Commission on Ministry News

November 18, 2014 Meeting

2015-10-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

Those present included The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett, The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, The Rev. Timothy Rich, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, Chair, Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler, and The Rev. Susan Wrathall; those absent included Catherine Shepherd and The Rev. Mark Sutherland.

The meeting was called to order at 3:05 pm.
The Chair led the group in opening prayer.
The agenda was approved as were the minutes of the Meeting of October 23, 2014.

1. A number of infrastructure issues were discussed: membership contact information updated, change to rotating secretary, COM retreat with Bishop Knisely, qualities desired for prospective COM members, National/Local canons applicable to the COM, formalizing opening and closing prayer at meetings, change in meeting time and term limits.

2.   The membership discussed pieces of the process and time line for discernment. Five subcommittees were established to reflect further on: Psychological Evaluations, Day of Discernment, Guidebooks, PowerPoint Presentations and Discernment Team Presentations. Reports will be due at the January 27, 2015 Meeting. The membership also discussed a change in the formatting of interviews for aspirants.

3. The COM hosted events on the calendar are:
•    January 10, 2015: COM Retreat with Bishop Knisely
•    February 7, 2015: Retreat with Aspirants
•    April 25, 2015: Day of Discernment

4. Status reports on Aspirants and Postulants were presented

5. The COM approved the motion that the Chairperson of the Commission on Ministry prepare and submit on behalf of the COM a statement from the Commission attesting to the successful completion of the program of formation designed during Postulancy under Canon III.8.5, and proficiency in the required areas of study, and recommending Deacon Jackie Kirby for ordination to the Priesthood. Her ordination is scheduled for January 22, 2015 at St. George’s School, Middletown.

The Chair led the group in closing prayer.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 pm.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 4:30 pm in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,
Harriet DiCicco

October 23, 2014 Meeting

2014-11-17T08:44:00.003-08:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was called to order by Missy Bennett on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 3:05 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI.

Present: The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett, Chairperson, The Rev. John D. Alexander, The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell (Face Time), The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, The Rev. Timothy Rich, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary, and The Rev. Susan Wrathall.

Absent: Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made, seconded, and approved by the COM to accept the Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, September 23, 2014 as corrected and as presented on our site in Google.

Status Reports:
Aspirants: The COM presented its concerns to Bishop Knisely about one aspirant with whom it had previously met and interviewed for postulancy.
Postulants: The membership discussed 2 priest postulants, 3 deacon postulants, and 1 postulant who was withdrawing from the process to pursue lay ministry.

Psychological Testing: The COM entered into conversation with Bishop Knisely about its concern over the current choice and administration of psychological tests being chosen and administered to all aspirants who were seeking postulancy. Bishop Knisely suggested a subcommittee be formed to review the present choice of tests and the present administrative practice being used, and make recommendations to him.

Discernment Team Update: Mr. Sibielski presented an update of his presentations to the 7 Discernment Teams in operation. The COM suggested that a training day for future teams be developed.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,

F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

September 23, 2014 Meeting

2014-11-17T06:28:00.001-08:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was called to order on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at 3:05 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI.

Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, The Rev. Timothy Rich, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski (Secretary), and The Rev. Susan Wrathall were present; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, The Rev. John D. Alexander, and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler were absent

The Rev. Timothy Rich led the COM in opening prayer.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

Status reports were provided for 4 postulants.

The COM interviewed 1 aspirant who was seeking postulancy.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,

F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

June, July, and August

2014-07-07T11:58:00.002-07:00

There are no scheduled meetings of the COM during the months of June, July, and August.

May 27, 2014 Meeting

2014-07-07T11:51:00.002-07:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was called to order on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 3:05 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI.

Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, The Rev. Timothy Rich, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, , and The Rev. Susan Wrathall were present; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, The Rev. John D. Alexander, and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler were absent

The Rev. Timothy Rich led the COM in opening prayer.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, April 29, 2014.

Status reports were provided for 1 candidate and 4 postulants.

The membership entered into discussion about the May 3^rd Holy Orders Day of Discernment noting that the event was successfully presented and attended by 35-40 people. The following recommendations were offered:

A longer day experience
A church location to accommodate an expanded program
A rector, priest-in-charge, vicar, vestry person, or parishioner be present as a support person
Provide not only lite breakfast but also lunch
Include break-out sessions

The COM interviewed 1 aspirant who was seeking postulancy.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,

F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

April 29, 2014 Meeting

2014-07-07T05:25:00.003-07:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was called to order on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 3:10 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), The Rev. John D. Alexander, , Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler, and The Rev. Susan Wrathall were present; The Revs. Patrick Campbell and Timothy Rich were absent.

The Rev. John D. Alexander led the COM in opening prayer.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, March 25, 2014.

Status reports were provided for 1 candidate, 5 postulants, and 1 aspirant.

Saturday’s Holy Orders Day of Discernment event was reviewed and discussed. Seven aspirants are scheduled to be attending this event along with their spouses/partners/representatives from their respective congregations. Recommendations were made that the program be expanded next year to include lunch, break-out-sessions, additional speakers representing priests, deacons, and laity, and that the event be held in a church setting as opposed to an institutional setting (Diocesan House).

The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,
F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

March 25, 2014 Meeting

2014-06-27T08:48:00.005-07:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI. The Rev. Susan Wrathall, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, and The Venerable Janice Grinnell were present; The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely , The Rev. John Alexander, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, The Rev. Timothy Rich, and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler were absent.

The Rev. Patrick Campbell led the COM in opening prayer.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, February 25, 2014.

Status reports were provided for 1 candidate, 4 postulants, and 3 aspirants.

A discussion on how parishes are to provide financial support for seminarians took place with no conclusion being reached.

A discussion about the Holy Orders Day of Discernment took place. It is a by invitation only event taking place at Diocesan House on Saturday, May 3, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The event will begin with Morning Prayer and include a PowerPoint presentation about our discernment process, and presentations by clergy about laity.

There being no new business the meeting was adjourned.

The next meeting of the COM is April 29, 2014.

Respectfully submitted,

The Venerable Janice L. Grinnell

February 25, 2014 Meeting

2014-06-27T07:10:00.001-07:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), The Rev. John Alexander, The Rev. Patrick Campbell, Ms. Harriet DiCicco, Ms. Betsy Fornal, The Venerable Janice Grinnell, The Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, The Rev. Timothy Rich, Mr. F. Leon Sibielski, and Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler were present; The Rev. Susan Wrathall was absent.

Bishop Knisely led the COM in opening prayer.

A motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

Status reports were provided for 1 candidate, 3 postulants, and 3 aspirants. One aspirant was interviewed by the COM.

The role and function of the COM Consultant and COM Liaison continue to evolve under our newly developed discernment process.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on March 25, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,

F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

January 28, 2014 Meeting

2014-06-26T12:08:00.003-07:00

The regular monthly meeting of the Commission on Ministry (COM) was held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House, Providence, RI. The Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Ms. Carol Anne Bennett (Chairperson), Ms. Harriet DiCicco, the Rev. Patrick Campbell, the Rev. Sandra Haines-Murdocco, Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler, the Rev. Susan Wrathall, the Venerable Janice Grinnell, the Rev. Timothy Rich, and Mr. F. Leon Sibielski were in attendance. The Rev. John Alexander was absent.

Minutes of the COM Meeting of Tuesday, November 11, 2013 were approved.

Status reports were provided for 1 candidate, 3 postulants, and 3 aspirants

A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved that A Process Guide for Those Discerning a Call to the Sacred Order of Deacons and A Process Guide for Those Discerning a Call to the Sacred Order of Priests be accepted and made available for public use through the Diocesan website. Both Guides provide insight into the newly adopted process of discernment and the role and function that the Commission on Ministry, an aspirant, the rector/priest-in-charge/vicar, their vestry/bishop’s committee, and a parish based discernment team play in that process.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on February 25, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House.

Respectfully submitted,

F. Leon Sibielski, Secretary

December Meeting

2013-12-19T07:14:00.001-08:00

The December meeting of the COM was canceled due to an impending snow storm.

The next meeting of the COM is scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

November Meeting

2013-12-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

The COM held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at St. Martin's Church, Providence.

Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, September 24, 2013 were approved as corrected.

Thanks for the years of dedicated service were extended to the Rev. Richard Shippee and Ms. Karen Runner, outgoing members of the COM.

Status reports were provided by each of the COM Liaisons for 1 Candidate for Priesthood, 3 Postulants, and 5 Aspirants.

The remainder of the meeting was spent reviewing and suggesting corrections to the Guide for those discerning a call to the diaconate.

October Meeting

2013-10-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

The October 22nd meeting of the COM was canceled.

The publications subcommittee continues its work on finalizing those documents applicable to diaconal and priestly discernment.

The next meeting of the COM will be held from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at St. Martin's Church, 50 Orchard Avenue, Providence, RI.

September Meeting

2013-09-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

The COM held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The Ven. Patricia Zifcak, Archdeacon for Formation and Pastoral Care for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts met with the membership to provide them with an overview of the process of formation for deacons that is being used in their Diocese. 3 individuals from RI are participating in that program. Additionally, the COM discussed its emerging diaconal program, including the development of Guidebooks for those aspiring to the diaconate or priesthood.

The membership received updates on 1 Candidate, 3 Postulants, and 2 Aspirants.

The next meeting of the COM will be held on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 in the Higgins Room at Diocesan House from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.