THE 35th MEETING OF THE MISSION COUNCIL OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT (FORMERLY: THE 500th 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.
September 6, 2025
In Attendance: The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Mello, The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, Brad Babbitt, Chancellor, Judie Blackman-Cochran, Naomi Fisher, The Rev. Lisa Hahneman, The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Trish Leonard, The Rev. Diana Rogers, Gordon Ross, Treasurer, Casey Rousseau, Cathy Schrull, Valarie Stanley, The Rev. Deacon Ron Steed, Lisa Yarbor, Canon Alison Hollo, The Rev. Cn. D Littlepage, The Rev. Cn. Kevin Olds, Canon Rosanna Rosado, The Rev. Cn. Ranjit K. Mathews, The Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, Canon Sarah Woodford, and the Rev. Stacey Kohl, Secretary of the Diocese and Convention
Absent: The Rev. Deacon Jessie Akerson, Marie Dixon, The Rev. Stephanie Johnson, The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell, The Rev. Diana Rogers, The Rev. Heidi Thorson, Steven R. Mullins
- CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
The Meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM by Bishop Jeffrey Mello who opened with prayer.
- ITEMS REQUIRING APPROVAL WITHOUT DISCUSSION
Cathy Schrull moved to approve each item on the consent agenda, seconded by Valarie Stanley. The Consent Agenda including the following items:
- Minutes of the June 2025 Mission Council Meeting
- Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
- Property Report of the Missionary Society
- Report from Camp Washington
- HR Report: Director for Congregational Development & Networking
- Friday Night Event at Annual Convention Alcohol Approval
- Housing Allowance for the Rev. Jill Morrison
The motion passes.
- ITEMS REQUIRING DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
- Episcopal Church at Yale (ECY) IEC Common Mission Support
Bishop Laura Ahrens reported on conversations with ECY regarding their Common Mission Support for 2025. The initial ask made by the IEC Task Force was $18,000. ECY noted that, in the past, their CMS has been reduced to $5-6,000. ECY noted to the Task Force that they lack a solid pledging base, while they do have some alumni who contribute financially and receive grants from ECCT.
After further conversation, ECY and the Task Force were able to agree upon a figure of $3,000 for 2025 CMS, pending Mission Council’s approval.
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell moved to accept the recommendation of the Task Force and reduce ECY’s 2025 CMS to $3,000 for 2025, seconded by the Rev. Diana Rogers. Motion passes.
- Encumbrance Application for Good Shepherd, Hartford
Canon Ranjit K. Mathews reported on a request from Good Shepherd, Hartford, to apply for a State Historic Preservation Office Grant which requires an encumbrance. As Good Shepherd, Hartford’s properties are held by the Missionary Society, the encumbrance must be requested and sent to Standing Committee for approval by this body.
Resolved, That to secure a grant of $200,000 from the State Historic Preservation Office (“SHPO”) to help fund needed repairs and refurbishment to the roof of the coal bunker at the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House in Hartford, Connecticut (the “Property”), which is owned by the Missionary Society of the Diocese of Connecticut (“Missionary Society”), Bishop Mello, in his capacity as President of the Missionary Society, is authorized to execute on behalf of the Missionary Society, the Grantor, an Easement, Declaration of Covenants, and Declaration of Preservations Restrictions (the “Easement”) in favor of the State of Connecticut acting by the SHPO, the Grantee, on and over the Property, which Easement shall give to the Grantee legally enforceable rights, running with the land, regarding the maintenance, protection, preservation, stabilization, and adaptive use of the Property for a period of twenty (20) years, in accordance with the terms of the Easement proposed by the SHPO.
A motion was made by Valarie Stanley, seconded by the Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, to accept the resolution as presented. Motion passes.
- Finance & Operations Reports, Statements (Q2)
Canon Rosanna Rosado offered a report on Finance & Operations for Q2 2025. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Treasurer Gordon Ross moved to accept the Q2 report as recommended by the Finance Committee, the Rev. Lisa Hahnemann seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado offered a report on Camp Washington.
Canon Rosado reported on Q2 Missionary Society Investment portfolio. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Canon Rosado reported on our GLMD premiums for 2026. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials.
Canon Rosado updated on Good Standing, including Vulnerable Parishes. See appendix.
Canon Rosado presented on JJMA Phase I (99% complete) and II (77% complete). See appendix.
Canon Rosado updated on the need to demolish structures at the Berg Home property to secure the property.
The Rev. Diana Rogers moved to allocate up to $200,000 from the proceeds of the Berg Home to demolish the current structures, backfill, and secure the grounds, seconded by Valarie Stanley. Motion passes.
- 2026 Budget of Convention
Canon Rosado presented the 2026 Budget of Convention.
Which included the following prioritized goals:
- < 5% endowment draw
- 10% CMS retention
- Managed transparency & accountability
- Faithful stewards of the entrusted resources
- Mission & portfolio alignment
The final recommended budget is $7.16M and includes a 4.75% draw of unitized value, a 3.25% COLA. A 7.39% increase to medical/dental insurance and a 1.6% contingency allowance is included in the final recommended budget.
Of note, $0.96 of every dollar goes back into supporting our parishes and wider mission.
Chancellor Brad Babbitt moved to approve the 2026 Budget of Convention as presented and present it to 241st Annual Convention for approval, the Rev. Lisa Hahnemann seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado presented the 2026 Clergy Compensation.
Valarie Stanley moved to approve the 2026 Clergy Compensation as presented and present it to 241st Annual Convention for approval, Treasurer Gordon Ross seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado presented the Supply Clergy Compensation Resolution. Moving forward there will be a subgroup formed under Finance Committee which will address issues of clergy compensation, including supply rates, sabbaticals, etc.
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell moved the following resolution be submitted to the 241st Annual Convention by the full body, seconded by Judie Blackman. Motion passes.
Resolved, That the 241st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut adopt the following minimum Supply Clergy compensation for 2026: for one service, $250; for two services, $325; all in addition to mileage reimbursement at the rate designated by the IRS.
- UPDATES
- Mergers & Closures
Bishop Laura Ahrens updated on mergers & closures.
Two mergers are coming before Convention: St. Paul’s Bantam and Christ Church, Bethlehem and St. John’s, East Windsor and Grace, Windsor.
- Missionary Society Property
Treasurer Gordon Ross reported on St. Paul’s, Darien.
Sewers are possible on the property, next step is to go before the Sewer Commission and Planning & Zoning for approvals. By continuing to move forward in this process uncertainty for developers is reduced, which increases potential yield.
Trinity-St. Michael’s alienation anticipated to close at end of October.
- ADJOURNMENT, CLOSING PRAYER, & BLESSING
The meeting was adjourned at 3 PM and closed with prayer and a blessing by Bishop Ahrens.
Faithfully submitted,
The Rev. Stacey Kohl
Secretary of the Diocese and Convention