Wednesday, March 13, 2002
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer;
Mr. Dean Weber, Chancellor; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary
Elected by Districts: The Rev. Martin Bagay, Ms. Kathleen Ballard, The Rev. Kim
Capwell, The Rev. Randall Day, Mr. Daniel deRonde, Ms. Ann Hirsch, Ms. Naomi
Horsky, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, Mr. Nat Nelson, Mr. Jack Reade, The Rev.
William Riker, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. John
F. Stanton, Mr. Larry Taber, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Pat Yankus.
Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Sidney King
Absent: The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley
Others Present: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian
Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened
with prayer. Prior to the start of the business session, members participated
in an appreciative inquiry exercise (What actions and discussions of Diocesan
Council might influence or inform their work on the council? What were personal
hopes and expectations as a member of Council?).
AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the following additions: a
request from District 10 Clergy regarding an accounting of the companion diocese
relationship, future diocesan strategy on parish status, Ward J. Herbert Board
funding criteria, district elections, and Diocesan Council meeting schedule.
The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of January 9,
2002. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS
- THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Announced the deposition of the Rev. Wayne Riley by action of the Standing Committee
of the Diocese of Rochester for conduct unbecoming a clergy person. Mr. Riley
had earlier renounced his vows when confronted with the charges of misconduct.
Pastoral resources were being provided to congregational members at St. James',
Hackettstown, where Mr. Riley had served as rector prior to his departure to
Rochester.
Reported the Trustees approved three congregational development requests earlier
in the day.
Shared his experience at the recent House of Bishops' meeting in Camp Allin,
Houston, Texas. 150 bishops gathered for the meeting. The bishop of Iran was
especially impressive; a person of integrity, spirituality and joy despite repression
of the church by the ruling government. Bishop Tutu participated in the meeting
as a speaker and preacher. The presiding bishop was focused on reconciliation,
individually, corporately and globally.
Announced that Ms. Laurie Matarazzo and Mr. Jim Petroccione will be ordained
deacons on Saturday, April 13.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. John Zinn reported on the financial statement. On the income side, the belated
pledges included additional 2001 money received in 2002. Significant money was
received in March, almost $75,000. Pledge income was strong in February; less
than one month behind budget. The convention fee was over budget for the year;
the surplus will make up deficits from the past two years. On disbursements,
25% was paid to the National Church. The few staff lines that were over budget
would be made up through reimbursements. Operating expenses were in good shape.
Too early to detect any negative trends.
It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion
was adopted.
It was moved and seconded to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council.
NUTLEY EPISCOPAL SENIOR
HOUSING CORPORATION
The President called to order the first Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal
Senior Housing Corporation.
It was moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board
of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:
Diocesan Representative Trustees: Class of 2005: The Rt. Rev. Rufus
T. Brome and Mr. William Heick, St. Paul's, Morris Plains; Class
of 2004: Mr. William Godsall, Grace, Nutley, and The Rev. Oscar Mockridge;
Class of 203: Ms. Elizabeth J. "Betty" Gingerelli, Grace,
Nutley, and Mr. Michael Francaviglia, St. George's, Maplewood.
Nutley Trustees (terms expire May 13, 2003): The Rev. Pamela Bakal, Mr. James
Blanda, Mr. James T. Callaghan, Mr. Thomas Corino, Mr. David Pellnitz, Mr. Mike
Ryder, Ms. AnnMae Thibault.
The motion was adopted.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal
Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.
The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council.
FUNDING PROCESS FOR DISTRICTS'
PROJECTS
The district conveners had met in February and discussed the funding process
decided earlier by the Council. The consensus of the conveners was that the process
was overly cumbersome and unnecessarily and rigidly structured. Hence, the conveners
were proposing an alternative process.
The following process was moved and seconded:
Budget is approved by Convention at the end of January
Funding requests are submitted by districts to the Office of the Bishop.
Funding requests are submitted to district conveners. [replacement text]
Approved funding is reported to the Diocesan Council.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation.
Canon Hunt explained that there had been agreement among the conveners that having
a committee of twenty people to allocate $10,000 did not seem realistic and had
proposed the change in the spirit for a more workable process.
The Rev. Briggett Keith suggested that the committee be made up of ten people,
half lay and half clergy; odd number districts have clergy representatives and
even number have lay representatives and vice versa annually.
The Rev. Kim Capwell recommended that the Keith motion be turned down and that
the Council be the body that receives funding requests rather than district conveners
for this year. He argued that the Council would give the balance of clergy and
lay that had been expressed in the Keith motion. Such a structure would also
honor time commitments of people.
Ms. Keith agreed to the substitute and the changes are as follows (bold and strikeout):
Budget is approved by Convention at the end of January
Funding requests are submitted by districts to the Office of the Bishop.
Funding requests are submitted to the Diocesan Council. [replacement text]
Approved funding is reported to the Diocesan Council.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation
The motion was adopted. The new version now read:
Budget is approved by Convention
at the end of January
Funding requests are submitted by districts to the Office of the Bishop.
Funding requests are submitted to the Diocesan Council.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation.
DISTRICT REPORTS
The Rev. Briggett Keith brought a request from the clergy of District 10 for
a financial accounting from the Treasurer of the money collected for the companion
diocese relationship with the Diocese of Lebombo. Mr. Zinn would review the records.
A request was made for a memorandum advising congregations on the rental of property
that would not threaten their tax exempt status, relating to the rental of church
property to profit organizations. (At an earlier meeting, Michael Rehill, then
Chancellor, mentioned that a advisory memorandum had been written and was available.)
Mr. Dean Weber, Chancellor, explained that the recommendation regarding leases
would be that the lease contain language that the profit organization would bear
the consequences of any penalties that might be determined. [Some recalled that
this document might already have been distributed.]
A concern was raised that district meetings be better publicized, especially
those meetings at which elections for Diocesan Council and other diocesan offices
were scheduled. It was suggested that these meetings be posted electronically
and published in a variety of ways.
District 1: The Rev. Kim Capwell reported the district was having a Lenten series
and The Rev. Jeannette DeFriest was the new convener.
District 2: Ms. Naomi Horsky reported on the various activities planned by the
district.
District 3: The Rev. William Riker and Mr. Dan deRonde reported work had begun
on a fall retreat; developing acolyte training process, lay readership program,
property clean up project at St. Mark's, West Orange, assistance to the low income
was being provided through soup kitchens and food pantries.
District 5: Ms. Kathleen Ballard reported the district began discussions on college
chaplaincy programs.
District 7: Ms. Nancy Reade reported on the activities, presentations were scheduled
from a variety of groups, including Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries, Bethsaida
Team and others. Worship vigil, acolyte festival and other shared ministries
were planned. St. Peter's Haven would soon be designated as a Jubilee Center.
District 8: Ms. Doris Mardirosian expressed her concern over the fact that the
district had not met this year.
District 9: The Rev. Jack Stanton reported the district had a new convener, The
Rev. Lynne Bleich Weber. The district continued its efforts for college chaplaincy
program at Bergen Community College. A youth trip to Western Virginia had been
sponsored by the district for thirty youths to travel for a work trip. Work continues
on hispanic ministry.
District 10: The Rev. Briggett Keith reported the college chaplaincy program
at Ramapo Community College was underway.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported the ECW held a recent board meeting at St. Mark's,
West Orange. Unfortunately, local representatives from the surrounding area did
not attend. This was especially disappointing since the meetings were held on
Sundays to accommodate different schedules. The next World of Women was scheduled
for Saturday, April 27, at Church of the Saviour, Denville. Five people from
each congregation plus two honorees could be accommodated. The next newsletter
will seek nominations for offices.
NEW BUSINESS
Ward J. Herbert Fund Criteria -
The Rev. Kim Capwell expressed a concern regarding the recent rejection
of a grant application which the board ruled as being capital improvement
in nature and not covered by the criteria of the board. There was
some uncertainty for some, since the printed evaluation guidelines
do not specifically address that issue. The specific case was St.
Mary's, Belvidere's request which was for replacement of a 40-year
old kitchen. Several Council members who serve on the WJH Board explained
that funds were tight and that the board focused on structural integrity
issues and emergent needs rather than long term capital projects.
Diocesan Council Meeting Schedule -
The Rev. Jack Stanton raised the issue of the schedule of the Diocesan
Council and frequency of meetings. He wondered just how often the
council needed to meet? After some discussion, The Rev. Briggett
Keith, The Rev. Jack Stanton, The Rev. William Riker, and Ms. Pat
Yankus agreed to meet and discuss the issues and concerns regarding
meeting frequency and report to the April meeting.
STRATEGY FOR PARISH STATUS
The Rev. Kim Capwell commented that some churches are doing good
ministry but may not meet the criteria for parish status, i.e. self-supporting.
He commended the celebration and recognition of the life and work
of Messiah, Chester as a wonderful event at the convention. He pondered
whether there should be a change in our terminology to remove "parish and mission" in favor of "congregation";
would reflect that the goal isn't merely to attain parish status.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The bishop announced the Lay Professionals' service on Thursday, April 11 at
the Cathedral. He will be the celebrant and Canon R. Carter Echols will be the
preacher.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
The next meeting dates are April 10; May 8 and June
12, 2002. (All dates are Wednesdays at St. Agnes'
Episcopal Church, Little Falls.)
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