In this weeks From the Convention you will hear from our lay representation.  You will learn about what they learned and experienced.  Convention is a time once a year where we do the business of the church.  People bring forth resolutions and we discuss and vote on them.  Read more below to learn more. 

From Kaylene Moon (Lay Delegate): There were 3 lay people  that represented St Columba’s at our Diocesan Convention on October 21st and 22nd at The Hilton Hotel Convention Center. They were Carol Everson, Micah Kurtz and Kaylene Moon.  We are giving you a short report of that event. Micah  and Carol  will explain the 6 Resolutions made at the Convention.  I will share something about the workshops. 

There were many workshops, 25 in all on a variety of topics.  I felt Bishop  Rickel’s role was significant, as he presided over the Convention for the last time.  His temporary replacement was selected. It is Mother Melissa Skelton

I  attended a workshop  entitled "Facing The Crisis of Homelessness". The Bishop’s Task force on Homelessness presented facts and stories. They  also  shared a specific task we can do if we choose to  be helpful to the Homeless.   A man from Bellingham,John Hoyte, shared what they call a Safety Pouch for the Homeless. A pouch to  wear and safely keep  personal papers.  They learned that people who are unhoused  often lose their ID.s. and personal papers, often because of the temporary and transient nature of their living space.

A Bellingham church, St. Paul’s sewing guild designed and began making  the pouches for distribution. They were met with enthusiasm by many unhoused people.  John gave me two samples along with written instructions.  They are simple, mainly made from denim or scrap's easily  sewn on a machine. They hold some of the necessary forms people are often required to produce for benefits.  It is my hope we can get some people to make them at St C’s.  The instructions and sample are available . 

The other workshop that touched me deeply was called "One Parish One Person” Becoming Resurrection Communities in the age of mass  incarceration.  Two men, and former inmates, run this inspiring ministry. They are deeply spiritual Christian Men.  It is a simple idea.  When a prisoner is due to  be released, usually  a year or more prior, they are connected with a parish  who is committed to their re-entry, usually in the same general area where they plan to live.   It has been shown it takes approximately 6 people  from the parish and a priest for success.  Letters begin to be exchanged for about one year prior to release, which builds relationships.  By the time the ex-inmate arrives in the community 6 families know the person and understand their needs.  Support has begun.  This base of caring support can mean everything for a successful re-entry.  This is an exciting possibility to  me.  I hope we can begin talking to each  other and explore how St C's can be a supportive parish to this ministry. .  Considering that nearly as many people live inside prison walls as outside. This is a critical need.   Thanks  Kaylene Moon

From Carol Everson (Lay Delegate): 

Resolution 1: Maintain the assessment rate of 14.5% of net disposable income.  Passed.

Resolution 2: Follow the previous indices to arrive at a COLA of 10.1%.  After much debate and affirmation that we all loved our clergy and wanted the best possible for them, this was changed to 8.7%.  First an amendment tried to change the amount to between 8.7% and 10.1%.  This amendment did not pass.  The problem had to do with the salary scales for clergy.  The minimum and maximum for these scales was always raised by the COLA and it was decided that we didn’t want to move away from that model.  However, the 10.1% COLA was thought to be an undue burden on small and aging congregations.  Therefore the COLA was set at 8.7%, the increase that social security recipients will get.  The point was also made that there is no reason why congregations can’t use 10.1% if they are able to do so.  Social Security uses a national CPI whereas our diocese has always used a Seattle CPI (which is currently higher than the national one).  This is a requirement for all ordained staff and optional for lay staff.  Traditionally at St. Columba’s we have given the approved COLA to all staff.  Depending on how much we receive in pledges we will need to decide if we can do this and if we need to cut some of Meghan’s hours.  Martin did get a raise plus the COLA in 2022.  Our hope is that we can give all staff the approved COLA and not cut anyone’s hours.  St. Columba’s will try to do the most that it can given pledges.

Resolution 3: This resolution provided for a nominal payment to deacons so that they could participate in the pension plan and thus become eligible for certain benefits (other than a pension) provided by the plan but open only to members of the plan.  The resolution passed.

From Micah Kurtz (Lay Alternate): My experience as an alternate delegate at the Diocesan Convention was truly encouraging and eye-opening. For one thing, it was a pleasure spending time with our priests, the St. Columba's delegates, and seeing other St. Colulmba's parishioners around as well! (We really do get around.) My favorite parts were the communal worship, as we did morning, noonday, and evening prayer, and had a full eucharist worship service to close the convention. 

I was asked to provide some comments on a few of the resolutions, including Resolution 4 (Creation Justice Pledge), Resolution 5 (Considering Adoption of a Season of Creation), and Resolution 6 (Increasing Financial Support and commitment to BIPOC Ministry Fund). 

Resolution 4 was presented by the Bishop's Task Force on Climate Change, recommending a list of tasks that congregations can pledge to work on to educate themselves and take action to reduce carbon footprints, and support advocacy. This resolution passed with no debate, as it's all good ideas, and there's nothing enforcing this action. 

The same could be said for Resolution 5, in which the Diocese adopts a Creation Season in September/October each year, and encourages congregations to study and incorporate such a season. Resolution 6 received a report from the Budget and Finance committee noting that there are other funding sources and recommending these ministers seek funding through the current budget process rather than tying a certain percentage of the annual budget. On the convention floor, there was one comment by one of the writers of the resolution, advocating that the resolution not be passed because recent increase in BIPOC representation in Diocesan leadership allows BIPOC ministers more voice in advocating for funding in congregations that are traditionally under- or un-funded. Though the resolution by agreement of its presenters did not pass, the hope is that the goal of increased funding will be addressed in Diocesan leadership, a goal which was highly supported by the convention as a whole.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this congregation in this way!

Micah Kurtz