Diocese of Rhode Island
Commission on Finance
Meeting, December 11,
2012
Higgins Room
Present: Robert Batchelor; Robert Bergstrand; The Rev. Dcn.
Edwin Hallenbeck; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely; Michael Lofaro; The Rev. John
Pallard; Stephan Sloan.
Also present: Joan DeCelles; Ronald Turnbull.
The meeting was called to order by Bishop Knisely at 10:05
am. The Bishop offered an opening prayer.
The minutes of
the meeting of November 13, 2012 were approved as distributed with a name
spelling correction and an agreement that any time a participant in a meeting
does so by phone it will be so noted.
Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. Batchelor noted that the November report states a deficit of $277,271 by year end this should level out with
anticipated income not yet available. It appears the year will be at or near to
break even.
Apportionment Report.
There are still only three churches more than one month in arrears, a significantly
better performance than 2011 and recent prior years:
#
|
Months
in Arr
|
Parish / Location
|
Comments
|
|
2011
|
2012
|
|||
19
|
3
|
3
|
St. David’s, Cranston
|
Considering
merger
|
43
|
3
|
3
|
St. Columba’s, Middletown
|
Rector
recently called
|
93
|
3
|
2
|
Christ Church, Westerly
|
Interim
|
Following discussion of apportionment specific situations
there followed a lengthy review of parish related issues with a focus on the
need for the COF Response Team to engage with parish leadership as early as
possible to explore options and possible choices in order for effective
resolutions to be developed before situations become a full crisis. There was
agreement to work toward this pattern. Bishop Knisely reported on recent
discussions with the Church Pension Fund regarding a change in definition of
what defines a full time clergy position, from 40 hours per week, to a base
salary of $18,500. This can effect the manner of deployment for clergy in the
Diocese. It will be necessary to redefine clergy employment and salary to
reflect this new CPF ruling. The redefinition also indicates a need for broad
conversation about what is full time clergy status and what it means to be a
mission church.
Old Business.
Christ Church,
Lincoln. Mr. Batchelor reported that a new Treasurer with financial experience
has been appointed, he hopes to meet with her soon. Bishop Knisely plans to meet with the Wardens
next week.
New Business.
Millennium Development
Goals. The allocation and use of Millennium Development Goals: End Global
Poverty (MDG) funds was referred to COF by Diocesan Council at its
October 17th meeting. Beginning in 2007 a budget
allocation of 0.7% of Apportionment income was made with application of funds
to be made by the Companion Diocese Committee. In 2011 the allocation was
changed to $15,000 continuing thru the 2013 budget. Following discussion Mr.
Turnbull was asked to calculate what an MDG allocation would be if also based
on unrestricted endowment income for the COF to review at its next meeting.
Additional questions include:
• Can we provide instructions to churches about how they can
effectively handle MDG funds; and,
• The need to review how the Diocese is applying MDG funds
and might it better be accomplished with a new Committee especially tasked to
assess and distribute MDG funds. The Bishop asked Mr. Bergstrand if he was
willing to organize such a Committee and he stated he is. The Companion Diocese
Committee would continue the relationship with the Diocese of Ezo.
Representative to
Diocesan Council.
Following discussion of the past ways the representative of
COF has been selected for Council no decision was made at this time and Mr.
Bergstrand was asked to continue in that role for the December meeting of
Council. It was noted that the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Bishop are also
members of Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 am.
Respectfully submitted
Edwin F Hallenbeck, Secretary
