2020 Comments on Financials

In spite of a challenging 2020, the Diocesan Council met 3 times this year, twice in person and once via ZOOM. The business of the Diocese was reviewed at each meeting and appropriate action taken for the items presented. It has been a challenge for the Diocese to be without face to face contract for the majority of the year, including worship and business functions. The Council meetings make it possible to share the happenings in the Diocese and continue with the Church Family relationships that existed prior to the pandemic and have grown even stronger during this time. Minutes for all Council meeting are available at the Diocesan Office.

Council Secretary Carolyn Peterson

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Western Kansas met three times in joint meetings with Diocesan Council, and two times by electronic mail. In those meetings, the following actions were taken:

• After reviewing all the canonical requirements, recommended The Reverend Jeff Mitchell to be ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests. • Consented to the election of Bishop Diocesan in the Dioceses of Missouri, Southern Virginia, Georgia, Lexington and Minnesota. • Consented to the election of Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese of Oklahoma • Were consulted as appropriate by the Bishop concerning the divesting of properties in the Diocese. Respectfully submitted by the Standing Committee membership: The Rev. Carolyn Ballinger, The Rev. Shay Craig, Ms. Sally Russell, Ms. Linda Boone, Dr. Mike Wamsley, and

The Rev. Dennis Gilhousen, Standing Committee Chair

The Canons of the Episcopal Church direct that the Commission on Ministry shall advise and assist the Bishop in: (a) The implementation of the Title III Canons of the Episcopal Church. (b) In the determination of present and future opportunities and needs for the ministry of all baptized persons. (c) In the design and oversight of the ongoing process for recruitment, discernment, formation for ministry, and assessment of readiness therefor.

The Commission is composed of the following diocesan clergy and laypersons: The , The Rev. Amy Long (Hutchinson), The Rev. Ted Blakley (Hutchinson), The Rev. Jeff Mitchell (Liberal),The Rev Mary Hixson (Anthony), Mrs., Jackie Mitchell (Liberal), Mrs. Patti Wamsley (Hutchinson), Ms. DeMay Grunden (Salina), Mrs. Carolyn Peterson.

Since the Diocesan Convention of 2019, the Commission on Ministry (as the end of August) the COM has met twice. In addition to COM meetings, the Diocese also saw the dream of “BKSM West” become a reality. We currently have three students who are meeting in Garden City, under the mentoring of Mother Carolyn Ballinger, and attending BKSM via the internet.