This past weekend the Diocese of Western New York held its 175th annual convention in Chautauqua County at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville.  St. Luke's was represented by our clergy, Eric and Cathy, and our lay delegates, Donna Phillippi, Matt Smith and Catherine Way. Last year the focus of the convention was the bishop's vision for our diocese.   

This year the focus was on how we fund that mission.  In addition to the regular business of adopting a budget and electing people for diocesan committees, there was a proposal to substantially change the Fair Share system by which congregations support the diocese.  Currently, the diocese creates a budget and then tells each congregation what its "fair share" of the pie is, based on a three year average of each congregation's operating revenue.  However, it is a voluntary system, so each congregation can pledge whatever amount they choose.   Some pay the full fair share, some go the extra mile, but some (for a variety of reasons) pay much less than the asking.  At this convention we adopted a new system, which will be in effect beginning with the 2014 budget.  This new system was based on ideas put forth at the deanery meetings last winter.  The new "Full Share" system makes several key changes:  It starts with congregational income, not the diocesan budget.

1. Each congregation will now be asked to give 13% of their operating revenue, rather than a sliding scale.
   1. The first 10% is a mandatory tithe.   If a congregation cannot pay all of the tithe, they can go to an appeals committee to plead their case.
   2. The next 3% is a voluntary offering.  If a congregation cannot pay all of the offering, they can submit a letter to the Barnabas committee and explain why they cannot pay the amount, how they are contributing to the life of the diocese, and what plans they have to try to reach that amount.

We also passed a resolution to adopt the Five Marks of Mission which were presented at the General Convention.  These are widely used throughout the Anglican Communion as a clear and compelling vision for our life and ministry.  Each congregation and church member are encouraged to adopt them in their own lives and ministry.  They are:

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
2. To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

                                         ~The Rev. Eric M. Williams 

We're looking for a few good Episcopalians . . .

at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 27, 2013, the members of St. Luke's will elect: one warden, three vestry members, and three delegates to diocesan convention. All candidates should be adult communicants in good standing, meaning that they should be baptized or confirmed members who are faithful in attending worship and in "working, praying and giving for the spread of the kingdom."  

Service as Warden or on Vestry presents an opportunity for anyone interested in a leadership role to work for the future of St. Luke's in a year of transition and change. This is the time to get involved!  To nominate yourself or someone else for any of these positions, contact Paul Johnson by phone at (716) 487-2192, or by email at usa_pojk@hotmail.com