Present:

Ms. Shelly Simpson Vescovo, President, The Rt. Rev. D. Bruce MacPherson, Vice President, Ms Jody Noerdlinger, Ms Vycke McEwen, The Rev. James P. Haney, The Rev. Kevin Wittmayer, The Rev. Jan Davey, Mr Brad Woodall, The Rev Canon Pam Dunbar, The Rev. Diana Luck, The Rev. Robert de Wolfe and Mrs Shirley Bolton.

Absent:

The Rt. Rev. James Folts, Ms Sherry Denton.

Opening:

The meeting opened with Morning Prayer conducted by Mr. Brad Woodall.

Minutes:

The minutes from the previous meeting held on May 2, 2003 were approved.

Agenda:

The agenda was presented and approved with additions.

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report

The Rev. Jim Haney handed out his report through January 31 2004. This was enclosed in the packet and approved.  The Rev. Haney reminded us that we did receive our apportionment from the National Church this year but we should be mindful of it possibly being reduced in the next year.  One of the issues regarding our share of the PLC disbursement is that our Province is not matching the coordination funds allocated by the PLC.  Before the next triennium, we will look at these expenses, particularly the package of the Provincial Coordinator to assure that it meets the actual work requirements and market value. 

Report of Provincial House of Bishops - Bp. MacPherson

Bishop MacPherson reported on the various Bishop’s meetings he had been attending. He said that it is important to maintain a sense of what is happening amongst the provinces. 

He talked of the Council of Advice and the importance of Episcopal pastoral care and working on mediation with the dioceses that are out of accord at this time.  Much work is being done on communication with the provinces and bishops to maintain honest dialogue. 

The bishops agree that we should all focus on ministry and the fulfillment of the Gospel.

Report of Province VII Liaison – Richard Parkins

Richard Parkins stated that he was glad to be with us and that he was learning to be a liaison.  He asked us what we wanted from him.

He enumerated for us the current church opinions. 

1 There are major challenges ahead for the church.
2 The network clusters are still in place and remain the help that we should be.
3 The magnitude of the shortfall is not yet known.
4 Budget work is in progress in preparation for the next Executive Council meeting.
5 The estimate at this time is a possible decrease of between 6% and 8%.
6 There is much reorganizing going on to adjust to changes if they are brought about.
7 All ministry work will take a 5% cut
8 There will be no retrenchment from programs already in place.
9 These challenges are all being faced and met.
10 The ethnic vacancies in the church are being filled.
11  At its next meeting, the Executive Council will consider a major renovation of the church offices.  815 will use 6 floors and the other floors will be rented out.
12 Richard emphasized that it is important for us to have conversations with our Liaison, as the province is a microcosm of the National Church.

Report of the Area Chairs-Pam Dunbar, Diana Luck, Kevin Wittmayer

Pam Dunbar, the Nurture Project Chair, presented reports on the Province VII Youth Network meeting and a report on the Christian Education Network meeting; these were in our packet.  Pam said that the Campus Ministries are very active.  She mentioned that the format for the Youth Events at the end of both Convocation and Synod would be rewritten.  Vycke mentioned that networks should be advised that all representatives to networks are appointed by bishops, and term limits may be advised but not imposed. 

Diana Luck, the Christian Faith in Action Chair, presented a report referencing the other actions going on under the CFA chair. These include Anti-Racism-Prison Ministries, where Gladys Maynard would like to have names of their active participants from the dioceses. The Environment Chair has just completed a sabbatical so there was no current activity here.

Ken Wittmayer, the Mission Project Chair, announced that he had taken a new church and would not be able to continue his work as the Project Chair. He also suggested that possibly this chair could be combined with Congregational Development.  He expressed regret at having to leave.

There was then discussion on a replacement for Kevin and Bishop MacPherson suggested that we all reflect on the matter for a while, and that he and Shelly would gather some ideas from Charles Fulton and would make a recommendation soon. 

The Area Chairs also reported that a resolution regarding appointment of Network Chairs as well as job descriptions of these chairs and Area Chairs were being recommended to the full Council.  The resolution and descriptions were unanimously adopted by the Council. 

At our next meeting it would be advisable to adopt and approve a motion accepting this resolution. 

Hispanic Ministries - Jaime Case

Jaime gave us an explanation of his ministry that he works out of the Center for Hispanic Ministries. He told us that there is still much work to be done to incorporate the Hispanics fully into the National Church.

He is working with a network in Mexico on advocating immigrant reform.  His primary work in the future will be to teach  “church planting” to enable the formation of Latino Churches. There is still much work to be done in the area to ensure the Growth of Hispanic ministries in our Church.

PLC Report – Bp MacPherson, Shelly Vescovo, Vycke McEwen

The report from the meeting was enclosed in our packet.  All three at the meeting said that is was very significant that they were there to ensure that the Province funding was continued. It is important to realize that our budget for next the next triennium will be less and it will necessitate our being aware of this.  It was considered by our representatives to be a real working conference and worthwhile.

Report on Hub and Website – Jody Noerdlinger

Jody was congratulated by the council for the website.  Jody urged council members to use the website.   She suggested that the dioceses could use the site to advertise any events that were forthcoming in their diocese that might be of interest to the Province. 

The Hub will be available to be read or printed off the Website though the hard copy will still be distributed to those who request it. 

Status of the Adult Learning Conference – Shelly Vescovo and Vycke McEwen

It was reported that the conference would be held in Kansas City in February 2005.  This is a joint venture of Provinces VI and VII.  This conference will mirror the conference on Small Churches that was held seven years ago.  There is a design team of 13 working on the project. 

The contract for the hotel was discussed at length since the default date was imminent and unless it was signed there would be a $9400 penalty.
It was decided that any future contracts for such things would be signed by two people from the Council rather than the burden of the decision being left to the Coordinator on her own.

Convocation Update – Shelly Vescovo

Shelly reported that the preparations for the conference to be held at The University of Oklahoma, Norman OK, September29, 30 and October 1, 2005 are well in hand and everything is falling into place.  Speakers have been invited, the program has been worked out, and the committee will discuss the final plans in May

Synod Update - Sherry Denton

Since Sherry was unable to be at the meeting Vycke reported that the hotel had been secured for the Synod to be held in October 2005.  The committee was working out speakers and other arrangements.  The Council accepted the recommendation fromVycke McEwen that the Province not offer to supervise youth Provincial Deputies.  Dioceses who send youth will be responsible for housing and supervision

Status of Review of Ordinances – Jim Haney

Jim stated that the work on the ordinances was moving along well.  Bp. MacPherson, assisted by Vycke, Bob, and Brad, will continue working on the ordinances.

Report on Deacons Conference – Vycke McEwen

Plans are going forward and the conference will be hosted by the Diocese of Oklahoma and held at St Crispins Church, east of Oklahoma City April 7-8 2005.

ECW Report – Shirley Bowden

Shirley said that the ECW were doing well and that she will be sending out reminders to all members to send their representatives to the Convocation in October of this year.

There being no other business the meeting was adjourned at 13.30.  Our next meeting will be in May,2004. 

Respectfully submitted,

The Rev. Jan Davey.
Secretary