From: Alex Cameron
Subject: Bishop's Council Meeting August 3 7:00 PM
Date: August 3, 2021 at 8:59:11 AM CDT
To: Brenda Dumper
Cc: Barbara Gauthier, [redacted], David Stewart, Eric Snyder, Helen Keuning, Kyle Oesch, Matt Arndt, Michael Flowers, Paul Calvin, Steve Williamson, [redacted], Brenda Dumper, Dawn Jewell

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,


Apologies for the length of this email. We would be thankful if you could read to the end.
First logistics. Below is a Zoom information for our meeting this evening at 7:00 Central.

[redacted Zoom meeting info]


The acting Deans asked for a meeting with Bishop John Miller to help us think through our meeting this evening. We met yesterday.
Among other things, Bishop John reminded us of the Archbishop’s charge to work for the continuing of the mission and ministry of the Diocese. That is our task. Dealing with the current crisis is the task of the Provincial response team. We found this distinction clarifying and comforting.
Coming out of that meeting was a list of things which we, as a Council, need to consider.

  1. Selection of a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Bishop’s council

  2. Selection of an acting chancellor

  3. Establishment of regularly scheduled meetings (perhaps weekly in the short term).

  4. Decision to what extent we want Bishop John (and Bishop Todd) engaged. A document will need to be drafted to outline those expectations for the bishops to consider. Some things for consideration here are

    1. Ordinations

    2. Other Pastoral offices

    3. Regular meetings with the Chair and possibly Brenda Dumper

    4. Disciplinary actions (if any)

  5. Consideration of the diocesan calendar of events in the coming months.

  6. Determination of appropriate compensation for Bishop John in his role.

  7. Consideration of communication needs from the Bishop’s Council to the wider diocese.

  8. Any other requests or needs coming out of diocesan congregations


Additionally, you will all have received a communication from Fr. [redacted] regarding [sentence redacted for privacy]. Bishop John and the Provincial Crisis Team have asked to be present at our meeting to discuss this.
Given all this, we would like to propose the following potential agenda for approval at the outset of the meeting. We think it unlikely that we will get through all the items this evening but are including them all for reference.

  1. Musical Invocation (Fr. Paul Calvin)

  2. Approval of Agenda

  3. Election of a Chair

  4. Election of Vice-Chair

  5. Conversation with the Provincial Crisis Team regarding Cornerstone Central Parish (Bishop John and the Provincial Team will join us at this point.)

  6. Determine regular meeting schedule

  7. Appointment of subcommittee to make a recommendation for acting Chancellor

  8. Appointment of subcommittee to define expectations of Bishop John (and Bishop Todd) and to determine appropriate compensation

  9. Appointment of subcommittee for communications

  10. Consideration of any open congregational issues/questions.

    1. [redacted sentence]

    2. [redacted sentence]

  11. Any other business

  12. Closing prayer


Grace and peace to you all,
Fr. Paul Calvin
Fr. Alex Cameron
Fr. Michael Flowers
Fr. Eric Snyder

Acting Deans