolved, That the 79th General Convention in the spirit of effective evangelism and proclamation of the Gospel affirm the use of bias-free language defined by the principles below: Eliminate the perception of conscious or unconscious bias by the distracting use of biased language when not central to the meaning of the text. Avoid the generic use of masculine nouns and pronouns which is increasingly unacceptable in current English usage. Avoid the use of language that perpetuates stereotypes based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Avoid the assignment of gender to God, except when required by the text. Respect all cultures, peoples, and religions by sensitivity to the uncritical use of biblical characterizations such as the Jews or the Pharisees that can perpetuate religious and ethnic stereotypes. Structure sentences to communicate clearly while using gender-neutral language, for example: Omit the pronoun. Repeat the noun. Use a plural antecedent. Use an article instead of a pronoun. Use the neutral singular pronoun one. Use the relative pronoun who. Use the imperative mood; And be it further Resolved, That the 79th General Convention urges that the Executive Council, the Office of General Convention and the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society give priority to using these guidelines in all published communications; and 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Convention urges Diocesan congregations, institutions, and organizations to follow these guidelines in all published communications. Online at www.diocesemo.org/convention2018 23
Resolution F-179 Letters of Agreement Submitted by the General Convention Deputation 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 179th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri directs the Secretary of this convention to disseminate Resolution 2018-B006 of the 79 th General Convention of The Episcopal Church to all clergy, Vestries, Bishop or Executive Committees, and all leadership of intentional diocesan communities: 1. Resolved, That every diocese and ministry organization, in recognition of the guidelines included in The Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs, be requested to include a letter of agreement as part of a transparent hiring process for any church employee. Such letter of agreement may describe the duties and responsibilities of the position, including details about salary and benefits. The letter may also include provisions for an annual performance evaluation, procedures for the reconciliation of disagreements, and articulate policies concerning dissolution. 2. Notes: 3. Title I, Canon 7, Of Business Methods in Church Affairs, and Resolution D-147 (1979 GC): Accounting Principles and Practices for Dioceses, Parishes, and Other Congregations 4. https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/full_manual_updated_012815_0.pdf 5. https://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_search.pl 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congregations and other diocesan organizations are encouraged to share their Letter of Agreement templates for both clergy and lay positions with the Diocesan Office as a repository. 24 The 179th Meeting of the Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Nov. 17, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis
This resolution to the Constitution and Canons was passed at the 178th Diocesan Convention in November 2017 in Hannibal. Because this is a proposed change to the Diocesan Constitution and Canons, it requires the further vote of the 179th Convention. Resolution D-178 A Resolution to Give Seat & Voice to General Convention Deputies at Diocesan Convention Resolved, that Article III.3 of the Constitution of the Diocese of Missouri shall be amended to add the following: "SEC. 12. Lay Deputies and Lay Provisional Deputies to General Convention who are not otherwise Members of Convention shall have seat and voice in Convention." and that subsequent sections of Article III.3 be renumbered. RATIONALE Article III.3 of the Constitution of the Diocese of Missouri already affords seat and voice to the Lay members of Standing Committee and Diocesan Council who do not otherwise have seat and voice in Convention. This amendment would afford the same role to the lay Deputies and ProvisionalDeputies to General Convention. All clergy Deputies and Provisional Deputies to General Convention already have seat and voice.
FOR REFERENCE ONLY The Fourth Resolved of this year s Resolution A-179 references previously passed Resolution A-172, which is included below for reference. RESOLUTIONS APPROVED BY THE 172nd CONVENTION of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Missouri, November 18-19, 2011, St. Louis (from the Secretary of Convention Dr. James Hood, 11/23/11) A-172 Implementation of Health Plan Submitted by Diocesan Council 1. BE IT RESOLVED that this 172nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri require Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop to pay 100% of the cost of individual health insurance coverage (selected from the offerings included in the Denominational Health Plan and administered by the Episcopal Church Medical Trust) for all lay and ordained employees working 1,500 or more hours annually, in accordance with Title I, Canon 8 of the Episcopal Church and to be implemented no later than January 1, 2013; 2. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Lay and ordained employees of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop eligible for required individual health insurance coverage under Section 1 of this resolution may elect not to participate in the Denominational Health Plan if they have access to coverage through other approved sources, e.g. Medicare, Tricare, a former employer, or a spouse s or domestic partner s health insurance plan; 3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop shall not reduce existing coverage or increase the cost of existing coverage to employees to comply with A177 or this resolution; 4. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that benefit design and premium support parity is required within each congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop in the provision of health insurance coverage for lay and ordained employees; 5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED each congregation and the Offices of the Bishop may impose a monthly premium surcharge or incentive to lay and ordained employees who elect coverage for a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent who is eligible for comparable employer-sponsored health insurance (other than the Denominational Health Plan) through an alternate source; 6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Congregations within the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Offices of the Bishop are encouraged, if financially possible, to exceed the minimum standard of health insurance coverage for their lay and ordained employees; and 7. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that schools, day care facilities and other congregational and diocesan institutions, regardless of the independence of their incorporation or tax status, are encouraged to adopt the principles articulated in this resolution.