tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post2838896378320587041..comments2024-02-15T03:32:25.686-05:00Comments on Preludium, Anglican and Episcopal futures: And its one, two, three strikes, you're out.... Leadership and a post-corporate ChurchMark Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-67258384868271409142013-09-21T15:01:07.009-04:002013-09-21T15:01:07.009-04:00Mark, as a member of Executive Council I would lik...Mark, as a member of Executive Council I would like to clarify one issue, regarding 815. The leadership group of 815 did indeed issue a report recommending that the Church Center remain where it is. Executive Council has made no decision one way or another, but has appointed a subcommittee (on which I serve) to look into the matter and make recommendations. I, for one, take the vote at the last Convention quite seriously. And the many modifications that were made to the legislation simply point to the fact that there are three clear decisions to be made: (1) moving the Church Center away from 815 (clearly mandated in D016), (2) where to move it to (a complex question requiring serious and detailed study), and (3) what do do with the building at 815 2nd Ave. (a financial decision). <br /><br />This is still a live issue, and I, for one, really appreciate you calling attention to the fact that General Convention has spoken clearly on this matter. Please - keep reminding us. I believe Executive Council has a responsibility to respond quite seriously to this decision of Convention.Susan Brown Snookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18082261006216548874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-84793478492435321932013-09-20T21:21:28.942-04:002013-09-20T21:21:28.942-04:00An excellent post, as we have come to expect from ...An excellent post, as we have come to expect from you, Mark. As they say in baseball (at least, at Fenway Park): "Lady with ketchup, comin' through": Here's my 2.5 cents. I still believe that the changes made by DFMS to the committee structure of the UTO Board were - still are - illegal. As you note, the bylaws were approved by GC and EC. The present changes to the UTO board composition were made under the *proposed* bylaws. Might it have ANYTHING to do with the $60 M UTO endowment? I can only scratch my head in bewilderment. I've got more to say about all this but, if I'm not careful, I just might spill ketchup all over everything.Elizabeth Kaetonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06787552280232329081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-63104062906092334872013-09-20T18:46:54.583-04:002013-09-20T18:46:54.583-04:00Marshall- I do love die respect! You are right. ...Marshall- I do love die respect! You are right. I was only commenting on what we can hold them to account for. In the debate record there is more. Thanks Mark Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-19655810961454274002013-09-20T16:07:40.166-04:002013-09-20T16:07:40.166-04:00With all due respect, Mark, as another who was on ...With all due respect, Mark, as another who was on the Floor of the House in Indianapolis,there was indeed a fair amount of energy around the thought of moving headquarters out of Manhattan, in addition to selling 815 Second Avenue. As I recall, even in the rhetoric on the floor,and certainly in side conversations, there were references to the Lilly Endowment, that at one time provided large grants to church headquarters that moved away from New York. <br /><br />Now, that's not compelling. Only the language as passed is compelling; and that was softened from the original, which required that the sale be complete before the 2015 Convention (an amendment that I did vote for, seeing it as prudent to make the sale a market decision: being wise as serpents....). Still, I do think some of the energy in the reaction to the (understandable) reluctance of Episcopal Church Center staff to leave New York is that there were indeed voices, and enough to be recognized, calling specifically for the headquarters of the Episcopal Church to move out of New York City, or at least out of Manhattan.<br /><br />Some of this is the result of prejudice and stereotypes about New York in the rest of the country. There is also, of course, anxiety of "East-coast elites" acting based on stereotypes in New York City about the rest of the Episcopal Church. By and large I believe the "East-coast elites" are mythical; just as I know that people outside New York are well-educated, sophisticated, and pretty darned worldly. It seems to me, though, in our culture currently overrun with conspiracy theorists we need more discussion, more communication, and less haste as we relate to one another. Corollary to your discussion, I think that discussion, communication, and patience are certainly incumbent on the Executive Council - not in hope of delaying or controlling an uncomfortable decision, but in hope that we are more together, more connected as we make any decision.Marshall Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807749717320495495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-135255750578428402013-09-20T15:47:35.003-04:002013-09-20T15:47:35.003-04:00And then, of course, there is the $60 million of U...And then, of course, there is the $60 million of UTO - not saying there has been any ill use - just it's a lot of money and in most areas of controversy - we say follow the money.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07287169546184325690noreply@blogger.com