Bishop and Chapter met on 20 March with members in person and by way of video conference. 12 of 13 members present. Members were asked to read in advance an article from Alban at Duke Divinity School “Putting the How Before the What,” Stephen Chapin Garner. Discussion about one church’s experience with a “call-based” approach to leadership, passion and energy for leadership and the importance of putting relationships/community as first priority. What could be identified as a crisis of organizational structure might rather be a crisis of faith. Minutes from a short meeting on 13 February 2023 dealing with the 2023 Budget were adopted.

FROM THE DEAN

Cathedral
•   outside Communions (2)
•   committee/group meetings (4)
•   Monday Lenten book study / dropping in on Lenten programs
•   weekly staff meetings
•   Narrative Budget completed and circulated
•   Vacancies
Chapter Property Committee
Diocesan
•   Diocesan Finance Committee (2)
•   Diocesan Council (1)
Up-coming
•   Vacation 11-25 April

FOR DECISION

• Appointments

- Vice-Chair - nomination to the Bishop needed- Advisory Committee on Appointments - appointed
- Nominating Committee - inquiries for appointment to be made
- Safe Church Officer - Diane Wilkins appointed
- Property Committee - nomination needed for Bishop’s appointment

[for more information see the current Chapter By-Law]

• 2023 Budget - slight discrepancy between Annual Report and Chapter-approved not affecting the bottom line. Motion to correct

REPORTS

• Treasurer - Financials show a slight surplus having received the grant from the City for summer tour guides. Offerings in January and February slightly below budget. Parish Financial Return due 15 March now submitted.
• Administration and Finance - helpful update from Envelope Secretary; noted difference in Chapter Budget and Annual adopted version; needs for 23 tour guide programme in view
• Property - Unexpected Cathedral furnace repairs needed. Early estimated cost $12,000
• Health and Pastoral Care - Health Ministry has several projects in process: health information session, Medley Tea; on-going: dementia support, Yoga, prayer shawls
• Mission Outreach - reviewing annual reports and making contact with mission sub-groups and committees (Monday Morning, Belize Missions, Cathedral Missions) Monday Morning Outreach continues monthly with some new support for food contributions
• Communications - nothing to report
• Christian Formation - Review of Lenten programming, looking ahead to future. Considering future events on racism, indigenous reconciliation, anti-Semitism
• Welcome and Hospitality - a committee meeting pending
• Worship - contacting potential members for servers’ guild

UPCOMING

•   Palm Sunday (02 April) Easter (09 April)
•   29 April Diocesan Mothers’ Union Rally / 30 April Ordination

NEXT MEETING

Monday, 15 May 2023                                                                               GMH

Bishop and Chapter met 0n 16 January 2023 by video conference 11 of 13 members present. Members were asked to read in advance “5 Ideas for Managing Your Church Budget in the New ‘Normal’” by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries - United Methodist Church). The “ideas” included: quarterly planning, approaches to past comparisons, recognizing “inflation dollars,” use of technology to making funding the budget more efficient and, study of building assets. Minutes from 12 December 2022 were adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE

•   a note of thanks was received from Sexton Ashley Swim

FROM THE DEAN

•   funerals (2); outside Communions (1)
•   committee/group meetings (3); nominating committee (2); Narrative Budget Team (2); Chapter Executive (1)
•   usual staff meetings weekly
•   Christmas worship attendance: Eve: 187/70/81; Day 16/39
•   Vacancies

Safe Church Officer
Synod substitute (16-35)
Assistant(s) to the Verger
Mission Outreach

•   Diocesan Finance Committee
•   Vacation 11-25 April 2023

FOR INFORMATION

Planning Study - Meeting of Bishop and Chapter, diocesan officers and Source Alliance regarding the planning study being conducted over the next several months to determine potential renovation fund-raising

FOR DECISION

Amendment - minor correction for accuracy to November 2021 minutes
Reception of report - Cathedral Conditions and Issues Report official acceptance
2023 Budget - several issues pertaining to the 2023 budget were discussed and decided. Larger projects can complicate clear communication about giving targets and progress. Consideration of simplifying weekly bulletin updates in 2023 was discussed and may help continue to keep the most important information before us
Annual Meeting - Sunday, 26 February 2023
Investment - movement of some funds for year-end

REPORTS

Treasurer - December was a strong month for offerings with $84,047 enabling us to finish December in a surplus position ($40,368 offering over expenses). Overall offerings year over year down by $38,000. Underspending on maintenance and staffing, finishes 2022 in a slight surplus position
Administration and Finance - work on 2023 budget with the Stewardship Team working on a narrative version; intend return to staff handbook task; thanks to a retiring offering counter team; new team appointed
Property - continuing to deal with critical issues while minimizing expense where possible
Health and Pastoral Care - Health Ministry struggling to determine what events are appropriate under changing circumstances
Nominating - challenges exist regarding nominations for Chapter

UPCOMING

•   24 January - Source Alliance, Chapter and Diocese
•   21 February - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
•   22 February - Ash Wednesday
•   26 February - Annual Meeting
•   02 April - Palm Sunday

NEXT MEETING

Monday, 13 February 2023                                                                       GMH

Bishop and Chapter met 17 October 2022 in person with video conference participation with 8 of 13 members present. An article “7 Ways to Make it Easier to Talk About Money” by Ann A. Michel was discussed. The Dean shared his three guiding principles for communication about money: consistency, transparency and removal of emotion. Minutes from 26 September 2022 were adopted with thanks to the Secretary.

Correspondence

•   resignation of Sam Mayo as member of Bishop and Chapter

From the Dean

•   outside Communions (Farraline Place and Windsor Court) (2)
•   committee meetings (3)
•   1 funeral
•   worship for Truth and Reconciliation 30 Sept
•   Farraline fund-raising dinner
•   following legal counsel, final termination letter to Parish Nurse
•   Worship customs under review
•   Life in the Eucharist continues
•   Weekends with Evensong are “full”
•   Baptism preparation underway for one adult on 06 Nov
•   Vacancies
Safe Church Officer, Synod substitute (16-35), Assistant(s) to the Verger

Diocesan
•   Diocesan Finance Committee (1)
•   Synod Planning (1)
•   Bishop’s Counsel (1)
•   Fredericton and York Deanery Clericus (1)

Information and Discussion

Potential Restoration Project - In response to the Conditions and Issues report, Source Alliance is engaged to prepare a “case for support” by mid- November. Interviews will follow to gauge support and possibility. Final report by Spring. We are reminded that such a project will require considerable internal resources and effort. The challenge will be to determine if we have what’s required to launch such an endeavour and if not, what that means for the Cathedral and perhaps, even more importantly, for the Diocese.

Nominating Committee - proposal to be circulated for modification of the Chapter By-Law regarding function of the Nominating Committee

Governance - some initial discussion of “board” vs “ad-hoc” models

Reports

Treasurer - there was some progress made on our deficit in September. We continue to be $37,000 + in expenses over revenue. October thus far appears to be a stronger income month especially with Thanksgiving. We’re hopeful we can continue to make progress to the end of year

Property - the retainer with Carmichael as mechanical contractor has been secured. Batteries for Cathedral emergency lighting have been replaced. Several technical manuals have been digitized.

Finance and Administration - clarification on status of Sarah Ecker as Parish Nurse. Hopes to convene our Stewardship Team. Progress on the Staff Handbook (employment policies). Exploring concerns about third-party liability insurance of users of our facilities

Welcome and Hospitality - working toward building committee membership. Considering worship refreshments

Christian Formation - Life in the Eucharist with six participants - First Communion 20 November, Dante’s Inferno study group, Godly Play and virtual Taize on-going. Advent planning in progress

Upcoming

•   Diocesan Synod 05 November 2022 (Cathedral)
•   First Communions - 20 November 2022
•   Ordination 20 November 2022
•   Advent Procession (Lessons and Carols) - 27 November 2022
•   Christmas Lessons and Carols - 18 December 2022

GMH