THE 33rd MEETING OF THE MISSION COUNCIL OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT (FORMERLY: THE 498th 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.
March 1, 2025
In Attendance: The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Mello, The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, The Rev. Deacon Jessie Akerson, Brad Babbitt, Chancellor, Judie Blackman-Cochran, 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, 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, Canon Rosanna Rosado, The Rev. Cn. Ranjit Mathews, Canon Sarah Woodford, The Rev. Cn. Rebekah Hatch, and the Rev. Stacey Kohl, Secretary of the Diocese and Convention
Absent: The Rev. Nikolaus Combs, Marie Dixon, The Rev. Tracy Johnson Russell
- CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING PRAYER
The Meeting was called to order at 1:06 PM by Bishop Jeffrey Mello who opened with prayer
- ITEMS REQUIRING APPROVAL WITHOUT DISCUSSION
The Rev. Stacey Kohl moved to approve each item on the consent agenda, seconded by Brad Babbitt. The Consent Agenda including the following items:
- Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting
- Property Report of the Missionary Society
- Report from Camp Washington
- Jack Spaeth Care for Creation Environmental Grants
- HR Report: Director for Lay Vocations Ministry
- Updating TD Bank Signatories
The motion passes.
- ITEMS REQUIRING DISCUSSION AND/OR ACTION
- Minutes of the December 2024 Mission Council Meeting
The Rev. Heidi Thorsen moved to approve the December 2024 minutes as corrected, the Rev. Jessie Akerson seconded. Motion passes.
- Finance & Operations Reports, Statements (Q4)
Canon Rosanna Rosado offered a report on Finance & Operations for Q4 2024. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Finance Committee moved to approve the Q4 report as recommended by the Finance Committee, Valarie Stanley seconded. Motion passes.
Canon Rosado offered a report on Camp Washington and Q4 Missionary Society Investment portfolio. Supporting documents are included in the supplemental materials of these minutes.
Canon Rosado offered Life and AD&D Insurance update. ECCT is moving from The Hartford to CPG/Church Insurance Company (CIC) as our insurance provider. Notices will be sent to all eligible participants once all the details are finalized. This change will allow eligible participants to enroll in a supplemental personal life insurance policy. Our Foreign Travel Policy is also changing and will now cover only parishes who plan to travel internationally. See appendix for additional plan details.
Canon Rosado updated on Good Standing, including Vulnerable Parishes. See appendix.
Canon Rosado updated on changes to The Episcopal Church’s Parochial Report, specifically the removal of “Line B,” which ECCT had utilized to calculate Common Mission Support. A task force will be created to discuss how to move forward without “Line B” as it impacts ECCT’s budget and our parishes.
Canon Rosado presented on JJMA Phase I and II. See appendix.
Canon Rosado presented the Property Improvement grant recommendations. A total of $176,749 requested funds with $75,627 available. 29 parishes applied, with seven of those located east of Connecticut River. The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell moved to approve the grants as recommended by the Finance Committee, The Rev. Ron Steed seconded. Motion passes with one abstention.
Canon Rosado presented the 2026 Budget Timeline.
- St. Paul’s, Darien
Gordon Ross presented on St. Paul’s, Darien property (see appendix).
The Rev. Ron Steed moved that the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society approve the proposed sale or joint venture opportunity of property of St. Paul’s, 471 Mansfield Avenue, Darien, Connecticut. Steven Mullins seconded the motion. Motion passes.
- George Beach Home
Canon Rosado presented on the George Beach Home, Inc. On Feb. 25, 2025 the Trustees of the George Beach Home, Inc. met for their Annual Meeting. It was determined by the Trustees that it was in the best interest of the corporation to terminate and dissolve and transfer all of its real and personal property to the Missionary Society of the Diocese of Connecticut, Inc. for the purpose of continuing to use such property for the purposes set forth in George Beach’s Last Will and Testament. See appendix.
Steven Mullins moved that the Board of Directors of the Missionary Society accept the transfer of the real and personal property of the George Beach Home, 70 Allen Place, Hartford, Connecticut. Casey Rousseau seconded the motion. Motion passes.
- Camp Washington Proposal
Bishop Mello presented on Camp Washington’s proposal.
The Rev. Stephanie Johnson moved to up to $125,000 in reimbursements from our unrestricted funds of the Endowment Fund toward the proposed renovations at Camp Washington, the Rev. Diana Rogers seconded. Motion passes.
- Fair Hiring Practices Task Force Proposal
The Rev. Canon D Littlepage and Valarie Stanley presented on the work of the Fair Hiring Practices Task Force. A draft updated hiring policy was presented. (see appendix)
The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell recommended the implementation of the draft updated hiring policy as presented by Fair Hiring Task Force, seconded by Casey Rousseau, pending submission and approval by 241st Annual Convention. Motion passes
- UPDATES
- Mergers & Closures
Bishop Laura Ahrens updated on mergers & closures.
- Missionary Society Property
- Stewardship Realty has been working with a group of parishes hoping to develop mixed income housing and developments.
- Trinity-St. Michael’s process, as approved by Mission Council at the December 2024 meeting, continues.
- Reparations Resolution Follow-up
Canon Littlepage updated on the Reparations Task Force and the Reparations Board, which will be announced soon. Reparations Fund conversations will come before Reparations Board as soon as possible once it is announced.
- Fair Hiring Practices as related to ECCT Staffing
- Canon for Congregations & Transitions
- The final slate of five candidates included two people of color, however one of them removed themselves from the process prior to a final decision being made. This left the final slate at four finalists, with only one person of color; which does not meet the requirements set forth in ECCT’s Fair Hiring Practices. However, as there were no qualified candidates to move up to the final slate, and with the approval of the Fair Hiring Practices Task Force, it was decided to move forward with the initial slate as it now stood.
- A current ECCT staff position will be moving from quarter time to half time.
- Canon for Congregations & Transitions
- ADJOURNMENT, CLOSING PRAYER, & BLESSING
The meeting was adjourned with prayer and a blessing by Bishop Ahrens at 3:21 PM
Faithfully submitted,
The Rev. Stacey Kohl
Secretary of the Diocese and Convention