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DIOCESE OF NEWARK - DIOCESAN COUNCIL

Wednesday, June 11, 2003
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls
Approved Minutes of the Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 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, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Dr. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F. Stanton, 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, Ms. Nancy Read, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. Margaret Swetman, The Rev. Denise Yarbrough.

ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.

Others Present:: Ms. Carla Lerman, Ms. Lyn Headley-Moore, Ms. Martha Gardner, Ms. Ruth Hook, Ms. Bernice Mayes, The Rev. William Parnell, The Very Rev. C. David Williams

Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols, The Rev. Canon Paul S. Hunt, Bishop Brome, Mrs. Marva Brome.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn reported that a review was made of the 2003 budget. While there were some changes in projected income and expense, there were not enough to justify major changes, including any salary increase. Regarding a salary increase, the budget will be re-evaluated at the end of the year, and if there were sufficient funds at that time a retroactive increase might be considered.

There was one change the budget committee recommended at this time for council approval and that was an increase in the salary for the director of the Bishop Anand Resource Center. This salary was significantly lower than those of the other three program directors that report to the canon for congregational development. The cost of the change was $13,500.

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that funding in the 2003 budget for line 12, Resource Center, be increased by $13,500.

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

VISIONING THREADS UPDATE - OUTREACH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The section began with Biblical reflection on Luke 10:25-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan. The bible discussion questions included, Who is my neighbor? What does it mean to be a neighbor? What does it mean for the Diocesan Council to be a neighbor?

Then followed a discussion about the outreach of and within the diocese. The members were joined in the discussion by Ms. Carla Lerman, executive director of Episcopal Community Development; Ms. Martha Gardner, Jubilee Officer; Ms. Lyn Headley-Moore, diocesan Justice Missioner; and Ms. Ruth Hook, past chair, United Thank Offering (UTO). The discussion was held at round tables to reflect on the questions, What do we mean by outreach? What does outreach mean in the diocese of Newark?

Glancing through the budget, members were asked Where do you see Outreach? Are those things listed under Outreach really outreach or not? Are there other things that we do that can be considered ourtreach, but are not listed as such in the budget? Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries was mentioned in answer to the latter question. It was the nature of the threads that they were interwoven in the fabric of diocesan and congregational lives.

AGENDA

Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as prepared with the addition of a report from the Prison Ministry Committee. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of May 14, 2003. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

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

Announced several deployment and staffing changes: The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo to St. James', Ridgefield; The Rev. Paul Olson to St. Paul's, Morris Plains; the retirement of The Rev. William Gannon from St. Andrew's, Harrington Park; the resignation of Mr. Robert Musko as editor of the Voice; and, planned departure of The Rt. Rev. Rufus Brome as assisting bishop at the end of the year.

Asked for prayers for Philip Read, Jr., son of Nancy Read, who was hospitalized and underwent surgery.

Other comments included:
The Commission on Ministry established a subcommittee on lay ministry, chaired by Mary Barrett and Canon Carter Echols will be the staff liaison.

Within the past two weeks ten deacons were ordained during wonderful liturgical services at the cathedral.

Today's graduation ceremony at St. Philip's Academy was an uplifting experience. Sixteen eighth graders were graduated; the next graduating class will be thirty-seven.

On May 20th a clergy day was held at Cross Roads camp and an evening reception was held for wardens. A wardens' conference was scheduled for Saturday, November 15 at St. Peter's, Morristown.

St. Peter's Korean Church in Teaneck was in the process of moving to the property of the former Church of the Transfiguration in North Bergen.

NJ Transit had begun the construction of the subway extension around Episcopal House. A construction fence was being installed. The major excavation was scheduled for July. The offices will not move out of Episcopal House during the construction; the excavation design plans were changed such that the construction would not come directly under the building. The final plans had not been received to date.

COMPANION DIOCESE RELATIONSHIP

The Rev. William Parnell and Ms. Bernice Mayes, co-chairs, reported to council. The committee had focused on what was desired by the diocese in a companion relationship and to look at why such an endeavor was Godly work. The committee set qualities for the relationship, which included: a sense of mutuality, recognizing that both partners have gifts to offer and needs to be addressed; accessibility (for purposes of communication and travel); opportunities for young people; congregation-to-congregation ties; mutual accountability; projects and advocacy that arise out of the growing relationship, rather than defining it from the start; the commitment of the bishops, but also an openness to grass roots contacts.

Members of the committee looked at the theological framework as well. The goal in this preparatory work was to provide a framework that would allow the diocese to enter into the kind of relationship that John the Divine describes in Revelation 1:9: a "companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus."

The committee was thankful for all the suggestions of with whom to have a relationship, but the committee wasn't at that decision point yet.

They expressed concern that no budgetary provision had been made for their work during this fiscal year. The committee will report to the 2004 convention. The exploratory work will require some expenses. The next steps included fact finding beyond the committee, with council and with congregations about the theology and the hopes and expectations for a relationship. A review of previous relationships was underway (Mozambique and Hong Kong).

The council members were asked for their comments and suggestions about what the Godly work of the committee might be? The investigation process was well thought out. A relationship based on mutuality was important so that both can be helped. A testing of the bullet points (a sense of mutuality, recognizing that both partners have gifts to offer and needs to be addressed; accessibility (for purposes of communication and travel); opportunities for young people; congregation-to-congregation ties; mutual accountability; projects and advocacy that arise out of the growing relationship, rather than defining it from the start; the commitment of the bishops, but also an openness to "grass roots" contacts) might be tried; are we looking for a place much different from us?

When asked if the committee had a funding request, the chairs replied that the committee was hopeful that council might help them think creatively beyond the diocesan budget for funding the work. At the moment, however, would not consider asking for a budget adjustment when the staff hadn't received a salary increase.

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that the council accept the report and affirmed the principles of the report as the working principles for the continuing work of the committee.

COUNCIL TASK FORCE REPORTS

Task force representatives presented status reports.

Missions: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt reported that the Missions group will meet in two weeks and will provide an initial report in September.

Role of Council: The Rev. Jack Stanton reported the committee continued to meet and will meet again in June to review the threads and their implications for the budget. The committee was thinking about the possibility of a day or two day retreat. The Rev. Kim Capwell had joined the committee, replacing William Riker.

DISTRICT ACTIVITIES REPORTS

District representatives reported on activities, programs and planning within their districts.

District 5: The Rev. Paul Williams reported the next meeting was scheduled for July 10. The district will meet bi-monthly; the next meeting will be a planning meeting. Each meeting will have a specific topic, such as in September with a focus on stewardship.

District 1: The Rev. Kim Capwell reported that a recent meeting was held at Cross Roads. The district confirmations were scheduled for June 22.

District 10: The Rev. Lu-Ann Connor reported the youth planned a work trip in July to a Methodist youth camp in Maine.

District 4: The Very Rev. C. David Williams reported that the district was planning a trip to Washington DC in the fall for the acolyte festival.

DISTRICT 4 SPENDING REPORT

The Rev. Dr. E. Bevan Stanley and Mr. Larry Taber presented the request from District 4. The district sought funds to help underwrite the costs of a district-sponsored acolyte trip to Washington D.C. in October for the annual festival at the National Cathedral. The travel and registration costs were anticipated at $3,150 for the bus, driver and registration, although additional costs were expected. Some of the other costs would be underwritten by the churches within the district. The project began for the five congregations within the Newark Regional Ministry, and other district churches will participate and their youths will attend the festival as well. Other congregations will be invited to participate as space allows.

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted with one objection that the funds in the amount of $3,150 be approved for District 4.

ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

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

AV-03-01: Wantage, Good Shepherd - Friendly Fridays, $2,900
AV-03-02: East Orange, Christ - LIAC (tutoring program), $6,000
AV-03-03: Hillsdale, Holy Trinity - Center for Help in Time of Loss, $3,000
AV-03-04: Boonton, St. John's - Community Summer Program, $7,000
AV-03-06: Newark, Grace Church - Homework Club, $7,000
AV-03-07: Newark, AIDS Resource Ctr - Prevention Education, $8,000
AV-03-08: Newark, Newark School of Theology, $4,700
AV-03-09: Hackensack, Christ - Peter's Place Expanded Services, $6,000
AV-03-10: Union City, Grace Church - Outreach Summer Project, $6,000
AV-03-11: Jersey City, Grace Van Vorst- Young Artists-in-training Summer Pgm, $5,600
AV-03-12: Newark, St. James CDC - Housing Resource Center, $3,000
AV-03-13: Jersey City, Jersey City Episcopal CDC, $2,600
AV-03-14: Jersey City, St. Paul's - Summer Program, $7,000

Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $68,800

WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

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

WJH-03-01: Cliffside Park, Trinity - Repairs to leak damage, held over
WJH-03-02: Montvale, St. Paul's - Boiler replacement (church), $5,225
WJH-03-03: Towaco, Transfiguration - Church gutter replacements, $870
WJH-03-04: Bloomfield, Christ Church - Electrical upgrade; alarm system; sidewalk, $7,000
WJH-03-05: Newark, Grace Church - Boiler replacement (church); leak repairs. $13,736
WJH-03-06: West Orange, Holy Trinity - Rectory renovations, not funded
WJH-03-07: Glen Rock, All Saints' - Rectory repairs and renovations, not funded
WJH-03-08: Union City, Grace Church - Replace church heating pipes and radiators, $1,350
WJH-03-09: Hasbrouck Heights, St. John - Electrical service upgrade; fire alarm, $5,000
WJH-03-10: Nutley, Grace Church - Vent and vent fan for rectory - $437
WJH-03-11: Kearny, Trinity - Parish hall, rectory, church roofs; hall fire alarm system, $4,382
WJH-03-12: Oakland, St. Alban's - Repair termite damage to arches, $15,000

Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $48,000

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported on the annual meeting and UTO Ingathering held in May at Christ Church, Pompton Lakes, which was well attended. Ms. Harriet Van Dyne was elected as the new secretary. To date, a little over $8000 was received for UTO. The Pauli Murray service was scheduled for October 3 at Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral.

Motion: It was moved and seconded to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council.

RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation.

Motion: It was moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted. The motion was adopted.

Diocesan Representative Trustees (Term expires May 2005): Ms. Barbara (Bobbie) Christenberry, The Rev. Jacob David

Rutherford Trustees (Terms expire May 12, 2004): Ms. Rachelle Bialek, Ms. Barbara Chadwick, The Rev. Ray Frazier, Ms. Maria Teresa Gutierrez, Mr. George Hensel, Mr. John Hipp, The Rev. William D. Howden, Ms. Constance Keeler, and Ms. Denise Ross.

Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council.

PRISON MINISTRY COMMITTEE

The Very Rev. C. David Williams, co-chair, reported on behalf of the Prison Ministry Committee. The New Jersey Department of Corrections and the Federal Department of Justice were extremely interested in Re-Entry programs for ex-offenders and programs for children of incarcerated parents. Funding was available for these programs at both the state and federal levels.

The work of the committee included re-entry efforts and support for children whose parents were incarcerated. Recognizing the benefits of collaboration with programming and funding, the committee had begun a collaboration with Offender Aid & Restoration. OAR was a separate 501(c)3 organization. The committee sought council support to partner with OAR under the Prison Committee's status as a faith based committee. The collaboration means that resources can be combined and shared, thus increasing capacity and labor. Lending institutions, corporations and governments look for partnerships in awarding grants. The Prison Ministry Committee and the Diocese of Newark would have oversight of the grants and will be responsible for OAR's accountability on how funds were spent.

Concern was raised about the oversight and accountability issues raised in the report. More information was needed, such as the fiduciary responsibilities of OAR, and provided to the Committee and Commissions task force of council. It was further suggested that a review of any agreement between the committee and OAR be made by the Chancellor. The bishop announced that either Canon Echols or Canon Hunt would meet with the committee to address the concerns raised.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mr. Don Cairns reported that space was available at Cross Roads.

Ms. Susan Kynor reported that the Church Periodical Club had a drawing for a quilt.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Lu-Ann Connor.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary




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