Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 19 November 2018 with eight of a usual twelve members present. The Dean lead discussion on an article “Financial Transparency” from the Episcopal Church Foundation.

Business Arising

• Nominating Committee - membership: C. Schmidt, T. Fetter and G. Hall. Working to secure nominations for 2019 elections
• Verger resignation - having been received for 30 June
• Sexton’s employment letter - has been updated with the modification three weeks vacation
• National Trust Conference - several members of Chapter and others were able to attend. Some important contacts, next steps pending. The Bishop’s “joint ad hoc group” with representation from the Cathedral and Diocesan Synod has been dismissed with thanks

From the Dean

The Dean reviewed usual items of commitment over the past month noting seasonal worship and events up-coming:
• Christmas worship schedule as usual: Christmas Eve 4, 8, 11 p.m.; Christmas Day 10 a.m.. Advent Procession 02 December; Christmas Lessons and Carols 23 December
• Community Christmas Carol Sing Wednesday, 12 December 7 p.m. an opportunity to invite family and friends.

For Decision

• Lower hall floor - repairs to deteriorated tiles to address health and safety to be done as soon as possible, as professionally recommended and at a cost of $7000-8000 (from Hall renovation fund)
• Hall refrigerator -to be replaced (about $6219) after quotes reviewed)
• By-Law re Nominating Committee - a motion was carried finalizing revision to make election of the committee by the annual meeting
• Welcoming and Hospitality - terms of reference adopted. Work plan offered is perhaps a potential model for committees
• Gift thanks - having received a gift of $10,394 from Ethel Saunders the Chapter carried a motion to send our thanks
• J. Edwards Memorial - that we make a gift of $100 in memory of our Bishop’s wife, Janet and send a letter of condolence
• The Road Home Project - that The Cathedral send a letter of intent to pursue joining the Housing First initiative with four Cathedral units in 2019. Information to come

Reports

• Treasurer - October - Revenue: $44,499, Expenses $39,573 Year-to-Date: Offering $34,860 below 2017; Expenses $53,443 above 2017. A rebate of $3000 from the Diocesan Synod (clergy travel pool and employee benefit payments).
All committees considering 2019 budgets
• Administration and Finance - work on current items continue: Cathedral records management, giving policy, safe church
• Christian Formation - current programs being monitored with some new initiatives to be considered soon (possible congregation retreat)
• Health and Pastoral Care - Good response to health information session on 03 November. Individual pledges in support of Parish Nursing continue to come in and are appreciated
• Communications - Gearing up for Christmas events. Potential for neighbourhood invitation to Carol Sing on 12 December
• Welcoming and Hospitality - several welcome initiatives being rolled out: for Sundays including welcome desk (Cathedral Connections), signage, welcoming volunteers and a welcome kit
• Property - current issues: hall refrigerator, lower hall floor, steeple roofing breach (potentially costly), vandal severed lightning rod copper repair ($317?), O’Dell House balcony repair in the spring

Up-coming

Bishop Hockin Advent Series; seasonal events and worship as reported

Next meetings: 21 January, 11 February, Annual Meeting 24 February

GMH

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 15 October 2018 with ten of twelve usual members present. Bishop Edwards joined the Chapter for the first hour. Minutes of the 17 September 2018 meeting were adopted.

Business Arising

• St. Margaret’s Scouts - meetings have moved to the Parish Church.
• Nominating Committee - membership to be appointed and an amendment to Cathedral By-Law to be considered
• Treasurer Address to Congregation - 2 minutes for regarding current financial status to be scheduled in the next few weeks
• Anglican Foundation of Canada - annual contribution of $100 sent
• National Trust Conference - individuals to attend identified

Discussion

Property (re) development. Bishop Edwards was present primarily to share a status update on property issues. The Bishop reminds everyone that with many opinions, ideas and options to consider, things can get complicated, take time and in some cases be costly to investigate. He shares our wish that decisions be made in the very near future. He shared a couple of specific possibilities as to what the next steps could or should be (including one very new). It was agreed that the congregation soon needs to be informed and involved.

From the Dean

The Dean reviewed usual items of commitment since the last meeting. Items of note:
• Discernment Committee - a committee to guide a Cathedral congregational member in discernment leading to ordered ministry in process (Bishop’s office)
• 11 November - is a Sunday. 10 a.m. worship to 9:45 a.m.
• Stewardship - is the management of our resources: skills, talents, assets, time, money. Improved stewardship was identified as a priority item during the 2018 review of the Dean. He suggests our need to be more conscious of improving our stewardship mindset both corporately and individually. He noted that currently no one person or committee in our corporate structure is responsible for issues of stewardship, and asked if this should be addressed.

For Decision

Nominating Committee - In accordance with by-laws a motion was carried appointing the Dean, Catherine Schmidt and Tom Fetter reporting to the Annual Meeting in February. A change in process for future years was presented in the form of an amendment to the by-laws. Going forward it has been proposed that the Committee be elected by the annual meeting rather than by the Bishop and Chapter.
Lou McKnight vacation - additional week granted for 2019.

Reports

• Treasurer - presented the summary financial statement to the end of September. While we can be hopeful that October - December giving will strengthen, we are currently well below our anticipated position to date. Expenses exceed unrestricted income by $92,378 to 3rd quarter.
• Administration and Finance - project items continue: Records management, giving policy, land title migration, lay staff manual, By-Law considerations
• Christian Formation - meeting this week. Fall startup of various programming has materialized as expected
• Health and Pastoral Care - Brief update on current programs and activities. Pledged contributions towards salary of the parish nurse are currently close to the annual target.
• Communications - Chair of Hospitality attended the last meeting to identify some synergies. Regular efforts continue
• Hospitality, Welcoming and Membership - a first meeting held. Welcome strategies and final terms of reference being considered

Up-coming

Diocesan Synod - 03 November; Evensong - 21 October

Next meeting: 19 November 2018

GMH