Convention Action

The following resolutions were considered by the 96th annual convention of the Diocese of Olympia. Any amendments and the action taken are included.

More coverage of convention is under preparation.

Resolution #1
Establishment of Legacy Societies/Legacy Sunday in the Diocese of Olympia – Failed following; 202 in favor 235 against.
Resolved, That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia encourage all congregations to establish a Legacy Society and celebrate an annual Legacy Sunday to recognize the generosity of legacy giving by faithful members of each congregation. Sundays recommended are Rogation Sunday, All Saints/All Souls Day, and Memorial Sunday (the Sunday during Memorial Day weekend), but any Sunday can be chosen. Submitted by the Commission for Planned Giving/Stewardship, chair Bill Brice, St. Andrew’s, Tacoma; Council representative, the Rev. Kim Forman, Ascension, Seattle.

Resolution #2
Seeking Peace and Reconciliation in Sudan – Passed.
Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia, as part of fulfilling its mission to “reconcile all people to God and each other in Jesus Christ,” and in support of our Sudanese community in the diocese, encourage parishes to reach out and prayerfully uphold peace and reconciliation in the Sudan; and be it further Resolved, That we support by prayer and action the Province VIII and the American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan in their efforts to provide leadership efforts to rebuild churches and communities for the 1.5 million Christians in the Sudan.
Submitted by the Sudanese Ministry Committee, Commission for Ethnic Ministries; co-sponsored by St. Columba’s Church, Kent, in the Evergreen Regional Ministry.

Resolution #3
Raising up the Sudanese Ministry in the Diocese of Olympia – Passed.
Resolved, That the Diocese of Olympia prayerfully acknowledges and gives thanks for the beginning congregational development and the outreach to/of our Sudanese sisters and brothers living here; and be it further Resolved , That we raise up Sudanese ministries across the Diocese by encouraging: a) congregations to develop relationships with Sudanese wherever possible; and b) congregations to use language and communication resources or whatever possible in services in order to share our core values through the Book of Common Prayer, Holy Scriptures, and music. Submitted by the Sudanese Ministry Committee, Commission for Ethnic Ministries; co-sponsored by St. Columba’s Church, Kent, in the Evergreen Regional Ministry.

Resolution #4
Restore Grants to Congregations – Passed with additional “memorialized” clause. Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia restore Grants to Congregations to at least 2006 budget levels; and be it further Resolved, That the following changes be made to the diocesan budget for 2007: reduce budget line 51 by $60,000 and increase line 62 by $60,000. Resolved , That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia memorialize the Diocesan Council to restore the $60,000 cut to the national church apportionment with funds from the “rainy day fund.”
Submitted by unanimous vote of the members of the Peninsula region attending its July 23, 2006, meeting.

Resolution #5
Affirmation of Canons regarding access to discernment process
Passed with two friendly amendments; 317 in favor, 79 against, 51 abstentions. Whereas, Title III, Canon 1, Section 2 of the National Canons of the Episcopal Church states that “no person shall be denied access to the discernment process for any ministry, lay or ordained, in this Church because of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, except as otherwise provided by these Canons. No right to licensing, ordination, or election is hereby established”; be it Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia affirms, and calls upon the Bishops and Standing Committee of the Diocese to affirm the full inclusion in all areas of the life of the Episcopal Church of our otherwise qualified brother and sister Christians who are single or partnered heterosexual gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered persons, and those who are in non-celibate heterosexual relationships and those who are divorced, as well as the full inclusion of the Episcopal Church in the full life of the Anglican Communion.
Submitted by the members of Integrity/Puget Sound, Diane Stipp, convenor; Alan Quigley and David Swim, past convenors; and the Reverends Thomas Bigelow, Alan Mack and Kevin Smith, chaplains. Also endorsed by the Human Sexuality Committee, St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Resolution #6
Endorsement of current laws against discrimination based on sexual orientation was Withdrawn.
Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia, publicly and openly, stands in support of chapter 4 Laws of 2006 for the State of Washington, which is summarized in part in the statement: “The Law Against Discrimination is expanded to prohibit discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation”; and be it further Resolved, That the Diocese of Olympia, if or when there is any attempt to nullify this law, speak, and in an appropriate manner, take action to support the continuation of the intent of the current law prohibiting discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation.
Submitted by the Willapa Regional Ministry, Ralph Provencal, convenor; and Martha Liska.

Resolution #7
Recognition and support for World Indigenous Peoples was Withdrawn.
Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia recommends to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church the creation of a staff position of ministry for Indigenous People of the World at the national Church Center of the Episcopal church at 815 2 nd New York Ave , New York. This position should be charged with the following responsibilities (see draft document (06/D/2) for details). The outline of the responsibilities of the position included in the resolution illustrates the tremendous breadth of influence potential to such a position within the Episcopal Church, ecumenically, and in the Anglican community on a worldwide basis. This could, and should, be one way we witness our articles of faith to the world; and be it further Resolved, That from the year 2007 on , the Diocese of Olympia will observe annually the UN International Day of the World Indigenous Peoples, which is observed on August 9, and encourages the parishes in the diocese to observe this day together with their Native American neighbors and with immigrants or refugees who are Indigenous persons; and be it further Resolved, That the Diocese of Olympia recognizes the contributions made by the office of the Anglican Observer at the United Nations to the Anglican Communion, and takes this opportunity to recognize the contributions made by the former position holder of that office Archdeacon Taimalelagi Fagamalama Tuatagaloa-Matalavea from Samoa. This 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia encourages the congregations of the diocese to dedicate the Sunday just prior to or just after the official United Nations day (October 24) to the work of the United Nations and our Anglican Observer. It is suggested to all congregations that the collections of that day are designated to the office of the Anglican Observer and be forwarded through the diocesan office to the office of the Anglican Observer prior to the end of the year, noted as being given in honor and thanks for the work of Archdeacon Taimalelagi. Submitted by the Willapa Regional Ministry, Ralph D. Provencal, convenor; Sheila Crisp; the Rev. Norris Pearson; and Jens Dieter-Stahmer.

Resolution #8
Appreciation to Bishop Warner – Passed Unanimously.
Resolved, That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia express its appreciation for our Bishop Diocesan, the Right Reverend Vincent W. Warner, especially for his servant leadership, including, but by no means limited to:

• His work in the Holy Land, fostering dialogue and healing;
• His efforts to foster peace and justice within our diocesan family and in the larger community;
• His work in promoting reconciliation; and
• His work with the ecumenical community.

Submitted by the Be-attitudes Regional Ministry.

Resolution #9
Recommend Diocesan Council Committee – Failed.
Resolved, That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia recommend that one or more persons be identified to work with the Bishop and Diocesan Council. This person or persons will identify specific opportunities to clarify, enhance and further the Diocesan Council’s support of the Bishop and Diocese, and to develop Council bylaws in order to build strong leadership for the future of our church; and be it further Resolved, That this person or persons be appointed or engaged by the Diocesan Council chair, subject to the approval of the Diocesan Council; and be it further Resolved,That any expenditures for professional services engaged for this activity be limited to a maximum of $25,000 in total. Half of the funds would come from Corporate Expenses, specifically from the savings from the transition of the Canon to the Ordinary ($12,500), and the second half to come from either the Diocesan Governance ($12,500, budget line #178, $156,016) or from the savings from the transition of the Bishop (line #128); and be it further Resolved,That this person or persons report back to the 97 th Convention with any ensuing next steps, proposals, and bylaws, as available, for ratification by the convention.
Submitted by the Be-attitudes Regional Ministry.

Resolution #10
Unemployment Benefit Plan for the Diocese of Olympia – Passed with a friendly amendment.
Resolved, That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia strongly recommend that each independent employing unit within the Diocese seek and find ways to fund in its annual budget, a program of partial salary or wage continuation benefits to employees who become unemployed through no fault of their own, in order to assist the transition to re-employment. If passed, this action would supercede all preceding policies on unemployment.
Submitted by the Personnel Commission of the Diocese of Olympia.

Resolution #11
2008 Diocesan Assessment Rate – Passed.
Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia approve the recommendation of the Diocesan Council that the 2008 diocesan assessment rate factor be set at 18% of the Net Disposable Income (NDI).
Submitted by the Diocesan Council.

Resolution #12
Cost of Living Adjustment for 2007 – Passed.
Resolved, That this 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia authorize the setting of the Cost of Living Adjustment for 2007 diocesan congregation ranges at 3.6%. Submitted by the Personnel Commission of the Diocese of Olympia.

Six-Hour Resolutions: The following resolutions were submitted at the convention during the “six-hour window” set by canon. Each required a vote to be considered by the convention, prior to any consideration.

Resolution #13
Regarding the Ministry of Blessing Marriages – was Not Considered.
Resolved, That it is the sentiment of the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia that beginning January 2008, marriages usually performed by Episcopal clergy be presided over by an agent of the state of Washington; and be it further Resolved, That it is the sentiment of the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia that marriages in the Diocese of Olympia be limited to the blessing of the union as a holy act and that clergy not act as an agent of the state for any form of civil marriage. Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Jeff Sells, the Rev. Mary Allen, the Rev. Armand Kreft, the Rev. Canon David James, the Rev. Susan Armer, and the Rev. Cynthia Espeseth.

Resolution #14
Additional Courtesy Resolution – was Considered and Passed.
Resolved, That the 96th Convention of the Diocese of Olympia expresses its thanks for the continuing leadership and ministry of the Most Reverend Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan B. Williams. In particular we express our appreciation for his continuing efforts to foster mutual forbearance and respect among and between the various members of our Angilican Communion. Submitted by James Parmenter, assistant convenor, Mount Baker Regional Ministry..