Resolutions Adopted by the 177th Diocesan Convention
Resolution 1: A Resolution to Endorse the Earth Charter
Resolution 2: A Resolution on Diocesan Strategic Planning
Resolution 3: A Resolution
Establishing Minimum Clergy Compensation
Resolution 4: A Resolution Referring Title IV Revisions to the Canons Committee
Resolution 5: A Resolution on Health Care in the United States
Resolution 6: A Resolution on Life Long Christian Formation
1 A Resolution to Endorse the Earth Charter
RESOLVED, That the 177th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
concur with the
76th General Convention in endorsing The Earth Charter, including its
Preamble, and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the 177th Convention encourage parishes, agencies and
individual members to seek understanding of and inspiration from The
Earth Charter, and to take actions consonant
with The Earth Charter.
PROPOSER: Earth Care Ministry at Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Sylvia Knight, Coordinator (sknight@gmavt.net, 802-425-2068)
Explanation:
The theme of our 176th Diocesan Convention was Earth stewardship, demonstrating
sustainable practices, and developing intentions to continue practicing
stewardship at all levels
of our communal life. To deepen and extend that stewardship, we now have
support from the
wider church in its endorsement of The Earth Charter.
Endorsed by towns, cities, nations and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) all over the
world, the Earth Charter sets out a vision of Earth Community in which
human beings commit
themselves to realigning their relationship with the Earth and all living
things, so that life on
Earth may continue for all and for future generations. To quote from
the Explanation for
Resolution C064 of General Convention:
“The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles
for building a just,
sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century (www.earthcharter.org).
It
developed from the grass roots, not the U.N. or NGOs and is the result
of the most inclusive and
participatory worldwide process ever associated with the drafting of
an international
declaration. The Earth Charter seeks to inspire in all people a new sense
of global
interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the whole
human family, the
greater community of life and future generations. It is a blueprint for
local and global ministry, a
vision of hope and a call to action...
“Now is a critical moment in the history of God's creation, a time
when we must choose our
future. Our common destiny calls us to seek a new beginning, a fundamental
change of heart
and mind, a clear recognition of global interdependence and universal
responsibility. We must
act now to achieve sustainability, justice and peace.”
The Earth Charter can be found here.
Download a pdf of this resolution. Includes the Earth Charter.
2 A Resolution on Diocesan Strategic Planning
RESOLVED, That the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont at its 177th Convention
acknowledge and
celebrate the work throughout the diocese as we birthed and nurtured
all elements of our
Strategic Plan for Growth and Ministry, which was adopted at our 172nd
Convention in 2004 for
a five-year period, 2005-2010; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the
177th Convention request Diocesan Council to bring to the 178th
Convention recommendations for a continuing diocesan strategic plan.
PROPOSER: Diocesan Council
Explanation:
Over the last 18 months, Diocesan Council has been systematically reviewing
each of the Key
Ministry Areas identified by the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan for Growth
and Ministry. The review
began with a look at all the goals listed in each area of the plan with
the following questions as
a lens: What have we achieved? Where have we made progress? What do we
see as priority for
the coming year; our highest priority? What’s missing that should
be here? Presentations from
diocesan leaders with ministry areas identified in the plan were also
part of the review process.
When Council initiated this review process, it did so with the intention
that it would be an on-
going process, with each Key Ministry Area being discussed and reviewed
in a regular cycle –
further evidence of Council’s resolve to keep our Strategic Plan
for Growth and Ministry a
“living document”.
As the five-year timeframe of our adopted plan is drawing to a close,
Council members are
looking to build on the plan that was created - adapting and expanding
some of the original
goals to reflect the realities of our Diocese five years later, and adding
new goals that were not
envisioned when we put together our thoughts, hopes and dreams during
2003-04.
Download a pdf of this resolution.
Download a pdf of the Diocesan Council's Strategic Plan Review Document (pdf, 66kb)
3 A Resolution Establishing Minimum Clergy Compensation
RESOLVED, That the 177th Convention of the Diocese of Vermont approve
the
recommendation of the Diocesan Council that the minimum full time stipend
for clergy in the
Diocese of Vermont remain unchanged for the year 2010 at $36,950, and
that travel allowance
be reimbursed at the current IRS standard.
PROPOSER: Diocesan Council
Explanation:
Canon 6.7 of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont requires that Diocesan
Council review the
minimum stipend for full-time equivalent clergy and the travel allowance
and make
recommendations to the Convention. Such a minimum shall be binding on
all parishes and
missions upon ratification of the Convention. Although the current Cost
of Living Adjustment
(COLA) of the Northeast Urban Index and the United States All Cities
index is a 0.5% decrease,
Council proposes that the minimum stipend remain unchanged.
According to the Church Pension Fund (“The 2007 Church Compensation
Report,” reflecting
2006 data), the national average median compensation for full-time Episcopal
clergy was
$64,507*, up from $62,793* in 2006. This figure includes cash stipend,
fair-rental value of
housing, utilities and payment of one-half of the Social Security/Medicare
(SECA) tax.
*This figure is based solely upon the Church Pension Fund formula for
calculating housing. It
may in fact not reflect an accurate amount based on the actual expenses
for housing and
utilities in Vermont.
Schedule
of Mandatory Minimum Cash Salaries for 2010
Years of
Service Level 1* Level
2*
1 $36,950 $41,594
2 $37,541 $42,260
3 $38,142 $42,936
4 $38,752 $43,623
5 $39,372 $44,321
6 $40,002 $45,030
7 $40,642 $45,750
8 $41,292 $46,482
9 $41,953 $47,226
10 $42,624 $47,982
11 $43,306 $48,749
12 $43,999 $49,529
13 $44,703 $50,322
14 $45,418 $51,127
15 $46,145 $51,945
16 $46,884 $52,776
17 $47,634 $53,620
18 $48,396 $54,478
19 $49,170 $55,350
20 $49,957 $56,236
* Level 1 represents
parishes with annual budgets below $143,000.
**Level 2 represents parishes with annual budgets of $143,000 and above.
The minimum cash salary is increased by 1.6% for each additional year
of service.
Download a pdf of this resolution. (Does not include salary schedule.)
4 A Resolution referring Title IV Revisions to the Canons Committee
RESOLVED, That this 2009 Convention refer the draft Title IV revision
of the Diocesan Canons,
prepared by the Chancellor and posted on the Diocesan website, to the
Committee on Canons
for further revisions; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Committee on Canons be directed to present a final
Title IV draft for
consideration and adoption by the 2010 Convention.
PROPOSER: Jennifer Ogelby, General Convention Deputy
Explanation:
Title IV, the disciplinary canon, was rewritten during the last triennium
and passed by General
Convention 2009. Each diocese is now charged with adapting Title IV to
meet their canons. The
draft revision is here.
Download a pdf file of this resolution with the draft revision.
5 A Resolution on Health Care in the United States
RESOLVED, That the 177th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont
concur with
Resolution DO88 (entitled “Health Care in the U.S.”) as adopted
by the 76th General
Convention, “urging the Congress of the United States of America,
to pass, and the President of
the United States, to sign legislation by the end of 2009 guaranteeing
adequate healthcare and
insurance for every citizen of the United States of America;” and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of Diocesan Convention be directed to forward
a copy of this
resolution to Vermont’s Senators and Representative.
PROPOSERS: John Morris, Anne Brown, Jennifer Ogelby, Nanci Gordon, Reid
Farrell, Steve
Smith, Lee Crawford, Diane Root, Beth Hilgartner, Nancy Vogele
Explanation:
There are approximately 46 million Americans who are without adequate
healthcare and health
insurance. Many of these people are children who come from households
that live below the
poverty level. It is a negative reflection upon our society that we are
unwilling or unable to care
for the weakest among us, and it is important that we, as Christian people,
call upon our
elected leaders to affect a change that will bring health and justice
to those most vulnerable. As
many of our congregations work to bring adequate health care to our communities,
they serve
as a model of compassion for our elected leaders. In the spirit of our
Diocesan Convention
theme, this resolution calls upon those most able to effect change to
take action for the
transformation of our national health care system.
* FINAL VERSION – Concurred - Resolution: D088
Title: Health Care in the U.S.
Topic: Health Care
Committee: 09 - National and International Concerns
House of Initial Action: Deputies
Proposer: The Very Rev. Ronald Clingenpeel
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention
urge the Congress of
the United States of America, to pass, and the President of the United
States, to sign legislation by
the end of 2009 guaranteeing adequate healthcare and insurance for every
citizen of the United
States of America; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the
General Convention be
directed to forward this resolution to the President and congressional
leaders.
EXPLANATION:
There are approximately 46 million Americans who are without adequate healthcare
and health
insurance. Many of these people are children who come from households that
live below the
poverty level. It is a negative reflection upon our society that we are
unwilling or unable to care for
the weakest among us, and it is important that we, as Christian people,
call upon our elected leaders
to affect a change that will bring health and justice to those most vulnerable
. As many of our
congregations work to bring adequate health care to our communities, they
serve as a model of
compassion for our elected leaders. This resolution calls upon those most
able to affect change to
make a difference.
Download a pdf file of this resolution
6 A Resolution on Life Long Christian Formation
RESOLVED, that the 177th Diocesan Convention of The Episcopal Diocese
of Vermont commend
to the committees, commissions, deaneries and parishes within the diocese
of Vermont The
Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation (attached) for the purpose of
study, collaboration and
implementation over the next three years.
Proposers: Commission on Ministry: Committee on Christian Formation
Explanation:
THE CHARTER FOR LIFELONG CHRISTIAN FORMATION was adopted as Resolution
A082 by the
76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Anaheim,
California in July 2009.
It can be found at www.dioceseofvermont.org/Resources/ResourcesIndex.html.
Resolution
A083 called upon all dioceses to promote and encourage lifelong formation.
The resolution follows:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention
strongly encourage all
dioceses to formulate a strategy for Lifelong Christian Formation in
the next triennium; and be it
further
Resolved, That such strategies should encompass and be suitable for all
persons (e.g. various ages,
languages and abilities). These strategies should be responsive to diocesan
and societal contexts and
accurately depict the current education and formation status. Because
formation is not limited to a
cognitive experience (classroom), formation should be holistic (encompasses
learning, action and
reflection); and be it further
Resolved, That the Congregational Life Center design an instrument and
system of collection that will
document currently available and successful programs, activities and
resources. The instrument will
pay special attention to resolutions adopted and resources highlighted
at the 76th and each
successive General Convention. In addition, such an endeavor will seek
to gather the aspirations for
diocesan future programs/activities concerning Christian formation; and
be it further
Resolved, That the information and data collected be forwarded to the
SCLEF by January 31, 2011.
