Council 2022

Province III Council met November 7, 2022, at the Holiday Inn, Martinsburg, WV, below is a report written by the Province III President, the Rev. Nathaniel W. Pierce:

Perhaps the most important thing we did at the Provincial Council meeting was to express our appreciation for the work of the Province III Opioid Abuse Task Force. Created by Bishop Mike Klusmeyer in 2017, this was one of the first efforts to put opioid abuse on the radar screen of The Episcopal Church. It was led by the Rev. Dina van Klaveren and Police Chief Karl Colder. After five years of effective work, the task force has disbanded, with hopes for continued ministry in the arena of substance abuse recovery.

The Rev. Canon Chris McCloud presented a detailed review of the ground-breaking reparations program recently initiated by the Diocese of Maryland. The Council asked that she develop a proposal for consideration by Province III at our Synod meeting on May 1, 2023.

The 2023 budget was adopted and the percentage used to calculate the diocesan apportionment for the work of the Province in 2024 was recommended for final action by the 2023 Synod.

Due to the fact that several planned provincial initiatives in 2022 were cancelled due to covid-19, such as a presence and reception at the 80^th General Convention, we find ourselves with a fairly large cash balance as we approach the end of the fiscal year. The Council agreed to return 40% of the Provincial Apportionment actually paid by each diocese before the end of this year.

In response to resolution C007, which urged all dioceses to remember Harriet Ross Tubman in an event close to the anniversary of her death (March 10), the Council agreed to provide some grant money to any one of our thirteen dioceses which request this support.

Mr. Christopher Hart, a member of the Ordinances Review Committee, presented a detailed report on the proposed amendments to be considered by the 2023 Synod. On a unanimous vote the Council endorsed all of the proposed changes, most of which are technical in nature. The substantive changes include:

-- II.4 & II.5 – grant seat, voice, and vote to all Officers of and EC Representatives from the Province in meetings of the Synod.

-- IV.4: A constituent diocese, canonically resident bishop or deputy, or a member of the Provincial Council may submit a resolution for consideration by the Synod.

-- X.4: provide a process for nominations from the floor for elected Province III positions

The hospitality and food provided by the Holiday Inn in Martinsburg were excellent. The planning and arrangements by our Coordinator, Dr. Pamela Cochran was, as usual, flawless.

Council Meeting Materials:

2022 Council Minutes
Agenda
2021 Council Minutes (approved)
Executive Summary of proposed changes to the Ordinances of Province III

Budget Materials:

2022 Revenue and Expense Actuals (as of Sept. 30)
2023 Budget (approved)
2023 Allocations (approved)
2023 Budget Resolutions
2022 Approved Budget