News from the 159th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island

AMEND ARTICLE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION as follows:

1. Change the title of the Article from “Treasurer of the Convention” to “Treasurer of the Diocese”
2. Change the reference in Article VIII from “Treasurer of the Convention” to “Treasurer of the Diocese”.

EXPLANATION

This is the second reading of this proposed Constitutional change and is intended to more accurately reflect the scope of the position.

AMEND THE CANONS OF THE DIOCESE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Change all references to “Treasurer of the Convention” to “Treasurer of the Diocese”.

EXPLANATION

This is a definitional change to coincide with the Constitutional change.

This 2026 Ministry Plan, or “budget,” that is presented to Convention represents the faithful stewardship of our congregations, the Trustees of the Estate Belonging to the Diocese of Long Island, and all the corporations that constitute the ministry of the Diocese of Long Island. It represents the best efforts of our diocese to provide ministry in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk while continuing to adapt to post-pandemic realities. As you examine this Ministry Plan, you will discover the outward and visible expression of our collective support for the programs, initiatives, and personnel that are our diocesan ministry. This ministry plan provides significant support and attention to the continued development of clergy and lay leadership in our parishes, the continued encouragement of our diocesan-wide ministries, and the on-going initiatives of pastoral, liturgical, and social ministries across the Diocese and beyond.

The narrative that follows gives expression to the way of love in Jesus Christ that makes holy sense of the numbers and figures of the budget for 2026.

Read full narrative

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2025 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island recommends that the base minimum compensation for 2026 include a 2.8% Cost of Living increase.

Submitted by Diocesan Council

BE IT RESOLVED that the 2025 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island recommends that the base minimum compensation for 2026 include a 2.8% Cost of Living increase.

Submitted by Diocesan Council

The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island has been offering free administrative services and peace of mind through our Diocesan Payroll Service since 2002. Payrolls are processed through Paychex, which maintains a strong relationship with the IRS and local agencies to keep all your payroll requirements on target.

BE IT RESOLVED that the use of the Diocesan Payroll Service by all our churches and institutions will be mandated effective January 1, 2026. Currently 90% of the churches and institutions throughout the Diocese of Long Island are taking advantage of our Payroll Service through Paychex. In previous reviews we have been unable to find a service that is less costly than this payroll service. Benefits consist of but are not limited to:

Time Saving

The complexities of payroll processing may require a considerable time commitment, whether calculating payroll amounts, generating in-house reports, preparing and remitting payroll taxes or simply printing, signing and distribution of paychecks.

Cost Savings

Paychex offers the Diocese a very competitive price as we currently process 108 payroll throughout the Diocese

Compliance Guaranteed

Our service ensures that federal, state and local taxes are set up and calculated correctly for both Clergy and lay employees, as well as submitting quarterly and year-end taxes. All labor laws and IRS mandated expenses are processed without any additional work.

W2s and 1099s

Proper processing and timely mailing of all year end employee documents

Mandated Direct Deposit

To ensure proper delivery of each payroll it has been mandated that direct deposit be used. This omits the inconsistencies that can take place using the US Post Office or other services.

Wage Garnishments

Are handled with accuracy and payments are processed in a timely manner

Paystub Access

Our service is paperless but employees can access their paystubs online 24/7 and obtain important tax documentation, like W2's.

Employee-paid benefits are available to all employees who utilize this payroll service. These benefits are: Flexible Spending Account, Transportation Fringe Benefit and four (4) supplemental health care plans through AFLAC. All these benefits help to reduce your taxable income.

If interested, time and attendance can be tracked, as well as, general ledger reports generated

Additional information can be obtained by contacting our Payroll Processor, Therese Lynaugh, at tlynaugh@dioceseli.org

Submitted by Diocesan Council

WHEREAS, it being the case that the vestry and congregation of St. Andrew's By-The-Sea, Saltaire, New York ("St. Andrew's") has complied with the procedures outlined in Title I Canon 1 3 Section 2 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church and in Title VII Canons 2 and 3 of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island regarding the formation of a new parish; and

WHEREAS, it being the case that the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Long Island, the Chancellor of the Diocese of Long Island and the Bishop of Long Island have taken the steps provided in the aforesaid Diocesan Canons regarding the formation of a new parish; and

WHEREAS, the Bishop of Long Island requests that the Convention consent to the creation of such parish;

THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED by this 159th Convention that St. Andrew's By The Sea, Saltaire, is accorded the status of a parish church in union with the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, with such rights and privileges as are set forth in the Constitution and Canons of same.

Submitted by Bishop Lawrence C. Provenzano

Resolved, that this 159th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island affirm its support, both spiritual and financial, for the establishment of The Episcopal Mission in Sunnyside as a mission of the Diocese.

Background:

After 92 years of faithful ministry in the Sunnyside neighborhood, All Saints Episcopal Church came to the end of its natural life: the parish was closed in February 2020, just before the COVlD-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. In the summer of 2021, Fr. Carl Adair, then serving as curate at Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston, Queens, moved to Sunnyside with his wife Meg Cramer. Sensing the movement of the Holy Spirit in this vibrant and diverse neighborhood, Fr. Adair began to discern a call to plant a new Episcopal church in Sunnyside that would continue the legacy of All Saints. and proc]ajrn in word and deed the mission of the church: to "let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new" (BCP 291, 528).

After almost two years of discernment with Bishop Provenzano and diocesan staff, in the fall of 2023 Fr. Adair began sowing seeds for the renewal of this mission in Sunnyside by building intentional relationships and running experiments to gather neighbors into community. Not all experiments have been successful, but even failures have led to surprising and life-giving connections and new paths forward.

An attempt in early 2024 to establish a Sunday evening Compline service did not take root, but led to a relationship with Heather Jones, a transgender singer and composer, who became the mission's first artist-in-residence. A connection with 1oca! reaching artists led to a monthly, all-ages "Process Art" event that in turn led to new and deeper connection with the local Mutual Aid network, and to a connection with Spence Moore, who founded a monthly "Iced Coffee Hour" to celebrate the intersection of queerness and spirituality. A weekly time of contemplative silence on Sunday evening led to interfaith connections, which blossomed into a Community Iftar during Ramadan and Lent in the spring of 2025, where neighbors shared reflections about fasting and feasting. Throughout this time, Fr. Carl and partners gathered for a monthly Eucharist, seekingnew ways to honor the depth of our liturgical traditions.

Fast forward to September 14, 2025, v,:hen the Episcopal Mission in Sunnyside launched weekly Sunday services for the entire Sunnyside community at a joyous, standing-room-only Holy Eucharist. In the weeks since, new people each week are nourished by the life-giving, sacramental practices of our faith, and we are knit together into the Body of Christ.

As we seek to faithfully live out our mission in Sunnyside, we seek to be established and supported as a mission of the Diocese. We also ask that the whole Diocese of Long Island hold us in prayer as we continue in the adventure of faithfulness, led by the Holy Spirit.

Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Carl Adair, Diocesan Missioner in Sunnyside, and the Bishop's Committee of The Episcopal Mission in Sunnyside.

A Resolution Honoring the Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano from the Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island

Whereas, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano has faithfully served as Bishop of Long Island since 2009, leading this Diocese with wisdom, compassion, and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and

Whereas, Bishop Provenzano has consistently supported and uplifted the voices of young people, ensuring their full participation in the mission and ministry of the Church; and

Whereas, under his episcopacy, the Diocese has expanded opportunities for youth through diocesan conventions, summer camps, retreats, scholarships, and service projects, nurturing faith, leadership, and discipleship; and

Whereas, his encouragement and presence at youth gatherings have affirmed that young people are vital to the life and future of the Church; therefore be it

Resolved, that the Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island, assembled in Convention, expresses its deep gratitude to Bishop Lawrence C. Provenzano for his faithful service, steadfast support of youth ministry, and vision of a Church that embraces every generation; and be it further

Resolved, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of Convention and that a copy be presented to Bishop Provenzano as a token of the love, respect, and gratitude of the youth of this Diocese.

Respectfully submitted,

The Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island

A Resolution Honoring Mrs. Jeanne Provenzano from the Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island

Whereas, Mrs. Jeanne Provenzano has faithfully walked alongside her husband, the Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, throughout his episcopacy, sharing in the burdens and joys of ministry, and offering steadfast love, encouragement, and partnership in the service of Christ; and

Whereas, her deep love for Jesus has been evident in her life of prayer, her quiet strength, and her constant witness to the hope and joy of the Gospel; and

Whereas, Mrs. Provenzano has embodied the Christian virtues of hospitality, kindness, and compassion, welcoming clergy, lay leaders, and young people with warmth and generosity, and showing to all the love of Christ in both word and deed; and

Whereas, she has been a source of unwavering support to her husband in his ministry as Bishop of Long Island, sustaining him with grace and strength, and thereby strengthening the wider Church; and

Whereas, Mrs. Provenzano has taken a personal and heartfelt interest in the lives of young people, encouraging them in their faith, celebrating their gifts, and reminding them that they have an essential and God-given place in the mission and future of the Church; therefore be it

Resolved, that the Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island, assembled in Convention, gives thanks to Almighty God for the life and witness of Mrs. Jeanne Provenzano, and expresses its deep gratitude for her love, her faith, and her many years of quiet but powerful ministry among us; and be it further

Resolved, that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of this Convention, and that a copy be presented to Mrs. Provenzano as a sign of the love, respect, and gratitude of the young people of this Diocese, who have been blessed by her presence and uplifted by her example.

Respectfully submitted,

The Youth Presence of the Diocese of Long Island

Resolved, that the 159th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island gives thanks for the witness and ministry of its leaders who faithfully served this diocese in the past; and be it further,

Resolved, that the Secretary of Convention send greetings on behalf of this Convention to the wives of Bishops Robert Witcher and Orris G. Walker Jr., and Bishops Rodney Michel and James Ottley.

Resolved, that the 159th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island gives thanks for all our ecumenical relationships; and be it further,

Resolved, that the Secretary of Convention send the greetings of this Convention to the newly elected Bishop of the New York Metropolitan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Right Reverend Dr. Katrina Foster; to The Most Reverend John Barres, Roman Catholic Bishop of Rockville Centre; The Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn; and, to The Reverend Dr. Janice Moore, Chair of the Long Island Council of Churches.

Resolved, that the 159th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island gives thanks for our brothers and sisters, both inside and outside of the Episcopal Church, in whom God draws us into ever deeper bonds of friendship and affection, and be it further

Resolved, that the Secretary of Convention send the greetings, prayers of this Convention to our brothers and sisters in Cape Coast, Ghana; Torit, Sudan; and Ecuador Central, also assuring them of our continued thanks for their part in our shared ministry of proclaiming Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Resolved, that the 159th Convention of the Diocese of Long Island expresses its sincere thanks and appreciation to Denise Fillion, Ivette Fernandez, the entire Staff of the Diocese and the Committee on Dispatch of Business, for their efforts in planning for and executing this convention.