Youth Commission

Episcopal Diocese of WNY

April 15, 2005

Youth Commission retreat, St. Patrick's Cheektowaga

In attendance – Wendy Schumacher adult chair, Sammi Cutlip youth chair, , Liam Doherty, Liz Kozak, Katelyn Koziel, Rachel Phillippi, Fr. Dan Weir, Rachel Haseley, Jay Phillippi-Youth Missioner.

Meeting began with devotions and check in.

Goals for meeting/retreat –

1: Evaluate Youth Missioner's job with view to cutting back to 80% of full time

2: New ministry prioritizations (if any)

3: Filling positions

4: Survey

Youth Missioner's job –

Due to reduction in funding for position job needs to be reduced by approximately 8 hours per week. Jay suggested a floating idea – that it's impossible given nature of his job to make a simple reduction. Rather we look overall at reducing position at annual level. He is busier during camp times so that may require more comp time to “bring his hours down” but that in the end he would be able demonstrate that he is working the hours for which he is paid. Additional help for programs like the Bishop Robinson society to lower the demands on his time for that. More youth involved, more adults as well to help out with small portions of the job (like secretary to the Society). Need to approach folks at the congregational level for volunteers.

It is difficult for Youth Commission to “make a decision” on this. They offer their recommendations and prayers to the Youth Missioner.

First half of meeting adjourns for the night

Meeting reconvenes 4/16/05 at 10 AM

Positions to be filled – The youth chair will graduate and need to be replaced. Additionally the youth rep to Diocesan Council Rachel Phillippi has asked to be replaced in that function. Names need to be suggested for the next meeting for election. Also need to name Diocesan Convention delegates for deaneries. Suggested list:

Youth Chair – Liam Doherty, Rachel Phillippi

Diocesan Council rep – Liam Doherty

Diocesan Convention delegates:

Chautauqua – Rachel Phillippi

N. Erie – Liam Doherty, Maria Matthews, Andy Taube

S. Erie – Kelly Szczepanski, Geoff Pictor

E. Erie – Katelyn Koziel, Steve Weidmann

C.Erie – Lily Lane, Beth Sharry

Niagara – Geoff Seefelt, Alex Donelson

Genessee – Tommy Avery (?)

Cattaraugus – Katie LaPennas, Jay will follow up with Fr. Snodgrass

Survey - The proposed survey of youth in leadership at events was presented for suggestions. This survey is to insure that youth are allowed the space to lead and grow. It will be used for the first time at Happening. Terra Cutlip joined the meeting this morning and read the survey. A variety of wording changes were suggested. Motion by Terra to use survey as changed at Happening #18, Rachel P seconded, passed unanimously.

Prioritization of new ministries - Youth Commission had earlier in the year approved 8 new ministries to be developed over the next several years. The reduction in the Youth Missioner's hours makes this more difficult. Discussion that the two already begun (Junior High and Senior High mid year events) continue development. One additional ministry should be examined – Sacred Time in Sacred Space (diocesan version of Nightwatch). Once it gets started it's simple to continue. Jay will follow up with the Cathedral. There will be a need for adult volunteers to help with this event. Other 6 ministries will be put on back burner with hope that they will come down the road. Motion made to accept revised priorities, seconded by Liam, following limited discussion over disappointment in reduced hours for Youth Missioner, motion passed.

Noted for next meeting that the calendar needs to be set for 2005-06 program year.

Motion to adjourn at 12:40PM, seconded by Fr. Dan. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned with prayer.