Wednesday, January 12, 2000
Episcopal House, Newark, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; Acting President; Mr. Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
Bishop's Appointments: Ms. Diane Kaczmarek; The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler;
The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss
Elected by Convention: The Rev. Emory Byrum; Mr. Leonard Glenn; Ms. Joyce Skipper;
Ms. Lynn Tyler; The Rev. Dr. Franklin Vilas; The Rev. Richard Wrede
Elected by Districts: The Rev. Martin Bagay; The Rev. Kevin P.J. Coffey; Ms.
Kathy Ganim; Ms. Naomi Horsky; Mr. Michael James; The Rev. William Lantz; Mrs.
Doris Mardirosian;The Rev. Kenneth Near; The Rev. William Parnell; Mr. Junius
Powell; Ms. Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; The Rev. Mildred J. Solomon; Ms.
Mary Sunden; Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse;
Absent: The Rev. David Badgley; Mr. Steven Boston; Mr. Richard Fifield; The Rev.
Margaret Hodgkins; The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde; The Rev. Mark Lewis; Mr. Christopher
Neglia; Mr. Michael F. Rehill; The Rev. Harry Smith; The Rev. Steven Steele;
Mr. John Zinn
Others present: Mr. John Lynch and Ms. Christina Hembree
Staff: Ms. Susan Robinson, The Rev. Paul Hunt
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger.
AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with an addition for Michael James'
comments. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the December 15, 1999, meeting.
The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS:
THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Welcomed Mr. Jack Lynch and Ms. Christina Hembree, who were reporting for Cross
Roads Outdoor Ministries, the joint Episcopal/Lutheran camp and conference center.
Thanked members completing their second consecutive terms: Diane Kaczmarek, Harry
Smith, Emory Byrum, Steve Steele, Mary Sunden, Mark Lewis, Michael James, Jay
Powell and Ginny Whitehouse.
Thanked members completing their first term and eligible for a second term: Bob
Scheilser, Lynn Tyler, Chris Neglia, Bill Lantz, Kevin Coffey, Peggy Hodgkins,
Ken Near and Susan Schink.
Reported on his attendance at four of the six district pre-convention meetings.
He had observed that changes may be needed to the organization and composition
of the districts to accomplish the vision of developing regional strategies to
succeed with congregational development; such work will depend on the strength
of the local churches and districts. Congregational development will come at
a cost and the person hired as the congregational officer will need resources.
Funds for this work will be needed and the costs for new ways of operating will
be higher than in the past.
Announced the resignations of The Rev. Carolyn Lumbard from St. Alban's, Oakland,
to accept the position of deployment and communications officer in the Diocese
of Rochester; and, The Rev. Rickey Edwards from St. Gabriels', Milton/Oak Ridge.
The Rev. Anne Wrede had been appointed the interim dean at the cathedral in Trenton.
Reported that The Rev. Peggy Gunness will undergo heart surgery later this week.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The Treasurer's Report (financial statement for 1999) was distributed to the
members at the meeting. It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject
to audit. The motion was adopted.
CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER
Mr. John Lynch and Ms. Christina Hembree presented a status report of the project.
(Copies of appraisals, engineering studies, site survey, strategic plan, financial
management, venture management, articles of incorporation, constitution, bylaws
and legal agreement/ground lease). They requested authorization from Diocesan
Council to proceed with the project; such authorization was required by the 124th
Diocesan Convention. A similar presented was scheduled before the Lutheran Synod
of New Jersey next week in the absence of Bishop E. Roy Riley.
It was moved by The Rev. Skip Vilas and seconded that Diocesan Council:
-authorize the committee to proceed with the Joint Venture (as authorized by
the 124th Convention of the Diocese of Newark, subject to final Diocesan Council
review and approval);
-authorize the diocesan chief financial officer to release funds as required
to establish the Joint Venture and the pay the diocesan share of any outstanding
project development expenses and any operating budget shortfall for 1999 (as
authorized by the 124th Convention of the Diocese of Newark, subject to final
Diocesan Council review and approval);
-authorize the bishop and chancellor to agree to any changes in the legal agreements
that may be required prior to closing, February 23, 2000;
-establish a procedure for the chief financial officer of the diocese to release
funds as required from the remaining camp & conference endowment fund (as
authorized by the 124th Convention of the Diocese of Newark, subject to final
Diocesan Council review and approval);
-and, that the bishop and diocesan council agree on a procedure for designating
Diocesan Trustees to the Joint Venture Board.
Mr. Lynch reviewed the projected budget. Retreat income primarily came from the
Lutherans use of the facility, but the proposal assumed future episcopal usage.
Increased camper weeks were expected based on past experience. The camp income
line was seen as realistic. While in 1999 salary and insurance costs were absorbed,
the 2000 budget reflected the actual costs.
A search for an executive director had not produced a satisfactory candidate.
Rather, a program director and a facilities manager were hired with the executive
committee serving as a facilities committee.
The camp endowment fund had $1.1 million; $730,000 would be used to acquire 50%
ownership in the facilities; $55,000-$60,000 would be spent for renovations;
$250,000-$300,000 would remain in the fund.
The motion was adopted.
WARD J. HERBERT FUND STRUCTURE/FUNDING
Mr. Michael James, chair of the Ward J. Herbert Fund, presented the following
resolution:
RESOLVED, that the membership of the Board of the Ward J. Herbert Fund ("the
Board") be increased to 18, consisting of 11 members (4 clergy and 7 lay)
elected by Diocesan Council, of which not less than four shall be members of
the Diocesan Council, the Standing Committee or the Board of the Episcopal Capital
Loan Fund ("ECLF"); 5 members (2 clergy and 3 lay) appointed by the
Bishop; a member of the Diocesan staff designated by the Bishop; and the Diocesan
Property Manager; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Ward J. Herbert Fund ("the Fund") shall continue
to be administered by the Board under the authority of Diocesan Council, and
that the Board shall continue to make matching fund grant recommendations to
Diocesan Council for the repair and restoration of church structures in the diocese
from the return on investment from the capital of the Fund; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the role of the Board shall be expanded to act as the primary
diocesan agency responsible for property maintenance; and in connection therewith
the Board shall administer all interest received by the ECLF on its outstanding
loans and such additional funds as are made available to it annually by Convention
from the Unified Budget of the Diocese for property maintenance (collectively
the "Property Maintenance Fund"), with the power to make such grants
and/or loans from the Property Maintenance Fund for property repairs and maintenance
as it deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with such procedures as are
adopted by Diocesan Council.
The Rev. Paul Hunt explained the DOM realized that property issues would continue
to hamper congregational development work with missions and parishes. Logically
it made some sense to consolidate property matters with one group which seemed
to be the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board. Procedures on how best to proceed were
under consideration and would be discussed further, including how to respond
to emergencies between granting cycles. There was no intention to rush the process.
It was asked if the ECLF interest earnings were marked for mission congregations'
use only at the time that the program was established by Bishop Stark.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Mrs. Clara Horsley announced with great pride that this year's ECW missionary
project was the Highlands Community Development Corporation at Good Shepherd,
Ringwood. She reminded members about the World of Women program scheduled for
March 25 at Denville.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, JERSEY CITY
There was no formal report received on the project. The Rev. Paul Hunt reported
that the project was going before the Jersey City planning board later in January.
STEERING COMMITTEE - VESTRY/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
VISITS
Ms. Susan Schink reported on the parochial visits made this fall by council members.
Dialogue was stronger when more than one congregation was brought together. Eight
parishes refused to participate, even after several phone calls. Some congregations
questioned why the visit was being made. Overall, however, the results were positive.
Ms. Diane Kaczmarek thanked the members for their participation.
STEERING COMMITTEE - AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION
Ms. Diane Kaczmarek moved the following resolution which was seconded and adopted:
Resolved, that the Bishop or his designee and the Steering Committee be given
the authority to act on behalf of the Diocesan Council during the month of February
2000 in the event that a decision must be made during the recess. Any such actions
will be reported to the Council at its March meeting.
STEERING COMMITTEE - ORIENTATION SESSION
Ms. Diane Kaczmarek reported that an orientation session for new members was
scheduled for Wednesday, February 9. The next meeting of Council would be Wednesday,
March 1, 2000 (this was the first Wednesday of the month, because the second
Wednesday was Ash Wednesday).
It was moved, seconded and adopted to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council.
The President called the membership of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation
to order.
STEERING COMMITTEE - RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION
Ms. Diane Kaczmarek moved the following resolution which was seconded and adopted:
Resolved, that the Rev. Jacob David be elected to the Board of Trustees to serve
until the next election for Diocesan Trustees on May 10, 2000.
A vacancy in the number of Diocesan Trustees was created by the resignation of
the Rev. Fletcher Harper. The congregation that the Rev. Jacob David serves has
begun a holiday feeding ministry to the residents of the Rutherford Senior Manor
and another senior resident building in the town. He has expressed interest in
working with the board. Hence, this nomination.
The other diocesan trustees include: The Rev. Canon Edmund Partridge, Grace Church,
Rutherford; Mr. Edward Mazure, Grace Church, Rutherford; Ms. Bobbie Christenberry,
Teancek; and Mr. Michael Francaviglia (board secretary). Additionally, there
are nine other board members who are local representatives and citizens of Rutherford.
It was moved, seconded and adopted to adjourn the meeting of the Rutherford Senior
Housing Corporation.
CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER
The Rev. Richard Wrede moved that the bishop appoint the requisite number of
individuals to be named as Diocesan Trustees to the Joint Venture Board. The
motion was seconded and adopted.
Bishop Croneberger said it was his intention to appoint individuals who were
not only good managers, but interested in camping. The names of the Diocesan
Trustees would be reported back to Council.
PERSONAL NOTES
Mr. Michael James expressed his pleasure of serving on Council for the past four
years and thanked the members for welcoming him always so graciously.
The Rev. Skip Vilas announced that he will represent the diocese at the Ecumenical
Roundtable in March and he will report on the conference at the April meeting.
The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Croneberger.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
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