Congregational Development Commission (CDC) News

2013-05-11T13:25:00.001-07:00

Greetings Friends;

I want to pass along some of the highlights from the April meeting of the CDC.

The commission voted to approve a grant in the amount of $2100 to Trinity Church in North Scituate. This grant is to help that parish continue the work of putting the systems in place to enhance their ability to serve the larger congregation as a result of the recent merger with St. Alban's, Centredale.

The comission then received an update from the subcommittee, as it continues to work with the several grant applicants. Full reports and presentations will be received later in the spring.

The Learn & Lead Subcommittee also presented a report, and this work took up most of the meeting. Reports on many of the details were outlined, and there was considerable conversation on speakers and workshops. Please follow this link

http://tinyurl.com/csd5j6c

To the Learn & Lead website to get more information regarding the schedule for the day, and how to register.

Peace

Joel Gardner

Meeting Notes March 5, 2013

2013-04-19T11:19:00.001-07:00

Greetings Again Friends!

Here are some of the highlights from our March meeting:

As a follow up to our redevelopment of CDC Work, membership of the subcommittees was revised as follows:

· Learn and Lead: Jim Burgess and Susan Carpenter Co Chairs, members Jane Jellison, Catherine Thenault and Joel Gardner

· Grants: Jacky Kirby Chair, members Dennis Bucco, Kevin Lloyd, Charles Cowen, Pam Gregory

The subcommittees will work between CDC meetings and present reports to the CDC at requested intervals.

Reports were received from those subcommittees:

Jacky Kirby presented the report from the grant subcommittee along with their recommendations on several proposals from parishes and missions. The CDC considered their proposals and recommendatoins and made the decisions to request full applications from the following"

Mission Churches:

Holy Spirit, Charlestown,

Parishes:

Trinity Church, Newport

Emmanuel Cumberland

From the Learn & Lead Subcommittee:

Contacts have been made with potential keynote speakers. Workshop presenters are being put in place. The date and location have been confirmed as June first at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth.

Next steps, finalizing the remainder of workshop facilitators, hospitality for the day, publicity, and finalizing the keynote speaker. These will be delegated to the subcommittee.

A communication was received from the 2015 Task Force regarding The Spiritual Renewal Survey that has been put forth by the task force to help parishes take inventory of their core spiritual disciplines. Subsequent discussion centered around the possibility of using this as a congregational development tool and publicizing this use to the churches in the diocese. This will be discussed further at a future meeting.

Please watch for further updates in the coming weeks!

Peace

Joel Gardner

Meeting Notes February 5, 2013

2013-04-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

Here are some of the highlights from our February Meeting:

We recieved a detailed report on the development of their Tuesday Tutoring Program at St Alton's., Alton. Bettine Besier brought us up to date with the progress of the program which is partially funded by a CDC grant. Questions and answers, and discussion followed her presentation.

Work continued on the Learn & Lead program. We narrowed down the list of potential keynote speakers to two, with contact to be made within the next few weeks. Additionally names for workshop presenters were discussed and approved. The date was set as June first at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth.

The application process for the current year's grant program was reviewed, and benchmark dates were discussed. A draft letter specifically for mission churches was reviewed and edited. Conversation regarding emphasizing participation by mission churches ensued.

The possibility of approving grants for a portion of handicapped accessibility projects was discussed at length and the following motion was approved: “The CDC will consider requests processed by the bishop’s office from missions and transitional missions for handicapped accessibility projects that are integral to a strategic development plan.”

We also discussed reconfiguring the resposibilities of the CDC. In order to make the best use of our people resources it was decided two subcommittees of the CDC would be formed as follows:

Learn and Lead: Jim Burgess and Susan Carpenter Co Chairs, members Jane Jellison, Catherine Thenault and Joel Gardner

· Grants: Jacky Kirby Chair, members Dennis Bucco, Kevin Lloyd, Charles Cowen

Members not present were assigned to the committee(s) of their choice.

The subcommittees would work between CDC meetings and present reports to the CDC at requested intervals.

In another matter Jane Jellison has graciously agreed to become the CDC member of this task force.

The Rev. Canon Linda Grenz joined us and discussed the need for more direct involvement with parishes and missions by members of the CDC. This would include working with parishes in “restart” and in other forms of transition, and would be beyond the scope of the grant process. Discussion followed as to what form this could take and most members expressed interest in being involved in the related activities.

Thanks for reading!

Joel Gardner

Meeting Notes January 8, 2013

2013-04-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

The January 2013 meeting of the CDC was a very busy one. We started the meeting with establishing group norms.

We then continued working out the details for the upcoming (June 1st) Learn & Lead. This included narrowing down the list of possible speakers, and locations, and firming up the workshops that will be offered.

We also reviewed and approved a grant request from Trinity Church in North Scituate. This request was related to their merger with St. Albans, Centerdale, and is separate from our grant process which will begin later in the spring.

More coming soon!

Joel Gardner

Meeting Notes December 4, 2012

2013-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Greetings Friends,

I want to pass along some of the topics of recent meetings of the CDC

At the meeting held on December 4th 2012, the first meeting of the CDC following the diocesan convention and we welcomed new members the Rev. Pam Gregory, Ms. Jane Jellison and
Mr. Charles Cowan We also expressed gratitude for the services of retired members Ms. Carol Drought and the Rev. David Lucy

We began working on details for the 2013 Learn & Lead (to be held on June 1st at St Mary's Church in Portsmouth). We began working on developing a list of possible keynote speakers, and on a list of workshops and possible presenters.

The CDC also approved and implemented a Conflict of Interest Policy as follows:

“Members of CDC may not be signatories on grant proposals. If a CDC member, or someone in the member’s immediately family, belongs to a church that applies for a grant, that member may not participate in or be present for conversations about the proposal and must recuse him/herself from all votes pertaining to the grant or grant renewal.”

Look for more updates coming soon

Joel Gardner

2013-04-09T15:47:00.001-07:00

Hello, My name is Joel Gardner, and I am the new "blogmaster" for the Congregational Development Commission. Please look here for regular updates about CDC programs and grant activities. This has already been a very busy year for us, and as I write, plans our well underway for this year's Learn & Lead Day; "Hospitality For Evangelism" which is going to be held on June 1st, at St Mary's Church in Portsmouth.

Please watch this blog, and the diocesan website for workshop details, and registration information both of which will be available shortly.

Peace

Joel

February 7, 2012--Meeting Notes

2012-02-15T07:17:00.002-08:00

OPENING AND ATTENDANCE A meeting of the Congregational Development Commission was called to order at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Betsy Fornal attended the meeting along with Commission members: Dennis Bucco, Jim Burgess, Susan Carpenter, Carol Drought, Joel Gardner, Mercedes Julian, Jackie Kirby, Kevin Lloyd, David Lucey, Casey Shobe, and Catherine Thenault.

LEARN & LEAD—COMMUNICATIONS
Learn & Lead went very well with 120-125 attendees. There were five “no-shows” and two unregistered. Registrations came from 30 churches. Twenty-two churches did not participate. Casey suggested that the next Learn & Lead be comprised of two 90-minute workshops with poster sessions or roundtables presented during lunch. CDC members agreed that there would be one Learn & Lead per year going forward.

Survey—Ruth is going to send out a survey on Constant Contact. The survey will ask for suggestions for next year. Commission members came up with the following topics: Hospitality including Greeting/Ushering, Signage, Coffee Hour, Welcome Packages, Newcomer Incorporation as well as how well do churches treat outside groups using their facilities;
Christian Formation; and Evangelism. The survey will also ask about the length of the sessions, the level of information imparted and what participants will do differently going forward.

CONVOCATION
Convocation will take place at St. Luke’s, East Greenwich on March 9 & 10. Friday night’s Eucharist will start at 6 p.m. with a pot-luck supper to follow. Saturday’s programs will run from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

CDC has been asked to do the “take-away”—a handout with a menu format including questions for reflection and ideas to encourage networking. It was suggested that there be discussion about Convocation at Deanery meetings following Convocation and prior to the “Walk Abouts” for the Bishop search. An e-mail follow-up was also suggested. The e-mail would ask next-step questions such as “How will your congregation do things differently?” Casey will contact Jennifer Pedrick to ask if what we have in mind is appropriate.

GRANT PROCESS
March 1 is the deadline for preliminary (paragraph-length) grant proposals. Members were asked to look at these on the collaboration site before the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 6, at 5 pm. The meeting adjourned with a prayer at 6:30 p.m.

January 3, 2012--Meeting Notes

2012-01-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

OPENING AND ATTENDANCE A meeting of the Congregational Development Commission was called to order at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 by Casey Shobe. Betsy Fornal attended the meeting along with Commission members: Dennis Bucco, Carol Drought, Joel Gardner, Jackie Kirby, Kevin Lloyd, David Lucey, and Catherine Thenault. The Rev’d José Roberts and Modesta Pellot from St. George’s, Central Falls were guests. The meeting began with a prayer.

GRANT UPDATE—ST. GEORGE’S, CENTRAL FALLS
Fr. José and Modesta reported that with grant funds from CDC they have expanded their music program. They have had an increase of about 40 in their average Sunday attendance. Betsy asked if they had made any progress in developing a brochure. They see a definite need for it, but at the present time they don’t have any clerical help. They also do not have a website or Facebook page. Casey urged them to attend the February 4 Learn & Lead on communications. Motion: To approve the third and final year of funding for St. George’s, Central Falls in support of their music program and for the development of a welcome brochure in the amount of $5,500. Lucey/Thenault. All in favor. Jackie agreed to write a letter to St. George’s. In the letter she will let them know that it is the final year of funding and that CDC would like to offer help and suggest they could also call upon the resources of the Hispanic Ministry Committee. The letter will also serve as a reminder that the next grant cycle begins very soon and a paragraph describing their proposal is due on March 1.

Jackie and Kevin wrote a letter to Joyce Penfield about the St. Peter’s & St. Andrew’s grant proposal that was mistakenly never sent. They will try to resurrect and update it.

LEARN & LEAD—COMMUNICATIONS
Catherine is confident that AIPSO will have WiFi before February 4. She will schedule a time when members of CDC can tour the facilities. Right now she has availability on Thursday and Friday (1/5 and 1/6) or Monday and Wednesday (1/9 and 1/11). We have not been able to schedule a plenary speaker. Current possibilities are Anne Rudig, from the national church and Jan Nunley.

Catherine will contact Bethany Putnam from Basil and Peppercorns about catering lunch. We will have a potluck coffee service provided by members of CDC.

Ruth Meteer will take care of ticketing. Registration will be online only through EventBrite. She will also coordinate a speaker from Constant Contact as well as someone to present a workshop on websites.

Dave Siefert will handle print media and Casey will do present a workshop on Sunday bulletins.

Nametags will be generated by EventBrite through the registration process. We need to assign a “shepherd” for each presenter.

CONVOCATION
The Mission Taskforce is keeping us informed about Convocation for the sake of transparency. Casey will email the information he has received to CDC members.

December 6, 2011--Meeting Notes

2011-12-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

OPENING AND ATTENDANCE A meeting of the Congregational Development Commission was called to order at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 by Casey Shobe. The meeting began with a prayer.

LEARN & LEAD—COMMUNICATIONS
The program will be scheduled for February 4. We will offer workshops covering Print Newsletters (Dave Seifert), Worship Bulletins (Casey Shobe), E-newsletters (a representative from Constant Contact), Social Media (Ruth Meteer), and Websites. Betsy will contact Ruth Meteer and Dave Seifert to confirm their availability. We would like Ruth to help select a plenary speaker as well as to suggest presenters for the website workshop and arrange to have someone from Constant Contact lead a workshop.

Lead and Learn will take place at AIPSO, 302 Central Avenue, Johnston, RI. Catherine will coordinate a field trip to AIPSO for Commission members. We will invite Ruth.

The cost will be$10/person or $50/church. Registration will be more expensive ($15/person) after January 30. All the publicity will be lectronic—email, parish administrator’s listserve, Diocesan Facebook page, E-Risen. There is no snow date. Catherine will coordinate food. Sodexo is the food service for the facility. Registration will begin at 8:30. Plenary session will begin at 9 with workshops running from 10-11; 11:15-12:15; and 1:30-2:30. Lunch will be scheduled for 12:15-1:15. Wrap-up will take place after the last workshop and will be scheduled until 3.

CONVOCATION
Sara Miles will be the speaker at Convocation in March 2012. CDC is being asked to help with “take home” materials. The Deaneries will be a logical focus especially if deaneries are meeting in April to discuss bishop’s election. CDC will also offer to underwrite printing and help them get printed materials. We will ask Ruth to promote book purchases (Take This Bread) through the Diocesan Facebook page.

OTHER BUSINESS
We will invite St. George’s, Central Falls to meet with the Commission in January or February.

NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 5 pm. The meeting adjourned with a prayer.

October 4, 2011--Meeting Notes

2011-10-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

OPENING AND ATTENDANCE A meeting of the Congregational Development Commission was called to order at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 by Casey Shobe. Betsy Fornal attended the meeting along with Commission members: Carol Drought, Jackie Kirby, and David Lucey. The Rev’d Dennis Bucco, Rector of St. Luke’s, Pawtucket was a guest. The meeting began with a prayer.

GRANT UPDATE--ST. LUKE’S, PAWTUCKET
Dennis reported that with grant funds from CDC St. Luke’s had hired an organist/choir director in September, 2010. They now have a children’s choir with up to twelve participants. The merger between St. Luke’s and St. John’s, Ashton became official in June, 2011. Dennis would like to increase the organist’s pay from $13,000/year to $15,000/year. Motion: To approve the second year of funding for St. Luke’s, Pawtucket in support of their music program in the amount of $4,000. Lucey/Kirby. All in favor. Casey will follow up with a response in writing.

CANONICAL REVISION—CANON X—PARISHES
The group discussed a strategy of discussing the Canonical revision with parish leaders including, clergy, wardens and vestries. Casey will talk with Dennis Bucco at St. Luke’s, Pawtucket and Michael Tessman at Holy Spirit, Charlestown. Because of schedule conflicts with the date of St. Augustine’s next vestry meeting, Casey would like to schedule a meeting with wardens and eelgates at another time after the passage of the revision. David Lucey will talk to David Ames of All Saint’s Memorial, and will get contact information for wardens of Holy Trinity, Tiverton. St. Mark’s, Riverside and St. Matthew’s, Barrington have asked permission of the Standing Committee to begin merger talks. Carol will field questions at the West Bay Deanery meeting on October 25. It is up to the Standing Committee to devise a process for implementation of the revision. Casey is anticipating amendments from the floor of Convention regarding making the trigger for reverting to mission status half-time clergy from the proposed full-time.

CONVENTION
Casey will request time to present an oral report on the activities of CDC, highlighting grants and including information about the next Learn & Lead program.

ASCENSION, CRANSTON
Motion: To continue to support music lessons at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for students from Mision El Mesias who now attend Ascension by granting $3,500 to Church of the Ascension from Mission funds. Lucey/Shobe. All in favor.

CONVOCATION
Sara Miles will be the speaker at Convocation in March 2012. CDC has been asked to help fund Convocation expenses. In the past several years, CDC has supported Convocation to the tune of $2,000 each year. Motion: To contribute toward Convocation expenses in an amount consistent with last year’s contribution. Lucey/Kirby. All in favor.

LEARN & LEAD—COMMUNICATIONS
The program will be scheduled for January 21 or 28. We will offer workshops covering three or four areas featuring experts in each. Some of the possible topics might be Worship Bulletins, Constant Contact, Social Networking, and Print Newsletters.

NEXT MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 1, at 5 pm. The meeting adjourned with a prayer at 6:40 p.m.