THE 34th MEETING OF THE MISSION COUNCIL OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT (FORMERLY: THE 499th 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.
June 21, 2025
In Attendance: The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Mello, The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, The Rev. Deacon Jessie Akerson, Judie Blackman-Cochran, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, The Rev. Jill Morrison, Steven R. Mullins, Gordon Ross, Treasurer, Casey Rousseau, Cathy Schrull, Valerie Stanley, The Rev. Deacon Ron Steed, The Rev. Heidi Thorson, Lisa Yarbor, Canon Alison Hollo, The Rev. Cn. D Littlepage, The Rev. Cn. Kevin Olds, Canon Rosanna Rosado, The Rev. Cn. Ranjit K. Mathews, Canon Sarah Woodford, and the Rev. Stacey Kohl, Secretary of the Diocese and Convention
Absent: Brad Babbitt, Chancellor, The Rev. Nikolaus Combs, Marie Dixon, Naomi Fisher, The Rev. Stephanie Johnson, Trish Leonard, The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell, The Rev. Diana Rogers, The Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch,
- CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
The Meeting was called to order at 1:04 PM by Bishop Laura Ahrens 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 March 2024 Mission Council Meeting
- Updated ECCT Clergy Parsonage Allowances
- Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
- Property Report of the Missionary Society
- Report from Camp Washington
- HR Report: Canon for Congregations & Transitions
- Christ Church, Norwich Ground Penetrating Radar Grant Contract
- Resolution
The motion passes.
- UPDATES
- Donations & Bequests ESG Presentation
Gordon Ross introduced Kathleen Corbett and David Hulal who presented on D&B’s ESG. See attached.
Conversation followed the presentation.
The Rev. Ron Steed was appointed to be a liaison between Donations & Bequests Board and Mission Council.
- Reparations Board
The Rev. Canon D Littlepage updated on the Reparations Board, which has been fully staffed.
- Mergers & Closures
Bishop Laura Ahrens updated on mergers & closures.
- Missionary Society Property
- Gordon Ross updated on the status of St. Paul’s, Darien. An additional study regarding running sewer line is being conducted as it could change the potential yield significantly.
- Stewardship Realty continues to work with a little over a dozen parishes.
- Trinity-St. Michael’s: Currently in due diligence phase with Operation Hope with anticipated closing date mid-August. Facility has been cleaned and emptied.
- George Beach Home: ECCT Staff are working to finalize official documentation to move the property into the Missionary Society’s portfolio.
- ITEMS REQUIRING DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
- Finance & Operations Reports, Statements (Q1)
Canon Rosanna Rosado offered a report on Finance & Operations for Q1 2025. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Casey Rousseau moved to accept the Q1 report as recommended by the Finance Committee, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado offered a report on Camp Washington.
Canon Rosado reported that, as of May 1, life insurance across ECCT transitioned to CPG. Clergy and Lay Employees of parishes and are required to be covered through CPG.
Canon Rosado reported on Q1 Missionary Society Investment portfolio. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Canon Rosado updated on Good Standing, including Vulnerable Parishes. See appendix.
Canon Rosado presented on JJMA Phase I (98% complete) and II (77% complete). See appendix.
Canon Rosado and the Rev. Canon Ranjit K. Mathews presented on St. Paul’s, Shelton’s CMS hardship.
- At end of 2023, St. Paul’s, Shelton Vestry resigned after removing all the money it’s endowment. The Rector at the time was placed on administrative leave and the parish was left without heat, hot water, etc. In addition, no Parochial Report was filed that year or in 2024.
- Canon Mathews was named PIC and a Pastoral Support Committee was appointed to tend to the parish administratively and spiritually.
- In May 2024, St. Paul’s, Shelton held it’s Annual Meeting and elected a new Vestry. They have taken additional steps forward, including providing a balanced 2025 budget which includes an $10,000 CMS allocation.
- The parish came before the Finance Committee to discuss their Common Mission Support (CMS).
- St. Paul’s has requested an adjustment based on their 2024 operating revenue instead of standard 2-year trailing revenue formula. They are also requesting forgiveness for the amount in arrears from 2024.
The Finance Committee recommends St. Paul’s, Shelton’s CMS by adjusted to
$5,591.50 for 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Valarie Stanley moved to approve the Finance Committee’s recommended adjustments to St. Paul’s, Shelton’s CMS for 2024, 2025, and 2026, seconded by the Rev. Jessie Akerson. Motion passes.
- Reparations Board: Representative from Mission Council
Canon Littlepage requested nominations for the Mission Council representative to the Reparations Board. The following were put forward as nominees:
Casey Rousseau
The Rev. Jessie Akerson
Steven Mullins
Gordon Ross moved that all be accepted onto the Reparations Board, the Rev. Heidi Thorsen seconds. Motion passes.
- Reparations Fund Appropriations Formula
Canon Littlepage and Canon Rosado presented on the recommended Reparations Fund Appropriations Formula. See appendix.
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell moved the formula be approved as presented for use in appropriating funds for the Reparations Fund. Casey Rousseau seconded the motion. Motion passes.
- Reparations Fund Appropriations for 2024 and 2025
Canon Littlepage and Canon Rosado presented the proposed appropriations schedule for 2024 and 2025.
Gordon Ross moved the proposed transfer of $261,825 for 2024 to the Reparations Fund, Judy Blackman seconded. Motion passes.
- ECCT Staff HR Handbook Revisions
The Rev. Canon Ranjit K. Mathews presented the ECCT Staff HR Handbook revisions as created by Jean Tomasco, ECCT’s Director for Human Resources. Ms. Tomasco has been working on these updates for 3 years to align the Handbook with state and federal law changes. The changes also offer greater flexibility to the Bishop Diocesan as well as allow the staff to work remotely and respond to unexpected situations more nimbly. See appendix.
Casey Rousseau moved the approval of the ECCT Staff HR Handbook revisions, seconded by the Rev. Jessie Akerson. Motion passes.
- IEC Task Force
Bishop Ahrens presented on the changes needed to IECs.
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell moved the creation of an IEC Task Force, seconded by Casey Rousseau, to explore options and present their findings to Mission Council at a future date. Motion passes
- ADJOURNMENT, CLOSING PRAYER, & BLESSING
The meeting was adjourned at 3:21 PM and closed with prayer and a blessing by Bishop Ahrens at 3:21 PM
Faithfully submitted,
The Rev. Stacey Kohl
Secretary of the Diocese and Convention