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Parishes: 58 of 59 represented
Clergy: 85 present of 103 possible
Laity: 175 of 180 possibleResolutions of the Diocesan Task Force On Communion (Revised)
For the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio GrandeResolution One: "Christian Conduct in Convocation" PASSED
YES: CLERGY: 84 / LAY 193 [277]
NO: CLERGY 4 / LAY 7 [11]
Amendment proposed to remove "in Christ" because we are not all in fellowship with one another. Amendment failed (voice vote).Resolved that this 54th Convention of the Diocese of the Rio Grande commits itself to conduct its business with charity at all times, mutual affection for one another in Christ, and respect for one another in our speech and conversation.
Explanation: The 54th Convention of the Diocese of the Rio Grande acknowledges that within our Convocation and in the life of this diocese there are faithful Christians who do not agree in their application of Scripture, Tradition, and Reason to many of the issues that confront us.
Resolution Two: "Greetings to, Concerns about and Support for the Presiding Bishop-Elect" FAILED
YES: CLERGY 48 / LAY 108 [156]
NO: CLERGY 50 / LAY 102 [152]Resolved that this 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande sends its greetings and blessings to the Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop-elect of The Episcopal Church, commits itself to prayer for the Presiding Bishop-elect, and Be it further resolved while there are many in this Diocese that rejoice in Bishop Jefferts Schori's election, there are a great many more who have deep concerns with her leadership and this Convocation expresses its deep hope that the Presiding Bishop-elect will be a tireless guardian of the faith, unity, and discipline of the Episcopal Church, and Be it further resolved that this 54th Convocation of the Diocese of
the Rio Grande humbly and strenuously urges the Presiding Bishop-elect to embrace the specific recommendations of the Windsor Report, and Be it further resolved that this 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande commend our own Bishop to invite the Presiding Bishop-elect to come to this diocese to listen to our concerns and our hopes and to explore with us ways of living together in charity and respect in the midst of disagreements over what we believe are essentials of our faith.Resolution Three "Willingness to Explore a Communion Covenant" PASSED
YES; CLERGY 75 / LAY 152 [227]
NO: CLERGY 22 / LAY 54 [76]
Be it resolved that the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande commends our bishop, Standing Committee, and Diocesan Council to commit this diocese to participate where appropriate in the process of developing such a covenant within the Anglican Communion.Explanation: This resolution supports the resolution of General
Convention 2006 passed in support of such a process.Resolution Four: "Consent to Sections 134 & 144 of the Windsor Report" PASSED
YES: CLERGY 70 / LAY 146 [216]
NO: CLERGY 26 / LAY 62 [88]
Resolved that the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande commend the Bishop and Standing Committee of this diocese to abide by "a moratorium on the election and consent to the consecration of any
candidate to the episcopate who is living in a same gender union until [and unless] some new consensus in the Anglican Communion emerges", and Be it further resolved that the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the
Rio Grande commend the Bishop, Standing Committee, and Diocesan Council of this diocese to abide by a moratorium on the authorizing of all public rites of blessing of same-sex unions.Resolution Five: "For Those Departing the Diocese of the Rio Grande"
Amendment: V. The Diocese of the Rio Grande shall obtain prior approval for all points of negotiation and final agreement from the appropriate authority of The Episcopal Church, as designated by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies.PASSED
149/146
RESOLUTION FAILED
YES: CLERGY 37 / LAY 92 [129]
NO: CLERGY 61 / LAY 117 [178]Resolved, that this 54th Convocation of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande (THE DIOCESE), recognizing the authority of I Corinthians 6:1-8 in disputes among Christians, commends the following principles to guide the Bishop, Council, and Trustees should one of its member parishes or self-supporting missions attempt to sever its relationship with the Diocese. To wit:
1. The presenting issue must generally be recognized as a communion issue by the four Anglican Communion Instruments of Unity (Anglican Consultative Council, Primate's Meeting, Archbishop of Canterbury, and
the Lambeth Conference), and the departing congregation must be received into a constituent diocese of the Anglican Communion.2. A decision to sever relationship with the Diocese of the Rio Grande must be made by at least three-quarters of the qualified voters of the congregation in a manner agreed to by the Diocesan Council consistent with its canons and the by-laws of the congregation. The Trustees of the Diocese and the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church shall be notified immediately of this action.
3. The parish or mission must be legally incorporated. Upon the decision to sever its relationship with the diocese, as described in principle 2, the departing congregation shall enter into a release and indemnity agreement with the Diocese.
4. All obligations incurred up to the date of the congregation's departure, including notes held by or secured by the Diocese, fair share, and pension and insurance assessments for its clergy and staff must be satisfied, and the congregation must conduct a certified audit and submit it to the diocesan Treasurer.
5. During this transition the departing congregation will continue its support for the mission of the Diocese (equal to the average annual fair share it had been assessed the previous three years and adjusted annually by the appropriate cost-of-living index as published by the New Mexico and Texas labor departments). The departing congregation will enter into negotiations with the Diocese of the Rio Grande in order to reach agreement on a settlement consistent with Diocesan Canon 6 and the Episcopal Church's Title I, Canon 7.3-4. All negotiations will be guided by the principle that the goal is to further, in the best possible manner, the ministry and mission of the
Kingdom of God. In the event that the parties are unable to reach agreement, the matter may be arbitrated by a mutually acceptable independent third party.6. The Diocese expects any congregation which chooses to leave the Diocese will treat those who choose to remain in a fair and equitable manner, paying special attention to pastoral issues created by a decision to depart.
7. Associated clergy who depart must immediately resign their orders in the Episcopal Church as prescribed by canon or be transferred to another bishop or ecclesiastical authority as prescribed by canon or in a manner approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Associated clergy who remain in communion with the Episcopal Church are entitled to reasonable severance as approved by the Bishop and Standing Committee.
8. All parties will covenant together to pray for each other, avoid criticizing each other, and cooperate insofar as possible in the work of the Gospel.
9. The diocesan Trustees shall retain security in the real property, endowments and emoluments of the congregation until the Trustees have been satisfied that this resolution has been complied with in all
essentials.10. If at any point after severing relationship with the Diocese a departing congregation desires to restore a pastoral relationship with the Diocese of the Rio Grande, it will be welcomed home.
Explanation
When a member congregation becomes so alienated from The Episcopal Church that it seeks to sever its relationship with it, the diocese is faced with a difficult situation. In the event that a departing congregation attempts to retain its property and assets, the diocese is expected to pursue legal remedies to enforce its claims. The
diocese usually prevails in this dispute, but often only after long and expensive litigation that weakens and embitters all parties and damages the Church's reputation.The Bishop believes that a negotiated settlement that ultimately permits a congregation to retain real property and assets does acknowledge the authority of both diocesan and national canons and the fiduciary responsibility of the diocesan officers. This approach has been used successfully in other cases in the Episcopal Church, so that
conflict is resolved in a way that is not injurious to the mission of the Church but may in fact enhance it. The advantage of establishing such principles before congregations attempt to leave is obvious.Resolutions submitted from members of The Diocese (Not Task Force on Communion)
Resolution Six: "Millennium Development Goals" PASSED
YES: CLERGY: 68 / LAY 141 [209]
NO: CLERGY 30 / LAY: 69 [99]Be it resolved that beginning January 1, 2008 the Diocese of the Rio Grande annually contribute at least 0.7% of its total income to agencies or ministries that seek to eradicate extreme poverty, in support of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to wit:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for developmentAnd, be it further resolved that the Diocesan Council annually research and make decisions as to the most appropriate places to contribute these funds that are consistent with the good news of Jesus Christ and the MDGs, and
Be it further resolved that subsequent diocesan convocations evaluate whether the level of giving to these goals can increase from year to year, and
Be it further resolved that congregations and individuals in our diocese be encouraged to contribute at least 0.7% of their income towards the accomplishment of these goals.
Explanation: Over 190 nations, including the United States of America, have signed on to the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, with the idea of funding them at a level of 0.7% of income. Church groups and individuals are being encouraged to do likewise. Contributors are free to donate to any agency or cause that supports these goals.
Momentum for this movement is gaining, as the likes of Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates, and Bono (of the rock group U2) all emphasize a conviction that for the first time in human history we have the resources to eradicate extreme poverty. A target date of 2015 is set for the accomplishment of these goals.
Resolution Seven: "Equal Participation of Women and Men"
AMENDMEMENT: STRIKE "Be it further resolved that a reporting mechanism be developed to record the achievement of such gender equality, reporting those achievements annually to the Diocesan council and to the 55th Convocation of the diocese of the Rio Grande, and (Passed on voice vote.)
RESOLUTION PASSED
YES: CLERGY 56 / LAY 134 [190]
NO: CLERGY 43 / LAY 76 [119]
Resolved that the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande endorse, ratify, and implement Resolution 13/31 adopted by the Anglican Consultative Council at its meeting in Nottingham, England in June 2005 stating that there should be equal participation of women and men on all decision-making bodies of the Anglican Consultative Council and that all Provinces of the Communion should work to achieve
that goal, andBe it further resolved that the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande urge and encourage all parishes and congregations to work toward the same goal of equal participation of women and men on all their decision-making committees, commissions, agencies and boards, and
Be it further resolved that a reporting mechanism be developed to record the achievement of such gender equality, reporting those achievements annually to the Diocesan Council and to the 55th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, and
Be it further resolved that the Diocese of the Rio Grande urges the United States Senate to ratify the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Resolution Eight: "Request for Alternative Primatial Oversight"
THIS RESOLUTION WAS REPLACED BY A SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION.
Resolved, it is the mind of the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, meeting in Carlsbad, New Mexico on October 13-14, 2006 that the Bishop and Standing Committee move quickly to request direct
Primatial oversight from the Archbishop of Canterbury.Substitute Resolution Eight: "Monitor Anglican Communion Developments
SUBSTITUTE RESOLUTION EIGHT: "Monitor Anglican Communion Developments"PASSED
YES: CLERGY: 71 / LAY: 158 [229]
NO: CLERGY: 27 / LAY 52 [79]
Resolved, that this 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande call upon the Bishop and Diocesan Council to monitor carefully developments within the Anglican Communion with regard to its relationship to the Wider Communion and to consider calling a special convocation, if necessary, to respond to emergent circumstances.Explanation.
One possible circumstance might be the failure of the Presiding Bishop to be seated as a full and equal member in the Primates meetings. The Presiding Bishop's place amongst the primates of the constituent provinces of the Anglican Communion is one of the means by which the Episcopal Church maintains communion with the other churches of he Anglican Communion and with the See of Canterbury. That this full communion should exist is essential to the identity of the Episcopal Church, as evidenced by the preamble to its constitution as well as
our own. It appears that the Presiding Bishop-elect has not complied with a specific recommendation of the Windsor Report concerning those who have authorized public rites for the blessing of same sex unions (
1440), raising the question whether she will be ac accepted in "representative functions in the Anglican Communion."The following resolution was tabled from the 53rd Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande to the 54th Convocation of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.
Resolution Nine: "Future General Convention Deputations" FAILED
YES: CLERGY: 26 / LAY: 60 [86]
NO: CLERGY: 66 / LAY: 147 [213]BE IT RESOLVED that if General Convention of ECUSA 2006 shows no evident repentance and conformance in matters of faith and practice as requested by the Anglican Communion in the Windsor Report that the
Diocese of the Rio Grande no longer send or fund subsequent delegations to General Convention of the
Episcopal Church USA.Elections Standing Committee:
The Rev. Colin Kelly
Mr. Paul Shoemaker (3 year term)
Ms. Betsy Yost (2 year term)Diocesan Council:
The Rev. Pat Elliot
Mr. Robert Hoover, III
(There was an error on the ballot for this election)
Sue Ellen Rael was elected as the 2nd lay person. The election should
have been for a second clergy person.Commision on Ministry:
Mr. George duSangDeputy General Convention:
The Rev. Colin Kelly C1
The Rev. Scott Ruthven C2
The Rev. David Luckenbach C3
The Very Rev. Art Tripp C4The Rev. Peter Falk Alt. 1
The Rev. Carole McGowan Alt. 2
The Rev. Brian Winter Alt. 3
The Rev. Brian Taylor Alt. 4Mr. Bo Mapes L1
Mr. Kay Fancher L2
Mr. Bob Sutton L3
Mr. David Etzold L4Ms. Betsy Yost L Alt. 1
Ms. Diane Butler L Alt. 2
Ms. Sue Ellen Rael L Alt. 3
Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church
3900 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM 87544
(505) 662-5107
Website: www.latoth.org