Diocese of Rhode Island
Commission on Finance
Meeting, February 14, 2012
Higgins Room
Present: Robert Batchelor; Robert Bergstrand; The Rev. Dcn. Edwin Hallenbeck; Michael Lofaro; Scott Nicholson;
Also present: Ty Creason; Elizabeth Fornal; Ronald Turnbull.
Guests from Christ Church, Lincoln: Dr. Walter J. Scott, Finance and Personnel Committee; Jim Bethel, Junior Warden; Robert Grundner, Treasurer.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Chair Nicholson, with an opening prayer offered by Deacon Hallenbeck.
The Minutes of the meeting of January 10, 2012 were approved as distributed.
The Treasurer’s report for January was distributed. Mr. Batchelor noted that as the first month of the year there is nothing unusual to report at this time.
New Business
Christ Church, Lincoln. Mr. Batchelor reviewed recent history of events and his several meetings at Christ Church with Treasurer Grundner and others, assembling information for the 2011 Report and the 2012 Budget as distributed to the COF with a cover letter by Dr. Scott. Mr. Turnbull distributed a printout of Christ Church data for the years 2007 thru the 2012 Budget. Mr. Batchelor noted the data is not perfect but is reasonably accurate with a few questions still to be answered.
At this time the guests from Christ Church, Lincoln joined the meeting.
Dr. Scott provided an overview of the current status if the Church including a very amicable and successful annual meeting on February 12th. This is a significant change from the failed merger meeting in 2011. There are now 104 pledging units with an average Sunday attendance of 90. The 2012 budget reflects $120,000 in pledge income $9,000 of anticipated regular unpledged income. The Rev. Cecelia Perry has been engaged as long term supply for the next one to two years, with a search and call process anticipated in 2014. The Revolving Loans from the Diocese are paid current. There followed a lengthy discussion of prospects for moving forward and possible ways the COF could assist the parish in adjusting to the transition of changed circumstances it is experiencing. Several specific suggestions were reviewed.
At this point the guests from Christ Church left the meeting.
There followed a discussion of the apportionment due the Diocese in light of the changed circumstances of Christ Church, Lincoln and the substantial change in its financial situation. The following conclusions were reached:
• It was Moved, Seconded and VOTED that Apportionment for 2012 be based on the 2012 Budget for Christ Church, Lincoln, as submitted and approved by the Annual Meeting.
• It was agreed, that Apportionment for 2011 be based on actual 2011 income as reported, noting that this figure is not yet available and the Final Report not yet submitted. The matter was tabled for further consideration at the March meeting.
St. Mark’s Riverside. A letter was received from Dennis Hogan, Treasurer, requesting that outstanding apportionment due for St. Mark’s Church for 2011 be held as an amount due to be paid upon sale of the St. Mark’s church building. It was agreed this is standard Diocesan practice and that Mr. Hogan be notified this will be done.
Outstanding Apportionment due for 2011. Mr. Turnbull submitted a listing of all apportionment payments for 2011 outstanding as of 12/31/2011. Three have since been paid, and one is St. Mark’s Church, see above. The total due was $77,072.69. It was Moved, Seconded and VOTED to state the unpaid Apportionment due at 12/31/2011 at $77,072.69, subject to further adjustment as needed.
St. John’s, Newport. Mr, Nicholson reported that he and Rev. Pallard had a meeting with St. John’s leadership to review their current situation and prospects for 2012. It will be a challenging year. Several possibilities were discussed. They will be considering ideas and get back to the COF with any specific proposals.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 pm
Respectfully submitted
Edwin F Hallenbeck, Secretary
Next meeting: March 13, 2012 10:00 am
