Wednesday, June 12, 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; The Rev. Dean Weber, Chancellor; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary

Elected by Districts: Ms. Kathleen Ballard, The Rev. Kim Capwell, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Ann Hirsch, Ms. Naomi Horsky, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, Mr. Nat Nelson, Mr. Jack Reade, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F. Stanton, The Rev. Steven Steele, The Rev. Margaret Swetman, Mr. Larry Taber, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Pat Yankus.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Sidney King

Absent: Mr. Daniel deRonde, Ms. Nancy Read, The Rev. William Riker

Others Present: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian, representatives from St. Mark's, Mendham; Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City; Incarnation, Jersey City; and, St. Paul's, Jersey City.

Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Canon R. Carter Echols

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened with prayer offered by the Rev. Dr. Robert Schiesler.

AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of May 8, 2002 with a correction to page 3 under Diocesan Outreach Grants. The Rev. Randall Day was mistakenly listed at the Committee Chair, he was a committee member reporting on behalf of the chair, Ms. Pat Yankus who was unable to attend the meeting. The motion to accept the minutes as corrected was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER

Reported on several staff changes and an addition for 31 Mulberry Street. Ms. Susan Robinson will become Director of Communications and Events and Ms. Gail Deckenbach will become the bishop's executive secretary. Ms. Michele Wilson was recently hired as the administrative assistant for Canon Echols. A new hire will join the staff to support the work of the Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Paul Hunt.

Invited members to the ordinations to the diaconate of Timothy Barrett from the UCC and Beth F. Glover from the United Methodist Church. Their ordination will bring to 13 the number of persons ordained this spring to the transitional diaconate. All have been placed into ministry during their period of transitional diaconate ministry.

Announced that The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston agreed to participate in the 129th Annual Convention of the Diocese. The theme will wrap around issues of racism, multiculturalism and diversity.

Reported that revised guidelines and request form for Congregational Development Funds were adopted by the Trustees for the Episcopal Funds and Diocesan Properties and the revisions would be posted on the diocesan website.

Announced that arrangements were made with Grace Counseling Center and Drew University to provide programs for clergy and lay people as we approach the first anniversary of the events of September 11th. These sessions and workshops will be offered on September 5th. Addtionally, there will be a service of Peace and Remembrance on Wednesday, September 11th. This date happened to be the second Wednesday of the month and the Council meeting was rescheduled to the third Wednesday, September 18.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn reported on the financial statement. Income was at a level typical for this time of year; programs and mission groups were funded at their requested levels; administrative expenses were within budget; and payments to the national church were current.

It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted.

BUDGET ADJUSTMENT

Mr. John Zinn presented the following resolution which was moved, seconded and adopted:

RESOLVED, that the funding for the Oasis in the 2002 budget be increased by $10,000 to $50,000.

The original 2002 budget request for the Oasis included a salary freeze and a significant reduction in hours of the administrative assistant. During the budget process, the Oasis was requested to provide information on how much additional funding would be needed to avoid these steps. While the Oasis office indicated that the information was provided, the finance department has no record of receiving it. As a result, the original 2002 budget funding was the amount included in the budget proposal. Discovery of this breakdown in communication took place as the Oasis embarked upon a transitional period between missioners. The organization's 2002 budget was reviewed and the gap in funding for the administrative position is $10,000.

A review had been made of the 2002 budget and this amount could be absorbed without any cuts in other areas of the budget. This was due primarily to the fact that another diocesan staff line will be under budget by more than that amount. Approving this funding would enable the position to be maintained for the balance of 2002. Future funding of the position would be evaluated as part of the 2003 budget.

ST. MARK'S, MENDHAM - REQUEST FOR LOAN THROUGH ALTERNATIVE LENDING

In a memo to Council members, Mr. John Zinn, Chief Financial Officer, provided some background on the proposed source of the possible loan, the alternative lending vehicle set up by the 1997 Diocesan Convention. The initial purpose of the alternative lending vehicle was to provide long term financing for "existing and future church building projects within the Diocese of Newark." Initial funding came from ACTS/VIM, Ward J. Herbert and Diocesan Council endowment funds invested in Fund A of the DIT. Fund A of the DIT is basically invested in bonds and the idea was to loan these funds to church building projects at the same rate that would have been earned in the DIT. Thus, the investors would get the same rate of return and the borrower would pay an interest rate below the market interest rates. At the outset a total of $1,150,000 was invested in this vehicle and the proceeds were used to repay commercial bank loans on two mission churches, Church of the Messiah in Chester and St. Thomas', Vernon. Subsequently, additional diocesan endowment funds were placed into this vehicle in order to provide the mortgage financing on Episcopal House.

At the end of 2001, the Department of Missions repaid the balance of the loan on the Church of the Messiah, freeing up almost $700,000 for other loans. This money was being temporarily invested in the DIT. The 1997 convention resolution indicated that funds for alternative funding would be administered by the board of the ECLF which was accountable to the Diocesan Council. However, with the restructuring of the Ward J. Herbert Board to administer the original ECLF funds, it would seem that the alternative financing vehicle is within the purview of the Diocesan Council.

The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde and parishioners Ms. Joyce Barnish, Mr. Steve Koehler and Mr. Denis Picard appeared before Council seeking a building loan in the amount of $258,000 from the alternative financing vehicle to be secured by the church buildings and property at 7-9 East Main Street, Mendham. The loan would be paid back over a loan period to be determined from the financial resources of St. Mark's, funded primarily from annual pledges from parishioners. The buildings were recently appraised for insurance purposes with a value of $1.7 million excluding the value of the land, and there was no other existing debt on the properties.

Mr. Koehler reviewed the request. The request originated with a building project begun in 1998. Three of the four buildings were historic, with the educational wing being of more recent construction. There had been serious issues in the rectory, as well, such as lead paint and much needed renovations. The vision of the parish was to raise funds to address all building issues at one time. Additionally it was a goal to establish a Christian based pre-school. A capital campaign fund raised $1.3 million for the building work. $1.5 million had been spent. The net difference was expected and final financing was anticipated. Currently there were 60 pledging units; a projection of 80 were anticipated in the near future. The building size might keep the membership lower than preferred. Members were drawn from growth areas of Mendham, Chester and Randolph. The goal of establishing a school had been realized, and currently the school had an enrollment of 70 pupils.

It was moved, seconded and adopted to approve a 25-year loan in the amount requested of $258,000 with the treasurer to determine the appropriate interest rate.

JERSEY CITY AREA MINISTRY

JCAM Representatives Mr. Andrew Hubsch, Grace Church Van Vorst, The Rev. Janet B. Kraft, Grace Church Van Vorst; The Rev. Isaac Persaud, Incarnation; The Rev. Canon David Hamilton, St. Paul's; and wardens from the churches, made a presentation before Council. The representatives of the churches sought the release of the interest income from the JCAM endowment for fiscal 2002-2003 that totaled $45,000, to be shared equally among the three Jersey City churches to support parish growth initiatives and employed for JCAM Board-sanctioned projects.

The plan was to establish a local, multi-signatory account and applications for these funds – up to $15,000 per parish – would be made to JCAM. Monies will be issued only as reimbursement for actual expenses.

Preliminary proposals had already been submitted to the JCAM Board. St. Paul's: to enhance and facilitate youth ministry in the parish and the community and would hire a seminarian. Incarnation: to hire a part-time youth minister. Grace Church Van Vorst: to develop a program of community awareness.

It was moved by the Rev. Margaret Swetman and seconded by the Rev. Steven Steele that the requested funds in the amount of $45,000 be released to JCAM and that at the end of the program year, Council will receive a report accounting for the expenditure of the funds. The motion was adopted with one abstention.

ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

It was moved and seconded that the recommendations made at last month's meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted.

AV-02-01: Newark, AIDS Resource Center,Project for Dependent Children, $10,000
AV-02-02: Paterson, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Emergency Food Pantry, $6,000
AV-02-03: Newark, Newark School of Theology, $5,800
AV-02-04: Newark, Grace Church, Homework Club, $5,500
AV-02-05: Boonton, St. John's Church, Summer Camp, $5,500
AV-02-06: Clifton, St. Peter's Haven, $6,700
AV-02-07: Hackensack, Christ CDC, Peter's Place, $6,000
AV-02-08: Newark, Episcopal, ECD Capacity Expansion, $10,000
AV-02-09: Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine, Community Care Center, $16,500
AV-02-10: Jersey City, Jersey City CDC, Senior Center, $5,000
AV-02-11: East Orange, Christ Church, Summer Camp, $9,000
AV-02-12: Jersey City, Grace Church, Youth Summer Program, $10,000

TOTAL RECOMMENDATION TO DIOCESAN COUNCIL: *$96,000

*(This total included the current grant cycle funds and the remaining unused funds from the fall cycle of 2001.)

DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

It was moved and seconded that the recommendations made at last month's meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted.

International Category:

Good Shepherd Home for Children, Cameroon – $15,000
Pastors for Peace, International Foundation for Community Organization - $3,000

Mengo Center for Arts and Technology - $2,000

Domestic Category:

Messiah Community Resource Corporation, Chester - $6,000
St. Paul's CDC, Paterson, NJ - $15,000
Jersey City Episcopal CDC - $8,000
St. James CDC, Newark, NJ - $12,000
Apostles' House, Newark, NJ - $3,000
LISC - $3,000
St. Peter's Haven, Clifton, NJ - $7,500
St. John's CDC, Boonton, NJ - $6,000
Grace Van Vorst, Jersey City, NJ - $2,000
Care Closet, Christ Church, Belleville, NJ - $3,500
Grace Church, Newark, NJ - $6,000
Christ Church CDC, Hackensack, NJ - $5,000
Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network - $5,000
The Church of Our Saviour, Secaucus, NJ - $3,000
Task Force on Immigrant and Refugee Needs - $3,500
Grace Church, Union City, NJ - $3,500
AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas, Newark, NJ - $14,000

WARD J. HERBERT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS

It was moved and seconded that the recommendations made at last month's meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted. Mr. Steve Boston reported that the request from Mountain Lakes was included in the second cycle of grants which would be decided on June 24..

WJH-02-01: Towaco, Transfiguration, Boiler, Plumbing, Sewage, $1,659
WJH-02-02: Tenafly, Atonement, Roof Rehabilitation, $2,250
WJH-02-03: Montclair, St. Luke's, Steam Leaks in Parish House, withdrawn
WJH-02-04: Newark, AIDS Resource Ctr, Flooring, $2,172
WJH-02-05: Livingston, St. Pete, Roof & Window Replacement, $5,000
WJH-02-06: Belvidere, St. Mary's, removed
WJH-02-07: Union City, St. John's, Sanctuary Roof/Skylights, $15,000
WJH-02-08: Dover, St. John's, Electrical Wiring, $11,466
WJH-02-09: Hope, St. Luke's, Church Tower & Windows, no funding
WJH-02-10: Fort Lee, Good Shepherd, Roof Replacements, $10,000
WJH-02-11: Glen Rock, All Saints', Rectory Renovation, no funding
WJH-02-12: Teaneck, Christ Church, Heating System Coil, $1,950
WJH-02-13: Washington, St. Peter's, Rectory Renovation, no funding
WJH-02-14: Mt. Lakes, St. Peter's, Various Maintenance Projects, no funding/appealed
WJH-02-15: Belleville, Christ Church, Electrical Repair, $1,503
WJH-02-16: Nutley, Grace Church, Repair Projects, $3,000
WJH-02-17: Ringwood, Good Shepherd, Rewiring & Heating Projects, postponed
WJH-02-18: North Bergen, Transfiguration, Rectory Kitchen Repairs, no funding

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported this year's missionary project was St. John's Mother Shelter in San Salvador and $900 will be donated. At the UTO May 16 Ingathering, four students received Mary Rankin Scholarships with each receiving $400.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT TO CONSIDER THE ROLE OF COUNCIL

The Rev. Jack Stanton, Ms. Pat Yankus and the Rev. Briggett Keith, committee members, reported on the results of last month's exercise when members were given colored dots to place on a chart of the seven themes from the Visioning Convocation to indicate their interest level. The question discussed during the exercise was "What do you think are the priorities of the Diocese?" The results as charted were: Community Development - clergy 11, lay 9, staff 6. Diversity - clergy 6, lay 9, staff 6. Spirituality - clergy 4, lay 6, staff 3. Education - clergy 9, lay 1, staff 0. Elderly - clergy 1, lay 9, staff 3. Youth - clergy 3, lay 6, staff 3. Parish Collaboration - clergy 1, lay 3, staff 7.

The committee then led the Council members through a discussion exercise regarding the organization of the diocese. An organizational chart was distributed and members were asked to discuss in small groups the following questions: Is the chart accurate? How would you change or clarify the chart? How does the Diocesan Council relate to the Committee and Commission Structure? How does the Diocesan Council support the work of the Districts? In a timely manner, each small group reported on the conversations. The consensus was the need for continued discussion.

Since the summer months were approaching, the committee asked Council members to ponder the following question over the next two months for discussion when Council reconvenes in September: How do we integrate the themes identified at the Visioning Convocation with the work of the council? Parish collaboration, youth, elderly, education, community development, diversity and spirituality.

DISTRICT REPORTS

District 5: Kathleen Ballard reported on a recent meeting of the district and they discussed the possibility of a program

District 6: Margaret Swetman reported the district met and the congregations were preparing their mission statements.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary

The next meeting date is Wednesday, September 18, 2002, St. Agnes', Little Falls.

[The meeting was moved from the second Wednesday to the third Wednesday, because there will be a diocesan and other services of commemoration for the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 events.]



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