Retreat Summary
Via Media
ü Help the member of the Diocese evaluate the candidates for Bishop based on the criteria solicited from the Days of Discernment and Via Media gatherings.
ü Develop Report Cards for each Bishop Candidate to be used during the interview process.
ü Not going to lobby delegates for a specific bishop candidate
ü Not going to endorse a specific candidate for Bishop
ü Acknowledge that we had been “silent” as there was little to do until the profile was created.
ü Lobby delegates, EDC and members of the diocese to support candidates who demonstrate the values that have been articulated for a healthy and open diocese. Lobbying efforts will be directed to informing members about the values of each candidate.
ü Identify an individual in each parish who can serve as the VMRG contact for that parish and to help organize VMRG members at the parish to contact delegates as needed and encourage participation in the interview process and regional VMRG meetings
ü Ask that person to obtain the list of delegates in that parish and forward to VMRG
ü Prepare a briefing package for each key person around the next set of activities and regional meetings coming up.
o Summary of the search process
o Copy of the diocese profile
o Copy of time line from EDC
o Summary of Days of Discernment
o AEC Network information
o Copy of the resolution that VMRG will present to Diocesan Convention
ü Objective
o Review Profile
o Explain election process and strategy, nomination by petition
o Encourage members to evaluate candidates based on the values that have been articulated
o Education re the AEC Network and the resolution that has been put forth.
o Encourage member to contact delegates from their parishes to do the same. Distribute list that was gathered from Key contacts.
o Preparation for Dog and Pony Show to include discussion of report card for each candidate
o Review
the resolution that will be put forth at General Convention re Diocese of the
ü Have small groups meet along parish lines to encourage the communication and strategy re contacting their delegates.
ü Re-affirm mission statement
ü Reach out to the new Bishop and work toward healthy and open communication between that person and VMRG
ü Develop forums to live out a healthy life in the diocese (consider ways of bringing diverse folks together to share their faith stories)
ü Evaluate ways to strength relationship between Diocese and ECUSA
ü Develop strategies that will impact the election of new Presiding Bishop at General Convention
ü Sponsor conference/retreats with participants of diverse backgrounds to consider behavior covenants for the diocese. Ways of communicating and interacting that support the values.
ü Look at Steering Committee structure; add members to the committees and re-evaluate structure of committees.
ü Notes of retreat: PJR
ü
At Steering Committee of
o Identify contacts at each Parish. Call them
o Divide parishes up and make calls re regional meetings and who key contact is.
o Determine another Clergy member for Steering Committee
o Review notes of retreat and actions to be done. Set time lines for regional meetings and consideration for locations etc.
ü Develop objective summary of search process which will serve as cover page to briefing package: BCT
ü Write of brief description of next few months activities: tbd