Meeting Minutes April 10, 2014

Minutes of the

Committee on Program and Budget

April 10, 2014

Members Present:

Gillian Barr, Greg deGroot, Linda Grenz, Ted Hallenbeck, Bishop Knisely, David Lucey, Jim Rezendes, Ann Rheault, Peter Tierney, Ron Turnbull

Meeting was called to order at 10:35 am. 

Jonathan Daniels House (JDH) Update

JDH Executive Director Gillian Barr presented some background and updated the committee on the progress of this newly-formed diocesan ministry.  Partnering with the Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) was seen as the best way to help the diocese witness in South Providence, and JDH gained approval as an ESC site in late September 2013.  Gillian moved to RI in mid-January 2014.  

JDH will welcome four interns in August 2014 and hopes to grow to six-to-eight interns in subsequent years.  Interns will work 35 hours/week for various non-profits, and spend eight-to-ten hours/week with Gillian in spiritual discernment to see where God might be calling them in the future.  JDH is still seeking internship sites, which has proved to be challenging, since it costs around $14,700 to host an intern for 10 months, and most of these non-profit agencies are strapped for cash.  For example, the Institute for Non-Violence would be a perfect work site, but has no money to pay an intern.

Interns will live a common life in a four-bedroom house, undergoing hands-on formation while working in a variety of ministries.  If only two interns are accepted into the program, it would be necessary to increase funding to accommodate the fixed costs.  The Providence Planning Dept. might be willing to let JDH use one of the houses in its inventory.  If the diocese decides to buy a house, the Property Committee could help with renovations.

New Startup Programs in the Diocese

Church of the Advent in Coventry is a new congregation directed towards people with autism and learning disabilities, offering them and their families appropriate worship and support.  The autism community is very excited since there’s not much in the diocese for them now; Mary Ann Mello and Dennis Bucco are the two lead priests.  So as not to be overwhelmed by a huge turnout on Day 1, Dennis Bucco will identify three or four families and invite them to attend services so that clergy might gain experience with this type of congregation.  Two other experienced churches are serving as mentors.

The house on the property is being renovated and will be rented to a property manager who will act as a community liaison.  Autism agencies are interested in doing something there (like play therapy), which could provide modest rental income.  There’s also the possibility of a jobs-training site for autistic adults, but they are scrambling for federal dollars.  Currently there is no need for a sexton - diocesan maintenance staff can continue to help out periodically.  If many groups end up using the property, maintenance staff could be hired.  The diocese does not have $30-50K to put into the property, but it’s hoped that rental income from the house and from groups using the facility will subsidize operations costs.

Church Beyond the Walls

Edmund Harris, who was heading up this ministry, is leaving Rhode Island.  The 2014 budget shows $20K in income and a net loss of $20K.  The original plan was that Epiphany would cover 25 percent of the cost and four or five other churches would step up, but so far no other churches have volunteered as partners.  Even if partner churches did come forward, it might be difficult for them to come up with more than $5K each, since many churches are already operating in deficit budgets.  In addition, some congregations are not welcoming this ministry.

Looking at the 2015 budget, the clergy compensation expense could be eliminated if supply clergy helped out and donated their time.  Some retired clergy are committed to this ministry and might be willing to volunteer. The bishop would like to rethink the needs of this ministry with a steering committee, since Church Beyond the Walls is in a different place now.  We might model it on the Boston Cathedral system, which is now a 501c3 independent non-profit.

New Church

This startup church has proven very popular, with typical attendance around 85.  It has a camp ethos and doesn’t need much money; supporters don’t want it institutionalized – they want to work and worship, not serve on committees.  They will do their own sexton work and will require little support. It’s a place to experiment, like a pop-up church.

Next Meeting: Thursday, May 18, 2014 @ 10:30 a.m. in the Higgins Room.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Kane Rheault