November 29, 2008
Dear Friends:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.
End of an era
The new year of 2009 will mark the end of an era for the diocesan office. At the recent Diocesan Convention we said goodbye to Business Manager Bonnie Bernardy and thanked her for 17 years of service. Since then a very difficult decision has been made to eliminate the position of "Secretary to the Bishop" and we now say goodbye to Robin Kjos and thank her for 30 years of service to the Diocese of North Dakota.
Some background: One of the recommendations of the 2006 Task Force on Reorganization for Mission was to "reduce diocesan office staff to 1.0 FTE paid staff member and either contract out services not provided by the paid staff person and/or use volunteers." The retirement of the Business Manager made this the opportune time to implement this recommendation and the 2009 budget adopted at Convention reflects a reduction in diocesan staffing.
Since last summer, Dean Steve Sellers and I have been exploring ways in which the diocesan and cathedral office staffs might work together more efficiently and effectively. This fall we called upon Diocesan Treasurer John Baird, Diocesan Convention Secretary Sandy Holbrook, Cathedral Treasurer Brett Shewey, Cathedral Senior Warden Dave Anderson and Deacon Beth Lipp to join us as a "Task Force on Office Reorganization."
After reviewing current position descriptions, consulting personnel professionals and auditors outside our system, this group began drafting new position descriptions including necessary qualifications and appropriate pay scales. During this process it became painfully clear that if the diocesan budget could only support one full-time paid position, it had to be a financial officer. That determination meant the elimination of the position of "Secretary to the Bishop."
This decision was not made lightly but with the deep sadness of realizing what this change means not only for the Diocese, but for Robin personally. We have made every effort to provide a just severance package for Robin. Please keep Robin and her family in your prayers.
New Staffing Appointments
Although the steps of transition to a new office staff will be taken incrementally, by the end of February 2009, we can expect to see Leisha Woltjer, the current Cathedral Coordinator, as the diocesan Finance Manager. Jamie Parsley, currently the "Bishop's Assistant for Communications" will be given added responsibilities and become my part-time "Executive Assistant." Correspondence and questions which in the past were directed to Robin should now go to Jamie Parsley at the email address of NDEpiscopal@aol.com.
The Cathedral will begin a search for an Office Manager. Although, for budgeting purposes, the line is clearly drawn between the cathedral Office Manager and the diocesan Finance Manager, it is our intent in practice that these two work together with the Executive Assistant and volunteers as a team to meet the administrative needs of both organizations in an effective manner. For example, phone calls to both offices will be answered by one person in the future.
We also intend to make some changes in the amount of paper mailings made from the diocesan office. This is a matter of stewardship in terms of cost-savings and environmental-friendliness. You can help us in this transition by letting us know how best to serve you or what you are missing from us. For example, for years "Lay Reader" sermons have been mailed to a number of recipients. Are these being used? I have asked Jamie Parsley and Kevin Goodrich OP to find online resources for those who regularly use these sermons. Please let us know what is most helpful.
Fourth Deputy Fund
At the most recent Diocesan Convention a decision was made to refine a decision made by a previous convention. We have now decided to send either one or both of our fourth deputies to General Convention, "provided funds are procured beyond the diocesan budget." To enable this I have established a "Fourth Deputy Fund" at the diocesan office. To date donations and pledges have been secured in the amount of $1,600, leaving us $3,200 short of being able to send both of our fourth deputies.
An additional $1,600 remains to be raised for Terry Star to be sent as the fourth clergy deputy; $1,600 remains to be raised for Donna Pettit to be sent as the fourth lay deputy. Proceeds from fundraisers and checks may be made payable to the Diocese of North Dakota noting either "Lay Fourth Deputy" or "Clergy Fourth Deputy." Undesignated contributions will be divided equally.
Anglican Covenant
I am grateful for the Diocesan Convention's support of the ongoing "Windsor Process" which includes the development of an Anglican Covenant. I experienced our debate as respectful and sincere in attempts to find common ground and a way forward together in the crisis besetting our church and the Anglican Communion.
One of the concerns raised during our discussion was about supporting an Anglican Covenant that was not yet in its final form. The final draft is expected to be released this spring. When the Anglican Consultative Council presents it to the churches of the Anglican Communion (possibly as early as May) we will continue our diocesan study and conversation.
Some have questioned why the Diocese of North Dakota should be concerned at all about the Anglican Covenant. Why not simply allow the "national church" to deal with this issue? My response is that the proposed Anglican Covenant is the most important development in Anglicanism since the English Reformation. Since the "basic unit" of our church is the diocese and since our polity is essentially democratic, it's my contention that to ignore it would be irresponsible of us as a diocese and negligence on my part as a leader.
Advent and Christmas
The Church calls us during these darkest days of the year to recall our Lord's first advent as the Servant of mercy and salvation two millennia ago and to prepare for his future advent as the Judge of humankind. By the grace of the Incarnation, in this meantime, we call upon him to come into our hearts, forgiving us and providing us the grace and will to walk with him daily. When he comes again, may he find us ready with our lamps burning brightly, fueled by our acts of goodness, compassion and justice. I am,
Yours in Christ,
+Michael
