Diocesan Dialogue
October 2006
Convention Time, Nominees, Resolutions, Calendar
Convention Time
By Dick Snyder
The annual convention of the Diocese of Utah will be held Oct. 27-28 at the Davis Conference Center in Layton.
Theme for this year's convention is "The Gift of Joy and Wonder in All God's Works."
In her call to convention, Bishop Carolyn Tanner Irish noted that at the convention, “we will reconnect with one another, reflect on the various dimensions of our life together, and rededicate ourselves to the mission of the church. The challenges and opportunities of the gospel are endless."
She added, "We are drawn into healing relationships with God and with all of God's people. At times that overwhelms us, but as Jesus promises, the larger landscape of reality--truth--will ultimately bring freedom and joy.
"Thus our full engagement in mission will bless our personal and common life. The cornerstones of our "Living Boldly" plan are pathways to this, and the joy of that will surpass any measure of self-satisfaction."
The convention will offer several workshops on Friday. Those are described in the Affirmations" column on DD7.
The convention will also provide an opportunity to vote on several resolutions, to elect people to diocesan offices, and an opportunity to gather and to visit.
Guest speaker and preacher will be the Rt. Rev. William Swing, retired bishop of California.
The son of a touring golf professional, he pioneered ministry to homeless at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco.
He served as Bishop of California from 1980 until this year.
He has gained national attention due to his innovative leadership in the drive to establish United Religions Initiative, a body similar in concept to the United Nations.
Bishop Swing has traveled extensively in China, Japan, Korea, India, the Middle East, and Europe, seeking guidance and commitment from leaders of many of the world's religions, including the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, the Shankaracharya of Kancheepuram, Islam's Grand Mufti in Cairo, and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
These visits have been building support for the concept of a permanent forum where all the world's religions will be represented, a place in which conflicts and disagreements can be discussed and mediated. He will continue to be involved with URI.
Nominees
Editor's Note: The following nominees for diocesan offices filed before the Dialogue deadline. These summaries are taken from their nomination papers.
Diocesan Council, Lay Member
Lelilah Ossie Denny of St. Elizabeth's, Whiterocks
Employed by Bureau of Indian Affairs as administrative support assistant.
Statement: I am the administrative support assistant for our organization. I provide overall administrative support to all agency programs in the field of budget, human resources, finance, procurement and property management. I believe that I have excellent skills to offer any organization. I have gained the ability to deal effectively with people at various levels of organizational structure as well as serving our Native People. I would like to have the opportunity to serve on the Diocesan Council and offer my knowledge and skills toward the continued growth of our church. So I offer you my gifts.
Elizabeth Ann Brock of Holy Spirit, Randlett
Employed by Uintah River High School.
Statement: I am Senior Warden at Holy Sprit and I have lived here all my life. I go to the meeting for Mountains and Deserts and Paths Crossing.
Ecclesiastical Court, Lay Member
Rick Knuth of All Saints, Salt Lake City
Practicing attorney; vice president and member of the board of Jones Waldo Holbrook and McDonough.
Lynn Nicholas of All Saints, Salt Lake City
She is a retired attorney.
Statement: I believe I would bring a balanced view to the court in making determinations in matters of ecclesiastical discipline. I would consider it an honor to serve the Diocese of Utah.
Standing Committee, Lay Member
Nancy Appleby of Cathedral Church of St. Mark, Salt Lake City
Retired registrar at Westminster College and active in volunteer activities
Statement: I am interested in election to the Standing Committee because I feel I could make a positive contribution to the diocese and to St. Mark's in that capacity. In my church roles and in secular roles, I feel that my ability to listen to other points of view, to evaluate complex information, and to respond in articulate ways, along with my maturity, have been helpful. I hope I will have this opportunity to serve.
Standing Committee, Clergy Member
The Rev. Canon Pablo Ramos of San Esteban, West Valley City
Canon for Latino Ministry for the Diocese of Utah
Statement: If elected to the Standing Committee, I will have the opportunity to contribute my international experience and a Latino perspective of ministry within the wider multicultural reality of this diocese.
Treasurer
The Rev. Steve Anderson of Church of the Resurrection, Centerville
Assisting priest at Resurrection; diocesan treasurer; president of Salt Lake Schools Credit Union
Statement: I seek to be elected for a couple of reasons. I would like to continue to participate in some current transitional processes that are under way. The Diocesan Council and Finance Committee are now three years old, and have gone from infancy to orientation and discovery to healthy and vital functionality. The Episcopal Church Center will also be completed during this term. I believe I can provide solid reliability and continuity during this time of transition.
Resolutions
Editor's Note: This is a summary of resolutions submitted for the diocesan convention. This summary was prepared from preliminary information provided at deadline time, which was prior to the review of the resolutions by the Resolutions Committee. The summaries are based on the "resolved" clauses of the drafts.
TOPIC:
Usury and Payday Lending
The Diocese of Utah will advocate for elimination of predatory and usurious lending practices in Utah that disproportionately injure the poorest and most vulnerable among us.
TOPIC:
Living Wage
The Diocese supports passage of a minimum wage that provides a living wage that would be increased in accordance wit the cost of living index.
TOPIC:
Response to Global Warming
Encourage the diocese and all parishes to explore and adopt specific alternatives to current energy use practices.
TOPIC:
General Convention Delegates
Limits Utah deputies at General Convention to no more than three consecutive terms at General Convention, and not seek reelection until one General Convention has passed.
TOPIC:
Elections
States that members of the vestry or bishop's committee will be elected at the annual meeting, but eliminates requirement for “secret, written ballot.”
TOPIC:
Companion Diocese Relationship with Diocese of Mexico City
Authorizes the bishop to formally establish a companion relationship with the Most Rev. Carlos Touché-Porter, Primate of Mexico, and the Diocese of Mexico City.
TOPIC:
Categories of Congregations
Establishes a task force to examine current practices in Province 8 regarding establishment and definition of parishes, missions and other congregations.
TOPIC:
Anti-Racism
Requires that by the end of 2007, every member of every diocesan commission, committee and task force will have participated in anti-racism training.
TOPIC:
Re-alignment of Regions
Defines the Salt Lake Region as containing All Saints, St. Mark Cathedral, St. James, St. Luke's, St. Mary's, St. Paul's and St. Stephen's. The region would be represented by two regional representatives on the Diocesan Council.
TOPIC:
Prayers for life and loss of a companion animal
Affirms that all animals are part of creation and that prayers be developed for the life and to observe the loss of a companion animal.
Calendar of Convention
(subject to minor changes)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
7:00 p.m.
Clergy Conversation [dessert]
The Right Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish
Clergy Partners [dessert]
Ms. Katherine January (Michael Milligan+)
Mr. John Beery (Susan Beem Beery+)
Friday, October 27, 2006
7:30 a.m.
Clergy Breakfast
8:30 - 9:50 am
Clergy Conversation (cont'd)
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Registration
10:00–11:10 am
Lay Ministry Workshops (choose 1)
- Resources for Life-Long Learning
- Beyond Coffee and Doughnuts: How Welcoming Are You?
11:20 am–12:30 pm
Lay Ministry Workshop
- Care of Creation: What Can We Do About Global Warming?
12:30-1:30 pm
Lunch
2:00-3:00 pm
Nominees Forum
3:00-4:30 pm
Resolutions Forum
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Session I: Open Convention
- Special Presentation
- Keynote - The Right Rev. William Swing
- First Ballot
- Vespers
7:00 - 9:30 pm
140th Anniversary Celebration
Conversation/Dinner/Dancing
Saturday, October 28, 2006
7:30-8:30 am
Breakfast; ballot as needed
8:45-10:00 am
Eucharist
Preacher - The Right Rev Carolyn Tanner Irish
10:15-10:45 am
Session II: General Reports
- Episcopal Church Center
- Perpetual Trust of St. Peter and St. Paul
- Finance/Budget Report
- Report to Convention on DC and SC responses to 2005 resolutions
- Report from General Convention
11:15 am-12:30 pm
Resolutions
12:30-1:15 pm
Lunch
1:15-2:00 pm
Session III: Bishop and Diocesan Council's Report
2:00 pm
Break
2:00-4:00 pm
Church Windows® for Parish Treasurers/Bookkeepers
2:15-3:15 pm
Table Top Discussions
3:15-5:00 pm
Session V: Unfinished Business
5:00 pm
Adjourn