Resolution: #1

From: Executive Board

Concerning: Site of Council

Whereas the 86th Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia by its resolution #1 requested the Executive Board to entertain and consider invitations from any local parish, convocation or group of parishes to host Council in 2007 or later, if it could be demonstrated that adequate facilities and services could be provided at comparable cost to existing facilities; and

Whereas such invitation(s) were to be issued by October 1 of the year preceding the Council; and

Whereas there were no request(s) submitted to the Executive Board, and

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved that Council hold its 88th Annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia on January 26, 27, 28, 2007; and that Council hold its 89th Annual meeting at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia on January 25, 26, 27, 2008; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Executive Board entertain and consider invitations from any local parish, convocation or group of parishes to host Council in 2009 or later, if it can demonstrate that adequate facilities and services can be provided at comparable cost. Such invitation(s) to be issued in writing to the Executive Board by October 1 of the year preceding the Council at which the invitation will be accepted or rejected.

Resolution: # 2

From: Executive Board

Concerning: Fund for Mission and Outreach

Whereas by its Resolution #8 the 73rd Annual Council established a Fund for Mission and Outreach (The “Council Endowment Fund”); and

Whereas in accordance with the establishment of this Fund, Council is responsible for the allocation of one half the annual earnings amounting this year to approximately $10,000.00; and

Therefore Be It Resolved that this 87th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia meeting in Roanoke on January 27, 28 and 29, 2006 allocate its share of this Fund for use of the Outreach Committee in making grants in 2006.

Substitute Resolution: #3

From: Resolutions Committee

Concerning: Holy Eucharist For All Churches In The Diocese

Whereas, our Bishop reminds us at each Council meeting, there is no such thing as a Christian alone or a church alone, and

Whereas, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer says that “Holy Eucharist (is) the principle act of worship on the Lord’s Day”, and

Whereas, there are churches in our Diocese who do not have and/or cannot afford to have a full time priest, or even a part-time priest

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Bishop, being the chief liturgical officer, in conjunction with the Deans of Convocations ensure that monthly celebration of the Holy Eucharist be offered for every church in the Diocese.

Substitute Resolution: #4 (as amended)

From: Marion Kanour, John Lane, Fran McCoy, Bob Miller, Scott Russell, Joan Boyd Short, Al Weed, Carter Brothers, B. Kris Kramer, Jim Gilman / Resolutions Committee

Concerning: Unity and Diversity

Whereas in our baptismal covenant we vow to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being; and,

Whereas we are aware that there are those among us who are denied full inclusion in our Church and in our society based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, differently abled and/or age; and

Whereas we are committed to addressing all that divides us as Episcopalians, as Anglicans and as citizens of God's world, to unite what can be united and to find ways to live with the discomfort of what divides us;

Therefore be it resolved that we, of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, affirm our desire for the full inclusion of all God's people in our Church and in our society; and

Be it further resolved that we recognize that this position puts a strain on the bonds of affection that hold the Anglican Communion together and so we also affirm our continued commitment to the Anglican Communion, pledging to seek reconciliation and healing wherever there is a division over this or any other issue in order to demonstrate the reconciling power of our Lord Jesus Christ to the world around us, and

Be it further resolved that we commit ourselves to a year-long intentional dialogue within our convocations and diocese, seeking creative ways to celebrate our unity and to tolerate our diversity, calling on the diocese to provide some structure for dialogue; and, we indicate our hope that our creative responses might be a focus for the 88th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia.

Resolution: #5

From: The Rev. Deborah Hunley and co-sponsored by The Rev. John Lane, The Rev. Russell Hatfield, The Rev. Scott Russell, The Rev. Doug Wigner, The Rev. Susan Bentley, The Rev. Helen Beasley, The Rev. Stephen Stanley, The Rev. Dr. Robert Copenhaver

Concerning: Global Reconciliation and 0.7% Giving for International Development

Resolved: that the 87th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia endorse and embrace the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which pledge to:

1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2) achieve universal primary education

3) promote gender equality and empower women

4) reduce child mortality

5) improve maternal health

6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

7) ensure environmental stability, and

8) develop a global partnership for development; and

Be It Further Resolved that this Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, as a part of fulfilling its call to "restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ," and in accordance with the challenge set forth by the 73rd and 74th General Conventions (2000 and 2003) and the 1998 Lambeth Conference:

1) set a goal to begin in 2007 to give a minimum of 0.7% of the annual diocesan budget to fund international development programs, directing the diocesan Executive Board to include this provision in the proposed budget for 2007;

2) challenge all communities of faith in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia to give a minimum of 0.7% of their budgets to international development programs; and

3) challenge all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia to give a minimum of 0.7% of their income to international development programs; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Bishop of Southwestern Virginia appoint a diocesan Global Reconciliation Task Force (GRTF), whose charge will include (but not be limited to):

1) making informed recommendations to the Bishop and Diocesan Council about the disbursement of these funds;

2) building an accessible database of and facilitating connections among all ministries in the diocese engaged in world mission and international development; and

3) providing opportunities for education about and engagement with works of global reconciliation, including using our connections in the Anglican Communion to build relationships with people and communities in the developing world; and

Be It Further Resolved that all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia be encouraged to contact their elected representatives urging them to support the United States government's fulfillment of its commitment to fund international development aid at 0.7% of the U.S. gross national product (GNP); and that the Secretary of Council write the President of the United States and each of the members of the U.S. Congress representing the several communities of the Diocese, that the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia, meeting in Council, urges them to support the United States government's fulfillment of its commitment to funding international development aid at 0.7% of U.S. GNP.

Rationale:

We can debate the statistics on how many people worldwide die needlessly every day because food and basic health care are not available to them. Can it be as many as 60,000, as some say? Or is it “only” 25,000? Whatever the number, it is too high. The suffering of the world calls out to us, and we are shamed by the conditions which those who live in extreme poverty must endure.

At the General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Denver in 2000, bishops and deputies adopted a resolution encouraging dioceses, congregations and individuals to commit 0.7% of budgeted income to development programs that would benefit the poor of the world. Later that fall, all 189 members of the United Nations adopted a set of eight goals for cutting global poverty in half by 2015, with developed nations, including the United States, committing to dedicate 0.7% of GNP annually to achieve those goals. And in Minneapolis in 2003, the General Convention adopted Resolution D006, again embracing the 0.7% giving target as well as the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Currently, the United States gives the greatest absolute amount of official development assistance but comes in last among the 20 richest industrialized nations in terms of percentage of national income given -- less than 0.1%. We can join with other faith communities in setting an example by supporting the goal of giving 0.7% of our own annual budget to international development.

It is especially appropriate at this time, when both our nation and our church are experiencing strained relationships with our sisters and brothers around the globe, that we commit in a tangible way to works of love, mercy and reconciliation on a global scale.

The existence of a Global Reconciliation Task Force (GRTF) in our diocese would help further this work and deepen it beyond the important initial financial level. Many congregations and individuals are currently engaged in ministry in the developing world, yet communication among these ministries is infrequent. The GRTF would be able to forge connections among congregations and ministries, provide service opportunities for interested Episcopalians, and highlight where the gaps are for people or communities who want to start something new. The GRTF could also build relationships with larger organizations in the church who are trying to create national networks of support.

The GRTF would also prevent this from becoming a line item in our annual budget without our personal engagement.

Substitute Resolution #6

From: Resolutions Committee

Concerning: The Windsor Report

Whereas Bishop Neff Powell directed that all parishes undertake a study of the Windsor Report; and

Whereas the House of Bishops, meeting at Camp Allen, TX, on March 15, 2005, issued a statement which 1) reaffirmed the House of Bishops continuing commitment to remain in and participate fully in the Anglican Communion; 2) expressed deep regret for the pain caused by some actions taken at the General Convention of 2003 and offered “sincerest apology and repentance for” any failure to consult adequately with our Anglican partners before taking those actions; 3) pledged not to consent to the consecration of any person to the Episcopate until the General Convention of 2006; 4) pledged not to initiate a policy of blessing same sex unions or of preparing public rites for such blessing, at least until the General Convention of 2006; 5) pledged not to cross diocesan boundaries to provide Episcopal ministry and at the same time asked our Anglican partners to “effect a moratorium on any further interventions”; 6) recognized the “intentionality and seriousness of the Primates” invitation to the Episcopal Church to refrain voluntarily from having its delegates participate” in various Anglican assemblies; and

Whereas the Bishops made the commitment to work throughout the Communion to eradicate virulent diseases and achieve development goals, and to take every opportunity to maintain a full and open dialogue on the differences arising from our diverse cultures, in a collaborative partnership in our shared mission in Christ.

Therefore Be It Resolved that the 87th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia support the House of Bishops’ statement of March 15, 2005, and dedicate itself in the spirit of Christ’s love to continue its work and relationships with the various provinces of the Anglican Communion.

Therefore Be It Further Resolved that the 87th Annual Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia memorialize the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, although we as a diocese still remain divided on many issues concerning the Windsor Report, heartily commend the House of Bishops for the actions it has taken over the past year, in regard to the concerns of the wider Anglican Communion while still remaining faithful to the polity of the Episcopal Church, United States of America.

Resolution: #7

Substitute Resolution #7

From: Resolutions Committee

Concerning: Voting At Council

The Resolution as amended was tabled and referred to the Executive Board.

Resolution #8

Substitute Resolution #8 (as amended)

From: Resolutions Committee

Concerning: Diocesan Budget Process

Whereas the Roanoke Convocation expressed concerns over the procedure for the development of the annual diocesan budget, and

Whereas the Roanoke Convocation’s concerns pertain to, but are not limited to, this year’s shortfall and the need to possibly borrow funds to avoid programmatic and staff reductions pertaining thereto,

Now therefore be it resolved by the 87th Council of the Diocese of Southwestern Virginia that an ad hoc committee be appointed by the Executive Board of the Diocese to fully study the budget process and to made recommendations to the Executive Board. This ad hoc committee will be comprised of no more than ten members not paid by the Diocese (of those 10, each Convocation will elect on representative to serve on the committee). In addition, it would include no more than two advisory members from the diocesan staff. Such a study would include but not be limited to:

• The timing of the budget discussion at Council
• The budget year itself – fiscal year vs. calendar year
• The timing of the meeting of the annual Council
• Further communication with delegates, alternates, convocations, and parishes about the budget process as it is ongoing
• Moving budgeting to a multiple years process
• The feasibility of establishing a financial crisis decision making process

This committee’s preliminary report will go to convocations at the end of April and the final report, with input from convocations, will be submitted to the Executive Board by June 1, 2006.

Resolution #9

From: Abingdon Convocation

Concerning: The Budget

The Resolution failed.

Resolution #10

From: The Rev. Richard Jones

Concerning: The Rev. Marc Nikkel

Whereas a celebration of the life of Marc Nikkel was held September, 2005 in Lexington, Virginia,

Be it resolved that this Council reaffirms its past request that the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church designate September 3 as a day to remember Marc Nikkel, Missionary in Sudan; and

Be It Further Resolved that the Secretary of Council is instructed to communicate this response to the Standing Commission to the 75th General Convention.