2006 Crossroads Convention

October 13-15, 2006

Hosted by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, La Grande
and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Enterprise

Crossroads Convention 2006, the 36^th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon, opened on Friday evening, October 13, with soup supper and Evening Prayer at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, La Grande. Delegates and visitors then moved to Zion Lutheran Church in La Grande for the beginning of the Convention. The Convention program focused on a visioning summit using the Appreciative Inquiry process led by Helen Spector, Spector and Associates Organizational Process Consulting, and her associate, Susan Dupré.

On Saturday and Sunday, the work of Convention continued at La Grande Middle School. On Saturday, Convention further developed the vision, and also held a brief business session focused on the proposed 2007 budget. Visioning was focused at the Diocesan, Convocation, and Parish levels and commitments were made for the Diocesan priorities, Convocation meetings, Parish focus, and by each individual present to assist in making the visions reality. A “Networking Bazaar” resulted in requests for and offerings of assistance in many areas of Parish, Convocation, and Diocesan life. The offerings will be published within a few weeks.

A Diocesan Spirituality Team was formed at the August Continuing Education Camp. That team provided support to Convention through liturgical art, prayer space, and a prayer vigil in Convention, as well as through volunteers at home in the parishes. The Rev. Janet Warner, Deacon, coordinated that effort. The Rev. Stephen Denny, Deacon, Diocese of Oregon, was present at Convention to assist with the prayer vigil and to represent the inter-connectedness and support of our Dioceses.

The Saturday banquet was held at “The Place” in Island City. Convention banquet attendees were privileged to be entertained by the Eastern Oregon University Chamber Choir under the direction of Dr. Peter Wordelman. A portion of the Chamber Choir’s performance accompanied a moving slideshow titled “The Road Less Traveled” which toured the parishes and landscape of the Diocese. The slideshow was photographed and produced by G Royes, with assistance in production by Lowell and Carol Knopp.

The visioning process concluded Sunday morning and was followed by the business of Convention. Convention adjourned following Eucharist.

The Business of Convention:

Ø Proposed Budget for 2007

o Amended line item 220, College of the Transfiguration, to match amount raised independently, up to $8000.

o Proposed budget accepted with the amendment and specified three priorities for Diocesan Council in determining allocations: a professional webmaster; training for regional trainers; and youth – to include those up to 30 years of age.

Ø Jerry Frazier, Diocesan Treasurer: reported from the auditor that “the audit of the Diocesan financials is ongoing for the years 2004 and 2005. The portion that has been completed is the confirmation of all investment account balances and all bank account balances. The reported funds are in place as has been presented and reported. Yet remaining are details needed from the office files to complete the Auditors Notes. Meetings are scheduled in the Diocesan Office next week (October 16-20) to complete that work.”

Legislation of Convention:

Ø The Resolution for Global Reconciliation, 0.7% Giving and Millennium Development Goals was approved.

Ø Resolution for the proposed new Diocesan Constitution was approved on second reading. It becomes effective immediately

Ø Resolution for proposed changes to the Canons was approved, thus bringing Diocesan Canons into proper relationship to the Diocesan Constitution and the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.

Elections:

Secretary of Convention: Diane Adams, The Dalles

Treasurer: Position to be filled

Ecclesiastical Court: The Rev. Ted Rodrigues, Sisters

Arnold Coe, Cove

Standing Committee: Amy Martinez, Nyssa

The Rev. Nancy Sargent McGrath, Sunriver

Diocesan Council: Arnold Coe, Cove

Terry Rahmsdorff, Bend

The Rev. Ted Rodrigues, Sisters

2-year term, Clerical order remains vacant

Confirmation of appointments:

Diocesan Commission on Ministry:

The Rev. Rebecca Hendricks, Deacon, Milton-Freewater

Leo Reinikka, Sunriver

Peggy Ziegler, Bend

Reports: Reports were presented as written in the Pre-Convention Journal. A correction to the Standing Committee report was noted: St. Mark’s, Hood River, did not sell property. A small piece of property being used by a neighbor was “bartered.”

Convention Offerings: Allocated as funds for educational grants for clergy and laity; to be
administered by the Diocesan Commission on Ministry.

Time and place of future Diocesan Conventions:

Oct. 12 -14, 2007, St. Andrew’s, Prineville

2008, Baker City

2009, Klamath Falls

2010, Hood River

2011, Hermiston/Heppner;
and they request that the Mind-Map created at this
Crossroads Convention be present at the 2011
Convention.