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January 24, and February 21, 2006 Bishop’s Committee Meeting Summary By: David Sanguinetti, St. Philip’s Church Clerk The new Bishop Committee Officers: Bishops’ Warden: Tod Connor Junior Warden: Barbara Lyon Assistant Junior Warden: Vicky Granger-Jones Treasurer: Bill DeRouchey Clerk: David Sanguinetti DIEM Rep. for the Diocese Jan Martin The new Bishop’s Committee Members: Tod Connor A Bishop’s Committee Retreat is in the works for orientating and building our working relationship. The 2006 budget continues to show a lack of sufficient pledges, which has resulted in a shortfall of revenue required to comfortably balance the budget and call a settled vicar. In addition, there has been an increase of 40% in the “Fair Share” contribution to the diocese which is always based on the budget finals of the year before last. Outgoing treasurer Bob O’Brien has agreed to review the church’s financial figures for the year 2004 to see if there are any corrections or inaccuracies that could affect our percentage contribution. As such, the Bishop’s Committee unanimously voted to withhold the “Fair Share” payment to the diocese for January and February in order to make good on current debts of operation. Future payment will be based on month-to-month assessments of the church’s financial situation. This decision was not taken lightly, as it can have grave affects on St. Philip’s status for becoming a parish. In addition, it will have to be paid eventually, in full, or the diocese can look upon it as a default, resulting in the withdrawal of support for the operation of our church. It should be clarified for parishioners, “Fair Share” is important for the continued operation of the Episcopal Church as a whole. This money is used to support the work of the diocese as well as the work of the national church. In addition, monies collected from the parishes and missions as “Fair Share” help assist in rebuilding lives and churches after natural and manmade disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, war, etc., that occur around the country and in the world. Father Barry announced his last Sunday will be on February 26, 2006, as he will become Interim Rector for R. Lee Memorial Church, in Lexington, Virginia, April 1, 2006. Congratulations and good luck Barry, may the Lord always be with you!! Bishop’s Warden Tod Connor has approached Father John Duncan with assistance from Father Bill Kelly to enter into contract as Interim Vicar for St. Philip’s until a settled vicar is called, hopefully around July 1, 2006. We are blessed and fortunate to have both Fr. John and Fr. Bill as members of our congregation. As an additional bonus, they both have past experience with interim work in their careers. Edy Unthank, our outgoing DIEM Representative for the diocese said if we wish to pursue parish status, we will need to provide our financials and our Parish Profile to the Diocesan Financial Committee. If we were to start now, we could reasonably reach parish status in the Fall of 2007. However, due to the tenuous status of our financial situation, the Bishop’s Committee will require further deliberation before a decision can be made. Our new DIEM Representative is Jan Martin, a Deacon from South San Jose. The Search Committee has reviewed approximately 50 candidates for settled vicar of St. Philip’s Church. Thus far they have reduced applications and profiles to 30, and have sent out questionnaires with the next review date scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Search Committee is still on a schedule to call a vicar by July 2006. |
