Diocese of Nebraska

Council Business Minutes 2015

Annual Council 2015 Midtown Holiday Inn, Grand Island Nebraska

October 15-17, 2015 Thursday October 15, 2015 2:00 – 9:00 p.m. Early Arrivals & Check-Ins 6:00 p.m. Choral Evensong and Benediction

St. Stephen’s 422 West 2nd. St. Grand Island NE 68801

7:00 p.m. Reception at St. Stephen’s - Dinner on your own Bishop’s Closet open at St. Stephen’s

Special Group Meetings as necessary ______________________________________________________________________________ Friday October 14, 2015 Vendors Open all day in Hotel Atrium. 7:30 a.m. Check in 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast with your Small Group at assigned tables in the Grand Royal Ballroom 9:10 a.m. Morning Worship with Music 9:25 a.m. Bishop’s Address 9:50 a.m. Small Group Discussions 10:00 a.m. Break & Snacks 10:20 a.m. BUSINESS SESSION I 10:30 a.m. FIRST ELECTION BALLOT 11:10 a.m. Keynote Address – The Rev. Deacon Susanne Watson Epting 12:10 p.m. Noonday Grace 12:15 p.m. Box Lunch 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Workshops (Listed on next page) 2:00 p.m. Small Group Discussion 2:15 p.m. BUSINESS MEETING II 2:30 p.m. Treasurer's Report - Adopt 2016 Budget 3:00 p.m. Reports and Presentations 4:00 p.m. Meeting Adjourns for the day - Snack available 5:30 p.m. Festival Eucharist

St. Paul’s ELCA 1515 S. Harrison St. Grand Island, NE 68803 AA Meeting following the Eucharist

7:00 p.m. Tailgate Party with Cash Bar - Dinner Buffet – Musical Entertainment – DJ Rick Webb

______________________________________________________________________________ Saturday October 17, 2015 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in the Grand Royal Ballroom and Small Group Discussions Women’s Ministries Breakfast in the Boardroom (Bring your breakfast) 8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 8:45 a.m. Project Resource Presentation 9:00 a.m. Small Group Discussions 9:30 a.m. BUSINESS MEETING III 11:15 a.m. Adjourn

COUNCIL REGISTRATION 2015 ALLIANCE, St. Matthew’s

Coke McClure, Clergy

Cheryl Harris, Clergy

Kristy Dietrich, Delegate

Rick Deans, Delegate

Kathy Graham, Alternate

Charles Plantz, Alternate

Bill Reno, Visitor

Sandi Reno, Visitor

ARAPAHOE, St. Paul’s

Rick Deans, Delegate

Ashley Groves, Delegate

Corey Groves, Alternate

BASSETT, St. Mary’s

Randy Goeke, Clergy

Jan With, Clergy

Mike Skulavik, Delegate

Linda Bauger, Delegate

BEATRICE, Christ Church

Marilyn Hasemann, Clergy

BELLEVUE, Holy Spirit

Tom Jones, Clergy

Joan Wood, Clergy

Kim Clup, Delegate

Vic Culp, Delegate

Sharon Jones, Delegate

Corey Hagen, Delegate

Michele Hagen, Delegate

Daunte Hagen, Child

Darius Hagen, Child

Isaiah Hagen, Child

Olivia Hagen, Child

Stuart Wood, Guest

BLAIR, St. Mary’s

John Symonds, Clergy

Amy Purdy, Delegate

BROKEN BOW, St. John’s

Mary Jane Gockley, Clergy

Carol Werley, Delegate

CENTRAL CITY, Christ Church

Anne Burke, Delegate

CHARDON, Grace Church

Russ Seger, Clergy

Roy Fitzgibbon, Delegate

Lynn Fitzgibbon, Delegate

COLUMBUS, Grace Church

Ellie Thober, Clergy

COZAD, St. Christopher’s

None Available

CREIGHTON, St. Mark’s

Karen Juzenas, Clergy

Harold Juzenas, Guest

CRETE, Trinity Memorial

Christine Grosh, Clergy

DE WITT, St. Augustine’s

None Available

ELKHORN, St. Augustine

Benedict Varnum, Clergy

David Holmquist, Clergy

Dave Fritson, Delegate

Noelle Ptomey, Delegate

Sandra Squires, Delegate

Sammy Reagan, Ex-Officio

FALLS CITY, St. Thomas

Larry Parrish, Clergy

Steve Sherrow, Delegate

Becki Sherrow, Alternate

FREMONT, St. James

Maureen May, Clergy

Marcia Musson, Delegate

GORDON, St. Mark’s

Betty Blackcrow, Delegate

Darwin Long, Alternate

Loretta Kacere, Visitor

Michael Kacere, Visitor

GRAND ISLAND, St. Stephen’s

Robert Lewis, Clergy

David Stoddard, Clergy

Rich Webb, Delegate

Roxie Webb, Delegate

Byron Moore, Delegate

Leslie Lewis, Alternate

Kathy Stoddard, Guest

HARRISBURG, Good Shepherd

None Available

HARVARD, St. John’s

Melvin Sukup, Delegate

HASTINGS, St. Mark’s Pro Cathedral

Catherine Scott, Clergy

Clint Schwenk, Delegate

Story Schwenk, Delegate

Mary Helen Edwards, Delegate

HOLDREGE, St. Elizabeth’s

Karen Watson, Clergy

Holli Rich, Delegate

HYANNIS, Calvary Church

Coke McClure, Clergy

Sharon Applegarth, Delegate

Jim Applegarth, Alternate

KEARNEY, St. Luke’s

Jerry Ness, Clergy

Colleen Lewis, Clergy

Charles Peek, Clergy

Jason Barney, Delegate

Cindy Dennis, Delegate

Nancy Peek, Guest

KIMBALL, St. Hilda’s

Chris Plantz, Clergy

LEXINGTON, St. Peter’s

Linda Nielsen, Delegate

LINCOLN, Holy Trinity

Susanna DesMarais, Clergy

Dr. John Long, Clergy

Dan Coffman, Clergy

David Bloomquist, Delegate

Sarah “Sally” Bates, Delegate

Nancy Coffman, Guest

Jacob Manyang, Vendor and Delegate

LINCOLN, St. David’s

Tim Anderson, Clergy

Sarah Grubb, Clergy

Carla Anderson, Delegate

Sherril Whitaker, Delegate

LINCOLN, St. Mark’s on the Campus

Jerry Thompson, Clergy

Gretchen Naugle, Clergy

Connie Backus-Yoder, Delegate

Ron Naugle, Guest

LINCOLN, St. Matthew’s

Rich Kelly, Clergy

Bob Snow, Clergy

Jan Jacob, Delegate

Heather Bauer, Delegate

Steve Foral, Delegate

Susan Kriz, Delegate

Jeff Sneller, Delegate

Ron Jacob, Alternate

Ellen Snow, Visitor

John Jones, Visitor

Paula Jones, Visitor

McCOOK, St. Alban’s

Brad Brauer, Clergy

Daniel Stramel, Delegate

Marilyn Brandt, Delegate

Leslie Stramel, Visitor

MITCHELL, Holy Apostles

Sheryl Kester-Beyer, Clergy

Angie Jones, Clergy

Sandra Raney, Delegate

MULLEN, St. Joseph’s

None Available

NEBRASKA CITY, St. Mary’s

Phil Chapman, Clergy

Diana Chapman, Delegate

NORFOLK, Trinity Church

Bob Schlismann, Clergy

Polly Brooks, Delegate

Brad Brooks, Delegate

Carol Schlismann, Delegate

Gloria Brown, Delegate

NORTH PLATTE, Our Savior

Jeffrey Nelson, Clergy

Renee Sullivan, Delegate

Shari Shore, Delegate

Jenny Salestrom, Delegate

Marcia Mapes, Delegate

Wesley Smith, Guest

OGALLALA, St. Paul’s

None Available

OMAHA, All Saints

Marisa Thomposn, Clergy

Bryan Peterson, Clergy

Lynne Bacon, Clergy

Stephanie Ulrich, Clergy

Bob Brown, Clergy

Roy Phillips, Delegate

Fred Ulrich, Delegate

Craig O’Connor, Delegate

Bob Morley, Delegate

Gary Tesar, Delegate

Eloise Tesar, Delegate

Sam Brown, Alternate

OMAHA, Church of the Resurrection

Jason Emerson, Clergy

Juanita Johnson, Clergy

Ruth Jaynes, Clergy

Lesley Dean, Delegate

Brianne Kemp, Delegate

OMAHA, St. Andrew’s

John Schaefer, Clergy

John Adams, Clergy

Camille Culp, Delegate

Andy Hawekotte, Delegate

Shaun Rife, Delegate

Wayne Culp, Guest

OMAHA, St. Martin of Tours

Kim Roberts, Clergy

Lynn Martin, Delegate

Jim Martin, Visitor

OMAHA, Trinity Cathedral

Craig Loya, Clergy

Sarah Miller, Clergy

Debbie Andrews, Delegate

Teresa Houser, Delegate

Erin VanZee, Delegate

John Williamson, Delegate

Michael Duffy, Delegate

OSHKOSH, St. George’s

None Available

PAPILLION, St. Martha’s

Ernesto Medina, Clergy

Nancy Huston, Clergy

Beth Agar, Delegate

Jean Kral, Delegate

Shawn Bean, Delegate

PLATTSMOUTH, St. Luke’s

Mavis Hall, Clergy

Ellen Olson, Clergy

Mike Hall, Delegate

Merlin Olson, Delegate

RUSHVILLE, St. Mary’s Holly

Bill Graham, Clergy

Kit Mackenzie, Delegate

SCOTTSBLUFF, St. Francis

Mark Selvey, Clergy

Karen Anderson, Clergy

Jerry Leonard, Delegate

Steve Trickler, Delegate

Jane Syre, Delegate

SEWARD, St. Andrew’s

Pam Williams, Clergy

Verneda Kelly, Clergy

Donna Koenig, Delegate

Marilyn Engler, Delegate

SIDNEY, Christ Church

Tar Drazdowski, Clergy

Bob Cook, Clergy

Beth Fiegenschuh, Delegate

Marian Cook, Alternate

Jim Drazdowski, Guest

TECUMSEH, Grace Church

None Available

VALENTINE, St. John’s

None Available

DIOCESE STAFF

The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Clergy

The Rev. Canon Liz Easton, Clergy

Archdeacon Betsy Bennett, Clergy

Beth Byrne, Director of Finance

Lindsey Rowe, Diocesan Administrator

VISITORS & GUESTS

Susanne Watson-Epting – Keynote Speaker

Proceedings of the The 148th ANNUAL COUNCIL of the Diocese of Nebraska

Held at the Midtown Holiday Inn Grand Island, Nebraska

October 16-17, 2015

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 The 148th Annual Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska was held at the Midtown Holiday Inn, in Grand Island, Nebraska on October 16 and 17, the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Eleventh Bishop of Nebraska, presiding. The day was started with breakfast in small groups at assigned tables. Small Group Discussions – Getting Acquainted 1 – What is your name and your parish? Is there a story behind your name?

2 – Over the course of your day, what “tools” do you rely on the most?

3 – What gift can you consistently count on receiving at church every Sunday?

The meeting opened with Morning Worship lead by The Rev. Deacon Rich Kelly and Music lead by The Rev. Ernesto Medina. Call to Order and Welcome

There was an introduction and Welcome from The Rev. Robert Lewis of St. Stephen’s, Grand Island.

Bishop’s Address: The Bishop addressed the Council. A full version can be found at the end of the proceedings. Small Group Discussions – Responding to the Bishop’s Address 1 – Can you share a “snapshot” of a moment in the life of your church that made you proud?

2 – What did you hear in the Bishop’s Address that gave you hope?

BUSINESS SESSION I

General Announcements Exhibits in the atrium, chapel in Suite 114 Council Committee Appointments Bishop Barker referred the Council to the following list of appointments in the Council Book on page 9. Committee on Elections – Bryan Peterson, Chair Dispatch of Business – Tom Jones, Chair Committee on Arrangements – Lindsey Rowe, Chair, & People of St. Stephens’s Credentials – Chris Plantz Courtesy Resolutions – Jeffrey Nelson Parliamentarian – Woody Bradford

Report on Credentials Bishop Barker called upon The Rev. Chris Plantz for a report of the Committee on Credentials. Plantz Reported that a quorum was present: 44/52 parishes represented; 77 delegates; 64/82 clergy present Election of Secretary and Treasurer Secretary – Liz Easton. By acclamation Treasurer – Sammy Reagan. By acclamation Report of Committee on Elections Bryan Peterson, Chair of the Elections Committee, presented to the members of Council the vacancies needing to be filled on the Standing Committee, Executive Commission, and the Disciplinary Board. Peterson explained the process of voting and answered questions of the Council. Balloting took place. Clergy Changes The Rev. Canon Liz Easton

Priests Ordained Since Last Council: The Rev. John Adams (serving St. Andrew’s, Omaha)

The Rev. Verneda Kelly (Serving St. Andrew’s, Seward)

Priests Serving in Nebraska from other Denominations: The Rev. Chris Kester-Beyer (Serving Holy Apostles, Mitchell)

The Rev. Sheryl Kester-Beyer (Serving Holy Apostles, Mitchell)

Transitional Deacons Ordained: The Rev. Pam Williams (serving St. Andrew’s, Seward)

Deacons Ordained: The Rev. Bryan Peterson (serving All Saints in Omaha) The Rev. Joan Wood (serving Church of the Holy Spirit)

Priests Transferred to Other Dioceses by Letters Dimissory: The Rev. Tom O’Dell – Diocese of Western Michigan

The Rev. Lara Shine – Diocese of Pennsylvania

Priests Received from Other Dioceses by Letters Dimissory The Rev. Tar Drazdowski – Serving Christ Church, Sidney

The Rev. Marisa Thompson – Serving All Saints, Omaha

The Rev. Benedict Varnum – Serving St. Augustine’s, Omaha

New Bishop’s Society Curate The Rev. Sarah Miller (serving Trinity Cathedral in Omaha)

Priests Retired: The Rev. Craig Gavin (moved to Diocese of Pennsylvania)

The Rev. Canon Judi Yeates

Priests Received from Churches in Covenant Relationship:

None (Since last council)

Priests Serving in Nebraska but Canonically Resident in Other Diocese:

The Rev. Canon Tim Vann

Deacons Retired:

None (Since last council)

Priests Inhibited or Reinstated:

None (Since last council)

Introduce Seminarians:

Diaconate:

Teresa Houser

Priesthood:

Tony Anderson

Kyle Martindale

Keith Winton

Parish Changes since Council:

All Saint’s, Omaha – Welcomed their new rector, the Rev. Marisa Tabizon Thompson, on August 1, 2015. Elkhorn, St. Augustine’s – Welcomed their new rector, the Rev. Benedict Varnum, in July, 2015 Fremont, St. James – In Transition Mitchell, Holy Apostles’ – Welcomed their new (ELCA) pastors, The Rev’s Chris and Sheryl Kester Beyer on June 1, 2015. Seward, St. Andrew’s – Welcomed their Co-Pastors, The Rev’s Verneda Kelly and Pam Williams in August, 2015. Sidney, Christ Church – Welcomed the Rev. Tar Drazdowski, as Priest-in-Charge, as of November, 2014. Mother Drazdowski also serves the Diocese of Nebraska as Vicar-for-Mission. Other Clergy Changes—Refer to Council Booklet Priests Deceased, Deacons Deceased, Prayer for Deceased: Priests Deceased Since Last Council:

The Rev. Larry Jaynes The Rev. Ed Newberry

The Rev. Cal Hedelson The Rev. W. J. Barnds

Deacons Deceased Since Last Council: The Rev. Deacon John Titus The Rev. Deacon Dorothy “Dottie” Wolfe Let us pray. Eternal Lord God, you old all souls in life: Give to your whole church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Introduction of Workshop leaders: Teresa Houser – Friends of Tamar (Suitcase Project) The Rev. Deacon Susanne Watson Epting – Future of the Diaconate

Keynote Address Deacon Susanne Watson Epting has been ordained for 26 years. Until recently she served as director of

the Association for Episcopal Deacons, having held that position for nearly ten years.

In 1981 she began work as an assistant in campus ministry at the University of Iowa, and as lay

coordinator of a small Episcopal congregation in the same city. She was ordained to the diaconate in

1989 after completing graduate work, studying the Social Gospel era in America, along with causes and

understandings of social inequality. At that time she became both coordinator of an HIV counseling and

testing program at a free clinic and the director for the Diocesan Institute of Christian Studies.

Active over many years in ministry development, Susanne eventually became Canon to the Ordinary,

working with individuals and congregations, as well as in deployment and discernment.

Susanne has also served as President of the North American Association for the Diaconate, Chair of the

Living Stones Diocesan Partnership and board member of a ministry known as Worshipful Work. She

remains involved in ministry development doing both consulting and teaching.

Susanne served on the Primates’ Task Force on Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (2003-

2007), as well as a similar task force on theological education in The Episcopal Church called Proclaiming

Education for All (PEALL). From 2005-2008, she was part of the Anglican Communion delegation to the

United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She also edited a “Beijing Circles Resource

Booklet” which addresses issues for women worldwide in a theological reflection context. Recently she

has been facilitating online courses with the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and learning the

wonders of operating a letterpress. She loves baseball, and happily shares life with her spouse,

Christopher, and a small menagerie.

Noonday Grace and Boxed Lunch

Workshops WORKSHOP ONE: The Rev. Deacon Susanne Watson Epting – Unexpected Consequences – The Diaconate Renewed Susanne Watson Epting’s book, Unexpected Consequences – The Diaconate Renewed was released by

Morehouse Publishing in the spring of 2015. Susanne served as a board member of the Association for

Episcopal Deacons for eight years and as its director for ten. Susanne’s workshop will be an extension of

her keynote address.

WORKSHOP TWO: Teresa Houser – Friends of Tamar (Suitcase Project) The Friends of Tamar is an outreach program of Trinity Cathedral that seeks to support women who

experienced sexual, domestic, or intimate partner violence in all its forms. In addition to providing

short-term assistance, we are pursuing avenues to address systemic causes as well. The name comes

from the biblical story of the rape of Tamar (2 Samuel 13: 1-22). The passage concludes with Tamar in

desolation, forced to leave her home after the assault. Instead, we envision a more redemptive end to

the story, with the community surrounding her with love and support as she begins her new

life. Following our conference theme, is your congregation’s lamp lit and are you dressed for action if

the Tamar’s in your community need support in the aftermath of violence? Join us for this workshop to

explore ways that you can begin or strengthen your community’s response to violence against women.

Small Group Session Three – Checking in after workshops

1- What was the best “take away” from your lunch-time workshop?

2- Tell us about a place in your local community where Jesus is in need? Is that need being met?

BUSINESS MEETING II

Report from the Election Committee Bryan Peterson reported the following people were elected: Standing Committee:

The Rev. Ernesto Medina, St. Martha’s Papillion – Clergy Jane Wisniewski, St. Francis Scottsbluff - Lay

Executive Commission: The Rev. Phil Chapman, St. Mary’s Nebraska City – Clergy The Rev. Tar Drazdowski, Christ Church Sidney – Clergy Kristy Dietrich, St. Matthew’s Alliance – Lay Erin Sloan, St. Augustine’s Elkhorn - Lay

Disciplinary Board: David Gardels, Trinity Cathedral Omaha - Lay

Treasurer’s Report Sammy Reagan reported that just like in years past it has been another great year in the Diocese of Nebraska. Mission and Ministry continue to be of high importance and the best ministry happens at the local level. A Strong financial diocese can provide resources where needed. We would not be where we are today if not for the faithful commitment of our parishes accepting and paying their full faith asking.

Over the past 5 years the budget committee has reviewed the faith asking formula with an eye to reducing the percentage asked of the parishes. The reductions happened primarily because of the greater number of the parishes accepting and paying their full faith asking. Sammy also talked about the impact of the Bishop’s Society for Clergy Excellence. Beth Byrne opened with a prayer. She began by saying that the Diocese is in great financial condition. 2014 is very similar to 2013 except that we didn’t’ have as great of a year in our investment returns. Beth then went over the graphs to show the big picture of the Diocese of Nebraska, Bishop & Trustees and the Bishop Clarkson Episcopal Foundation, the three legal entities that are what we call “The Diocese” Beth also gave an update on the Bishop’s Society to Advance Clergy Excellence, since the inception three years ago, gifts actually received are $336,527 with commitments in the next two years of $165,253 which includes another matching grant from the Lauritzen Foundation. Beth reviewed the Proposed Budget that is found on Page 54 of the Annual Council Business Booklet and turned it over to the Bishop for a Vote. The motion was made and seconded to approve the Financial Report and the Operating Budget. Motion Carried. Beth added a few additional items to go over:

We need you to get your parochial report submitted no later than May 1. We are starting to use

this information to help us in many different ways. So your compliance in this area would be

greatly appreciated.

Video inventories are very useful in case of disaster. Get it done before disaster happens.

Employee Benefits – In the process of trying to capture all the employees in the diocese we have

found some deficiencies in complying with mandated employee benefits.

o First clergy pension rules apply to all priests or deacons no matter the role they serve.

Also if a cleric is paid more than $200 a month for three or more consecutive months,

you must pay pension assessments for this cleric.

o When you hire a new employee no matter what the hours are call or email me. We

need to capture them into a database and I can help you comply with the employee

benefit rules.

Don’t forget audits are required every year. Audit by committee using the Manual of Business

Methods for Church Affairs is a great way to get that done. Financial Statements should be

included with the audit.

Budgets – Don’t forget to include Prayer in Your Budget Process.

I am here as a resource along with the Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs. You can

find that on our website or the National Church website. There is also a new resource by Church

Insurance “Safety & Insurance – Handbook for Churches”. This can be found on the CPG

website. If you can’t find it let me know.

Report from Legislative Committee Woody Bradford, Chancellor – No reports this year Report from Resolutions Committee The Rev. Ernesto Medina – No reports this year Bishop’s Appointments Appointed at Council to take office following this year’s Council. Legislation Committee: Woody Bradford David Gardels Nancy Huston Tom Jones Committee to Review the Minutes: Elizabeth Easton Lindsey Rowe Bishop and Trustees: Under provisions of Article XV of the Constitution of the Diocese, I nominate the following Trustees to serve for 3-year terms. David Urbom The Rev. Marisa Thompson Commission on Ministry: Under provisions of Canon 6 of the Constitution/Canons of the Diocese, I nominate the following to serve for 3-year terms on the Commission on Ministry. The following person’s terms expire in 2015. They are eligible for re-appointment to terms that expire in 2018: The Rev. Ellie Thober Dave Hendricks The Rev. Nancy Huston Paul Van Dyne Executive Commission: Under provisions of Canon 5 (3) of the Constitutions/Canons of the Diocese, I nominate the following to serve for 3-year terms on the Executive Commission. The following appointed terms expire in 2015, and are eligible for re-appointment to a 3-year term ending in 2018: The Rev. John Symonds Bill Brush Under provisions of Title I, Canon 3, Section 5(b), I appoint Chancellor – Dana “Woody” Bradford Church Attorney – Joe Jones Archdeacon – Betsy Blake Bennett

Diocesan Committee Chairs: Camp Canterbury – Noelle Ptomey Clergy Compensation – John Schaefer Commission on Ministry – Margaret Schaefer Commission on Scouting – Wes Agar Committee on Elections – In Transition Disaster Preparedness – Wes Agar and Charles Plantz Ecumenical Relations - Tim Anderson Education for Ministry – Ernesto Medina Episcopal Relief and Development – Christine Plantz Global Mission – Karen Watson and Tar Drazdowski Historiographer – Jo Behrens Legislation – Dana “Woody” Bradford Province VI Rep: Chris Plantz Recovery Ministry – Sr. Elizabeth Sojourner and Nancy Benton-Brown Stewardship Chair – In Transition The Nebraska Episcopalian – Keith Winton UTO – Kathy Graham Women’s Ministry – Christine Grosh Approved by acclamation Noelle Ptomey presented a video on the Camp Canterbury 2015 camp experiences. The video illustrated the activities enjoyed by the youth and adults at camp. Presentation about UTO – Kathy Grahamand Sandra Squires Presentation of Bishop’s Cross: The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Easton for Woody Bradford The Rev. Mark Selvey for The Rev. Bill Graham Announcements Gift cards, etc. Directions to church, Snacks outside of ballroom. AA Meeting – St. Paul’s in the Garden Room. Collection from the Eucharist will go to the Friends of Tamar. Festival Eucharist: St. Paul’s – ELCA AA Meeting following in St. Paul’s Garden Room “Tailgate Party” Buffet and Cash Bar Holiday Inn Midtown – Hosted by The Rev. Robert Lewis with fun music by DJ Rich Webb

Saturday, October 11 The Women’s Ministries group met for Breakfast in the Boardroom There was Music and a Slideshow during Breakfast and the Small Groups gathered. Small Groups Session Four – First Thing 1 – If you had $1,000,000 to give away, what would you do with it?

2 – Has there been a moment at Council so far where you have felt the clear presence of God?

3 – What “tweet” would best describe your experience at Annual Council so far (140 character or less)?

Feel free to actually tweet it using #DioNeb

The Rev. Deacon Colleen Lewis and The Rev. Ernesto Medina lead the group in Morning Prayer. The Rev. Jeffrey Nelson, Char DeWitt, and Keith Winton gave a presentation on Project Resource. Small Groups Session Five – Looking Ahead 1 – What’s the biggest investment / purchase you’ve ever made? Would you do it again?

2 – A year from now, what accomplishment or activity would you love to report on from your local

church? How can we pray about that in the months to come?

3 – What memory will you carry home with you from our time together in Grand Island?

The Rev. Tar Drazdowski gave a presentation on Mission

The Rev. Chris Plantz gave a presentation on Episcopal Relief and Development

BUSINESS MEETING III Reports Accepted by Title The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker directed the Council’s attention to the Reports to be accepted by title. See Page 19 in the Council Book. All were accepted by Title. Bishop & Trustees – The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Easton, Clerk Camp Canterbury – Noelle Ptomey, Camp Director Clarkson College – Louis W. Burgher, M.D., Ph.D., President Clergy Compensation Committee – The Rev. Dr. John Schaefer, Chair Commission on Ministry – Margaret Schaefer, Chair Deacons Report – The Rev. Archdeacon Betsy Bennett The Order of the Daughters of the King – Suzanne Titus, President Nebraska Assembly Diocese Disaster Preparedness – The Rev. Deacon Wes Agar & Charles Plantz, Co-Chair’s Diocesan Archives – Jo Behrens, Historian and Archivist Executive Commission – The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Easton Adult Missions – The Rev. Karen Watson, Coordinator to the DR Vicar for Mission – The Rev. Tar Drazdowski, Vicar for Mission The Nebraska Episcopalian – Keith Winton Recovery Commission – Nancy Brown & Sr. Elizabeth Sojourner, Co-Chair’s Resurrection House – The Rev. Jason Emerson Episcopal Diocesan Committee on Scouting in Nebraska – The Rev. Deacon Wes Agar, Chairman Standing Committee – The Rev. De. John Schaefer, President UTO – Kathy Graham Women’s Ministries – The Rev. Deacon Christine Grosh, Convener Women’s Ministries Youth Outreach – The Rev. Tom Jones

148th Annual Council Courtesy Resolutions Right Reverend Sir, Members of the Council, special guests and visitors, I am honored to present the following Courtesy Resolutions on behalf of the 148th Annual Council of the Diocese of Nebraska: Be it resolved that this 148th Annual Council of the Diocese of Nebraska, meeting in the City of Scottsbluff on October 17th, 2015, does acknowledge, affirm, and express our gratitude: For our Bishop, The Right Reverend J. Scott Baker, whose vision of the Gospel has reached to the corners of this diocese enlivening and renewing this church in Nebraska; and whose Spirit-led creativity has opened new doors for ministry in this diocese; and for the Bishop’s spouse, Annie, whose companionship and love continues to sustain him. For The Right Reverend Joe Burnett and his spouse, Marty Wheeler Burnett, to whom we bring fond greetings as they continue to serve Christ's Church. We pray God’s continued blessings on the bishop’s work in the Diocese of Washington and on Marty’s work in Omaha. For Bishop James Krotz and his spouse, Phyllis, for whom we pray that God may bring health and the rewards of a fruitful retirement to them; and for Marcy Warner, spouse of The Right Reverend James D. Warner, deceased Bishop of Nebraska, whose Spirit-led life and ministry still burns brightly in our collective memory. For the Members of the Council duly elected to represent the parishes of the Diocese of Nebraska, grateful for their many gifts given for the sake of the business of the Council and mindful of their witness to our Lord Jesus Christ through this ministry to the end that all may come to know and love him. For The Reverend Doctor Robert Lewis and the members of St. Stephen’s Church in Grand Island, who served as our hosts during this 148th meeting of the Annual Council, and for the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, who hosted us during the Festive Eucharist, giving heartfelt thanks for gracious hospitality and many acts of kindness and generosity shown us in our time together. For the members of the Diocesan Staff: Lindsey Rowe, Diocesan Administrator, Beth Byrne, Director of Finance, The Reverend Canon Liz Easton, Canon to the Ordinary, and The Venerable Betsy Bennett, Archdeacon of the Diocese, as well as our Chancellor, Woody Bradford, Sammy Reagan our Treasurer, and The Reverend Tom Jones, Dispatch of Business, to whom we give thanks for their tireless labor and committed dedication in making this Annual Council fruitful. For the life and witness of all the faithful departed, but most especially The Rev. Cal Henderson, The Rev. Larry Jaynes, The Rev. Ed Newbury, The Rev. W.J. Barnds, The Rev. John Titus and The Rev. Dottie Wolfe, retired clergy who served in the Diocese of Nebraska, grateful that their faithfulness enriched our common life; and we ask the continued presence of the Holy Spirit to bring comfort and hope to their families and friends, that, casting all their care on the Lord, they may know the consolation of God’s love. For our newly ordained clergy: The Rev. John Adams, The Rev. Verneda Kelly, The Rev. Bryan Peterson, and The Rev. Joan Wood; and for two new clergy serving this diocese from other denominations: The Revs. Chris and Sheryl Kester-Beyer; to these we pledge our prayers that the Holy Spirit would richly bless their labors in these places.

For those clergy who have retired since the last Council, especially The Rev. Craig Gavin, and The Rev. Judi Yeates, grateful for their faithfulness and labors with prayers for a fruitful and enjoyable retirement; and for those clergy to whom we bid farewell as they offer their gifts to other dioceses of this church: The Rev. Tom O’Dell and The Rev. Lara Shine. For those preparing for Holy Orders: Teresa Houser, Tony Anderson, Kyle Martindale, and Keith Winton, with prayers that encouraged by God’s Holy Spirit, they may become to us effective examples in word and action, in love and patience, and in holiness of life. And lastly for our brothers and sisters in our companion dioceses: giving thanks for the people of The Diocese of the Dominican Republic and for Bishop Julio Holguin; and asking God’s protection and peace for the beleaguered and dispersed people of The Diocese of Twic East in the South Sudan and its bishop Ezekiel Ding; for our special guests at this Council, Susanne Watson-Epting, we give thanks and bid them, and all of us, safe travel home that our homecomings may be joyful. And that’s the way it is, Saturday, October 17, 2015 Faithfully submitted by The Reverend Doctor Jeffrey S. F. Nelson+, Church of Our Savior, North Platte, Invitation to the 149th Annual Council in Lincoln 2016 The Rev. Susanna DesMarais of Holy Trinity in Lincoln, issued an invitation to Annual Council on October 6-8, 2016. There being no further business to come before the 148th Annual Council of the Diocese of Nebraska, it was adjourned.

148th Annual Council Address

To the People of the Diocese of Nebraska

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ –

Grace to you and peace, in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It is a joy to stand before you this morning. There is no doubt this gathering of the body is

among the most important, nourishing and delightful celebrations that punctuate the Church year in the

Diocese of Nebraska. Thank you for being here. It is a privilege to be with you.

Here’s my plan for this address: first, some snapshots of this moment in our diocese; second, a

recap of some highlights of the year passed since last we met; and third some hopes and dreams for our

future together in the year and years to come. Before launching into all that, I want to offer a word of

thanks to Father Robert Lewis, his staff and all the people of Saint Stephen’s here in Grand Island. That

team has been exceptionally gracious and helpful as we’ve worked to plan and coordinate the events of

this council. Saint Stephen’s: please accept the deep gratitude of the people of the Diocese of Nebraska

for welcoming us to your home this week! We are so glad to be here!

Snapshots

It is a beautiful late summer day, and a team of Nebraska Episcopalians are gathered in a

borrowed Sheridan Country Methodist Church, for a vestry retreat. This is a well-attended event. About

20 or 25 folks have come out this morning, and we’re sitting at tables munching on gooey homemade

cinnamon buns and waiting for the day’s activities to begin. We are men and women both – and of lots

of different ages. For some of the retired folks present this may be the biggest activity on the calendar

this week, for some of the working people present, it’s actually a bit of a hassle to be here, an imposition

to take these hours away from jammed-packed days at work and at home.

Our facilitator suggests we start with some simple introductions. Name, church and ministry

kind of stuff. I go first. Scott Barker. Grew up at All Saints in Omaha. I’m the Bishop. I finish in 15

seconds, and though there are a couple dozen of us there, I figure we’ll whip thru these intros and very

soon get to the real work of the day.

But when we gather in God’s name, and bid the Holy Spirit, “come,” we acknowledge that we’re

not really in control at all, and we invite the possibility that something holy might transpire.

When the next person introduces them self – and the one after that – people quickly depart

from the script they were asked to follow. Deeper stories of life in the parishes represented begin to be

shared. There are recollections of hard times when the people of the church came through with caring

that bore the very love of Christ. There are memories of celebrations – both happy and sad - where

heaven and earth met for a moment in the church. These are heart-felt stories.

It has not been my experience that Nebraska farmers and ranchers are especially sentimental.

Maybe that’s true of Midwesterners in general. We may feel very deeply – but getting emotional is just

a little more self-involved than lots of people around these parts seem to be comfortable with.

No matter. This morning, as people begin to speak the truth about their love for their churches

and the life-changing ways they meet God there - the tears flow freely down the cheeks of men and

women both, town folk and ranch folks alike.

When we gather in God’s name, and bid the Holy Spirit, “come,” we acknowledge that we’re not

really in control at all, and we invite the possibility that something holy might transpire!

It’s Sunday afternoon at Holy Trinity in Lincoln. A team of church staff and longtime church

members are gathered and waiting – keeping watch at the church doors. They are waiting in hope and

expectation. They are waiting with more than a little bit of nervousness. For months, this group has

been working with the local South Sudanese population to arrange for a weekly service of worship at

Holy Trinity in the Dinka language. A handful of South Sudanese Episcopalians have been attending Holy

Trinity for some time – and recently conversations have begun to explore the possibility of a new and

exciting ministry with the larger diaspora community. Would Holy Trinity be open to welcoming a much

larger group of South Sudanese folk? Would it be OK if they worshipped Jesus in a different language?

Would it be OK if there was a little drumming in the Church sanctuary (OK – a lot of drumming!)

We mean it when we say we are brothers and sisters in Jesus – that the bonds formed in

Baptism are indissoluble - that our adoption into the family of God and the body of Christ can bridge any

difference that might divide us and defeat any prejudice that might cause us to stumble. But applying

those truths to real life can be hard work. So the more established members of Holy Trinity – and the

potential Holy Trinity newcomers - have been negotiating and planning for weeks. Will real concerns

about sharing building space, and maintaining a sense of decorum and tradition be respected? Will

deep hopes around being welcomed with open arms and hearts be met?

At the appointed hour, just a couple folks show up at the church door. But then a few more.

Before you know it – on the first Sunday of this new endeavor - there are sixty people – men, women

and children – all singing and praying to Jesus in Dinka and all scrunched up together as if to stay warm

at the front of the vast space at Holy Trinity.

There are one hundred people at the lunch served in the parish hall following the service!

We mean it when we say we are brothers and sisters in Jesus – that the bonds formed in

Baptism are indissoluble … that our adoption into the family of God and the body of Christ can bridge

any difference that might divide us and defeat any prejudice that might cause us stumble.

It’s noontime at the Cathedral in Downtown Omaha. It’s Wednesday, and that means its

Downtown Episcopal Outreach day. There’s a sign out on the Cathedral sidewalk every Wednesday – it

just says “DEO” and “Open.” Nobody knows who will come. Nobody knows what they will need.

Nobody makes reservations or takes a count to know how many people to cook for or how many take-

out boxes to stock or how many pairs of socks to buy.

In our Baptismal vows we promise to seek and serve Christ in ALL persons – and to love our

every neighbor as ourselves. That’s the foundation of DEO – the audacious hope of this ministry. Can

an old-school, big tradition, King’s-English Cathedral Church become a truly welcoming sanctuary for all

comers in the name of Jesus?

At mid-morning about ten people from a local parish drive downtown and start cooking. There

are grannies and grade-schoolers both at the stove and serving stations. Today it’s homemade

enchiladas and tossed salad. As ever, there is fresh, gourmet ice-cream from a famous downtown shop

that donates dessert every week. Today there are five flavors, including Maple – Bacon.

Starting at noon, homeless folks, cathedral staff members, downtown office workers – a teacher

who drove over from the local Catholic girls school – all line up to eat … and they all sit together and mix

it up at tables where there is a feast of great food, deep conversation and prayerful support all three.

After lunch a few men step out onto the tiny patch of church lawn by the DEO sign. They sit in small

groups or lie alone in the autumn sun. They chat, and smoke. Some snooze in the shade before starting

their walk back to the shelter where they will spend the night.

In our Baptismal vows we promise to seek and serve Christ in all persons – and love our every

neighbor as ourselves. That’s the foundation of DEO – the audacious hope of this ministry. Can an old-

school, big tradition, kings English Cathedral Church become a truly welcoming sanctuary for all comers

… in the name of Jesus?

The guys on the lawn say “yes.”

Part of the purpose of this gathering is to share stories of our successes in ministry and so

encourage one another. These “snapshots” are merely representative … dozens of additional and

wonderful stories might easily be shared this morning from congregations both large and small all over

the state. I hope these stories help us all to take heart. We still have work to do to face the challenges

of church shrink and cultural change now before us, but God is at work, and we are seeing some super

successes in this Diocese of Nebraska!

When Episcopalians in a community are really, truly praying every day, and reading their Bibles,

and opening their lives up to God’s Word and Spirit - then we are succeeding in being good disciples.

When Episcopalians in a community are gathering to worship Jesus weekly, and letting Christ’s

real presence in their lives change them for the good, then we are succeeding in being the Church.

When Episcopalians are reaching out to serve their larger communities by feeding the hungry

and housing the homeless and visiting those who are sick and in prison to bear tidings of healing and

freedom … then we are succeeding in doing God’s mission on earth.

Since Last We Met

It’s been a good year here in the Diocese of Nebraska! One might fill the better part of a

morning telling of all the life-giving ways we’re doing mission and ministry here in DioNeb, and fear not -

I won’t! But I do want to share some key highlights of the work we’ve accomplished together since we

gathered in Scottsbluff a year ago.

In the earliest part of 2015 we held joint meetings of our two largest diocesan governing bodies

– the Executive Council and the Bishop & Trustees. This was an experiment to see what it would look

like if those teams and their work were combined into one unified whole. Those were productive and

even exciting meetings. A harbinger, I pray, of things to come.

On a Saturday in February, Trinity Cathedral hosted a second annual “Mutual Ministry Fair.”

People travelled east from all over the diocese to share their “best-practices” in everything from

managing church finances to connecting meaningfully with folks on the margins in mission and service

ministries. That was a helpful gathering for all who attended – and it is now a wonderful, established

new tradition of the diocese.

In March, the clergy of the diocese gathered for our annual retreat. That time of prayer and

renewal is always a highlight for your priests and deacons, perhaps especially this year, as we learned to

apply the principals of community organizing to church work, and experimented with the power of

storytelling to convey the message of the Gospel. On the last night of our time together several priests

told stories about their personal faith journeys. I don’t know that that group has ever laughed harder -

or been more deeply moved - than we were by the stories shared that evening. It was a holy night.

In May and June we held our annual Vocational Inventory Retreat for men and women who

have a sense of calling to ordination, and a bunch of Nebraskans travelled to Topeka for the annual

graduation ceremony of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. That re-vamped retreat and our

participation in the Kemper School are key pieces in our attempt to call, shape and equip great, ordained

leaders for the future church in Nebraska. You can be very proud of that work!

In July you exiled a bunch of us to the Utah desert, where your deputies from the Diocese of

Nebraska represented you at the once every three years General Convention of our Episcopal Church.

You can again be very proud! Our dioceses’ contributions to that gathering included successfully rallying

the Church to do something about climate change … and in leading the fight to finally see Father Hiram

Hisanori Kano included on our church calendar of saints.

Later in July we held a service of deconsecrating at Saint Luke’s in Wymore. Saint Luke’s had a

proud history, bound up with its Welsh heritage and the visits of the “Orphan Trains” to Wymore now a

century ago. That closure brings the number of parish churches in our diocese to 52 – along with two of

three additional smaller worshipping communities that are not yet parishes. 52 strikes me as the

minimum number we’d like to have serving the people of God in this place. That’s a church to pray for

and visit every week of the year. It may be that some of our smallest and most remote parishes close in

the years to come. I invite you here and now my brothers and sisters to start praying – and get excited

about to planting new communities – new incarnations of “church” to keep the garden growing!

In August, we welcomed Deacon Sarah Miller to the diocese. Sarah is our second “Bishop’s

Society Curate” and is serving with Dean Craig Loya at Trinity Cathedral in Omaha. Our first Curate,

Father John Adams, will soon finish his tenure at Saint Andrews in Omaha, and will then be relocating to

Grace Church in Chadron to serve as Priest-in-Charge for his curacy’s second half. I am super proud of

this program, which is helping us attract great young clergy to Nebraska and which is offering the gift to

our curates (and the wider church) of a superior and supported introduction to priestly ministry.

In September, your diocesan staff took up our now traditional residency in western Nebraska.

I’ve long said that though we get a lot of credit for taking the time to go west for an extended journey

every year, it’s actually one of the chief delights of our annual calendar. This year we were in Kimball,

Harrisburg, Scottsbluff, Gordon, Holly & Rushville, Alliance, and Hyannis. One could not possibly choose

which were the kinder church people nor the more heavenly church pot-luck! I can only assure you that

Christ was much in evidence throughout those days!

Finally, just two weeks ago, the Bishop’s Society to Advance Clergy Excellence met for our

annual lunch to celebrate their accomplishments at raising funds to support our curacy project and to

help build up the endowments of the diocese of Nebraska, Folks drove and flew from far away to be part

of that celebration. Pledges by that group now total nearly half a million dollars, and in addition to

funding our curacy project, you will see those gifts have also helped reduce parish faith-asking’s in the

budget we’ll present later today. My deep thanks to our Bishop’s Society members and remember – it’s

not too late to join!

It’s been a good year here in the Diocese of Nebraska!

Looking back, it is abundantly clear that NONE of the successes I just mentioned would have

come to pass without the support of a really extraordinary diocesan staff. They are all here now and will

be much in evidence in the days to come. I hope you’ll join me in thanking Lindsey Rowe and Beth

Byrne and Canon Liz Easton for their determined, creative and faithful ministry on your behalf. We are

more blessed than you know – me especially! – By the hard work of this group!

The year to Come

We’re planning a different kind of western “residency” for the summer of 2016. This year, the

staff will relocate to our churches along US Highway 275 and Nebraska Highway 20, spending at least a

portion of each day walking on the Cowboy Trail. I expect our residency to happen in June this year, and

this is your invitation to plan to come, walk along and worship in our churches in this beautiful corridor

of the diocese. I hope many of you will join us for a day or two!

In the area of our diocese finances, you can expect a major initiative to begin in the year ahead

and about which you’ll be hearing more at this gathering. “Project Resource” is a national movement to

better equip church leaders to do much more meaningful ministry in the areas of stewardship and

fundraising. I hope you’ll consider accepting the invite to be a part of what feels like it may be a game-

changer for our parishes.

At the end of this month we’re scheduled to close on the sale of our land at Omaha’s Tri-Faith

campus. We’ve negotiated a contract with Countryside Church, the community that now leads the Tri-

Faith Christian presence. We’re selling the land for 1.5 million dollars – that’s what we paid for it plus

what we’ve put into it by way of taxes and some simple improvements. We get all our money back and

can feel great about supporting the project in a deep way since the actual market value of the land now

far exceeds what we’re selling it for. I think it was the right thing – even the Christ like thing – to part

with the land for less than we might have in order to make possible the clean hand-off of a project

which many of us believe in so deeply. I am awfully proud of the fact that there would quite literally be

no Tri-Faith without the Diocese of Nebraska.

In the area of outreach and mission, I am delighted to point to two new ministries in the year to

come. First, after some months of getting her feet planted in DioNeb, Mother Tar Drasdowski will begin

coordinating our diocesan mission and outreach efforts in 2016. Her number one priority will be to

support the great ministries we’re already doing, especially in the diocese of the Dominican Republic

and on the reservation lands to our north. Her secondary emphasis will be to start new ministries to

make mission and service opportunities more widely available - and more deeply meaningful - for us all.

You’ll get to hear more from Mother Tar later during council.

Equally exciting, I am pleased to be able to announce that the diocese very recently received an

extraordinary gift from the estate of the late Catherine Rauscher – Bishop Rauscher’s daughter.

Catherine left just over a quarter of a million dollars from her estate to the Diocese of Nebraska for the

purpose of meeting the needs of the poor. The gift is to be administered jointly by the diocese, Trinity

Cathedral and All Saint, and is to be used to provide food, clothing, shelter and medical attention to local

people in greatest need. I bid your prayers - and your creative input - as we begin to envision together

how best to invest this extraordinary gift to maximum impact.

Finally, in our on-going efforts to better support and equip your clergy leaders, we’ll be hosting a

“Western priests retreat” about a month from now at Camp Norwesca near Chadron. Priests from all

across the diocese are invited to this event, which we hope will offer equal measures of prayer, learning,

connecting and unapologetic fun … and which will offer a particular emphasis on supporting priestly

ministry in our western-most contexts! I hope to see many of our presbyters there!

As to our longer-term future, write this note in the margins of your council booklet or bust out

your calendars and put down this entry. In October of 2018 – three years from now – the Diocese of

Nebraska will be 150 years old! That is an extraordinary milestone for a Church, and it makes us a rather

ancient institution for this young part of our United States. We’ll celebrate that anniversary with a

series of 4 special events hosted all across DioNeb. There is a team convened composed of members

from Bishop & Trustees and the Executive Commission to begin planning these parties, but we’ll need

great ideas and supportive help from all of you to make that anniversary all that it can be. Let me

encourage you to start here and now in your small, table groups, sharing hopes and ideas for how we

might mark this sesquicentennial anniversary.

Last week was the fourth anniversary of my consecration and ordination as Bishop of this

diocese. As a memento of that occasion, I have a poster on the wall of my office. It’s a framed, night

photograph of memorial stadium that was taken on the evening you ordained me. The poster is

entitled, “The Comeback” because that was the night the Huskers overcame a 21 point deficit to achieve

the biggest football comeback in school history.

Like the team that is our shared preoccupation, we have real challenges before us. But I am

proud that we are meeting them with determination, hard work and a ton of faith in Christ’s presence to

guide us and show us the way. I give thanks every single day for the privilege of “coming back” to this

place that I love so much, and for the wonder of serving side by side with such fine people. Thanks so

much – for all that you give, for all that you do, and for all that you are.

Submitted this 16th day of October, 2015 in Grand Island, Nebraska, by

The Right Rev. J. Scott Barker

Eleventh Bishop of Nebraska