Wednesday, October 9, 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. Naomi Horsky, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, Ms. Nancy Read, Mr. Don Roberts,
The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F.
Stanton, The Rev. Steven Steele, Mr. Larry Taber, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Pat
Yankus.
Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Paul Williams
Absent: Ms. Ann Hirsch, Mr. Nat Nelson, Mr. Jack Reade, The Rev. William Riker,
Mr. Daniel deRonde, The Rev. Margaret Swetman.
ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.
Others Present: Ms. Roberta Nobleman, Task Force on Immigrant and Refugee Needs;
Ms. Jan Hardy and the Rev. Oscar Mockridge, Bethsaida Team
Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Canon R. Carter Echols, Ms. Susan Robinson,
Mr. Tim Russo.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened
with prayer by the Rev. Jack Stanton.
AGENDA
Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of a
resolution for the release of funds for St. Augustine's Church property site
protection and a report from the Task Force on Immigrant and Refugee Needs; bishop's
comments on the Congregational Development Fund usage; and, the Youth Visioning
Dialogue was moved after the Ad Hoc Committee Report. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of September
18, 2002. The motion to accept the minutes as corrected was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Announced that he will enter the hospital early next week for an angioplasty,
a one day procedure.
Shared his reflected on last month's council meeting discussion on the role of
Diocesan Council in the life of the diocese. He was deeply moved by the comments;
many important things were said; saw signs of hope and wants to deepen that conversation.
Last evening, the ad hoc committee members met with him for preparation for tonight's
meeting. The role he would like Council to take was as the planning arm of the
diocese, just as the canons recognize, and to do it together with him. Wants
to keep faithful to the results of the visioning convocation and use the threads
that were developed (community development, spirituality, education, diversity,
and ministry to the elderly and youth). Suggested that consecutive meetings of
council explore the each of the threads in turn to assess what impact our program
ministry has on that particular thread. This work would lead to the development
of planning for the budget and tie programming to the budget.
Five years ago during the bishop's search process, the candidates were asked
to comment on what they wanted to do as the bishop of Newark. At that time, he
responded to part of that question by saying he wanted to look at disbanding
the DOM. Since then, he hadn't done much in that direction, but under Canon Hunt
there was control of the DOM. Today, he envisions the council taking on the functions
and responsibilities of the DOM at some not too future time, since council would
have the responsibility for programming and budget.
He was passionate about his committee work on the revision of national Title
III canons that related to the roles of diocesan Standing Committees and Commissions
on Ministry, which were often in conflict because the roles were not clearly
defined and each tried to do the others' job. Clarity was important. In some
ways that's an issue for our diocese as well.
Together, let us answer several questions, What is the particular role of council?
The choices were either to simply make council a rubber stamp or to take the
more preferable option that council takes on the responsibility of budgeting
and planning. The concern that staff was making decisions was partly true. But
the staff shouldn't step back from their roles, rather council should now step
forward fully into its role.
What's going well? What might we not be doing so well? What can we do to change
and improve the work and ministry within the diocese? Acknowledging that the
budget was staff driven, the time was now for council to take on more of the
responsibility.
Reported on the recent House of Bishops' meeting.
Commented that 41 clerical leadership changes had occurred in the last several
months.
Announced that the Standing Committee had approved for candidacy the following:
Denise Bennett, Susan Schink, Elizabeth Golub, Anne Koehler, John P. Mitchell,
Edgar Duarte Gutierrez.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. John Zinn reported on the financial statement. A status review of 2002 pledges
would be made during October. Giving to the national church expected to be back
to the 25% level by month's end. Expense lines were within expectations. The
fourth quarter importance was the level of pledges. The deficit year to date
was slightly over $100,000.
Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The
motion was adopted.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to temporarily adjourn the meeting
of Council.
The President called the membership of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation
to order.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. BOARD ELECTION
Mr. John Zinn moved the following resolution:
Motion: Resolved, That Mr. George Reeves, St. Mary's, Sparta, be elected to the
Board of Episcopal Community Development Corporation until the December 2002
meeting of the Diocesan Council.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to adjourn the meeting of the membership
of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation.
The Diocesan Council was called back into session.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to temporarily adjourn the meeting
of Council.
APOSTLES' HOUSE ELECTION
The President called the membership of the Apostles House Board to order.
Mr. John Zinn moved the following resolution:
Motion: Resolved, That Mr. Arnold Natalie be elected to the Board of Apostles
House until the December 2002 meeting of the Diocesan Council.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to adjourn the meeting of the membership
of Apostles House Board.
The Diocesan Council was called back into session.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S SITE PROTECTION
Mr. Steven Boston moved the following resolution.
Motion: Resolved, that funds be released from the St. Augustine's Church portion
of the Jersey City strategy funds in an amount not to exceed $2000 for the following:
a) repair of the eight foot fence which encloses the construction site;
b) boarding up of the first floor and basement windows; and,
c) securing the front and rear doors of the existing four-story building.
The motion was seconded and adopted with one abstention.
Although presently covered by adequate insurance, it appeared prudent to keep
neighborhood people away from the construction areas, to reduce the possibility
of vandalism or injury and subsequent legal actions.
The bishop reported that the Jersey City Board of Education had expressed interest
in the property planned for the construction of St. Augustine's. Subsequent discussions
between the church leadership, the diocese and city officials led to the possibility
of a partnership between St. Augustine's and the Board of Education.
BETHSAIDA TEAM REPORT
Ms. Jan Hardy and the Rev. Oscar Mockridge, Bethsaida Team co-chairs, made the
presentation to Council. The long term goal of the team was to work with each
congregation in developing plans to make each building accessible and each program
inclusive. Additionally, the team prepared workshops and forums for congregations
and districts to teach awareness about disabilities in general and to help begin
the development plans. Presentations were scheduled for St. John the Divine,
Hasbrouck Heights in October and St. Agnes', Little Falls in December. Eventually,
the team hoped to make a visit to each congregation over the next several years
and present a program on accessibility.
A video had been produced for the Bethsaida Team to loan to congregations as
an introduction to the levels of work that could be down to make property and
programs accessible. A web site had been designed and linked to the diocesan
site.
TASK FORCE ON IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE NEEDS
Ms. Roberta Nobleman, chair of the task force, made a dramatic presentation as
Ms. Lucy, daughter of John Dunne. Along with Jean Pierre, a refugee from the
Congo, the presentation described the plight of immigrants seeking asylum and
freedom, but find themselves instead imprisoned and eventually released without
any kind of help, resources or support. Resources were few and the needs were
many. Among the simplest gifts a congregation might be able to provide were visits
to the prison. Support for the task force from the districts was sought, as well
as other individuals to assist in the visitation program to the refugees in the
detention center. Further need was a resettlement program. Visitation and resettlement
programs might be collaborative work for several congregations.
AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT TO CONSIDER THE ROLE OF COUNCIL
The Rev. Jack Stanton, Ms. Pat Yankus, and Ms. Doris Mardirosian, committee members,
presented an exercise for members working in small groups to match up ministries
within the diocese with the seven threads identified from the Visioning Convocation.
The results of the data gathering process would be shared at the next meeting.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported that on Sunday, November 3 the ECW scheduled an
art show to benefit St. Philip's Academy. The auction will be held at Calvary
Church, Summit. On November 10 the ECW board will meet at Good Shepherd, Wantage.
DISTRICT 4 SPENDING REQUEST
The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley presented the request for reimbursement of the costs
for the district workshop with Dr. Horace Boyer, editor of Lift Every Voice and
Sing II, held February 22-23, 2002 at the Cathedral. The application was for
$1,404.30 to cover the expenses (Dr. Boyer's fee, $750; hotel, $109; travel,
$95; and dinner with district leaders, $450.30). The funds for the event had
been advanced by Christ Church, Short Hills.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that $1,404.30 be allocated to District
4 for reimbursement of the costs for the program held in February 2002.
DISTRICT 10 SPENDING REQUEST
The Rev. Briggett Keith presented the request for a District Youth High School
Program on Discrimination in the amount of $1,500. The event was scheduled for
Saturday, November 16, 2002, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul's, Paterson. The event
will feature Mr. Van Arrington, executive director of "Teach My People." The
program will bring together teenagers and their friends for a day of thought
provoking discussion, reflection and challenge on the subject. The costs included
the speaker's fee of $500, travel for the speaker and food for the attendees.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that $1,500 be allocated to District
10 for the costs for the program
YOUTH VISIONING DIALOGUE
Canon Carter Echols reported briefly on results of the recent Youth Visioning
Conference during which 56 people (youths and adults) worked and played together
in a process of creating a shared vision of Youth Ministry. [A more full report
will be presented at the November meeting of Council.] Feedback from the council
and the districts was much sought. (The report was available on line at www.dioceseofnewark.org/youth/v2002thnx.html and
the summary of the work at www.dioceseofnewark.org/youth/v2002notes.pdf.)
The priorities identified by the participants were: diocesan wide youth events;
communications; improve clergy support; training and networking for youth leaders;
money for youth activities; help getting youth involved in parish life; district
wide youth event; training programs for youth & training in how to recruit
youth; improve music at church liturgies. Council members were asked to reflect
on the priorities and provide reaction at next month's meeting when the report
will be more fully discussed. [The part of the discussion on the priorities will
be held in place of next month's bible study.]
CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
Bishop Croneberger reported that twelve grants had been awarded from the Congregational
Development Fund. A complete list of the grants would be provided so that all
might know the good news about ministries happening in the diocese. He briefly
reviewed the proposal submission process. Important to the application process
was the ability to adequately answer the question, "How will the congregation
be different after the money is spent?" Some proposals had been received
that were interesting and seemingly worthy but were unable to address that question;
in fact, nothing much different would happen with the congregation afterward.
The sources of the fund were proceeds from church property sales. The fund was
being administered by the Trustees.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Steven Boston announced the ordination of James Petroccione on October 20
at St. John's, Ramsey.
Deacon's Inquiry Day on Saturday, October 19, Christ Church, Bloomfield/Glen
Ridge.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. with prayer by the Rev. Briggett Keith.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
The next meeting date is Wednesday, November 13, 2002, St. Agnes', Little
Falls.
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