Resolution 1 – 2021 Clergy Salary Schedule
Resolution 2 – Budget of the Diocese of Bethlehem
Resolution 3 – Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force 2020
Resolution 4 – Latinx Engagement in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem
Resolution 5 – Closing of Christ Church (Indian Orchard)
Resolution 6 – Closing of St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown)
Resolution 1 – 2021 Clergy Salary Schedule
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Annual submission of clergy cash stipends to Diocesan Convention
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
2021 Clergy Salary Schedule
Finance Committee
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, that this convention recommends a minimum 1.5% cost of living increase for clergy and that the salary scale for clergy for 2021 be as follows:
| Parish Index | Cash Stipend Range |
| 1 – 99 | $35,249 – $42,341 |
| 100 – 250 | $39,034 – $57,719 |
| 251 – 399 | $46,713 – $71,911 |
| 400 – above | $63,041 – $102,072 |
Be it further resolved, that this convention recommends a minimum of 1.5% cost of living increase for lay employees.
Be it further resolved, that this convention recommends consideration be made for additional merit increases based on performance, as resources allow.
IV. SPONSORS
Diocesan Council
V. SUPPORTING INFORMATION
View the Parish Index Calculation sheet
Resolution 2 – Budget of the Diocese of Bethlehem
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Annual submission of budget to Diocesan Convention
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
Budget of the Diocese of Bethlehem
Finance Committee
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, that the Assessment Rate applied to Line A, Normal Operating Income (NOI) of the 2019 Parochial Report shall be 12% in 2021.
Be it further resolved, that the proposed Diocesan Budget as it is presented to the Convention be adopted.
IV. SPONSORS
Diocesan Council
V. SUPPORTING INFORMATION
View the Diocesan Budget
View the 2021 Assessments and Acceptances
Resolution 3 – Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force 2020
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Diocesan Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
Racial justice making, repairing, healing, and reconciliation. The Diocesan Task Force on Racial Justice and Reconciliation
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, in an act of vision casting, that we the 149th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem commit to partnering with the Diocesan Task Force on Racial Justice and Reconciliation in engaging the Diocese in the processes of racial justice making, repairing, healing, and reconciling that will allow us to be and become participants and representatives of God’s Beloved Community in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Be it further resolved, that as this work flows out of our Baptismal Covenant, we call not only on the Diocese at large, but likewise parishes, and individual Episcopalians to engage fully and actively in these processes.
Be it further resolved, that said processes include the following points of long-term commitment and action:
• Actively identifying and dismantling overt and subtle White superiority culture, White-nationalism, and White-supremacy
• Providing resources for reflection, education and engagement, as well as for concrete accountability
• Telling the truth about ourselves with honesty, integrity and discernment, and asking for God’s and others’ help
• Fostering space for and invitation to story and history telling, dignifying the lived experiences of People of Color among us, celebrating where we have acted justly, while unearthing and bringing to light any long-standing patterns of oppression
• Developing interdenominational and interfaith relationships that bridge the deep historic divide that segregates us, perhaps most especially in our faith communities
Be it further resolved, that the Diocesan Task Force on Racial Justice and Reconciliation will provide reporting of our movement toward these goals to the 150th Convention of the Diocese of Bethlehem.
IV. SPONSORS
• The Right Reverend Kevin D. Nichols, Bishop Diocesan, The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem
• The Reverend Canon Dale T. Grandfield, Cathedral Church of the Nativity & Co-chair, Diocesan Task Force on Racial Justice and Reconciliation
• Ms. Sandy Z. Milien, Cathedral Church of the Nativity & Co-chair, Diocesan Task Force on Racial Justice and Reconciliation
• Mr. Paul Barnwell, Trinity Church, Pottsville
• The Reverend (Deacon) Christine Sutton, Prince of Peace Church, Dallas
• The Reverend (Deacon) Frances Hlavacek, Trinity Church, Easton
• Ms. Melissa Amator, Trinity Church, Easton
• Mr. Charles Dickerson, Trinity Church, Easton
• Mrs. Judith Dickerson, Trinity Church, Easton
• The Reverend Andrew VanBuren, St. Gabriel’s Church, Douglassville
• The Reverend Elizabeth Hoffman Reed, Diocesan Priest
• The Reverend John Francis, Christ Church, Reading
• Mr. Miguel Angel Molina, Christ Church, Reading
• Mrs. Cynthia Nortey, Christ Church, Stroudsburg
• Ms. Jessica Lee, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
• Dr. Elena FitzPatrick-Sifford, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
• The Reverend Scott Allen, St. Andrew’s Church, Allentown
• Ms. Marie Lisby, Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
Resolution 4 – Latinx Engagement in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Latinx Communities of the Diocese of Bethlehem
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
“A Strategic Plan for Latinx Engagement in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem”
The Latinx Communities of The Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem & Christ Church, Reading
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, in an act of vision casting, that we the 149th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, striving to be faithful witnesses for Christ our Lord in our particular context, and acknowledging that our Diocese contains within it a number of cities boasting the highest percentage population of Latinx people in Pennsylvania, therefore commit ourselves joyfully to a missional and evangelistic focus which will strategically lead to greater Latinx engagement in our Diocese and parishes.
And be it further resolved, that in service of that broad missional and evangelistic goal, we
• Call for the creation of a Diocesan leadership body of Latinx members and allies, whose focus is the work of fostering Latinx communities among us;
• Recommend that Diocesan Council, in cooperation with the Bishop, consider the feasibility of hiring a full-time Latinx Diocesan Missioner;
• Transition toward producing all Diocesan communications in both English and Spanish;
• Commend the beauty, dignity, and importance of bilingual liturgies at the Diocesan level;
• Insist on the thoughtful inclusion of Latinx members of the Diocese in all aspects of Diocesan life and governance;
• Recommend active recruitment of already ordained Latinx clergy, as well charge the Commission on Ministry with the expedient establishment of a process of formation and ordination of Latinx clergy for the Diocese.
• Charge the Commission on Ministry to integrate basic-level Spanish-language proficiency (conversational and liturgical) as desirable for all candidates for Holy Orders going forward.
• Set our sights on the casting of a strategic five-year plan for planting new (or partnering with existing parishes in establishing) Spanish-speaking missional communities with regular Spanish-language liturgies, initially focusing on the five cities of highest Latinx population density in the Diocese: Reading, Allentown, Bethlehem, Lebanon, and Hazleton; and for actively supporting the work of those already in place in Reading and Bethlehem, while staying abreast of opportunities in other areas of Latinx population density and growth.
• Call for the institution of Diocesan programs for increasing cultural awareness and competency.
And be it further resolved, that under the provisions of this resolution, report be made to the 150th-154th Conventions of this Diocese on progress in meeting these goals.
IV. SPONSORS
• The Reverend Canon Dale T. Grandfield, Cathedral Church of the Nativity
• Ms. Sandy Z. Milien, Cathedral Church of the Nativity & Missioner for Community Engagement, Assistant to the Bishop
• The Very Reverend Anthony R. Pompa, Cathedral Church of the Nativity
• The Planning Group of the Latinx Community of the Cathedral:
• Mr. Jose Mendez
• Mr. Leonardo Velez
• Ms. Marie Lisby
• Ms. Olga Rivera
• The Reverend John Francis, Christ Church, Reading
• Mr. Miguel Angel Molina, Christ Church, Reading
• The Reverend Lou Divis, St. Peter’s Church, Tunkhannock
Resolution 5 – Closing of Christ Church (Indian Orchard)
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Closing of a Parish
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
Closing of Christ Church (Indian Orchard)
Canon Steve Baker
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, that this convention approves, in response to the request of Christ Church (Indian Orchard), the Bishop, and Diocesan Council, pursuant to Title II, Canon 8 2.A of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem Canons, that Christ Church (Indian Orchard) be closed voluntarily.
IV. SPONSORS
• Christ Church (Indian Orchard)
• The Rt. Rev. Kevin Nichols
• Diocesan Council
Resolution 6 – Closing of St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown)
I. TYPE OF RESOLUTION:
Closing of a Parish
II. TITLE & AUTHOR OF RESOLUTION:
Closing of St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown)
Canon Steve Baker
III. RESOLUTION:
Resolved, that this convention approves, in response to the request of St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown), the Bishop, and Diocesan Council, pursuant to Title II, Canon 8 2.A of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem Canons, that St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown) be closed voluntarily.
IV. SPONSORS
• St. Barnabas’ Church (Kutztown)
• The Rt. Rev. Kevin Nichols
• Diocesan Council