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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 13, 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, The Rev. Lu-Ann Conner, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Nancy Read, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Elton Smith, Ms. Lynn Tyler, The Rev. Fain Webb, Ms. Pat Yankus. Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, Ms. Carol Taylor, The Rev. Paul Williams. Absent: Mr. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke, The Rev. Hank Dwyer, The Rev. Janet Kraft, The Rev. Prince Singh, The Rev. Dr. E. Bevan Stanley, . ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian. Others Present: The Very Rev. C. David Williams, Ms. Naomi Horsky Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt; Ms. Susan Robinson; Ms. Kaileen Alston; Ms. Kitty Kawecki COUNCIL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS Prior to the start of the business section, the working groups met separately for Bible study (Luke 15:1-10) and discussions. The full Council meeting was opened at 7:55 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Fain Webb. The Working Groups reported briefly on their discussions. Congregational Vitality: The Rev. Randall Day reported that the members were trying to determine a way forward for a larger-based discussion on congregational vitality. They were aware of the emotions and feelings exhibited when the issue is raised, as was evidenced in the June meeting of Council when the question of what would happen if districts were asked to identify a new ministry. Too often, the fears and anxieties lead people into comparison, competition and fear. There needed to be a way to move beyond that fear to passion and creativity that already exists throughout the diocese, and to start at a more primary point. It was time to articulate that it's not known how to design the conversation and share this inadequacy with other stakeholders: clergy, wardens, district leaders. The conversations might include information and resources about congregational vitality so that there was a starting comfort level. The working group planned to meet between the council meetings. Inclusion/Diverstiy: The Rev. Elton Smith reported that Doris Mardirosian will no longer chair the committee. They had discussions on the worthiness of the committee's work; questioning if the work had already been done and was ongoing? Able to do anything more? More theoretical or task oriented? Each will bring statements for the others in the group on their vision of inclusivity. Discipleship; The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner reported that the conversations posited what does it mean to be a disciple?, how do you make disciples?, what do people need to know as a baseline? As Christian educators we cannot assume what people might or might not know about the basis of Christian faith. We have to help people know that they are thirsty and then let them know the water is safe to drink. AGENDA Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of an election of trustees to the Canterbury Village Board of Trustees. The motion was adopted. MINUTES Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of June 9, 2004. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATION The bishop comments included the following: • a new grandchild was born earlier this morning, the first granddaughter; • Standing Committee approved Laurie Wurm for ordination to the diaconate and she will be ordained on Saturday, September 11 at All Saints', Hoboken. This day had special meaning for Laurie. She had been part of a support group following the WTC attacks. The group will dedicate a bell in memory of the WTC victims that will be installed in the All Saints' bell tower. • Karen Coleman will be ordained to the priesthood at the service with Laurie Wurm. • Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries: the Lutheran Synod recently made a million dollar donation to the camp for construction which was part of the overall plans. The diocese expressed its concern that before additional construction occur that a marketing plan and a business strategy be undertaken. A market study was commissioned and congregations will be contacted as part of the study. At this time, the diocese doesn't seem to have a strong commitment to the CROM, and that needed to be assessed before too many resources become invested; it's a matter of stewardship. If the study determined that there was a market and an adequate business plan could be produced, then the diocese could move ahead with conference center plans. Final interviews for the executive director were underway. • St. Anthony of Padua: for several months he and the canons met with the rector and wardens. The conversations also included Bishop William Skilton, Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of South Carolina. There had been an exchange correspondence in which the bishop detailed seven steps that were under negotiation. The final letter was not issued, but was expected to be done so shortly. He was not giving away Episcopal oversight or jurisdiction; he was simply making pastoral care available as provided by the national canons. The relationship and communications had been kept open; there was a positive feeling about the situation. Bishop Skilton's visit was to provide sacramental support. He will not ordain without permission. He will participate in a district-wide confirmation service. • Five of the largest congregations were in search for a rector. • Expressed his enthusiasm and anticipation for the new program year during which there continued to be emphasis on leadership development and discernment for clergy and laity. Katherine Tyler Scott was scheduled as the facilitator for the annual clergy conference. Suzanne Farnham, author of Listening Hearts, will be keynoter at next spring's Celebrating Creative Congregations mini-event. The Rt. Rev. James Kelsey, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, will be the guest preacher at convention. • Work that focused on congregational vitality and viability was part of our stewardship efforts, and led to questions of How best to use the resources available? How were resources disbursed? How to we become effective ministers? Are we allocating our resources effectively? • The Rev. Bevan Stanley's mother impending death (Alice). • The Rev. Robert Keaten about to undergo one day surgery; Bishop Brome's sister-in-law died this week. APOSTOLATE (OUTREACH) WORKING GROUP REPORT As part of the report, the Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss, rector of All Saints', Hoboken, reported on the work of the Jubilee Interfaith Organization (JIO) and encouraged participation by all congregations and diocesan leadership in its efforts. "Regional Disparities in North Jersey" was the topic of a power point presentation that described how urban sprawl, property tax dependency and bad housing policies hurt neighborhoods, congregations and families in northern New Jersey communities. The five large challenges were described as: 1) the sprawling of American; 2) the burdens of the working poor; 3) the growing concentration of poverty; 4) the realities of urban schools; 5) aging infrastructure, broken bureaucracies. The challenges can be met by creating a national policy that focuses on five objectives: 1) promote smart growth and urban reinvestment; 2) invest in working poor families; 3) enhance access to opportunity; 4) fix urban schools; and, 5) promote greater devolution and local reform. A community event was scheduled for October 14 at Sacred Heart Church, Vailsburg. CONGREGATIONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT FUND GRANTS Canon Carter Echols presented an updated list of Congregational Growth & Development Fund Grants. The funds were available to congregations and districts of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark for the purpose of congregational development that furthers the mission of the Church. The funds were available only to those who present a carefully and clearly defined plan for consideration. Special attention was given to churches where financial resources were limited or nonexistent. JERSEY CITY JCAM FUNDS As a follow-up to Council action in June, Canon Carter Echols reported that Incarnation, Jersey City returned the JCAM funds that had been allocated to it for youth ministry development. The church received the funds as part of an allocation to the three Jersey City churches for congregational ministry in 2002. An accounting requested by Council as a condition of the allocation indicated that the money had not been spent for the purpose as originally expressed, and were requested to be returned to the JCAM account. The amount was $11,800. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn presented the treasurer's report. Attempts to bring the budget into balance continued. An employee of the diocese had filed a complaint with the EEOC against the diocese, not anyone individual, for its handling of alleged sexual harassment from a priest within the diocese. The diocese opposed the complaint. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. MEDICAL INSURANCE (RETIRED CLERGY) RESOLUTION Mr. John Zinn reported that the current policy on medical insurance for retired clergy is that the Diocese pays the cost of coverage for clergy who have served at least half time in a congregation or congregations in the Diocese for the ten consecutive years immediately preceding their retirement. In the case of clergy who retire prior to the age of 65 the current policy requires the clergy person to pay 50% of the difference between the cost of the Medicare and non-Medicare rates. Recently the Church Pension Fund implemented a new Medicare supplement that is subsidized by the Pension Fund. As a result the cost of this coverage to the Diocese has been reduced significantly. Since the Medicare cost is now artificially low the difference between the two rates is significant and could cost clergy as much as $2,000 for a single plan and $4,000 for husband and spouse coverage. The proposed costs of $1-2,000 is closer to the historic cost and provides for a reasonable level of cost sharing for those who retire early. The second proposed change relates to clergy who retire early who may have coverage through a spouse at little or no cost. The purpose of this change will give clergy who are in this category and who are doing interim work in the Diocese the choice of waiving coverage until they turn 65 and receiving dental insurance at the expense of the Diocese. This is financially advantageous to the Diocese and is optional for the clergy person. Motion: It was moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted: RESOLVED, that the following policies be established for clergy who retire prior to age 65 and are eligible to receive medical insurance benefits from the Diocese of Newark: 1. If a clergy person retires prior to the age of 65 he/she is responsible for $1,000 of the medical insurance premium cost for himself/herself and an additional $1,000 for the medical insurance premium cost for a partner or spouse. This cost sharing responsibility will terminate on the clergy person's 65th birthday. 2. If a clergy person as described in #1 decides to decline the medical insurance coverage both for themselves and their spouse/partner until they reach the age of 65 and is employed at least half time as an interim priest at a church in the Diocese of Newark then the Diocese shall pay the cost of dental insurance for the clergy person and the spouse or partner until the clergy person reaches the age of 65. The motion was adopted. WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Motion: It was moved and seconded to suspend the rules to allow for the ratification of the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board grant recommendations. The motion was adopted. Motion: It was moved by and seconded that the recommendations for the second cycle of grants recommended by the WJH Fund board's June meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted. WJH-04-06: Secaucus, Our Saviour - Parish hall roof repair, window repairs, $1,475 WJH-04-17: Orange, All Saints' - Church boiler/heating system, $3,650 WJH-04-18: Washington, St. Peter's - Church roof, $12,000 WJH-04-19: Orange, Church of the Epiphany - Church roof repairs, archway repair, $4,200 WJH-04-20: Morristown, Redeemer - Parish hall boiler, $8,475 WJH-04-21: Chester, Messiah - Rectory window replacements, $2,600 WJH-04-22: Union City, Grace -Parish hall vertical beams replacement, withdrawn WJH-04-23: Wantage, Good Shepherd - Church sign, rejected WJH-04-24: East Orange, St. Agnes & St. Paul's - Church boiler, $7,750 EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND (NEWARK & BELLEVILLE) Ms. Mary Sunden, chair, reported the Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee approved a $7,200 loan to St. Andrew's, Newark on August 5, 2004. The loan will fund the repair of the church roof and the church's kitchen which was damaged by a water leak. It was projected that the loan would be repaid by 2007. The interest rate was 5%. Motion: It was moved by, seconded and adopted to ratify the minutes from the Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee which approved an ECLF loan to St. Andrew's, Newark. Ms. Mary Sunden reported the Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee approved a $13,000 loan to Christ Church, Belleville on September 1, 2004. The loan will fund the repair of the church roof. It was projected that the loan would be repaid by 2029. The interest rate was 5%. Motion: It was moved by, seconded and adopted to ratify the minutes from the Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee which approved an ECLF loan to Christ Church, Belleville. EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN Mrs. Doris Mardirosian reported a thousand dollars went to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund for summer camp scholarships; a donation was also made to the Prison Ministry for its summer camper scholarship fund. Next year's Honoring Women event was scheduled for April 9, 2005. Ms. Phoebe Griswold was the announced speaker. The Province 2 ECW sponsored a "Health for Haiti" program for children in Haiti that included education and health care efforts. Sales of teddy bears will fund the program; $10 each. DISTRICT SHARING District 5: The Rev. Paul Williams reported the district was meeting on September 9. District 8: Ms. Glenda deKruif reported on the upcoming Christophany. WORLD TRADE CENTER REMAINS RESOLUTION Mr. Michael Francaviglia presented the following resolution on behalf of the national church Executive Council regarding the disposal of the remains for victims of the World Trade Center attacks. The goal of the resolution is to ensure the removal of the ashes and remains of those killed on 9/11 from the Fresh Kills Landfill and place them in appropriate containers and to return the ashes to the WTC site for proper burial. The resolution originated from this year's annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey. The WTC Families for Proper Burial organization has a website maintained by Mr. Thomas Meehan, who lost his daughter Colleen Barkow on September 11, 2001. He and his wife JoAnn are fervent members of the Episcopal Church. The site lists three Religious Community sponsors: The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, The Archdiocese of Newark, and the National Episcopal Church Executive Committee. The web site address is www.wtcfamiliesforproperburial.com. Motion: RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urge appropriate officials of the City of New York to enter into sincere and respectful dialogue with the "World Trade Center Families for Proper Burial" to identify and implement steps to bring solace and resolution to these grieving families, including respectful acknowledgment of the World Trade Center remains, and be it further RESOLVED, that this resolution be sent to: - The Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York - George E. Pataki, Governor of New York - James E. McGreevey, Governor of New Jersey - Joseph J. Seymour, Executive Director of the Port Authority of NY and NJ - The Standing Commission on National Concerns of the Episcopal Church - The Secretary of the Diocesan Conventions of the Dioceses of NY, NJ and Newark - Thomas J. Meehan, III, on behalf of WTCFPB The motion was adopted. The President called to order the a Meeting of the Canterbury Village Corporation. CANTERBURY VILLAGE TRUSTEES' ELECTIONS Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that the following be elected to the Canterbury Village Board of Trustees, Class of 2007: Dr. T. Felder Dorn and Ms. Barbara Keller. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Meeting of the Canterbury Village Corporation. The motion was adopted. The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council. DEPLOYMENT CHANGES The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt reported on the following clergy changes: The Rev. John Negrotto retired from Holy Trinity, Hillsdale and was the interim at St. Peter's, Essex Fells; The Rev. Susan Schink was the interim at Holy Trinity, Hillsdale; The Rev. Frank Goss left Phillipsburg for the Diocese of New Jersey; The Rev. Bambi Koengier joined the staff of St. Philip's Academy as the development officer; The Rev. Orion Davis left Upper Montclair for St. Mary's, Saprt; The Rev. John Hamilton was hired as the assistant at Grace, Newark, replacing The Rev. Margaret Otterbun; The Rev. Judy Baldwin called to House of Prayer, Newark; The Rev. Dennie Bennett as the new associate to St. Mark's, Teaneck; The Rev. Dana Rose resigned as vicar to Trinity, Irvington; The Rev. Mary Louise Hausen to Panther Valley Ecumenical Ministry, Hackettstown; The Rev. Helen Harper to Bensalem PA; The Rev. Kamila Blessing left St. Luke's, Montclair. There were no interims currently serving at Christ, Ridgewood or St. Luke's, Montclair. ANNOUNCEMENTS • Canon Carter Echols recommended the upcoming "Caring for People in a Faith Community: An EXPO" (a conference on pastoral care) scheduled for Saturday, September 25 at St. Peter's, Essex Fells, sponsored by the Commission on Aging and Pastoral Care. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Paul Williams. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |