Resolutions Approved by the 2009 Diocese of Delaware Convention
RESOLUTION #1
Title: Apology for Support by the Episcopal Church for the Institution of Slavery in Delaware
Submitted by: The Diocesan Committee on Slavery in Delaware
WHEREAS, the 222nd Convention of the Diocese of Delaware affirmed the actions of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church to declare that the institution of human slavery was and is a sin, and to acknowledge the history and participation of the Episcopal Church in this sin; and
WHEREAS, the 222nd Convention of the Diocese of Delaware joined with the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in expressing our most profound regret that the church lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on Scripture, and continued, after slavery was abolished, to support racial discrimination; and
WHEREAS, in response to a request by the 222nd Convention of the Diocese of Delaware, the Bishop established a Diocesan Committee on Slavery to collect and document information on the church’s complicity in the institution of slavery and the subsequent history of segregation and discrimination, the economic benefits the church and its parishes derived from slavery; and
WHEREAS, the committee, made up of members from various parishes and aided by students and faculty at St. Andrews School, found through archive searches and other research that the Episcopal Church in Delaware, its clergy and parishioners, held slaves and benefited from their forced labor from Colonial times through the Emancipation; and
WHEREAS, clergy in Delaware for many years were paid by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts with profits derived from slavery; and
WHEREAS, the church collaborated with businesses and industries whose products and profit were, in part, derived from slave labor; and
WHEREAS, many members of the clergy and the church remained silent in the face of outrageous and inhuman practices and laws; and
WHEREAS, the church and some of its clergy and members continued to support legally imposed exploitation and servitude of African Americans following Emancipation; and
WHEREAS, the Episcopal Church USA held a Day of Repentance for Slavery and issued a public apology on October 3-4, 2008 in services at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia, it is fitting that the Diocese of Delaware also acknowledges its history; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, by the 224th Convention of the Diocese of Delaware, meeting at Christ Church Christiana Hundred on March 27 and 28, 2009, affirm and reiterate the actions of the 222nd Convention; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Delaware fulfills its call for a Day of Repentance including a religious service to be held at the Cathedral Church of Saint John before the 225th Convention; and be it further
RESOLVED, that before the 225th Convention, each congregation show “Traces of the Trade”, as a step towards our amendment of life.
RESOLUTION #2
Title: “Fair Share” Giving by Congregations in the Diocese of Delaware
Submitted by: Bishop & Council
RESOLVED, that the 224th Convention of the Diocese of Delaware asks each congregation to embrace the goal of giving 10.8% (Minimum) – 14.3% (Fair Share) of its Net Distributable Budgeted Income (Line B, page 3 of the Parochial Report) in support of Diocesan ministries.
RESOLVED, that congregations giving below the 10.8% level strive to increase their level of giving in support of Diocesan ministries by increasing their percentage of Net Distributable Budgeted Income by 1% a year until such time as they come into the 10.8%-14.3% range.
RESOLVED, that congregations giving at or above the 10.8% level, who are in a position to do so, also strive to increase their percentage of giving in support of Diocesan ministries in recognition of the fact that not all congregations are at the same position of strength in their giving.
EXPLANATION: The Finance Committee recognizes that the long-term solution to support of our common diocesan ministries resides with our congregational giving. We made great strides in 2008 in this area with 18 congregations increasing their percentage of giving! We ask congregations to continue their commitment to raise their level of giving by increasing their percentage of Net Disposable Budgeted Income by 1%. For those congregations already giving at or above the 10.8% level, we ask those congregations, who are in a position to do so, also to increase their level of giving, knowing that they are helping brothers and sisters across the Diocese who are not yet at the same position of financial strength.
HISTORY OF THE DIOCESAN ACCEPTANCE
At the 187th Diocesan Convention members of the Cathedral Church of St. John put a resolution, Fair Share Giving, forward). The resolution called for the following:
That the Diocese be funded for the year 1973 and thereafter, until changed by action of the Convention, by a method of fair share giving; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the specific formula for fair share giving be developed by a committee representing the churches and chaired by the Diocesan Council Treasurer, such committee to be appointed by the Bishop and Council; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That said committee submit a fair share giving plan to Special Convention in 1972 for approval so the plan can be applied to the 1973 budget.
The “Fair Share” system of congregational giving was adopted by the Diocesan Convention in 1973. The convention decided that the Fair Share level of giving would be 14.3% of all congregational Operating Revenues and Supports as reported in the annual Parochial Report. A minimum level of giving would 10.8% of the same number. Delaware’s “Fair Share” standard is among the lowest in the Episcopal Church. Prudent use of endowment funds and careful monitoring of expenditures make this possible.
This system has worked well through the years. It has been a source of stability and vitality diocesan ministries. It depends upon a common commitment by all congregations in the diocese.
RESOLUTION # 4
Title: Become a ONE Episcopal Diocese
Submitted by: The Rev. Max J. Wolf, Rector, The Episcopal Parish of All Saints’ Church and Saint George’s Chapel; The Rev. Jeffrey A. Ross, Rector, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (Lewes); Dorothy Vuono, Lay Delegate, Christ Episcopal Church (Milford); Teri Smith-Jones, Lay Delegate, The Episcopal Parish of All Saints’ Church and Saint George’s Chapel
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Delaware declare itself to be a ONE Episcopal Diocese by committing to (1) feature the millennium development goals (MDGs) in an annual event, forum, or Bishop’s sermon; (2) make ONE-related resources available for use in youth and adult Christian-education classes; and (3) collect an annual offering for the MDG programs of Episcopal Relief and Development.
EXPLANATION
The MDGs are eight goals, adopted in 2000, by all member states of the United Nations, including the United States. The goals are, by 2015, to:
· cut extreme poverty and hunger in half
· achieve universal primary education
· promote gender equality and empower women
· reduce child mortality
· improve maternal health
· combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
· ensure environmental sustainability
· create a global partnership for development
The Episcopal Church first committed itself to the achievement of the MDGs during its 74th General Convention in 2003. At its last General Convention, the Church pledged to commit 0.7% of its budget to MDG-related programs, and challenged individual Episcopalians, congregations, and dioceses to deepen their involvement in MDG advocacy.
The ONE Campaign, The Campaign to Make Poverty History, is a non-partisan grassroots advocacy organization committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease. The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Relief and Development are partners with the ONE Campaign. The ONE Episcopal program is managed by the Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. There are currently three ONE congregations in this Diocese. Other congregations interested in becoming ONE congregations can click here to obtain information. Additionally, upon passage of this resolution, when the ONE commitment form is submitted, a ONE contact person will be designated by the Diocese.
The commitment to become a ONE Episcopal congregation or diocese involves an agreement to take three of five actions: (1) featuring the MDGs in a sermon or rectors forum; (2) organizing an “Offering of Letters” and asking participants to sign the ONE Declaration; (3) using ONE resources in Christian-education classes for youth and adults; (4) meeting with Members of Congress to advocate for the MDGs; and/or (5) collecting an offering once a year for the MDG programs of Episcopal Relief and Development. This resolution proposes that our Diocese commit only to the three actions identified in the resolution. It does not require us to become involved in political advocacy, and it does not make any commitment of funds beyond the agreement to take up an annual collection for ERD. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to prayerfully consider their own commitment to ONE advocacy.
RESOLUTION #5
Title: Call It Slavery
Submitted by: The Rector, Churchwardens and Vestry Members of Christ Church, Dover through their Convention Delegation
WHEREAS, “The abolition of slavery was the great cause of 19th century humanitarians, in the 21st century, it needs some new champions.” So reads the headline to an article by John R. Miller in the Summer 2008 issue of “The Wilson Quarterly” titled “Call It Slavery”. Mr. Miler was the director of the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons and later Ambassador at Large on Modern Slavery. In a State Department estimate, 17,500 slaves are imported into the United States each year and trafficking inside the US may be several times that number. While today’s slaves are not brought here in chains, they are just as effectively deprived of their freedom by force or threats. Many enter legally with “handlers” who help with business or tourist visas. Once here their passports are confiscated and they are forced into servitude. The vast majority are women in the domestic servant arena and, not surprisingly, the sex trade.
WHEREAS, this slavery exists not only in the United States but worldwide in spite of the universal illegality and the moral abhorrence of enslaving of another human being.
WHEREAS, the Diocese of Delaware as a member of the Episcopal Church USA and through that a member of the Anglican Communion has worldwide reach.
BE IT RESOLVED, the Diocese of Delaware having looked into the past on the issues of slavery, now turn its attention to today and the future to develop a statement of purpose to oppose and abolish modern slavery wherever it occurs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Diocese of Delaware shall cooperate with The Episcopal Church USA and other organizations to develop a plan of action to reach out to those ensnared in this insidious trade and offer to them solace and actively support their escape from their masters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Diocese of Delaware prepare the appropriate documentation for the next General Convention to bring this issue to the attention of The Episcopal Church USA and subsequently the entire Anglican Communion so we as Christians may mobilize again to abolish slavery in the 21st century.
RESOLUTION #6
Title: Churchwide Task Force on Older Adult Ministries
Submitted by: The Rector, Churchwardens and Vestry Members of The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew & Matthew, Wilmington through their Convention Delegation
BE IT RESOLVED, that the 224th Convention of the Diocese of Delaware urges the 76th General Convention to continue a Task Force on Older Adult Ministries at the national level. The task force would support the work of the Church to formulate a comprehensive plan to raise awareness and address the emerging crisis in health, care giving, and faith issues that cross generational and economic lines. Emphasis will be placed on support of congregational, diocesan and provincial programs for ministry by, with, and for older adults and their families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Delaware urges the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance of the 76th General Convention to consider a budget allocation to cover the expenses of the Task Force
RESOLUTION #7
Title: Support for House Bill 5 to End Discrimination in the State of Delaware on the Basis of Sexual Orientation
Submitted by:
The Rev. Earl Beshears, Rector of Saint Paul’s, Georgetown; The Rev. Canon Dr. Mark Harris, Associate of Saint Peter’s, Lewes; Mr. Donald Matthews, Delegate of St. Peter’s, Lewes & member of Standing Committee; The Rev. Rita Nelson, retired clergy, Diocese of Delaware; The Rev. Jeffrey Ross, Rector of Saint Peter’s, Lewes
WHEREAS, the Delaware General Assembly is currently considering House Bill #5 AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 6, 9, 18, 19, 25 AND 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING, HOUSING, EQUAL ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.
WHEREAS, the Baptismal Covenant of The Book of Common Prayer calls upon all Christians “to strive for peace and justice among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.” (page 305)
RESOLVED, that the 224th Convention of the Diocese of Delaware, meeting at Christ Church Christiana Hundred on March 27 & 28, 2009, calls upon the state legislature to pass House Bill #5 and urges Governor Jack Markel to sign it into law.
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Delaware calls upon the Governor and Legislature to work for equal rights for all citizens regardless of their sexual orientation.