A section of the Anglican Journal MAY 2017 IN THIS ISSUE Youth at the UN Delegates at the United Nations for the Commission on the Status of Women THE DYM PAGES 23 & BACK PAGE United in Death with Compassion Dignity: Multifaith Evening MAiD panel PAGES 12 – 14 PAGE 5 Reception & Recognition of Priesthood On March 26, 2017, the Rev. Fr. Ayoob Shawkat Adwar Anglican Church of Canada at the Anglican Church of coverage of this historic event is available on the diocesan of the Chaldean Church was received by Bishop Melissa the Epiphany (Epiphany) in Surrey. See the story written website, www.vancouver.anglican.ca. W Skelton as a priest in the diocese of New Westminster, before the event on page 17 of this issue of Topic. More The Rev. Stephen Laskey (left) of St. Helen’s, Surrey and the Ven. Stephen Rowe (right) of Epiphany present Ayoob Adwar. PHOTO Wayne Chose Fr. Ayoob cuts the celebratory cake with some of the clergy who have mentored and guided him on this path to reception in the Anglican Church of Canada: the Rev. Stephen Laskey, the Ven. Stephen Rowe, Bishop Melissa Skelton and the Ven. Douglas Fenton. PHOTO Wayne Chose Bishop Melissa Skelton presents the newly received priest, the Rev. Ayoob Adwar to the congregation and invites their welcome. PHOTO Wayne Chose LEFT For the first time as a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada Fr. Ayoob administers Holy Communion. RIGHT Fr. Ayoob speaking at the reception. PHOTOS Wayne Chose For more Diocesan news and events visit www.vancouver.anglican.ca 2 MAY 2017 Striking a ‘Fair Balance’ The Work of the Assessment Task Force RICHARD GEOFFREY LEGGETT Rector, St. Faith’s, Vancouver; Regional Dean of Granville; Convener, Assessment Task Force As Paul travelled through the eastern Mediterranean carry- One of the ways we define these shared ministry priori- us to develop a set of working principles to guide us as we ing the good news of God in Christ to Gentiles and Jews, ties is in the Diocesan Vision Budget adopted by Diocesan consulted with the laity and clergy of the diocese. These he also carried a sense of responsibility for the Christian Synod. While we can be lost in the line items, it is vital that principles were couched in questions we decided to take community in Jerusalem and Judea. Paul knew that the we understand each line to represent our commitment to to the six Archdeaconries. future of these communities depended upon the financial a particular expression of our ministry as a diocese. The 1. What do you think of the Task Force’s recommendation that support of the emerging Christian communities along the challenge is to find a transparent and fair way to determine assessment will be based on all Parish Operating Receipts shores of the Mediterranean. In his letters to Christian the “fair share” each congregation contributes to the Vision POR)? For example: all rental income shall be considered in communities in Rome and Corinth, Paul urges them to Budget. the assessment formula. give generously to support their sisters and brothers. To For some years concerns have been expressed about the the Christians in Corinth he writes, “I do not mean that current Regulation that governs assessment. In response 2. What do you think of the Task Force’s recommendation there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it to these concerns, Diocesan Synod 2015 “RESOLVED that assessment will be based on the last reported year? is a question of a fair balance between your present abun- THAT Synod requests that the Bishop appoint a task force For example: 2017 assessment would be based on 2015’s dance and their need, so that their abundance may be for to review the Assessment Formula; to bring recommenda- reported Parish Operating Receipts. (2 your need, in order that there may be a fair balance.” tions regarding the Assessment Formula to the next regular 3. What do you think of the Task Force’s recommendation Corinthians 8: 13 – 14) Synod in 2017; and to provide an interim report to Dioc- that each parish would be entitled to a standard $35,000 Since those early days Christian communities, whether esan Council by October 2016.” deduction? congregations or dioceses, have tried to determine how In the fall of 2015, the Bishop appointed an Assess- a “fair balance” can be struck between the abundance of ment Task Force, reporting to Diocesan Council, with the 4. What do you think of the Task Force’s recommendation some congregations and the need of others. But the basic mandate to make recommendations to Council regarding that a parish whose POR was under $35,000 would pay principle is this: We are mutually interdependent upon each how each parish and mission’s “fair share” of the shared a flat assessment of $1,200? other, whether internationally, nationally or regionally. So diocesan budget should be determined. Bishop Skelton 5. What do you think of the Task Force’s recommendation the abiding question is how we steward our resources to appointed: Roger Farrier (St. Anne’s, Steveston), Bob Hardy that the rate structure would be simplified? For example: support our shared ministry priorities as we participate in (Diocesan Treasurer, St. John’s, North Vancouver), Richard either two rates or three rates. God’s mission to redeem and renew us and all that God Leggett (convener, St. Faith’s, Vancouver), Sharon Mack (St. has made. Stephen’s, Burnaby), Mary McIntyre (All Saints, Mission), 6. What do you think of the Task Force’s proposal that the Kerri Onken (St. Matthew’s, Abbotsford), annual earnings on funds deposited in the Consolidated and Terry Walton (St. John’s, Port Moody). Trust Fund (CTF), as a result of the sale of church properties, Rob Dickson, Diocesan Business Admin- be subject to a small percentage assessment? istrator, served as staff support with the 7. What is your level of support for the continuation of the valuable and generous assistance of Shailene Diocesan Growth Fund? Caparas, Diocesan Controller. We began our work by making sure we And out we went into the Archdeaconries of the diocese. all understood the current Regulation and We learned that most congregations were willing to the rationale behind its requirements. Early include all rental income of the church and hall in their on in our work, we decided that our job parish operating receipts rather than the existing 50%. We was not merely to tinker with the existing were slightly surprised to learn that most congregations Regulation but to develop recommenda- were comfortable with a three-year rolling average rather tions that we believed were transparent and than assessment being based on the previously reported fair and sustainable. We consulted other year alone. A significant majority were in favour of a dioceses in the Anglican Church of Canada, $35,000 exemption and a flat $1,200 assessment for those small and large. These early meetings led CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 The Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett presenting information about ATF recommendations at the January 11 Diocesan Council meeting. Growing communities of faith in Jesus Christ to serve God’s mission in the world. Subscriptions The Anglican Church of Canada Website For the latest news and features go to The Anglican Journal and Topic are sent to members A community of 640,000 members organized www.vancouver.anglican.ca of a parish who pay for it through their contributions into four ecclesiastical provinces, including British Contributors & Helpers for this issue to the national Church. Columbia and the Yukon. Neale Adams, Howie Adan, Anglican Archives of the Others, $10. 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MAY 2017 3 Striking a ‘Fair Balance’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 congregations whose receipts were less than $35,000. significantly, the new Regulation names the Administrators Paul called a “fair balance.” Reducing the assessments rates to two or three received of the Anglican Initiatives Fund as the allocation commit- • Under the current assessment formula a congregation’s a great deal of support, as did the continuation of the tee. Synod will be asked to increase the number of clergy “fair share” is determined by its rank as determined by its Diocesan Growth Fund.