1. Lay Chair, Jane Cartier, welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. The Rev. Len Myers and Shirley Sewell led in a short worship service.
2. Did you Know? In light of the Who is My Neighbour study by Mrylene Boken, some questions have been raised by the final generation churches. Jane indicated that according to Canons, when a church is stated to close:
All personal property of the church will become vested in the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Huron on the closing date of the church as set by Diocesan Council. Diocesan Council will be responsible for the disposition of all indisposed personal property that exists of the date of the closing of the church. At the final Vestry, any recommendations for the disposal of personal and real property can be made. These recommendations will be forwarded to Diocesan Council for their consideration.
3. Business arising form the minutes of February 17, 2009:
a) Several members who receive minutes through Canada Post requested that the font be enlarged on said minutes to enable ease of reading.
b) E-mail users indicated that it was difficult to open the attachments for minutes and agendas.
c) Jane indicated that the motion sent by Kent Deanery regarding the election/selection of Diocesan Council was tabled as there was a committee in place charged with reviewing all the canons and constitutions. The motion regarding the Episcopal Election process, especially in regards to meeting candidates, was referred to the same committee. The motion recommending the suspension of Regional Funding was defeated.
4. a) Harvey German gave the financial report which was accepted.
b) Dennis Cartier gave a report on the activities of Grace Church, Rondeau.
c) The Rev. Michelle Collins-Wongkee gave an update on the status of the shipping to Mtatha Diocese.
5. a) Lawrene Denkers gave a short report on the PWRDF’S Refugee Project.
b) George Allen gave an overview of a Legacy Giving Workshop Holy Trinity, Chatham, would like to have as a Deanery event.
c) Jane indicated that the Executive would like to have the Deanery sponsor a “Meet and Greet” for Bishop Terry Dance and a Workshop led by Bishop Ed Leidel during the next year.
Feedback was requested:
Moved by The Rev. Stephen Demitroff, seconded by Hugh Vallee that: A Deanery committee be struck to look at the sponsorship of refugees, seriously looking at funding, including beyond the Deanery, and that a report be given at the February Deanery Council meeting. Carried. The Rev. Kristen Oliver is to be the contact person for this committee. Anyone in the Deanery who is interested in serving on this committee is to contact her at St. Paul’s, Chatham.
Further support was given for the Legacy Giving Workshop, the “Meet and Greet,” Rondeau and Bishop Leidel. The Executive will present a budget at the November meeting to address these areas,
6. Shirley Cudmore gave a report from Diocesan Council with special emphasis on the financial woes of the Diocese. St. John the Baptist, Walpole Island, is now part of the Lambton Deanery.
7. Important Dates:
October 19 – “Meet and Greet” with Bishop Terry – to be determined
November 17 – Joint meeting with Lambton Deanery at St. James, Wallaceburg to receive the Diocesan budget.
March 31, 2010 – Session with Bishop Leidel.
8. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. with the Grace
