The Monterey Deanery met on September 7, 2013, at 10:00 am at Epiphany Lutheran and Episcopal Church, Marina. The agenda for the meeting is available here.
The meeting opened with Morning Prayer led by the Rev. Blaine Hammond.
Reports
Board of Trustees – Win Fernald briefly reported on the Bishop’s Appeal which is going well. The Department of Higher Education committee has been formed with representatives from each campus ministry. The Board also discussed the congregations which are in the process of merging. There are also some serious issues facing congregations in south Monterey County. Mission House will be moving to Salinas.
Standing Committee – The Rev. Richard Leslie reported that the Committee will be meeting with Bishop Mary for their Mutual Ministry Review next week. Richard is terming off the Standing Committee and Monterey Deanery will not have representation on the Committee. Nominations for diocesan office are due September 26.
Treasurer – The Deanery treasurer has resigned because of time conflicts. The Deanery elected Dottie Fuller as treasurer.
Secretary – No report.
Website – Jeff Diehl reported that the website is rolling along. Please send in announcements to be posted on the website.
Commission on Children and Youth - The Monterey Deanery elected Bettina McBee Hohmann (St. John’s, Monterey) and Louis Powell (All Saints’, Carmel) to serve this commission. In addition, we provisionally elected Michelle Gagon-Smith (Good Shepherd) to serve on the commission as a young adult member.
Program
Budget Presentation – Richard Mueller, Joanna Shreve, the Rev. David Breuer, and the Rev. Canon Brian Nordwick.
The budget process has not changed much over the years. Budget requests this year exceeded projected income by $90,000. The diocese is in the best financial shape since the market meltdown in 2008. The proposed budget and narrative budget are available for review.
Resolutions (as of today) – Nancy Cohen, Chancellor.
Resolutions are due September 9 and the official proposals will be released shortly after that date. In the meantime, the following summarizes proposed changes to El Camino Real’s Canons:
- Resolutions to revise various sections of canons to change ex officio members of committees to “invited guests.”
- Resolution to allow the Bishop to appoint from another deanery if a specific deanery cannot elect a representative to Department of Mission.
- Resolution to remove chaplains as members of Department of Higher Education to eliminate perceived conflict of interest. Chaplains will still be invited guests.
- Resolution to define membership in merged congregations.
- Resolution to clarify language in change of parish status canons.
Additionally, an annual minimum compensation for clergy resolution and a resolution on State of Stewardship Commitment have been received.
Partnership News – the Rev. Canon Brian Nordwick.
Brian reported on the kick-off of this year’s scholarship program in the Diocese of Western Tanganyika. We funded over 560 students last year with $30,000. The benefits of the program reach beyond just the children to include the families and the life of the communities in which they live.
Father Fred from the Diocese of Western Tanganyika will be arriving in El Camino Real in the second week of September through diocesan convention where he will be the preacher. Congregations and deaneries are encouraged to schedule events or Bible study with Father Fred in their local areas. Father Fred is Dean of the Bible College Tanzania and has served in the administrative role in DWT.
Bishop’s Presentation - Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves
The Bishop gave a presentation on how community organizing principles can be used to bring groups together to meet common goals. She used the metaphor of creating enough productive friction so that separate groups could start a fire together.
Next meeting in February 2014 at St. George’s.
