Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 18 September 2017 with seven of ten members present. Minutes of 12 June 2017 were adopted. S. Dibblee was acting recording secretary. Director of Christian Formation Kurt Schmidt attended as an invited guest and lead the Chapter in a brief exercise focusing on the Gospel of the previous Sunday (Matthew 18:21–35).

Christian Formation

Kurt Schmidt outlined the work of Director of Christian Formation thus far. Up-coming formation-related events: ALPHA, Life in the Eucharist, monthly Godly Play, monthly Taizé worship opportunities, youth group possible

Business Arising

• Application for a grant from the Diocesan Ministry Development Fund for part of staff formation position (12 months) was submitted and successful
• Work continues on report of “designated” funds and Cathedral trust funds
• A review/audit of Cathedral financials is to be conducted in the near future and at the end of each financial year
• The stipend of the Dean to be reviewed with recommendation for approval in December and annually following
• the Chapter chair of Hospitality/welcoming/membership remains vacant
• the Cathedral Restoration Fund has been invested in the Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund (DCIF)

Items for Decision

1. By-Law modifications – several minor uncontentious modifications were proposed, discussed and adopted by those present. These include: additional Chapter member (secretary); Nominating and Executive committee chairs; minimum Chapter meetings per year; signing Officers of the Corporation; requirements for annual financial reporting; requirement for annual review of financials; various incidental changes/corrections. Other Chapter member votes and Bishop’s signature required before finalized

From the Dean

• Normal – pastoral and liturgical duties included weddings, funerals, pastoral visitations, diocesan and Cathedral meetings
• Purchases – laptop computer for the parish nurse, popcorn machine, purple (Lent/Advent) processional cope. The recent candle liquification project will be funded by way of a memorial donation

Discussion

No identifiable lead for organizing a harvest supper at this time

Reports

• Treasurer – financials to 31 August were discussed
• Communications – pleased with efforts to communicate 17 September worship/corn boil. Suggestions received re weekly email messages to congregational email subscribers
• Health and Pastoral Care – up-coming events include two health information sessions, Fit Club, perhaps other exercise options
• Property – Hall step repair to be completed; dip in street being currently repaired by the City; replacement of signs on the Green to be erected soon, Cathedral and Hall outside lighting now LED ($1000 annual savings)
• Mission Outreach – decision has been made to plan a mission to Belize early next year. Beverly Morell leader. Missioners needed.

Up-coming

ALPHA begins 27 September, weekly organ concerts, Godly Play 01 October, Life in the Eucharist begins 15 October

Next meetings

16 October; 20 November; 11 December

GMH

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 16 January with twelve of thirteen members present. Minutes of two December meetings were adopted. 10 December a planning session with our Bishop at which Treasurer Kevin Percy was appointed. 19 December was the regular monthly meeting primarily focussed on details of preparing the 2017 budget. The Dean offered reflections on Epiphany, the challenge of mission in our current context and encouraged the Chapter to identify their own epiphanies with the intention of sharing those by invitation. (John 1:35-42).

New member, the Ven. Wandlyn Snelgrove, Archdeacon of Fredericton-elect was welcomed. Guests Kathleen Snow and Chris Stevenson joined at 8:00 p.m. to address the topic of Safe Church

Business Arising

• Priorities – Two growth priorities identified in December planning were 1) cradle to grave Christian formation and 2) intentionality of welcome, hospitality and invitation. Motion carried to accept.
• Stipends and salaries – while a cost of living increase was applied to Dean’s stipend and staff salaries, further consideration pending
• 2017 budget – further revision since December. Now almost in final form to be finally adopted at the next meeting.

From the Dean

• Christmas worship – attendance review
• Routine activities – a quick review of normal activities during the past month
• October break in – note that the individual charged is to be in court for sentencing on 18 January
• 2016 Financial status – 2016 expenses appear to have been met comfortably with income. Issue of designated or target giving needs consideration by way of our accounting. A “giving policy” needs to be developed to communicate management assumptions clearly.
• Youth mission request – financial support requested for April
• Christian formation – doing some investigation about possibilities regarding a staff position in Christian formation

Items for Decision

• Nominating Committee – the Committee is the Dean, Jim Morell and Catherine Schmidt

Items for Discussion

• Safe Church – diocesan Safe Church (Regulation 4-4) is in effect. K. Snow and C. Stevenson have prepared an analysis of what needs our attention in order to work towards compliance. While significant detail has been determined for health and pastoral care ministries, there are larger questions and decisions to be made about processes and adjusting requirements to our own context. A “Safe Church Officer” is recommended by the regulation. Three individuals have been identified to work with the Chapter and the Officer (once appointed) as we endeavour to implement over the next several months.

Reports

• Treasurer – K. Percy presented a comprehensive list of his recent work and priorities as he settles in to the office of Treasurer

Up-coming Events

• Friday Organ Concerts at 12:10 p.m.
• Conversation re formation – 29 January 2:00 p.m.
• Choral Evensong, Installations and Collation – 05 February
• Annual Meeting – 19 February (26 February snow date)

Next meetings: 13 February, 20 March.

GMH

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 21 November with nine of thirteen members present. Minutes of the October meeting were adopted. The Dean offered some reflections on the reality of the kingdom of God among us, leading us into a conversation about ways in which we might move towards becoming less maintenance and more missional in our focus. The discussion took us naturally into considering how “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon might assist us in the task of improving (church) culture

Business Arising
• Cathedral Signage – Word from the Guild of St. Joseph is that it is too late to erect the standards necessary for new signs on the green and that a permit will be needed from the city to install. The project will need to be postponed to spring
• Cathedral outside lighting – we are moving on upgrading fixtures and replacing with energy efficient LED lighting
• Safe Churches policy – online training modules now available. Health Ministry is working toward implementing for ministries under its purview.

From the Dean
• Routine activities – usual activities and duties include facility communions, commitments with diocesan and Cathedral groups and committees
• Board room audio/visual – recommendation
• Absence – 17-21 December to Calgary AB
• Christmas worship – 4, 8 and 11 p.m. Christmas Eve; 10 a.m. Christmas Day
Items for Decision
• Audio/Visual – that the board room be equipped with an internet connected screen for meeting use, viewing video and other learning purposes at an estimated cost of less than $1000

Items for Discussion
• Safe Churches – A broad implementation plan will be necessary as well as appointing a co-ordinator (officer) for the Safe Churches initiative which is now officially a requirement in the Diocese
• 2017 Budget Preparation – with the pending departure of our Treasurer, preparation of the 2017 budget needs to begin now. Groups and committees are asked to communicate budget needs through their respective members of Bishop and Chapter as soon as possible.
• Changing Church Culture – The discussion’s goal was review of our current context, what we do well and areas where we especially need to improve and invest in the next year. A comprehensive list was assembled and a short list of potential priorities identified for more detailed consideration. An in-depth discussion led to a decision to have a Chapter planning session on 10 December, which will be led by Bishop Edwards.

Reports
• Financial – a new format report summarizing monthly and year to date receipts and disbursements was received and reviewed.

Up-coming Events
• Advent Procession 4:00 p.m., 27 November
• Advent Friday Organ Recitals
• Christmas Lessons and Carols 4:00 p.m., 18 December
• Bishop’s Reception – 01 January

Next meetings
10 December – planning; 19 December, 16 January
19 February – Annual congregational meeting

GMH

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 17 October with ten of thirteen members present. Minutes of the September meeting were adopted. The Dean shared portions of the workbook that accompanies the book “Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish” by James Mallon focusing on the role of the pastor and the need for functional teams.

Business Arising

•    Hall Front Steps – Repair has been delayed possibly to spring.

From the Dean

•    Routine activities – a summary of pastoral and programme activities was outlined as usual
•    Meetings – Scheduling meetings continues to be one of the more frustrating challenges. Perhaps scheduling farther in advance would be more effective.
•    Leadership in isolation – further to the need for a change in leadership culture, leadership operating in isolation remains one of our corporate challenges.  Leaders need to gather to themselves effective and well-rounded teams for ministry tasks.  The Chapter needs to operate in an overseeing, strategic planning role.
•    To do’s pending – current priorities are Baptism Preparation for 06 November and calling together a Server Guild.
•    Thanksgiving Break-in – Police investigation is on-going.

Items for Decision

•    Chapter membership – Edmond Biden elected to membership as chair of Buildings and Property with thanks and appreciation.
•    Safe Church Policy – Diocesan policy is now in force.  Health and Pastoral Care Committee will lead implementation.
•    Signage – Communications Committee propose a new Cathedral sign for the southeast green and were granted permission to execute at a cost of between $500-600.
•    Church Lighting – a proposal has been made to change outside flood lighting at the Cathedral to LED at an estimated $1500 per year energy saving.  Referred to Property Committee for action.

Items for Discussion

•    Changing Church Culture – follow-up on of “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon.  Discussion on changing the culture towards better health.  Recognizing what we do well,  implementation of a strategy is needed.  The Dean was asked to provide a summary of areas where we are now effective and those not.  Executive charged with preparing a proposal for next steps.

Reports

•    Financial – the Treasurer indicated that income is ahead of the previous year at about 7%.  Gathering information from Cathedral ministries for preparing the 2017 budget needs to begin now. Committee chairs asked to begin that process.

Other

•    Treasurer Resignation– received from our Treasurer as of 15 December 2016.  The job is beyond what Carol can do at this time. Thanks was expressed to Carol for her service. A detailed list of suggested immediate needs was included and the Executive will facilitate a review of our situation.
•    Harvest Supper – organizational lead needs to be identified as Kathy McBride is unavailable due to unforeseen personal commitments
•    Up-coming Events – were noted and reviewed. Our Calendar.

Next meetings

21 November; 19 December. 16 January, 19 February (Annual Congregational Meeting)

GMH

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 19 September with ten of thirteen members present. Minutes of the June meeting were adopted. The Dean shared a reflection on leadership culture.

Business Arising
• Employment – David Drinkell began as Director of Music (half-time) on 17 July. Adam Lewis began as Sexton (full-time) on 25 July. Kathleen Snow began as Parish Nurse (half-time) on 01 September.
• Lay Administrators – Permission received from the Bishop for lay administrators of the chalice during worship and the reserved sacrament at home
• Hall Front Steps – Repair requirements have been considered and should begin this week.
• Chapter vacancies – Christian Formation: Bonnie Greenwood is nominated. Buildings and Property: vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Garland – nomination is in progress
• Piano – The Baldwin piano at the Cathedral has been purchased
• Offering Counting Procedures – a new process was initiated on 18 September which better follows diocesan recommended procedures and controls

From the Dean
• Worship and prayer leadership – the daily office is being said Monday – Friday 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.. Administrators of home communion are functioning in their role
• Pastoral – Farraline Place and Windsor Court communion in September. Visits to hospitals, home visits and home communions. One funeral.
• To do’s – Server Guild startup and training; baptism preparation during October for November baptisms
Items for Decision
• Chapter membership – Bonnie Greenwood elected to fill the chair of Christian Formation with the Chapter’s thanks and appreciation.

Items for Discussion
• Leadership Culture – leadership “culture” is the habits, practices and assumptions made regarding how an organization operates. The Cathedral is currently operating with a “puppeteer leadership model,” with the assumption that the dean is the puppeteer. Leadership is facilitating the contributions of others. The Dean shared his frustration that he cannot change the culture single-handedly but that it does need to change if we are to become more spiritually mature both individually and corporately. Chapter members having a group with which to work in their particular area of ministry is critical – things happen when people get together. The Chapter will read “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon.

Reports
• Financial – the Treasurer sent income and expenses report for information. Expenses will return to normal monthly levels and as budgeted for the period September – December.
• Mission / Outreach – brief update on the challenges of refugee sponsorship project and Belize Mission support. Visit the missions committee website for information.
• Communications – gift items sold during August at the Cathedral. Photo directory project underway. (Universal Portrait Studios)
• Administration and Finance – Several policies have been drafted and await consideration and adoption
• Hospitality – some changes to a fall supper (30 October) being recommended.

Next meetings
17 October; 21 November; 19 December

GMH