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DIOCESE
OF NEWARK - DIOCESAN COUNCIL
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Wednesday, March 12, 2003
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls
Approved Minutes of the Meeting
The next
meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2003
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer;
Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; The Rev. Dean Weber, Chancellor.
Elected by Districts: Mr. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Kim Capwell, The Rev. Lu-Ann
Conner, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Ann Hirsch, Ms. Naomi Horsky, Ms. Susan Kynor,
Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, Ms. Nancy Read, The Rev. William Riker, Mr. Don Roberts,
The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F. Stanton, The Rev. Margaret Swetman,
Mr. Larry Taber, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Pat Yankus.
Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Paul Williams.
Absent: Mr. Daniel deRonde, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. Denise
Yarbrough
ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.
Others Present: Ms. Judith Seelbach, director of Commission on Aging
Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols, The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened
with prayer..
AGENDA
Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as prepared with
an addition for a Technology Committee update. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for
the meeting of February 12, 2003. The motion to accept the minutes
was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Welcomed the members to the reconstituted Council; and, expressed his enthusiasm
and delighted anticipation for the upcoming work.
Regretfully, several seminarians and candidates were released to pursue employment
opportunities elsewhere.
The district conveners meet together tomorrow with the bishop and staff; nearly
half of the conveners were new to the position and four were lay persons.
Encouraged attendance to the mini-Celebrating Creative Congregation event, "Connections:
The Spirit Within Us," on Saturday, March 29, featuring The Rev. Dr. Sandye
Wilson, president of UBE, and The Rev. Robert Morris, director of Interweave,
as the keynote speakers.
Gatherings for wardens were in the planning stages. A spring reception for wardens
would soon be scheduled that would hopefully lead to an autumn training session.
Travels to the spring House of Bishops meeting in Kanauga. Expressed some concern
for possible conversations planned for the sessions, which included a capital
campaign for the national church to build five new churches.
Reported that the Rev. Don Beers and his wife, Terry, were injured in a recent
auto accident.
DISTRICT ACTIVITIES REPORTS
District representatives reported on activities, programs and planning within
their districts.
District 10: The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor reported the district planned a pre-confirmation
Sunday morning event for parents, sponsors and confirmands with Mr. Van Arrington,
executive director of "Teach My Children."
District 9: The Rev. Jack Stanton reported that a visioning conference was planned
for later in the month with whichever congregations attend; the hope was to discover
ways to work together.
District 8: The Rev. Randall Day reported the district was moving toward developing
a project of church growth within the district; most mission stations were small
and could grow; the population density was high. It was recognized that all would
benefit from such an effort; a task force within the district will develop the
project.
District 7: Ms. Nancy Read reported the district confirmation recently had over
200 people in attendance. The district continued to meet monthly with a program
provided.
District 6: The Rev. Margaret Swetman and Mr. Don Roberts reported that there
were no activities or meetings held in the district.
District 5: Ms. Susan Kynor reported that on Sunday, March 23, Trinity, Montclair,
4 p.m., district sponsored program will feature Mr. Fred Morsell, an actor who
portrays Frederick Douglass. Future district meetings will be held at Christ
Church, Bloomfield and would include supper; this was a change initiated by the
new convener, the Rev. Paul Williams.
District 4: The Rev. Bevan Stanley reported that The Rev. Lauren Ackland and
The Rev. J. Carr Holland were selected as co-conveners. The district will next
meet at Grace Church, Newark for a service to celebrate the Annunciation. Mr.
Larry Taber commented on the low number of congregations represented at the meetings.
The district was committed to working on the urban/suburban relationship.
District 3: The Rev. Bill Riker reported the district was encouraging participation
in the diocesan nightwatch program. In preparation for confirmation, a dinner
was scheduled for Friday, April 11 at St. Mark's for the purpose of fellowship
and small group discussions on confirmation, reception, reaffirmation and renewal.
Similar to other districts' experience, not every congregation participates.
District 2: Ms. Naomi Horsky reported that the recent meeting had a low turnout.
Scott Bennett, the new convener, had initiated a new program component – two
congregations will present a profile of their church life. Upcoming programs
included Good Friday Stations of the Cross, and a St. Patrick's Day dinner at
Good Shepherd, Wantage.
District 1: Mr. Andrew Piccirillo reported on a recent thirty-hour famine. There
were two Lenten programs planned; St. Mark's, Mendham on child related issues,
and St. Dunstan's, Succasunna with Convent of St. John Baptist. The Panther Valley
Ecumenical Ministry planned a youth event. St. Dunstan's will hold a youth event
for the district using the wooded property of the church. The Rev. Kim Capwell
reported that last month's meeting was combined with the clergy conversations
session with Canon Echols.
Ms. Susan Robinson encouraged districts to send in stories and pictures for the
Voice.
COUNCIL TASK FORCE REPORTS
Task Force Chairs presented status reports.
Planning Role of Council: The Rev.Jack Stanton reported the work of the committee
had shifted since inception. He distributed a time line for the purpose of listing
each task force activity over the next coming months. He suggested that the threads
of the visioning convocation guide the work of the task forces. Different threads
will be highlighted at each of the Council meetings.
Committee on Missions: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt reported the committee met just
prior to the Council meeting. There was an overwhelming quantity of information
that needed to be culled. Three committee meetings would be scheduled before
reporting in June.
Partner Congregations and Districts: Ms. Nancy Read reported the committee explored
congregational partnering. The goal was mutual strength of ministry. Three areas
were identified: geographical (partnering by suburb/urban or just next door);
strength of focused ministry; and, types of existing ministries, such as pantries,
clothes closets. Regarding districts, it was known that some worked well and
others weren't as strong. The task force would like to formulate some guidelines
for those that were in need of assistance. She asked for emails from members
with information and thoughts for those guidelines.
The Companion Diocese Committee will meet on March 25.
Committees and Commissions: The Rev. Dean Weber reported that the group hadn't
met yet, but would shortly. Vice Chancellor John Garde will also work with the
committee.
VISIONING THREADS UPDATE
• Youth - Canon R. Carter Echols
Canon Echols distributed an updated youth ministries programming schedule for
2002-2003 and the job expectations for the diocesan youth missioner. The Youth
Commission (youths and adults who oversee the programming) and the Youth Event
Planning Team (youths who plan several of the activities during the year, such
as the upcoming senior high weekend) were meeting monthly. Vocare and college
campus chaplaincy were additional ministries that involved several people. At
the moment, there was a concentration on building on the strengths of those youth
programs and events up through the high school years.
• Elderly - Ms. Judith Seelbach, director, Commission on Aging
Ms. Judith Seelbach presented a brief history of the commission which had its
beginning as a task force in 1991. The office had been broadened to include resourcing
districts and congregations with materials and programs. A survey of the congregations
was being conducted by the commission; to date, 39 congregations had provided
information. Survey questions included: What programs do you have? What additional
programs would you like to see offered within your parish for senior/older adults?
What is a major concern for ou regarding older adults? What issues relating to
older adults do you feel the church needs to address? What activities, services,
programs or assistance would you like to see provided through the Commission
on Aging to your parish?
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. John Zinn reported the finance report covered the first two months. At the
end of last year approximately $280,000 of 2002 pledges were accrued as a receivable.
In the first two months of 2003 almost half that amount was received, and the
rest was likely. However, given the uncertain financial times and the size of
the accrual, the situation will be closely watched on a monthly basis. The budget
committee will meet in May.
Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject
to audit. The motion was adopted.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported the theme of the Pilgrim's Party, an event cosponsored
by the ECW and the Women's Commission, was strikingly similar to international
political events of today. To date, there was a disappointing response to the
next Honoring Women event planned for April 5.
TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Mr. Steve Boston, chair, reported that the web site was transferred to a new
hosting site recently. The sub-domain feature of the new site meant that church
web addresses would be more self-identifiable.
DISTRICT SPENDING REQUEST
The Rev. Randall Day distributed a request for funding from District 8 to help
reimburse a Christmas advertising project for 2002; the cost was $996. The project
was a collaborative effort to increase the visibility of the district churches.
The district churches agreed to share the costs and to seek reimbursement from
the Diocesan Council district funds. The request had the support of the bishop's
office.
Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that $500 provided
to district 8 towards the reimbursement of the ad project.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. with prayer by the Rev. Paul Walker.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
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