194th Diocesan Convention (2010)

The 194th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio was held November 12-13, 2010, at the Crowne Plaza in Toledo.

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Results from the 194th Convention

From the 194th Diocesan Convention, Michael Bickerton has been elected for a five-year term as Diocesan Trustee. For Standing Committing, Rebecca Roth has been elected in the lay order, and the Rev. Keith Owen in the clerical order. For General Convention Deputy to serve at the 2012 General Convention in Indianapolis for a 3-year term, Denise Caywood, Stephen Gracey, Bill Joseph, and Sue Perkinson have been elected in the lay order. In the clerical order, the Rev. Alan James, the Rev. Gay Jennings, the Rev. Jeremiah Williamson, and the Rev. Evelyn Manzella have been elected. By acclamation, Jim Baker and Ben Davis have been elected in the lay order to Diocesan Council; the Rev Marie Phillips and the Rev. Deborah Rankin have been elected in the clerical order.

For Development Council of Episcopal Community Service, Jacque Fertick, Lonny Gatlin, and Sonia Miller have been elected in the lay order by acclamation, and in the clerical order, the Rev. Lisa Hackney has been elected by acclamation.

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The Bishop's List of Clergy

The following is the Bishop’s List of Clergy eligible to vote at the 194th Annual Convention.

From the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Ohio:

Article II: The Convention

Sec. 2. Members of any Convention shall be:

(c) All deacons and presbyters not under discipline who are canonically resident in the Diocese and in charge of, or designated as assistant clergy in, any parish in canonical union with the Diocese, or employed by the Diocese, or certified to the Convention by the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese as serving the mission of the Church.

194th Annual Diocesan Convention - Bishop's List of Clergy

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Dancers Enliven Convention

Convention attendees were treated to the Little Saints All Saints' Dancers from All Saints', Toledo. The troupe of about 12 dancers, ages 6 to 22, has been dancing together for two years under the direction of college student and hair dresser Jasmine Valentine. All are members of the church. Their repertoire includes gradual and communion dance, as well as praise dance. According to the Rev. Beverly Moore-Tasy, priest-in-charge, the kids love to dance and offer their talents as part of their ministry.

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R-1: Resolution on the Tithe as the Means of Financing the Work of the Diocese of Ohio -- FAILED

R-1: Resolution on the Tithe as the Means of Financing the Work of the Diocese of Ohio failed.

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R2: Resolution on Clergy Compensation for 2011 -- PASSED

Resolved, that the minimum standard of full-time pension-based compensation (cash salary, utilities, housing, and Social Security tax reimbursement) for clergy serving congregations in the Diocese of Ohio during 2011 be established as follows:

•    At least $45,000 for assisting clergy ordained less than three years;
•    At least $48,500 for clergy ordained less than three years, who are in charge of congregations and assisting clergy ordained more than three years;
•    At least $55,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual Normal Operating Income (NOI) of no more than 180,000;
•    At least $55,000 + 10% of NOI greater than $180,000 up to $360,000, for clergy in charge of congregations with an annual NOI greater than $180,000;
•    At least $73,000 for clergy in charge of congregations with NOI greater than $360,000; and be it further

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R-3: Resolution on Immigration -- PASSED AS AMENDED

The Episcopal Church Witness With and For Immigrants

Resolved, That the 194th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio call on the United States Government for comprehensive immigration reform, which may include:
a) A path to citizenship for the 10-12 million undocumented people in the U.S.;
b) Reform of our immigration system, so that migrant workers can enter the United States and work in a safe, regulated and humane manner;
c) Reform of the family-based immigration system, so that waiting times/backlogs to reunite families are significantly reduced;
d) Restoration of due process protections for immigrants;
e) Reform that is humane, workable, and reflects the paramount importance and socio-economic necessity of family unity;
f) Development and implementation of policies which address the root causes of migration, such as economic development in poor countries;
g) Support for a path to citizenship for youth brought into this country illegally as infants or young children via enactment of the legislation currently before the U.S. Congress; and be it further

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R-4: Resolution Concerning Public Sector Funding For Food and Nutrition - PASSED AS AMENDED

Resolved, the 194th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio encourages federal and state agencies to develop budgets, which ensure the following principles:

• food security for all people living in this country, by ensuring that people in poverty have access to sufficient food and nutritional balance to promote the optimal physical and mental development of children and to prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension;
ensuring that households in poverty do not have to choose to meet one basic human need, such as housing, health care, or food, at the expense of another;

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R-5: Resolution Concerning Criminal Justice Reform -- PASSED

Resolved, the 194th Convention of the Diocese of Ohio encourages criminal justice reform that

Promotes rehabilitative criminal sentencing and fairness;
Reduces excessive punishments that do not benefit the victim, the community, nor the offender;
Incorporates new and improved ways for former offenders to reintegrate productively into society; and
Reduces criminal-justice spending while improving community safety and wholeness;
Read more: R-5: Resolution Concerning Criminal Justice Reform -- PASSED

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R-6: Resolution to Recharter the Commission to End Racism -- PASSED

Resolved, that the 194th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Ohio re-charters the Commission to End Racism as the Commission for Racial Understanding, whose mission is to work for healing and transformation in ourselves, our church, and society.

Resolved, that this Convention directs all Diocesan Commissions and Committees to identify and address problems caused by racism or a lack of racial understanding. To that end these entities are encouraged to work with the Commission for Racial Understanding in developing action plans for promoting transformation and healing of division caused by racism.

Resolved, that the parishes of the diocese are challenged to make racial healing and transformation within their congregations and communities a priority and are encouraged to draw upon the resources of the Commission for Racial Understanding to fulfill this objective.

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R-7: Special Resolution of the Committee on Constitution and Canons -- PASSED

Resolved, that this 194th Annual Convention acknowledges the ministry of Christ Church, Lima. The Convention expresses its deep appreciation to the laity and clergy of this congregation for their years of faithful service to God and the people of Lima and the surrounding community; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention accepts this report of the Committee on Constitution and Canons, in accordance with Title II. Canon 7, and declares Christ Church, Lima, to be extinct.

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PASSED: First Proposed Amendment to the Canons

Replace the title for the Youngstown Mission Area

Text of the Proposed Amendment:

Title II. Canon 3: Of Mission Areas

Sec. 1. Congregations in the Diocese of Ohio shall be organized into eight Mission Areas by action of Diocesan Council. The areas shall be known as: Central East, Cuyahoga, North Central, Northeast, South Central, Southeast, Summit, and West, and Youngstown.

Proposer: Youngstown Mission Area Council

Rationale: The title “Southeast” more accurately reflects the Mission Area, which includes communities outside the Youngstown metropolitan area.

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PASSED AS AMENDED: Second Proposed Amendment to the Canons

Delete the current Title III. Canon 3 and substitute the following:

Title III. Canons Relating to Dispute Resolution and Discipline

CANON 3: Title IV of General Canons

Sec. 1. Those provisions of Title IV of the General Canons which are applicable to the Diocese are hereby incorporated as part of this Title. To the extent that any of the provisions of this Title are in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of Title IV, the provisions of Title IV shall govern.