Diocese of Rhode Island
Commission on Finance
Meeting, January 8,
2013
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; Canon Elizabeth Fornal; The
Rev. Canon Linda Grenz; Ronald Turnbull.
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 am by Bishop
Knisely. The Bishop offered an opening prayer.
The minutes of
the meeting of December 11, 2012 were approved as distributed with two
corrections, Fr. Pallard should be noted as present, there was an error in the
second sentence of MDGs item, the budget allocation should be listed as 0.7%.
Treasurer’s Report.
Mr. Batchelor noted that it is effectively the first draft of a 12/31/2012
statement with a number of late entries as yet incomplete and several
apportionment payments not yet received. It is expected another four to five
weeks may be needed for complete data to be available. It was Moved, seconded and
voted to receive the Report.
Apportionment Report.
There are only two churches more than one month in arrears in apportionment
Payments. This the lowest number in several years.
|
#
|
Months
in Arr
|
Parish / Location
|
Comments
|
|
|
2011
|
2012
|
|||
|
19
|
4
|
4
|
St. David’s, Cranston
|
Considering
merger
|
|
43
|
2
|
2
|
St. Columba’s, Middletown
|
Rector
recently called
|
It is expected that all apportionment payments will be
completed in the near term.
Old Business: •
Election of Commission Chair. Bishop Knisely stated he had not yet spoken with
a person as possible chair. The matter was postponed to the February meeting.
• Representative to Diocesan Council. It was moved, seconded
and Voted that Robert Bergstrand serve as COF representative until Convention
2013.
• It was agreed to suggest to Council that Deacon Edwin
Hallenbeck serve as the COF Council member on Council Executive Committee.
• Christ Church, Lincoln. Mr. Batchelor reported that the
church remains in fairly stable condition. He noted that concern has been
expressed about apportionment due for 2013. Following discussion it was agreed
to ask the wardens to meet with COF in February and to make a draft or adopted
budget available for review. The COF has a couple of proposals aimed at
supporting Christ Church that we would like to discuss with parish leadership.
Meanwhile we will continue at the 2012 apportionment level.
New Business.
• St. Paul’s Church, Pawtucket. Canon Grenz reported on
meeting with the Vestry of St. Paul’s. The Vestry has found it necessary to
work on a significant budget restructuring for 2013, still in the development
stage. It has become clear that the parish will become a much smaller
operation. The Vestry recognizes they need help.
• There followed a discussion of the need for the Diocese
and the COF to create the ability to assist churches in difficult situations,
preferably before the situation becomes critical. It was suggested that former
Wardens and Treasurers could be very helpful.
• There followed a discussion of how to support and
assist declining parishes. It was suggested it may be better to reset Diocesan
Apportionment that involves both the Diocese and the church in addressing the
issue. Solutions would need to be individualized in each situation. We need to
look for creative ways toward a win/win situation. The Diocese needs to look
for ways to assist churches.
Other items:
• The Bishop reported on seeking ways for video conferencing
for meetings at modest cost.
• Parish Audits. Requirements of The Episcopal Church are
not clearly known. This was added to the February agenda.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 am.
Respectfully submitted
Edwin F Hallenbeck, Secretary.
