Latest Headlines
from
The VOICE
 
The Diocese of Newark Online
DIOCESE OF NEWARK - DIOCESAN COUNCIL

Wednesday, March 10, 2004
St. Agnes' Church, Little Falls
Approved Minutes of the Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2004
St. Agnes', Little Falls

Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor.

Elected by Districts: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Mr. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke, The Rev. Lu-Ann Conner, The Rev. Randall Day, The Rev. Hank Dwyer, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Nancy Read, The Rev. Elton Smith, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, Ms. Lynn Tyler, The Rev. Fain Webb, Ms. Valda Wright, Ms. Pat Yankus.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor, The Rev. Paul Williams.

Absent: Ms. Glenda DeKruif, Mr. Don Roberts.

ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.

Others Present: Ms. Martha Gardner, Jubilee Officer.

Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson, The Rt. Rev. Martin G. Townsend.

The meeting was opened at 7:10 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor.

AGENDA
Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as prepared. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of February 11, 2004. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

BISHOP'S COMMUNICATION

Reported that the litigation with Bon Secours had ended earlier in the day and the partnership will be severed. The judge determined there was sufficient reason to end the partnership and Bon Secours decided to settle the suit. Within 150 days the hospital will be returned to the Diocese of Newark. Christ Hospital was currently in the black and should have a solid financial future. Expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the tireless efforts provided by The Rev. Geoff Curtiss and Mr. Frank Fekete.

Welcomed Bishop Townsend to the diocese and introduced him to the members of the Diocesan Council.

Announced the Cathedral Chapter met earlier in the month and received a report from the committee on the deficit that contained several recommendations that would be studied.

The Newark Regional Area Ministry held a Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras party at 24 Rector Street. The event was successful involving the five congregations and attended by over 200 people.

Canon Echols and others from the diocese attended the Episcopal Urban Caucus in Baltimore recently. The organization was committed to urban ministry. The 2005 meeting will be held in the Diocese of Newark, possibly February 23-26.

Asked The Rev. Prince Singh to comment on the results of St. Alban's, Oakland's capital campaign for the new parish hall and other building projects. The goal was exceeded by over $100,000.

Canon Echols announced the hiring of Ms. Kaileen T. Alston as the new youth missioner, member of St. Paul's, Englewood, and a practicing attorney for the past five years. Mr. Michael Francaviglia announced the hiring of Ms. Giorvanna McJunkin as the new receptionist/registrar and Mr. James Caputo as the new diocesan property manager (parttime).

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn presented the treasurer's report. There were no developing trends so early in the year. The cost sharing resolution for medical insurance that was withdrawn last month was still delayed for action because of another situation with a church pledge. The original delay was caused because late pledge information from a congregation presented an increase in the overall income for the diocese that would have negated the need for the cost sharing plan. However, within the past few days, the bishop's office learned indirectly that another congregation had decided to reduce its pledge by 4%, an amount that would account for $20,000+ of income to the budget. This latter action was done without consultation or involvement of the diocese and was irresponsible and inappropriate. This reduction meant that there was no certainty or clarity about the financial situation of the budget, and as such no proposal on cost sharing could meaningfully be presented at this time.

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

DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Pat Yankus, Committee Chair, presented the recommendations on behalf of the committee.
The outreach committee of the Diocesan Council is pleased to present its 2004 funding recommendations. Since 1999, the committee has received requests in two categories; international outreach and domestic outreach. For 2004 there is $20,100 available for international outreach and $136,400 for domestic outreach

In the international category, the committee received three requests. The requests and the committee's recommendations are as follows:

1. St. Mark's Secondary School, Zambia – a request for $20,000 to help meet some of critical needs of the school caused by the distressed economic conditions in Zambia. Recommended funding - $6,750

2 Kakaasi Parish, Ibanda, Uganda – a request for $3,350 to purchase pews for the parish church. Recommended funding - $3,350

3. Diocese of Madras and the Jesse Moses School – a request for $10,000 for the educational expenses of 50 Christian Dalit girls (formerly referred to as untouchables) and the construction of a dorm for them to live in. Recommended funding - $10,000

In the domestic category, the committee received 22 requests that totaled $296,454. Three groups did not appear at the hearings. The process as approved by the Diocesan Council requires that all groups located within the Diocese of Newark appear at the hearings or the request will not be considered. This requirement is included in the request for proposals that is sent out each year. The requests and the recommendations are as follows:

1. St. John's CDC, Boonton, NJ – a request for $10,000 to help fund a summer day camp for the children of low-income families. Recommended funding - $10,000

2. Grace Church, Newark, NJ – a request for $12,000 for an after school program for youth living in public housing in inner city Newark. Recommended funding - $9,400

3. The AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas, Newark, NJ – a request for $10,000 for a program to assist congregations and community based organizations with HIV/AIDS training for people living with HIV/AIDS. Recommended funding - $7,500

4. St. Paul's CDC, Paterson, NJ – a request for $40,000 to fund a case management position for the CDC's men's shelter and food pantry programs. Recommended funding - $20,000

5. Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City, NJ – a request for $25,000 to provide programs related to heart disease to seniors who participate in the church's Senior Center for Healthy Living. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended.

6. Apostles' House, Newark, NJ – a request for $5,000 for general operating support for this organization which provides services to families in need in Newark. Recommended funding - $5,000

7. St. James CDC, Newark, NJ – a request for $15,000 for general operating support for this CDC which is working to revitalize the lower Broadway section of Newark's North Ward. Recommended funding - $13,500

8. Jersey City Episcopal CDC – a request for $30,000 to partially fund the CDC's residential AIDS program and its job-training program. Recommended funding - $20,000

10. Greater Newark and Jersey City LISC – a request for $5,000 in general operating support for this organization which provides financial and technical assistance for the housing development efforts of community based organizations in Newark and Jersey City. Recommended funding - $4,000

11. Good Shepherd Community Services, Ft. Lee, NJ – a request for $11,250 to fund a portion of the program director's compensation for this AIDS/HIV ministry. Recommended funding - $10,000

11. Church of the Epiphany, Orange, NJ – a request for $4,000 to support the parish's food pantry. Recommended funding - $4,000

12 The Care Closet at Christ Church, Belleville – a request for $6,000 to purchase household products and personal hygiene supplies for low-income and poor families and individuals. Recommended funding – $6,000
.
13. Christ Church CDC, Hackensack, NJ – a request for $10,000 to provide next step case management services for the clients of the CDC's homeless shelter. Recommended funding – The CDC was not represented at the outreach hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

14. The Lafayette 4-H Club – a request for $31,809 to the expenses of this youth program.
Recommended funding – The group was not represented at the outreach hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

15. Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless of Essex County – a request for $10,000 for support of the operating budget of this ecumenical program that provides emergency shelter and support services for homeless families in Essex County. Recommended funding - $2,500

16. St. Andrew's Church, Newark – a request for $2,000 to purchase food and supplies for the church's soup kitchen. Recommended funding - $2,000

17. St. Luke's Church, Hope – a request for $16,500 to fund a feasibility study for a proposed hospitality ministry to families with critically ill children that would utilize the church's former rectory. Recommended funding – No funding is recommended

18. Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network – a request for $15,000 to provide supported housing assistance for homeless families. Recommended funding - $7,500

19. Trinity Church, Bayonne – a request for $20,000 to support outreach activities and materials for the church's H.I.G.H.W.A.Y.S. program. Recommended funding – the church was not represented at the hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

20. St. John's Church, Dover – a request for $4,000 to provide prescription medicine for indigent people without medical insurance. Recommended funding - $4,000

21. St. James' Church, Hackettstown – a request for $3,500 to provide ESL classes for adults while providing child care for the their children. Recommended funding - $3,500

22. St. John's Church, Union City – a request for $14,995 to provide seed money for
an eight-week arts based summer camp for local children. Recommended funding - $7,500 subject to the Chief Financial Officer's review of the final budget for the program.

The members of the Outreach Committee were: Ms. Pat Yankus, Chair; The Rev. Prince Singh; The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner; Mr. Sidney King; Ms. Nancy Read; Mr. John Zinn.

Motion: Ms. Pat Yankus moved, and it was seconded and adopted that the recommendations be accepted and referred to the April meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted.

INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP CAMPAIGN AGAINST TOBACCO

Ms. Martha Gardner, Diocesan Jubilee Officer, addressed the members of council to encourage support for the Episcopal Diocese of Newark to join the Interfaith Partnership Campaign Against Tobacco as a partner. Earlier actions by the national church included resolutions from the General Convention 2000: "Urge that all interior space under the jurisdiction of the Church be declared "tobacco-free zones" and one from Executive Council, June 1990: "Adopt policy that the national Church will not hold shares in companies that manufacture or sell tobacco products." Two Clean Indoor Air bills were being considered by the New Jersey State Legislature: A 315 and S264. There were no financial responsibilities attached to this partnership.

Motion: It was moved by The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley that the Episcopal Diocese of Newark join the Interfaith Partnership Campaign Against Tobacco, a coalition of religious groups to reduce smoking and the health hazards it causes. The motion was seconded and adopted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Congregational Vitality

The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley reported for the committee. The Rev. Randall Day will represent the committee on the Steering Committee. Conversation included the canonical definitions of parish, aided parish, incorporated mission and mission. Aware that two congregations were seeking to change status from mission to parish next year and that exercise might be part of the committee discussion. The committee will continue email conversation during the next month.

Inclusion (Diversity)

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported that there continued to be only three on the committee, and that the energy level was not high among the current members. There needs to be serious conversation for the committee to be effective. She will be the representative to the Steering Committee.

Discipleship

The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner reported for the committee. Two of the members (Don and Glenda) were part of the Christian Formation Commission and will introduce the new work of the Council to it. There could be a natural sharing of ideas. She will be the representative to the Steering Committee.

Apostolate

The Rev. Hank Dwyer reported that the conversation centered on the committee's mandate and how it was going to get where it needed to go. It will begin assessing the work within the diocese. He will serve on the Steering Committee.

STEERING COMMITTEE

Committees' representatives for the Steering Committee were as followed: The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Doris Mardirosian, The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, and The Rev. Hank Dwyer.

DISTRICT 7 SPENDING REQUEST

The Rev. Hank Dwyer, district representative, presented the spending request from District 7 for confirmation preparation classes. The amount requested was $500. The funds were needed to purchase: The Church's Teaching Series books for the adult confirmands, materials for banners, lunches before study and dinner for prep night, and photocopying costs.

This very successful program had been running for three years. The parishes of the district meet over a period of several months in a combined education program for Confirmation and Reception in the Episcopal Church. All participants meet for a lunch provided by the host parish, on a Sunday afternoon, and then proceed to a lecture and discussion taught by one of the clergy of the district. We accommodate the adults and young adults in separate classes, except for the closing class when all clergy and all classes come together to discuss "Contemporary Issues."

All participants must attend a worship service at a church other than their own, and at a time other than their regular worship time. In addition, they are required to complete an outreach project and create a "square" for a banner that is displayed during the Confirmation service.

The adults have one book they are supposed to read, "The Anglican Vision," and for those coming from the Roman Catholic Church, a second book, "Finding Home", if they so choose.

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to approve the spending request of $500 for District 7.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reminded members about the Honoring Women event on May 1 at Church of the Saviour, Denville. Canon Carter Echols will be the speaker.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Rev. Randall Day announced the "Welcoming Workshop" with Andrew Weeks, sponsored by District 8 on May 21 and 22.

Ms. Pat Yankus reported that District 10 had a program on congregational funding sources presented by Mr. Michael Francaviglia.

Mr. Don Cairns reported that District 9 was collecting items for goodie bags for the Seamens' Church Institute.

Mr. Andrew Piccirillo reported that District 1 was holding the Stations of The Cross service (live action performance) on Good Friday at St. Dunstan's, Succasunna. The Rev. Bill Potter reported that the district was doing a Lenten season discussion.

The Rev. Paul Williams reported that information and ministry sharing continued in District 5.

The Rev. Hank Dwyer reported that District 7 was conducting a joint confirmation preparation program and working on a district wide Easter vigil service.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Hank Dwyer.

Respectfully submitted,


Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary


0--Return to Diocese of Newark Home Page

Return to Top of Page