Parish Officers Day a chance to catch up
Parish Officers Day made a comeback on April 5 after a six-year hiatus, largely due to COVID-19.
It was held at St. John the Evangelist Church on Fredericton’s north side, with about 90 treasurers, wardens and incumbents attending. The day began with Morning Prayer.
Secretary of Synod David Peer led the day, telling those gathered that topics have come up frequently that need addressing, and with so much time having passed, there are many people in new roles needing guidance and information.
David outlined the duties of the incumbent as well as parish officers, noting that Canon Six has a lot of information helpful to wardens, treasurers and vestry members. The Parish Officers Handbook is also a helpful tool, found on the diocesan website (https://nb.anglican.ca/).
While the maximum continuous term of a warden is five years “there is provision to extend to six years. The position cannot be vacant. You have to continue until you are replaced,” he said.
“We can’t have parishes without wardens,” said David. “If you don’t meet this requirement, contact the Synod Office.”
He noted an annual general meeting can be in person or virtual, but it cannot be merely an email. As well, vestry cannot use email for voting, though opinions can be solicited.
CEMETERIES
A new cemetery policy was enacted in November 2023, with parishes struggling to comply.
“[Maps of] cemetery plots should have been sent in by now, but very few have been received,” he said. “Parishes need a cemetery contract and cemetery rules.”
What plots are open, where they are located, what plots are sold and to whom, and who is buried where are all information that must be tracked.
“This policy is so we’re all doing it the same way,” he said. “We just found another Anglican cemetery a month ago by chance.
“Assumptions that worked in the past might not today. It used to be there was a fleet of volunteer mowers. Now all of a sudden, it’s $4,000 to mow something that used to be done for free.”
Cemeteries cannot be sold. If a parish closes, the cemetery becomes the responsibility of the Synod Office.
“That’s why maps are important,” said Archbishop David Edwards. “The Synod Office needs to know what it’s getting into if a parish closes.”
For the sake of correct terminology, a parish does not sell a burial plot, it sells burial rites.
TREASURER’S PRESENTATION
Synod treasurer Philip Shepherdson gave a report that included how the diocese earns money and what it does with it.
“The Diocese has two income sources: investment income and the shared ministry budget,” he said, noting our budget is similar in size to that of the Diocese of Noca Scotia & Prince Edward Island.
The budget for 2025 is about $3.4 million. Salaries account for 31 per cent of the budget, with mission and ministry at 18 per cent.
Shared Ministry — the money sent in from parishes to the diocese — is calculated using a formula based on parish income averaged over three years.
Over the past three years, the average collected stood at 93 per cent, with last year at 97 per cent.
“It feels to me that we’ve got the ask at the right level,” said Phil. “But we’re open to discussion. We’re here to help you.”
The diocese has $44 million in investments. Philip described the investment approach as conservative.
INSURANCE
The diocesan premiums for insurance for itself and the parishes was $791,900 in 2025, up from $767,000 last year.
Ecclesiastical Insurance is the provider, and one of the few firms that still insures against physical and sexual abuse.
Philip described the four levels of coverage on buildings, from replacement cost to wreckage value.
“If a building is unoccupied for 180 days, inform us,” he said. “There must be a routine and documentation of checking it regularly.”
A chapel used only at Christmas is considered dormant, he said.
Bishop David advised those gathered that parishes should review their insurance records to find who was their provider through the past decades so that if a misconduct allegation is made, the insurance information is readily at hand.
DIMS
Cheryl Jacobs reviewed the state of DIMS, the Diocesan Information Management System, how it’s used, its limitations and the vital role it plays in keeping parish data up to date.
“DIMS is still alive and well,” she said. “It’s our Synod contact system.”
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Susan Jack, chair of the Finance Committee, discussed the ways in which the Synod Office can assist parishes, such as a reduction in Shared Ministry and how to apply.
Diocesan grants are available to fund various projects. New this year are evangelism grants for introducing people to Jesus. The Anglican Foundation also has funds available.
“The deadline for the next round of diocesan grants is Sept. 5,” she said.
Susan also outlined the rules around tax receipts, what qualifies and what does not, and the gift of securities.
BEN BOURQUE
Personnel and Safe Church Officer Ben Bourque has been with the diocese for 11 years. He went over topics such as negotiating salaries, housing allowance and benefits, and Safe Church training.
Regarding the clergy stipend, “we set the scale of the minimum stipend through committees. It’s based on the number of years' experience,” he said. “We can help with scenarios like sharing a priest.”
The aim of Safe Church is the protection of all members of the church, he said, adding he has heard all the concerns parishes have.
“The objectives are prevention and protection,” he said. “There is always something to be improved.”
All Safe Church training is available online and Ben emphasized that the synod office is always available to answer questions and provide assistance.
CAMP MEDLEY
Camp director John Galbraith outlined the 80th anniversary celebration taking place at Camp Medley on May 24, and the pool and maintenance facility fundraising project underway at the camp. The project cost is $2.8 million.
“The pool is 60 years old,” he said. “It’s held together with blue paint and prayers.”
He described the features of the proposed pool, which will be accessible to all, and will be available to the community.
During his tenure, he’s worked to develop camp rentals for retreats, weddings and other events, like a dance camp and a recent gathering of renaissance enthusiasts dressed in armour.
“We are building a destination,” he said. “Last year we had 34 user groups outside the summer program using the camp. It’s growing. Things are happening.
“Is it all Christian? No, but I say ‘Lord, you be at work, we’ll create the space.’”
He described an encounter with a woman at camp last year who told him, ‘There’s a real healing feeling about this place.’
His reply: “There’s a thin veil between us and God, and I believe you are experiencing the presence of God here.”
The diocese has committed a half million dollars to the project, said Philip.
That news, and John’s presentation, prompted a round of applause.
Bishop David encouraged everyone to attend on May 24.
“I’ve just come back from the House of Bishops,” he said. “There are only 10 or 15 dioceses that still have camps. Four or five bishops have told me they’ve just closed their camps. It is a privilege to have our camps.”
The day ended with a question period, which covered everything from statistical returns and tax receipts to how we should respond to Americans leaving their country because of President Trump.
“Let’s be ready to help Americans for whom what’s happening is very disconcerting,” said Bishop David.
For many in attendance, it was a chance to connect with likeminded people and brush up on information necessary to fulfill their parish roles.
“I found it very informative,” said Donna Mulholland of the Parish of Oromocto. “It gives me hope because I’m new at what I’m doing. I was a warden before, but so much has changed. The information was very helpful.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
1. Parish representatives gathered for Parish Officers Day on April 5, the first time it's been held since before the pandemic.
2. Treasurer of Synod Philip Shepherdson during his presentation, with Secretary of Synod David Peer in the background.
3. Personnel and Safe Church Officer Ben Bourque during his presentation.
4. The lunch line at Parish Officers Day.
McKnight photos