The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
April 2007

Highlights Provided from Diocesan Council Meeting

The Council's role is to "develop, adopt and monitor the annual budget of the Diocese, advise the Bishop on financial issues, oversee Diocesan programs, engage with the Bishop in strategic planning, develop and periodically adjust Clergy compensation guidelines, and perform such other work as may be committed to it by the Bishop." (Diocesan Canon 22.1.2)

At its Feb. 24 meeting, the Council heard updates on growth in Southwest Utah, which includes the newly formed house church "Spirit of the Desert: an Episcopal Community" and investigations into property costs and availability in Ivins and Hurricane.

Construction on the Episcopal Church Center is on schedule. A diocesan-wide capital campaign lead by Bishop Irish is underway. Nearly $1 million of the $2.4 million target has been raised already. Occupancy is scheduled for October.

Financially, the Diocesan budget shows no unusual variances and Council thanked the efforts of its Budget Committee, including The Rev. Steve Anderson, Treasurer and Toni Marie Sutliff, Minister of Finance, for their diligence and informative presentations.

The Council agreed to include an Affirmation presentation in conjunction with its retreat at All Saints on March 31. Topics will include an update from Bishop Irish on her return from the House of Bishops meeting, Anglican theological and historical perspectives from the Rev. Canon Mary June Nestler, and a critical look at media responses and resources by the Rev. Dan Webster.

Council also reviewed 11 new or updated diocesan policies, approving nine for the Bishop's signature and tabling two for further review. Both tabled policies are related to parish finance and administration guidelines, and Council agreed that clergy in charge of congregations should have an opportunity to review and comment.

Council further agreed to provide parishes with a laminated copy of the Use of Alcohol at Church Functions policy which was updated to include Utah and Arizona state codes regarding the legal liabilities of those serving alcoholic beverages to others.

Copies of the formal minutes for this meeting will be posted on the diocesan website: www.episcopal- ut.org

Submitted by Deacon Steve Alder, Secretary

Return to current issue Table of Contents
or Dialogue main page »