161st Council Actions
- Following the declaration of a quorum by the diocesan secretary, the Rev. Canon John A. Logan, Jr., 417 delegates and 249 clergy, moved on to report of credentials.
Eight churches have not paid their assessment:
(Not Seated:)
- Trinity, Jasper
- St. Catherine’s of Sienna,
- Good Shepherd, Tomball- recovering from division
- Holy Cross, Sugarland-working on a plan
Parochial Reports not submitted by beginning of council:
- Epiphany, Calvert
Seated Campus Delegates and approved order of business and accepted the minutes of the 160th Council.
David Puckett replaced Linda Syracuse on Bishop’s Address Committee
Report on Mission and Parishes:
- Church planting initiatives: St. Julian of
- Dissolved St. Phillips following exploration of alternatives, extensive study. Final service in June 2009.
- Closed St. Mark’s,
- Received petitions of St. Peter’s, Lago Vista asking to remit them to mission status.
Bishops address main points:
- Importance of Christian formation and lifelong learning
- New hire for Christian formation missioner
- Need to plant a church a year-called for strategic plan
- Year of prayer for Covenant and task force to develop model for congregational study
- Task force to review issues that may arise from GC 2012.
- How do we move forward together for sake of Jesus Christ. “We have got to learn to live together, and how we discern the outward and visible signs of that life together, the daily living out of Church as our common work, not just the work of your bishop.”
The Church’s
One Church in
The Church is one. It is unified. It is so by its nature. Such catholicity is a sacramental substance regardless of where we as individuals stand in relationship to it.
Constitution and Canons: Chair Maria Boyce
Constitutional changes:
Article 2 sec .2.1 E
Lay vicars in charge of organized mission are members of council. Proposed to add parishes. Committee also made editorial change to use Pastoral Leader instead of lay vicar to clarify and match national canons. Second reading, Approved
Canon 24 St Stephens
Confirm with bylaws with school and operations Approved
Canon 46, Sec 46.3 established a cathedral chapter to help facilitate relationship of DOT and cathedral. With creation of Executive board and staff and separate space, the cathedral chapter is superfluous. Bishop and dean proposed to eliminate this section and the chapter itself. Approved
Elections:
Secretary
John Logan by acclamation
Treasurer
Bob Biehl by acclamation
Standing Committee
The Rev. Mike Besson,
Linnet Deily, Trinity, Houston
Executive Board
The Rev. Nick Novak, Trinity,
The Rev. Chuck Treadwell, St. Paul’s,
Dave Bollinger, Good Shepherd, Tomball
Kerry Hancock,
Elizabeth Dowell, Hope, Houston
Trustee of the Church Corporation
JoLynn Free, All Saints’, Austin
Trustee of the University of the South
William Gage, Jr.,
Budget: Assets of nearly $1.3 million and liabilities of slightly more than $1.690 million; a decrease in net assets from Y/E2008 of about $350,000 due primarily to the unpaid Assessments and Askings. The diocesan budget had revenues of just over $10 million net of the $318,000 provision for uncollectible assessments and expenses exceeded revenues by about $68,000. The Missionary Budget had revenues of $2,8 million after provision of $344,00 for uncollectible Asking. Expenses were about $3.020 million and about $210,000 more than revenues. Copies of budgets and statements are available online at www.epicenter.org.
Diocesan Budget and Missionary Budget were both adopted.
Resolutions
Committee did not recommend Acknowledging Gay and Lesbian People in the Diocese of Texas and Affirmation of Baptismal Ministries of Those in Faithful Committed Relationships. These were subsequently withdrawn. The Committee authored its own resolution entitled A Resolution of Unity within our Diversity as the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
Proponents of original resolution and others worked out a substitute resolution (delivered at Council) Our committee believes this is a statement of inclusion of all God’s people living and ministering within parishes, institutions and ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and encompass the content and intention of the resolution on unity we authored; therefore, the new substitute resolution has the recommendation of the Committee on Resolutions.
Laurie Eiserloh moved original resolution/ Chris Bowhay moved to substitute with agreement of original authors
Discussion:
Chris Bowhay: Gathered to find a higher way regarding God’s will re: sexuality. Met, discussed power in the church, whether the church would make room for people who don’t believe as we do. Respectful and compassionate conversation. Succeeded in working together and want to do so in days and years ahead. We believe this expresses the spirit of the original resolution and hope all delegates can support it.
Laurie Eiserloh: partnered for 20 years with two children. Journey starts 10 years ago. St David’s to baptize our baby like grandmother wanted. Ron smith said you are perfect for this church. At that moment to changed everything for us. Ron saw we would be a blessing to this church. was profound hospitality. That is what this resolution speaks to. Think about gay and lesbian people and what they give to your church. Think about how you can make that space safe so all parishioners can be honest about who they are. We see church in future where there’s no place for us (from conservatives) I see a church where we can all see the kingdom of god. Common ground for valentines day as a love letter to the future of our church.
Joe Reynolds: as one who submitted original I support substitute. Not terribly radical, doesn’t call for something different from what already exists across this diocese. It is important to state because they are not obvious as they should be or not obvious to all. Supported by people diverse deeply held convictions. Step in conversations and to find things that bind us together in the DOT
Russell Levenson: I have a kaleidoscope by my desk to remind me that others will not see same thing I do. Dean is a friend of mine. We disagree on lots of things but on this we agree. We are called to know, serve and love Jesus Christ and his people. This resolution proposed to promote unity.
Delegate from St. Mary’s
Elizabeth Masquelette, St. Francis, Houston. Speak for my daughters and sisters…we’ve been there, we know how it feels to be left out and looked down on. Speak in favor of the substitute resolution
Approved Substitute Resolution
A Resolution of Unity within our Diversity as the Episcopal Diocese of
Whereas, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is a large and diverse diocese that expresses the Kingdom into which God invites all people; and,
Whereas; God the Holy Spirit works in and through our creative diversity to nurture, expand, and transform us ever more deeply into the people we are called by God to be, be it;
Resolved, that the 161st council of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas claims unity in the midst of our diversity through the gifts of our shared Baptismal Covenant and our common conviction and proclamation that Jesus is Lord; and, be it further,
Resolved, that all sorts and conditions of humanity, regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, nationality, or sexual orientation, and especially all of God’s children entrusted to our care, are loved beyond measure by God in Christ, are welcomed and valued in our institutions, mission, ministries and parishes, and are a blessing to our collective life as we engage together in mission and ministry; and, be it further,
Resolved, that all people in our communities and their relationships receive the pastoral care, time, attention and honor they are due as God is revealed in and through them and as God works to change us all into a holy people.
Submitted by: The Rev. Chris Bowhay, St. Thomas;, Houston; the Rev. David Boyd, St. David’s, Austin; the Rev Russ Levenson, St. Martin’s, Houston; the Very Rev. Joe Reynolds, Christ Church Cathedral, Houston; the Rev. Larry Hall, St. John the Divine, Houston; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, St. Stephen’s, Houston; the Rev. Stuart Bates, St. Francis’, Houston; the Rev. Dick Elwood, St. Martin’s, Houston; Laurie Eiserloh, St. David’s, Austin; Jim Cowan, Trinity, Houston
Approved Resolution for the executive board to study at extending council with two friendly amendments to leave possibilities open and add “financial” feasibility.
Youth and Young Adult Missioner Ewart Jones advice to kids: Love Jesus, don’t be a jerk!
Susanna Jones- Senior from St. Andrews,
Teach kids about God and God’s plan for them. At CLC I felt God give me a push, proved to be I could be a leader. He changed the way I look at myself. Later able to cheer others on.
Presentation from World Mission Board Chair, the Rev. Susan Barnes on
Report by Committee on Resolutions from the Bishop’s Address
- Thanks for ministry of Janie Stevens, Christian Formation Missioner for ministry, example and inspiration-approved
- Christian formation, stewardship and church planting-approved
- Anglican Covenant, Unity and Diversity-approved
- Sacramental life of mission-approved
Courtesy Resolutions
- Greetings to the Diocese of
- Greetings to Seminarians and
- Retirement of Clergy
- Honor of Council Hosts
Elections on Nominations of the Bishop
Appointments to committees
Offerings of the 161st Council to go to: $5,927.00
Host parish to further ministry to men and women in military-approved
Invitation to next council at Trinity, The Woodlands
Council adjourned at 2 pm.
