Diocesan Convocation ~  Special Convention
May 10, 2003
Bangor Theological Seminary

Delegates to the Special Convention of the Diocese of Maine approved a resolution (235 - yes/ 29 - no/1- abstain) presented by Diocesan Council to proceed with a capital campaign to raise $3 million in 18 months.  The priorities that emerged from two years of discernment include renovations to diocesan archives and funding endowment to provide income for four areas: lowering congregational assessments, funding the clergy intern program, developing a college chaplaincy program and increasing clergy compensation.  While the original resolution totalled $2.5 million, an amendment from the floor to raise an additional $500,000 for the clergy intern program was approved by an overwhelming margin.

Before the vote was announced a jubilant Bishop Knudsen announced that the $65,000 necessary for renovating the diocesan archive facilities and a pledge of $50,000 to defray capital campaign costs had been received. 

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Amended Resolution to Determine Whether the Diocese of Maine Embarks on a Capital Campaign

 RESOLVED that God's people in the Diocese of Maine embark on a bold journey of faith to expand the opportunities for mutual and new ministries in the Diocese as outlined in the proposed capital campaign; and

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fund raising strategy of this campaign be divided into two or more phases, which will allow the Diocese to set reasonable goals during specific periods of time; and

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this journey together begin on June 1, 2003 and extend for 18 months until November 30, 2004 and that initially a goal of $3 million for the 1st phase be established to fund the following ministries in the priority order listed:

 1.          Protecting the diocesan archives: (2003-04) expenditures;               $  65,000.

 2.          Increases in diocesan endowment for:

              a.  Reducing congregational assessments                                         $935,000.

             b.  Funding of clergy intern program                                                    $500,000

              c.  Creating a chaplaincy program                                                      $750,000.

              d.  Increasing clergy compensation                                                     $750,000.

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Diocesan Council report to the 2004 Diocesan Convention about the status of the 1st phase of the campaign and make a recommendation for the continuation of the campaign together, if appropriate, with a listing of goals and a period of time to accomplish the same; and

 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we give thanks and praise to our risen Lord for the blessings He continues to bestow upon our Diocese, our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, every congregation, and each member for the opportunity to work one with another as we grow in our faith acknowledging that every person and each congregation is part of the larger Body of Christ, which we call our Diocese.

Actions Taken on Resolution to Determine Whether the Diocese of Maine Embarks on a Capital Campaign

 Spencer Ervin moved an amendment which was seconded.  The amendment was defeated.

 Ken Barrett moved that the an additional ministry be added under number 2(a).  The proposed ministry would be:  “2(b). Funding of clergy intern program in the amount of $500,000 and that the goal be increased to $3 million.  The motion passed.

 Paul Ellis moved an amendment which was seconded.  The amendment was defeated.

 Larry Estey moved an amendment which was seconded.  The amendment was defeated.

 VOTE:  Ballot “A” 265 votes – 235 yes; 29 no; 1 abstention.   The resolution passed.

The Prayers of May 10

A Four-Fold Franciscan Blessing

May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom and peace among all people.

May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.

And the blessing of +God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator, +Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Saviour, and the +Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide…be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore. AMEN

A Prayer of Oscar Romero

It helps now and then to step baack and take he long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts; it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our life time only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection, no pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:
We plan the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that producesa effects far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders -- ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.

Amen

A prayer for Maine

Thank you, God, for the state of Maine,
reaching ever for the first light of day.
As Thy people wake to eastern rays,
what chowder of nourishment dost Thou prepare for body and soul:
concocted so delectably of pine needles and potatoes, of herring and clams
and lobsters in their rocky lairs, of blueberries and new-mown hay and
a thousand lakes and little boats brave upon the deep.

Of such blessings did our fathers and mothers distill their rugged liberty:
Grant us grace to win the same, along the country roads and on the fringed and tasseled coast of our wooded land;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen