The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
December 2006

Diocese Marks 101st Convention: Joy in All God's Works

Representatives of congregations around the diocese gathered Oct. 27-28 for the 101st convention of the Diocese of Utah.

Theme for this year's gathering was "The Gift of Joy in All God's Works."

Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish presided at the meeting and at the convention Eucharist. The convention marked her 10th year as diocesan bishop.

It also occurred just after the birth of her first grandchild, Benjamin.

Delegates had a chance to participate in variety of workshops on Friday.

Those consisted of "Resources for Life Long Learning," Beyond Coffee and Doughnuts: How Welcoming Are We?" and "Care of Creation: What Can We Do About Global Warming?"

Bishop William Swing was keynote speaker Friday evening. A report on his address appears elsewhere in this edition.

A year-long celebration of the founding of the diocese was announced by Craig Wirth, chair and coordinator of the 140th Committee.

He explained that 140 years ago, Bishop Daniel Tuttle arrived in Utah to begin the church's mission and ministry here.

To help mark that presence in Utah, he displayed posters, bumper stickers and other items—in English and Spanish—to help Episcopalians celebrate the year.

A series of DVDs is available as part of the project. The first, outlining the church's first 50 years in Utah, was introduced at convention.

Diocesan business was also conducted on Saturday.

Delegates reviewed a budget of approximately $5.3 million for 2007. The budget was presented by the Rev. Steve Andersen, diocesan treasurer.

Elections produced the following results:
Elected to Diocesan Council were the Revs. Charles Robinson of St. Luke's and State Alder of St. Paul's; and Lelilah Ossie Denny of St. Elizabeth's; Nicole D'Arcy of St. James, Nancy Lium from Region One and Matthew Long from the Eastern/Southeastern Region.
Elected to the standing committee were the Rev. Canon Pablo Ramos of San Esteban and Nancy Appleby of St. Mark's.
Elected to the Ecclesiastical Court were the Rev. Adam Linton of Good Shepherd and Lynn Nichols of All Saints.

Appointed by the Bishop to the Commission on Ministry were Ian Harden of Good Shepherd, the Rev. Robin James of St. Mark's, and Pam Hutchinson, co-chair, of St. James.
Appointed as Episcopal Relief and Development coordinator was Brin Bon.
Appointed as United Thank Offering coordinator was the Rev. Isabel Gonzalez of San Esteban.

Commissioned by the bishop was the Rev. Canon Mary June Nestler as diocesan canon for ministry formation.

Presented with bishop's awards were Rose Trollinger of St. Michael's for her service as ERD coordinator; Carma Schwoerer, of St. Barnabas, for service as UTO coordinator; the Rev. Len Evans for interim service throughout the diocese; and Wim Ray of Resurrection for Project Jubilee leadership.

A summary of resolutions passed by convention follows:

• Called for the diocese and its parishes to explore and adopt alternatives to energy use practices.
• Endorsed passage of a minimum wage approximating a living wage.
• Called for the diocese to advocate for the elimination of "predatory and usurious lending and collection practices" such as payday lending firms.
• Called for a resolution at the next General Convention which would ask the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to develop prayers of thanksgiving for the life, and to observe the loss, of a companion animal.
• Required anti-racism training for every member of every commission, committee and task force of the diocese.
• Provides for financial support for alternate deputies to General Convention
• Creates a task force to examine practices in other Province VIII dioceses regarding terms used for categories of congregations
• Changes the diocesan canons to allow for congregations to decide how elections for vestry members will take place.
• Realigned the regions of the diocese
• Approved a companionship relationship with the Diocese of Mexico
• Amended the constitution regarding participation of clergy at convention
• Expressed "disappointment" with Resolution B033 passed at General Convention.
• Defeated was a resolution which would have limited deputies to General Convention to being elected to more than three consecutive terms.

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