THE 32nd MEETING OF THE MISSION COUNCIL OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT (FORMERLY: THE 497th MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT), AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
December 14, 2024
In Attendance: The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Mello, The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, The Rev. Jessie Akerson, Judie Blackman-Cochran, The Rev. Nikolaus Combs, Marie Dixon, Naomi Fisher, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, The Rev. Stephanie Johnson, Trish Leonard, The Rev. Jill Morrison, Steven R. Mullins, The Rev. Diana Rogers, Gordon Ross, Treasurer, Cathy Schrull, Valerie Stanley, The Rev. Ron Steed, The Rev. Heidi Thorson, Canon Alison Hollo, The Rev. Cn. D Littlepage, Canon Rosanna Rosado, The Rev. Cn. Ranjit Mathews, The Rev. Cn. Tim Hodapp, Canon Sarah Woodford, The Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, and the Rev. Stacey Kohl, Secretary of the Diocese and Convention
Absent: Brad Babbitt, Chancellor, The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell, Casey Rousseau
- CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
The Meeting was called to order at 12:56 p.m. by Bishop Jeffrey Mello who opened with prayer.
- ITEMS REQUIRING APPROVAL WITHOUT DISCUSSION
Steven Mullins moved to approve each item on the consent agenda, seconded by Cathy Schrull. The Consent Agenda including the following items:
- Minutes of the September 2024 Mission Council Meeting
- Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
- Property Report of the Missionary Society
- Report from Camp Washington
- NW Region Leadership Team Terrell Grant Disbursement
- Staff Clergy Housing Allowance
- Finance Committee Charter
- ECCT FSA Plan Execution Agreement page and Certificate of Resolution
The motion passes.
- PRESENTATION
Nina Surviladze and Mark Hathaway from Bank of America offered a presentation on the Missionary Society’s Investment Portfolio & ESG opportunities. Treasurer Gordon Ross introduced Theresa Dupont, Director of Operations for Donations & Bequests for Church Purposes, Inc.
As a result of the presentation and conversation following, it was suggested by Bishop Mello that a review of the Missionary Society’s investments be on the Mission Council agenda annually.
In addition, it was requested that a list of investments and which portfolio they are currently invested in be provided to Mission Council at an upcoming meeting to allow Mission Council to consider moving some funds to the Values Investing Portfolio as well as to consider if additional corporations or entities should be added to the Prohibited Countries, Entities, or Corporations list.
- ITEMS REQUIRING DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
- Finance & Operations Reports, Statements (Q3)
Canon Rosanna Rosado offered a report on Finance & Operations for Q3 2024. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Finance Committee moved to approve the Q3 report as recommended by the Finance Committee, Steven Mullins seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosanna Rosado offered a report on Camp Washington and Q3 Missionary Society Investment portfolio. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Canon Rosado and Bishop Mello offered a Property & Casualty Insurance update; average premium increase is expected to be 14.1%. For the first year, we saw no increases and most of our parishes were grossly underinsured. Every year over the first three years, CPG re-evaluating the properties in the portfolio and adjusting insurance appropriately. The expectation is that in year four, premium increase will return to more standard yearly increase.
Canon Rosado updated on Good Standing. See appendix.
Canon Rosado presented on JJMA Phase I and II. See appendix.
Canon Rosado presented the Revolving Loan Fund application for Shepherd Meadows Equestrian Center, Inc. of $50,000 at 3.5% interest over 10 years (see appendix) which has been recommended by the Finance Committee. Cathy Schrull moved to approve the grants as recommended by the Finance Committee, Judie Blackman-Cochran seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado presented the Parishes Serving Low-Income Communities grant recommendations. A total of 15 parishes have been recommended, 10 of which need support in Good Standing compliance. This grant is not a mandate of Convention or application-based. The Rev. Heidi Thorsen moved to approve the grants as recommended by the Finance Committee, the Rev. Jessie Akerson seconded. Motion passes with one abstention.
Canon Rosado presented the Trinity South Norwalk fund; 80% of which is proposed in grant form by Trinity South Norwalk committee, 20% goes to ECCT. 2025 Grant recommendations are Christ Church, East Norwalk; St. Paul’s on the Green, Norwalk; Norwalk Mentor Program; Norwalk Academy of Multilingual Students. The Rev. Nik Combs moved to approve the grants as recommended by the Finance Committee, Marie Dixon seconded. Motion passes.
- Trinity-St. Michael’s Alienation Proposal
The Rev. Jessie Akerson moved that the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society approve the proposed sale of property of Trinity St. Michael’s Church, 554 Tunxis Hill Road, Fairfield, Connecticut for $2.0M to Operation Hope. Steven Mullins seconded the motion.
Bishop Mello proposed the following amendment to the motion: Upon the sale of the property, 10% of the net sale price would be given as a gift to Operation Hope for the furthering their ministry. Cathy, Valarie seconded the amendment. The motion to amend was adopted.
After further discussion, the motion was adopted.
- Intentional Episcopal Community (IEC) Task Force
The Rev. Nik Combs and the Rev. Heidi Thorsen reported on the work of the IEC Task Force. (see appendix)
The following changes were recommended by the Task Force:
- For communities that are structured as stand-alone communities with a pledge base, we suggest an annual contribution of 10% of their trailing year operating revenues.
- For communities that are embedded in larger (often residential) communities where there is expectation of a bishop sitting on the board and participation in annual liturgies and other requests from ECCT staff, we suggest an annual fixed contribution of $5,000 + 10% of clergy oversight / chaplain cost related to Episcopal Church ministry (includes clergy salary plus housing).
- For stand-alone communities without a pledge base, we suggest an annual fixed contribution of $1,000 + 10% of clergy oversight / chaplain costs related to Episcopal Church ministry (includes clergy salary plus housing).
Steven Mullins recommended the above financial guidelines, seconded by the Rev. Jessie Akerson. Motion passes
- Berkeley Center Capitol Campaign
Berkeley Divinity School at Yale has done major renovations to their house. ECCT was approached by the Dean and requested to participate in the renovations and be partners in this space. A member of the Berkeley board has agreed to match any donations given in the current time frame. The G.R. White Fund is a restricted fund which supports students at Yale University in New Haven, CT, who are studying or who intend to study for ministry. Should this resolution be approved, this gift would be the corpus of the income for the year.
Valarie Stanley moved to contribute $50,000 from the G.R. White Fund toward the Berkeley Center, which enhances recruitment and attracts students and leaders toward discernment process of ordained ministry, Cathy Schrull seconded. Motion passes.
ECCT’s grant will yield a matching grant of $50,000 for a total of $100,000 in grants to the Berkeley Center.
- UPDATES
- Mergers & Closures
Bishop Laura Ahrens updated on mergers & closures.
- Six parishes exploring merger looking toward 2025 Convention.
- Two parish closures to date: Good Shepherd, Bristol.
- Missionary Society Property
- St. Paul’s, Darien
Treasurer Gordon Ross updated on St. Paul’s, Darien. Studies completed by Redniss & Mead. Next steps: sewer soil test in progress; test the market; organize a marketing plan to maximize exposure; recommend the proposal to the Mission Council for a vote to alienate by March 2025.
- Stewardship Realty
Canon Rosado updated on our partnership with Stewardship Realty.
- Reparations Resolution Follow-up
The Rev. Cn. D Littlepage updated on the Reparations Task Force and the Reparations Board, including the funding of the Reparations Fund.
- Fair Hiring Practices as detailed in 2018: Resolution #3 (Affirming Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation) Task Force
The Rev. Cn. Littlepage noted the Task Force will be meeting on January 14 at Camp Washington.
- ADJOURNMENT, CLOSING PRAYER, & BLESSING
The meeting was adjourned with prayer and a blessing by Bishop Laura at 3:44 p.m.
Faithfully submitted,
The Rev. Stacey Kohl
Secretary of the Diocese and Convention