2006 October Diocesan Convention Highlights:

(Convention was held October 20-21, 2006, in San Luis Obispo)

New this year:  2 Workshops on Friday before Convention.  1) Dismantling Institutional Racism, coordinated and hosted by our own Pastor Mary Blessing; and 2) Safeguarding God’s Children, a KYROS training on how to prevent sexual misconduct in the Church.

Resolutions that passed designed to bring positive change:

Diocesan Structure – known as the “collaborative model”, Resolution A was chosen by Convention.  This will entail restructuring our multiple “Deanery” system to a system of 3 “Convocations”, combining deaneries into larger groupings that help oversee parishes. Convention was reminded that the next year will be a transition year as we work out the details for the new structure and seek our new Diocesan Bishop. St. Philip’s Church will remain within the Santa Cruz County Convocation.

New Funding formula for Diocesan “Fair Share” Assessment, after an amendment was passed that added a Cost of Living Adjustment of 3% to the formula, the model calling for 10% of the first $178,000 of Net Budgeted Disposable Income (NBDI) and 20% of anything in excess of $178,000 was chosen. This will give a small congregation like St. Philip’s the opportunity to keep more money at the local level for local needs.

Bishop Search process, Resolution B - this resolution requesting that the Bishop Search Committee give equal consideration to all qualified candidates without regard to their sexual orientation in compliance with Title III 1.2 of the National Canons passed.

Millenium Development Goals, Resolution E, passed. This asks each congregation and parishioner to prayerfully consider giving 0.7% of their income to work that supports the United Nations Millenium Goals.  These goals include working to dismantle racism, reduce world-wide poverty, and responding to epidemics such as AIDS.

A personal highlight for Pastor Mary was the opportunity to meet Samuel Akau, a Sudanese young man who escaped the Sudan with thousands of young boys (known as the “Lost Boys of Sudan”).  Samuel came to the United States under the protection of the Episcopal Church. He has been mentored and spiritually supported at Trinity Cathedral in San Jose as he pursued work and education.  Samuel graduated from Stanford University this past June, and is in the process of returning to the Sudan to found primary and secondary schools for children who have no access to education.  Samuel is a delightfully spiritual person, eager to share his spiritual journey.  I have invited him to come share with the people of St. Philip’s so that you, too, can hear this extraordinary story of faith.

             Pastor Mary

Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program

ISSP is launching its 2006-2007 season of the feeding of the homeless in November.  St Philip’s will be feeding a group (15-20) of homeless women on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from November through April.  St John’s of Capitola handles the dinners for first and third Thursdays each month.  Fifth Thursdays in November and March will be done by outside groups (Girl Scouts, B’hai, 4-H, etc.)

St Philip’s Thursdays are: November 9 and 23, December 14 and 28, January 11 and 25,
February 8 and 22, March 8 and 22 and April 12 and 26

This is an especially unique opportunity for our youth to serve the less fortunate and develop a true sense of compassion for those who are different and marginalized by society.  Whether it’s done in the context of our Youth Groups at St Philip’s, or simply by families with children spending a few hours preparing food and serving the homeless, this service is appreciated by our guests and guaranteed to furnish participants with the blessings that Christian charity brings.

I have posted a sign up sheet on the wall and I welcome personal contact from those who are interested in participating.

             Tod Connor, St. Philip’s ISSP Coordinator