The 177th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan was held Oct 28-29, 2011 at the Lansing Center & Radisson Hotel in Lansing, MI. The 178th Convention will take place Oct. 26-27, 2012, also in Lansing.
Click here to download a copy of the Bishop's Annual Address
Resolutions Passed at 177th Diocesan Convention Oct. 28-29, 2011 and Election Results
Resolutions:
#1: Continued Commitment to MDGs as a Mission Priority
Originator: Bonnie Anderson, All Saints, Pontiac
Resolved: that the Diocese of Michigan affirms its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority of The Episcopal Church through 2015 and pledges to continue efforts in pursuit of achievement of these goals by 2015.
Resolved: that the Diocese of Michigan, requests that the 77th General Convention include in the 2013-2015 General Convention Budget, a line item of no less than 0.7% of the non-government revenue of the Episcopal Church to support the Millennium Development Goals; and that this 0.7% commitment be a visible and prophetic act of leadership in fighting global poverty.
Resolved: that the funds from the 0.7% line item be contributed to a campaign for the triennium 2013-2015 to be led and administered by Episcopal Relief & Development in support of its programs that are working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Resolved: that this 177th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan instruct the Convention Secretary to provide this resolution to the Secretary of The General Convention in appropriate resolution form so that it may be considered by the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Indianapolis, July 2012.
Rationale/Explanation
The Episcopal Church has been a leader among communities of faith, nationally and globally, in calling attention to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as one way of responding to God's mission of reconciliation. Countless individual Episcopalians, as well as Episcopal parishes and dioceses, have taken up the challenge to meet the MDGs by contributing 0.7% of their annual income to international development as commended by 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution I.15 and General Convention resolutions 2003-D066, 2006-D022 and 2009-D016. It is important for the Episcopal Church to provide continued leadership through 2015, which marks the date by which the MDGs are to be met.
Passed
#2: Support for expanded mission initiatives in provinces, dioceses and congregations
Originator: Bonnie Anderson, All Saints, Pontiac
Resolved: that the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan requests the 77th General Convention to consider the following resolution: “Resolved, the House concurring, That the 77th General Convention urge the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance present a new triennial funding formula for consideration by General Convention, that increases the “deductible amount:” allowed by each diocese and reduces the diocesan apportionment (askings) in order to allow more monies to remain at the provincial, diocesan and congregational levels where they can support robust, diverse, extensive and local mission initiatives that will help God’s Episcopal Church thrive in the 21st century.
Rationale/Explanation
The Episcopal Church, like most other denominations, is adapting too slowly to new ways of proclaiming the Gospel to a fast-changing population driven by experiences and values far different from those of earlier generations. To speed our adaptation in this time of social and cultural opportunity and upheaval, we must empower and support local ministry initiatives that can be quickly conceived, executed, evaluated and shared with the wider church. At the same time, we recognize that successful local initiatives may depend on support from the diocesan, provincial and Episcopal Church Center levels, and on able facilitation of communication and resource sharing.
In addition to cultivating and supporting local initiative in mission, the Episcopal Church must be mindful of local realities when setting church wide financial and administrative standards, particularly those that require dioceses and congregations to assume new costs.
Passed
#3: Proposed Resolution concerning cooperation and sharing of resources by the dioceses of the Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan in connection with the implementation of Title IV
Originator: The Rt. Rev. Wendell N. Gibbs, Jr.
Resolved: that the 177th Convention of the Diocese of Michigan encourages and supports cooperation and the sharing of resources with other Dioceses of The Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan with respect to the implementation of Title IV of the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Resolved: that the Diocesan Chancellor and the Committee on Constitution and Canons be charged with the task of working together with their counterparts in other Dioceses of The Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan to determine ways in which such Dioceses may appropriately cooperate and share resources with respect to the implementation of Title IV of the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Resolved: that the Committee on Constitution and Canons, working together with their counterparts in Other Dioceses of The Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan, propose changes to the Canons, consistent with changes to the Canons of other Dioceses of The Episcopal Church in the State of Michigan, that would implement appropriate means of cooperating and sharing resources with regard to Title IV of the Canons of The Episcopal Church.
Passed
#4: Expression of Thanks
Originator: Ann Larimore, The Rev. Ellis Clifton, The Rev. Charles Swinehart, Covenant 5
Resolved: that the 177th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan accept the gratitude of its social-service and social-advocacy ministries for past and present Diocesan financial support.
Resolved: that the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan attempt in every possible way to find means of increasing funding to the above-mentioned agencies in these times of economic stress, which most directly and adversely affect the poor and other underserved individuals and groups.
Rational/Explanation
We are called to minister selflessly to the poor, the despised, and the outcast. May we be moved to work for the day when every human right is distributed and enjoyed universally and equitably, without fear or favor, in liberty and justice for all.
Passed
#5: Addressing Michigan’s Economic Crisis
Originator: Covenant 5, Jim Toy, Secretary
Resolved: that the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan urge Diocesan Council to facilitate during one or more Council meetings a discussion open to all, of how we, as Episcopalian Christians, will respond out of our Anglican identity to address the worsening socio-economic conditions in the State of Michigan.
Resolved: that Diocesan Council provides guidance in this matter to deaneries and parishes.
Resolved: that there be created, a way by which such means as Diocesan Council or other entity may find appropriate, e.g. a blue-ribbon commission, and/or task forces and public hearings, for parishes and all Christians to engage in, in order to carry forward this work of the Gospel.
Resolved: that Diocesan Council be urged to take the lead in forming an alliance of faith communities to work for the substance of this Resolution.
Rationale/Explanation
The economic crisis has lessened our ability to respond to individual and community need. The statewide, national, and global economic crisis has impacted the general operating monies of our diocese and parishes.
Constraints on our social-justice ministries are increasing, while calls for their services are exponentially increasing.
A blue-ribbon commission could appoint task forces and arrange public hearings.
Passed as Amended
#6: Diocesan Funding for the Justice and Peace Advocacy Ministries
Withdrawn due to passage of budget
#7: A resolution authorizing the solicitation of financial support for the Justice and
Peace Advocacy and Social Service Support Ministries of the Diocese of Michigan
Originators: The Rev. Charles H. Swinehart, Jr., The Rev. Ellis Clifton
Resolved: that in recognition of the stated Diocesan Mission and Ministry Commitment to Justice, Peace, and Diversity, the 177th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan authorizes the Justice and Peace Advocacy Ministries and Social Service Support Ministries to solicit funds from the governing bodies of recognized congregations and individual members of congregations in support of the following ministries:
SOCIAL SERVICE SUPPORT MINISTRIES: JUSTICE AND PEACE ADVOCACY MINISTRIES:
Rationale/Explanation
Support to meaningful and needed Christian ministry occurs at several levels from the largest possible gathering to the individual. This resolution would allow the Justice and Peace Advocacy Ministries and Social Service Support Ministries to engage in solicitation for support at several levels should the adopted budget support prove insufficient for their respective ministries to operate. In these times of difficult diocesan cuts, ministries of public witness should not be discontinued or rendered ineffective. The ministries that are permitted and encouraged to raise funds will do so to strengthen the ministries so that the witness of the Church may grow; and so that support to those in greatest need and the most marginalized will continue.
The Scriptures, the Baptismal Covenant, the Canons of General Convention and Title V, Section 5.4 of our Diocesan Canons affirm that all members of the Church share in the servant-hood ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, and support the ministry of all baptized persons. Striving for justice and peace and loving and serving our neighbors are foundational, and we have, individually and as the Body of Christ, the responsibility to keep this covenant.
Passed as Amended
#8: Diocesan Funding for the Social Service Support Ministries of the Diocese of Michigan
Originators: Charles H. Swinehart, Jr., Ellis Clifton, Covenant 5
Resolved: that after disbanding CESA and not funding or reconstituting the Episcopal Community Services, and three more budget years having passed without Council or Convention establishing a new way of supporting and funding “hands-on” ministry, Convention in passing this resolution, directs Council and urges the Diocese as a whole to renew its efforts to increase support for the “hands-on” ministries in next year’s budget and the budgets that follow, so that our witness may be ever more viable and growing.
Passed as Amended
#9 Opposing State and Local Budget Cuts That Target the Poor
Passed as Amended
Election Results
Cathedral Chapter:
Lay
James Garrett 111
Jenny Ritter 166 Elected*
Clergy
The Rev. Janis Stevenson 239 Elected*
Commission on Ministry
1st Ballot
Lay
Sue Carpenter 129
Patricia Nielson 56
Peter Trumbore 86
2nd Ballot 132 needed to elect
Carpenter 180 Elected*
Trumbore 83
Clergy
The Rev. John Franklin 91
The Rev. Jeanne Hansknecht 187 Elected*
Disciplinary Board
Lay
Eric Travis 111
Tim Wittlinger 170 Elected*
Clergy
The Rev. Susan Vandercook 262 Elected*
Standing Committee
Lay
Shelley Zalewski 253 Elected*
Clergy
The Very Rev. Dr. W. Richard Hamlin 259 Elected*
Trustees
Lay
Andrew Anyanonu 177 Elected*
Carol Bennett 113
Louis J. Clark 99
Marie Donigan 183 Elected*
Tamika Hamilton 114 Elected*
Joanne Heaton 111
Craig G..Peterson 58
Tom Post 156 Elected*
Clergy
The Rev. William T. Roberts 141 Elected*
The Rev. Ross Vandercook 137
Provincial Synod
Lay
Bonnie Anderson 168 Elected*
Lizzie Anderson 67
Denise Crenshaw 111 Elected*
Cedric Flounory 92
Pete Ross 109 Elected*
Clergy
1st Ballot 142 needed to elect
Barbara Cavin 62
Richard Hamlin 114
Thalia Johnson 107
2nd Ballot 134 needed to elect
Richard Hamlin 131
Thalia Johnson 135 Elected*