Executive Committee Highlights

The Executive Committee of the Diocese of Saskatchewan, which met February 22 in Prince Albert, received an exciting report from the Rev. Wilfred Sanderson on the upcoming Aboriginal Youth Conference which, it is hoped, will involve an hundred teenagers. The Executive Committee voted to contribute $5,000 towards the cost of the event.

Our Diocesan Accountant, Ms. Marie Callbeck reported on her researches into the possibilities of Direct Deposit for clergy stipends. The Committee voted to institute this programme with the Bank of Montreal. It will take approximately six weeks before this can be implemented.

The Executive Secretary reported on the ongoing efforts to institute a Woodlot Fire Prevention and Safety Plan at Camp Okema, and updated the meeting on the issue of road maintenance at the Camp.

An unaudited statement of Diocesan finances as of 31 December 2006 was received. Parishes have responded well to the challenge of meeting their apportionment and ministerial costs. In particular, the work of the Parish of Meadow Lake was commended. Expenses over revenue appear to be in the black. The annual audit will be conducted in mid-March.

The Bishop reported that Great Chapter Meetings are scheduled for April 24-26 in Glaslyn, Tisdale, and Prince Albert. Prof. John Bowen of Wycliffe College, Toronto, will be conducting a workshop on Evangelism in the parochial context. Prof. Bowen will also be meeting with the Diocesan clergy on 26 April in Prince Albert.

The old Parish of Shellbrook Rectory has been sold, the last hurdle in the purchase of a new rectory which is situated in the Village of Canwood.

The Executive Committee has requested that the Constitution and Canons Committee examine Canon IV with regard to making the structures of parochial government more flexible, so that small congregations need not have as many officers as large ones. Any proposed changes would be presented to the Committee and eventually to the next Diocesan Synod.