RESOLUTIONS
132nd ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION
(Resolution 1 - WITHDRAWN)
This Resolution was withdrawn at the request of its sponsor.
Call for a Process to Establish Diocesan Mission, Program and Budget Priorities
Submitted by Kanawha Deanery
RESOLVED that the Diocese of West Virginia establish a process whereby Diocesan mission
and program priorities are recommended, established by vote at the Diocesan Convention,
publicized throughout the Diocese
RESOLVED that the established process and priorities guide the budget process for the
following year.
RESOLVED that the establishment and ongoing oversight of this process reside with Diocesan
Council, who provides annual reports of successes, challenges and opportunities, including next
steps, to the Convention via the Pre-Convention Convention Journal.
RESOLVED that this process be in place for the 133rd Convention of the Diocese of West
Virginia and ongoing.
EXPLANATION: In order for the Diocesan budget to be cast based upon the mission and
program desires of the people – both laity and clergy - of the Diocese, a process needs to be
clearly defined and implemented to gather those desires. Council, made up of representatives
from all deaneries, is the logical place for this process to be defined and managed.
It is our hope that we will define our priorities in such a way as to make our Diocesan priorities
clear to all and that the Diocesan budget bear a direct relationship to those priorities.
(Resolution 2 - PASSED)
Resolution Ending Our Link Relationship with the Diocese of TKA
Submitted by the Companion Diocese Committee, The Rev Lisa Davis-Heller, Chair
RESOLVED that the Diocese of West Virginia rejoice for the nine years of companion
relationship with the Diocese of Tuam, Anchonry and Killala, and be it further
RESOLVED that this Diocese give thanks to God for our ministries together and relationships
forged with common purpose in Christ, and be it further
RESOLVED that this Diocese give thanks for the gracious hospitality and open hearts of Bishop
Richard Henderson and all those in the Diocese of Tuam, and be it further
RESOLVED that this Diocese is grateful for the bonds of friendship and affection developed
between the two Dioceses and pray God’s blessings upon the Diocese of Tuam as they
continue their faithful witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and be it further
RESOLVED that by mutual decision the Diocese of West Virginia and the Diocese of Tuam end
their formal companion relationship in order to explore new avenues and relationships within the
Anglican Communion for growth and mission.
EXPLANATION: Bishop Klusmeyer and Bishop Henderson have, through the years, become
friends and colleagues. After nearly nine years of a Companion Relationship with the Diocese
of Tuam both bishopsand both Diocesan Councils feel that it is time to end this relationship so
that new and different relationships may be formed. This timeframe is not unusual. The original
understanding between the two dioceses was to be ‘between 7 and 10 years.’
Both bishops and dioceses give thanks for the friendships and relationships begun, and we
believe that these friendships will continue.
(Resolution 3 - PASSED)
Resolution to Begin Companion Relationship with Colombia
Submitted by the Companion Diocese Committee, The Rev Lisa Davis-Heller, Chair
BE IT RESOLVED that the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and the Episcopal Diocese of
Colombia mutually and prayerfully enter into a Companion Diocese relationship for a period of
three years, which may be extended or concluded at that time by mutual consent.
EXPLANATION: The Bishop of West Virginia and the Bishop of Columbia have become close
friends since their consecrations, only a week apart. Over the years they have had lengthy
conversations about their respective dioceses, and Bishop Klusmeyer’s academic major in
Spanish has helped to foster this communication.
We believe that this Companion Relationship would be formed in recognition of our shared
commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, given us through our Lord
Jesus Christ, and through our shared life in the Risen Christ within the Episcopal Church.
We also believe that this relationship would allow many people within both dioceses to explore
the rich ministries and heritages of the people and ministries of the other Diocese, and we
believe that this is an opportunity to broaden our experience of the Spanish language for people
of all ages.
(Resolution 4 - PASSED)
Resolution Offering Thanksgiving and Continued Support for the Elewana Education Projects in
the Diocese of Katakwa
Submitted by the Companion Diocese Committee, The Rev Lisa Davis-Heller, Chair
BE IT RESOLVED that the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia give thanks to God for and
extend its wholehearted appreciation to The Reverend Zachary Drennen for his leadership of
The Elewana Education Project in the Diocese of Katakwa, and be it further
RESOLVED that this Diocese urge all congregations to provide funding and resources to The
Elewana Education Project which works directly with Western Kenyan school administration,
faculty, and students to improve the school facilities and academic performance.
EXPLANATION: The Reverend Zachary Drennen has unselfishly devoted his life and ministry to
the glory of God through his many good works through The Elewana Education Project for the
people of the Diocese of Katakwa.
The website of Elewana provides the following mission details: Young men and women in East
Africa face significant obstacles to their education and future well-being. AIDS, the lack of
economic opportunity, the high cost of secondary education, and the sub-standard facilities of
most secondary schools combine to prevent many young Africans from rising above a
subsistence level of living. Many secondary schools are grossly underfunded, and very few
have electricity, running water, flush toilets, or a working kitchen. This combined lack of both
funding and facilities not only squanders the educational potential of many East Africans, but
exacerbates the spread of AIDS and other serious diseases by inhibiting the low cost
interventions and training that can occur at the secondary school level. As a result, many young
people are not only at higher risk for serious diseases but are forced into unemployment or
subsistence level jobs with little opportunity for raising their standard of living.
Elewana is a project to foster the transformative and inspirational power of relationships among
young people to create positive solutions to these concerns. In the United States, secondary
school students are only dimly aware and typically even less concerned for the plight of their
African contemporaries. Yet many American students yearn for a way to have an impact on the
world. By first pairing schools and then facilitating interactive relationships between the
respective students and administrations, Elewana supports individuals and scholastic
institutions as they become agents of change in each other’s lives. Elewana addresses the
significant lack of funding and resources faced by East African schools by drawing together
scholastic institutions whose students and faculty can help each other in a relationship of love,
mutual respect and support.
The Elewana Education Project is actively working in 5 secondary schools and one primary
school in Western Kenya. Within each of these institutions, the Project works directly with
school administration, faculty, and students to improve the school facilities and academic
performance with in the school. Additionally, Elewana works to pair each of these schools with
a partner school in the U.S. for mutual curricular and service learning opportunities.
http://www.elewana.org
(Resolution 5 - PASSED)
‘Racial and Ethnic Diversity Audit’
Presented by the Church Commission for Children and the Commission to End Racism
BE IT RESOLVED, that each congregation in the Diocese of West Virginia will complete by
March 1, 2010, a ‘Racial and Ethnic Diversity Audit’ of all if its children’s ministry areas and
resources utilizing the forms provided by the Church Commission for Children and Commission
to End Racism, and
BE IT RESOLVED, the Church Commission for Children will provide each congregation, having
completed the audit, with a list of resources that will enable them to make any necessary
additions and corrections to provide children’s ministry areas and resources that express racial
and ethnic diversity, and
BE IT RESOLVED, that each congregation will report to the Church Commission for Children its
Audit results and subsequent action by August 1, 2010 so that the Commission can compile a
full report to the 133rd Diocesan Convention.
EXPLANATION: Our Christian faith values all of God’s creation and embraces growing in the
understanding of how we live into this conviction. Our Church values an inclusive world-view of
humanity. Our Diocese seeks to reflect this diversity and to be inclusive of people from all
backgrounds including racial and ethnic heritage.
Children have a special role both in the church’s future and her present. Our role as Christian
communities and faithful people is to provide them a safe, loving place where they may explore
their faith. Developmentally, children learn from and are formed by the visual images they see
and the stories they hear. This Audit provides a tool for intentionally examining how inclusively
this is reflected in the images, stories, and toys that are forming our children. This effort
supports our mission to equip them for living today and for serving in the future.
We recognize this Audit covers a specific area of diversity and that there may be other areas
that need our attention. By passing this resolution we further the recent efforts within our
Diocese to expand our awareness of culture and race, and to diligently work towards eradicating
racism.
The Church Commission for Children stands ready to serve the Diocese as a continuing
resource for children’s ministry.
(Resolution 6)
Resolution to Renew
Submitted by the Vestry of St. Matthew’s, Wheeling.
RESOLVED, That, the Diocese of West Virginia, gathered in the One Hundred Thirty-second
Annual Convention renews the provision of the resolution passed at the One Hundred Twentyseventh and the One Hundred Twenty-ninth Annual Convention which authorizes congregations
of the diocese through their vestries or committees in lieu of vestry to direct the Diocesan
Council that the diocesan giving to the national church assessment be reduced by a portion of
the congregation's assessment and that the portion be given to a ministry of the Episcopal
Church outside the diocese at the discretion of the Diocesan Council; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, the portion shall be a percentage of the congregation's
assessment to the diocese that percentage to be determined by the vestry or committee in lieu
of vestry not to exceed the percentage of the diocesan budget that is designated to the national
church assessment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, vestries and committees in lieu of a vestry shall review this
directive annually and that it shall continue in effect until the annual diocesan convention next
following the 2012 General Convention.
EXPLANATION: This resolution is to allow those who in good conscience do not wish to support
the budget of the Episcopal Church to not be forced to do so in the support they provide to their
congregation and diocese. This resolution would continue to allow congregations of the diocese
through their vestries and committees in lieu of vestries to redirect that portion of their giving to
the diocese that would normally go to the national church budget to some other ministry as set
forth in the resolution.
In the proposed 2010 diocesan budget 8.1% of the budget is designated for payment to the
national church assessment. A congregation with an assessment of $1,000 under this resolution
could be directing that the budgeted payment to the national church of $140,000 be reduced by
$81 and that those moneys be spent on some other ministry as chosen by Diocesan Council.
Resolution 7 (WITHDRAWN)
This Resolution was withdrawn at the request of its sponsor.
Study Issues Surrounding Calling Partnered Gay or Lesbian Rectors and/or Priests-in-Charge
Submitted by: Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
Full Inclusion Task Force, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
RESOLVED that the Diocese of West Virginia, through the office of the Bishop, establish a task
force to study, report and make recommendations over the next three years on issues
surrounding the call of partnered gay or lesbian priests as rector or priest-in-charge.
RESOLVED that the membership of this task force be appointed by the Bishop and include at
least one representative of full inclusion groups already active within the Diocese of West
Virginia.
RESOLVED that the task force provide interim reports to the 133rd and 134th Conventions of the
Diocese of West Virginia, with the interim reports published in the Pre-Convention Journal.
RESOLVED that a final written report, including findings and recommendations, be made to the
135th Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia in the year 2012, with this report published in
the Pre-Convention Journal.
EXPLANATION: Over the past three years many of our congregations have been involved in
search processes for new rectors. In some cases, search committees found themselves in a
position where they had narrowed the candidate field and then learned that they were not to
consider gay or lesbian partnered priests to fill their vacancy. We would like to understand how
other dioceses have made their way through these, and similar, issues/processes and follow
suit, if appropriate.
(Resolution 8 - PASSED)
Honoring Same-Gender Relationships
Submitted by: Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
Full Inclusion Task Force, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
RESOLVED That this convention urges our Bishop to honor same-gender relationships by
supporting the collection & development of theological & liturgical resources for the blessing of
same-gender relationships.
EXPLANATION: The mission statement of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston is that we
“… reachout to the world in Christ’s name in the hope that all might find a home in God’s healing
love.” We accept and welcome baptized lesbian, gay, transgendered and bisexual people as
well as heterosexual people as full members with all the benefits and responsibilities that
baptism guarantees.
We know that the question of public rites for the blessing of those in same-gender, committed
relationshipshas been a point of controversy causing great divisions within the Anglican
Communion, particularly following the recognition by the 2003 General Convention of the
Episcopal Church (TEC) that same-gender blessings are within the common life of the Church
and that it is within a bishop’s discretion to allow blessing as a pastoral response (C051).
More recently, at the 2009 General Convention of TEC, resolution C056 passed, allowing
bishops to provide a generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church,
including those within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic
partnerships are legal.
(Resolution 9 PASSED)
Urge Legislature to Prohibit Discrimination on Basis of Sexual Orientation and Add Sexual
Orientation to Hate Crimes Statute
Submitted by: Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
Full Inclusion Task Force, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
The Rev. Susan J. Latimer, Rector, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston
RESOLVED, That the Diocese of West Virginia urge members of the West Virginia Senate and
House of Delegates to pass legislation which would amend the current state human rights law,
W.Va. Code 5-11-1 et seq. to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and to
add sexual orientation to the motivations justifying prosecution under the West Virginia Hate
Crimes statute, W.Va. Code § 61-6-21.
RESOLVED, that the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia communicate such to
each the 2010 member of the West Virginia Senate and House of Delegates during the week
prior to the start of the 2010 legislative session until the West Virginia Senate and House of
Delegates pass legislation which amends the current state human rights law, W.Va. Code 5-11-1
et seq. to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and adds sexual orientation
to the motivations justifying prosecution under the West Virginia Hate Crimes statute, W.Va.
Code § 61-6-21.
EXPLANATION: As a people of Christ, we believe that all people within the boundaries of the
state of West Virginia have the right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of
violence committed against their persons or property because of their race, color, religion,
ancestry, national origin, political affiliation or sexual orientation. Given this, we believe that it is
essential that our bishop express our position by sending an annual reminder to our state
legislators on these issues until the current human rights law and hate crimes statute are
amended to both prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and add sexual
orientation to the motivations justifying prosecution under the West Virginia Hate Crimes statute.
(Resolution 10 TABLED)
This Resolution was tabled upon vote.
A Resolution Expressing the Support of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of West
Virginia for Universal Basic Health Care for All Residents of the United States
Submitted by: Nick Reynolds, John Proctor, Karen Proctor, Jerry Coleman, Debra
Coleman, Patricia Proctor, Karen F. Humbert, Linda M. Dobbs, Wendell B. Dobbs,
Barbara E. Ladner, David Castleberry, Mary E. Reynolds, Sherri C. Smith, David
Hatfield, Deborah Freidin, Linda F. Vinson, Donald K. Vinson, Philip Vinson. Being at
least five lay communicants in good standing of this Church at St. John's Parish,
Huntington and at least two clergy members canonically resident in this Diocese.
RESOLVED, That the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of West Virginia strongly
supports the establishment by law of a program of universal basic health care for all
residents of the United States, regardless of age, legal status, or ability to pay for such
care; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the expression "basic health care", as used in this
resolution, means an extent of health care which includes at least routine preventive
medical and dental care, routine medical and dental therapy, emergency care, and nonelective surgery and is no less extensive than the most extensive benefits provided
under the Medicare program to persons eligible for benefits under that program; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Bishop of West Virginia is requested by this
convention to convey in writing, within ten days of the adoption of this resolution, to the
President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker
of the United States House of Representatives, each member from West Virginia of the
United States House of Representatives, both United States Senators from West
Virginia, the Governor of West Virginia, the President of the West Virginia Senate, and
the Speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, this Church's strong support for
the establishment by law of such a program of universal basic health care coverage.
(Resolution 11 WITHDRAWN)
This Resolution was withdrawn at the request of its sponsor.
Approval for a Companion Relationship with Diocese of Katakwa in Kenya.
Faithfully submitted by The Rev. Zachary Drennen
RESOLVED that the 132st Convention of the Diocese of West Virginia endorses the formation of
a Companion Relationship between this diocese and the Diocese of Katakwa in the province of
Kenya, beginning January 1st 2010 and continuing until December 31st, 2015 or terminated by
mutual consent.
EXPLANATION: The Diocese of West Virginia currently enjoys a productive and Spirit-filled,
albeit informal, relationship with the Diocese of Katakwa, located in western Kenya. Many West
Virginia Episcopalians and their parishes, primarily through participation in the Elewana
Education Project, currently interact with and support churches, schools, and students
throughout the Diocese of Katakwa. The resulting relationships have had a transformative
effect on communities throughout western Kenya and a similarly inspirational effect on parishes
here in West Virginia. The formation of a companion relationshipwith Katakwa would formalize
this existing friendship and strengthen each diocese in its own ministry through mutual
encouragement, intensified concern for one another, and exchange of spiritual and material
resources. The current presence of a long-term missionary in Katakwa only serves to further
enhance the potential benefit of the relationship: the missionary is well placed to serve as a
liaison between the two dioceses and facilitate the exchange of prayer, encouragement,
resources, and personnel.
(Resolution 12)
Continued Support for Current Military Personnel, Military
Veterans, and Their Families with parish Points-of-Contact and
tools for ministry provided by CARE-NET
Submitted by The Reverend William Carl Thomas
Rector, Saint Matthews Episcopal Church, Charleston, West Virginia
(former Chaplain in the United States Army Reserve, 1990-1996 and member of the CARENET Advisory Board of the West Virginia Council of Churches)
RESOLVED, That the 132nd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia affirm the
resolution passed by the 131st Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia that calls
every congregation to support current military personnel, military veterans, and their families
with our prayers, both personal and corporate, and by using tools ministry with special emphasis
placed on those tools provided by CARE-NET; and be it further resolved that each congregation
identify to the Bishop of West Virginia by December 15, 2009 a person to serve as Point-ofContact for this effort; and be it further resolved that these Points-of-Contact be shared with
CARE-NET; and be it further resolved the diocesan representative to the West Virginia Council
of Churches coordinate the CARE-NET tools for ministry with these Points-of-Contact and
report progress made in this effort to the 133rd Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of West
Virginia.
EXPLANATION: This resolution calls for a simple structure to empower the aim found in the
2008 resolution passed by 132nd Convention in support of current military personnel, military
veterans, and their families. CARE-NET (see the West Virginia Council of Churches report
[more information at http://carenetwv.org]) has become a leading force in the national effort to
care for returning warriors, veterans of other wars, and their families. A CARE-NET toolbox is
being developed that features video teachings and useful written content for use on the parish
level in Sunday or weekday studies. The intent of the resolution is to identify a point-of-contact
in each congregation to receive and advocate for the use of this toolbox. CARE-NET is funded
through a grant administered through the West Virginia Council of Churches.