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Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota | |
Attendees: Nelson Thomas, Teri Mann, Helen Hanten, Bert Whitcombe, Mary Jo Gould, Wanda Copeland, Nan Stokes
Review of June minutes: Accepted as written with correction of Margaret L. Thomas Conversation about minutes: Talk about what we mean on reading lessons with an environmental light. Bert talked about Bible study where bring out environmental inherent thoughts that are in Bible. Do we spend time researching and writing the lectionary propers? Nelson sent article to Walt for Soundings, but has never heard back.
Web Page. Bert has not had a chance to do this, but thinks he can still meet the Convention deadline. $100 year to set up and $50 a year for following year. Bert might use this to put out reflections on the lectionary lessons. He knows there are rich resources out there already on the Internet, and we might be one of the resources to do this kind of things with environmental emphasis. Bert thinks we need someone who has 5 - 10 hours/week to do the maintenance of this lectionary resource. Roger also suggested that we do reflections on the liturgical seasons. Also to think for one year in terms of lunar delineation’s rather than months. Proposal to have on Web page for convention reflections on the four Sundays after Convention (4 Sundays of November), then others to write on Advent/Christmas cycle .Also to limit the access (make static) for the time being to people within the Diocese. Discussion continued about what to put on line and who will do the writing. Roger talked about the Grandmother Moon cycle from the Ishtenabe people, although he doesn’t feel it is his place to write on this. We will look at getting together to write about this.
BWCA Issues. Roger talked about how he sees the issue of BWCA as a political strategy. By radicalizing positions in people’s eyes, then they see this as a danger to local rule and lifestyle for people who have lived there for years. Roger said we can talk about using the BWCA as a window on how we look at the kingdom of God, and how we view life. Talking about the value of speed, comfort, or human priorities helps us see this.
The Environmental Commission offers the following position statement:
"We request that the Episcopal Diocese of MN declare that the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is sacred ground and is a window to
the kingdom of God."
We would like to offer this issue to the people and organizations of the Diocese as a topic for debate over the year prior to Diocesan Convention in October 1997. At that time we would ask the members of the Diocese to affirm our position. Each member of the Commission will draft a paragraph containing our individual rationales that will be used to foster discussion, and will have them sent to Helen by October 18 so they can be colated for Diocesan Convention. Bert will read this statement to Bishop Jelinek and ask him for his reflections/additions. Bert will also send a copy if Bishop Jelinek requests. Bert will request that the Bishop write a paragraph in support of our statement which will be available to be presented at Convention.
Diocesan Convention. In addition to the position statement, we will also have snippets to be presented. Teri will talk to Gary Gleason and ask him to affirm that we will be allowed to do these snippets as the business has breaks. Teri will also coordinate who will talk at what time during Convention. Teri will also order a table for the Convention. Bert would like a monitor and he will also set up the Web page on a local computer. Wanda relayed her conversation with Lisa Kimball about planning for Youth time at Convention. Times we might have access to youth include Friday night after the session, during the day Saturday around George Regas’s speeches, and perhaps on Sunday morning. Nan thinks the youth have completed their planning and perhaps might not have connected with Lisa.
Membership. Currently have 14 members. How to get all our current members to come to meetings. Full members with voting privilege need to be present for 3 out of 4 meetings in a year. Others who have interest can be maintained on a mailing list. Wanda will check to see if there are current Diocesan guidelines for membership into Commissions.
Commission. We will also find out what criteria are out there for being a Commission. Wanda will check to see how much money we have still have, and find out if there is a time limit on this money, and where are we now placed for new budget.
Mission Statement from May 15, 1993
Almighty God, you made the universe with its marvelous order and beauty, and the infinite complexity of all creatures. You have blessed us as fellow workers in your creation. Send your Spirit to give us wisdom and reverence so to steward the bounty of nature that all creation may be sustained, and all things in all times may continue to show forth your glory. We recognize that we have failed to accept the responsibility of our interdependent role in sustaining creation. Therefore this Task Force covenants to:
Covenant