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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 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: Mr. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke, The Rev. Lu-Ann Conner, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, The Rev. Hank Dwyer, The Rev. Janet Kraft, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. Nancy Read, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Elton Smith, The Rev. Dr. E. Bevan Stanley, Ms. Lynn Tyler, The Rev. Fain Webb, Ms. Pat Yankus. Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Paul Williams ECW: Ms. Anna Byrne. Others Present:: The Rev. Gray Lesesne, member of the Congregational Vitality working group, All Saints', Glen Rock; The Rev. Margaret Gat, ACTS/VIM Board chair, and Ms. Mary Sunden, Ward J. Herbert Fund Board chair. Staff: The Rt. Rev. Martin G. Townsend, Canon R. Carter Echols; The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt; Ms. Kaileen Alston; Ms. Kitty Kawecki; Ms. Susan Robinson. COUNCIL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS Prior to the start of the business section, the working groups met separately for Bible study (Luke 19:11-26) and discussions. The full Council meeting was opened at 7:50 p.m. with prayer. AGENDA Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of a report from ECW. The motion was adopted. MINUTES Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of October 13, 2004. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATION The bishop comments included the following: • Diocesan Happening event at South Orange was a lively and active event filled with good spirit. • Retired clergy lunch was held recently with twenty-six retired clergy, their spouses and clergy widows. • Apostles' House celebrated its 20th anniversary. • The fall clergy conference at Shawnee, PA had 125 clergy registered and was a time of learning and discussion on stewardship of diocesan resources. Presentations were delivered by Katherine Tyler Scott, Trustee Leadership Development. We are at a beginning of the conversation about a process and how to begin a discussion about resources starting at the district level. • The fall wardens' meeting had 75 attendees; sessions led by Canon Echols, Chancellor Sammons and the bishop. • This past weekend the COM held its conference and approved the candidates and postulants for the priesthood and postulants for the vocational diaconate. • Primary issues facing the diocese are stewardship and leadership. The COM discernment process addresses these issues when determining a person's commitment for ordination. • Susan Robinson resigned as Director of Communications and Events, effective February 25, 2005. She will move to Maryland. • Bishop Townsend will end his work with the diocese at the end of the year. • The need to prevent a budget deficit in 2005 will prevent hiring replacements for the positions vacated by Ms. Robinson and Bishop Townsend. Financial limitations will require a conversation about diocesan giving to the national church and continued staff levels. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn presented a report on the status of budget years 2003 and 2004 and a financial projection for budget year 2005. Annually, each congregation was expected to provide a pledge reconciliation statement. It was not uncommon for pledges to be received late, sometime well into the next year. That had been the situation for budget year 2003. Pledges were still received well into 2004. What was different this year was notification late into 2004 from St. Mark's, Mendham, acknowledging that it owed $25,000 to the diocese for 2003, but was unable to meet that commitment. This was the largest default of a pledge in many years. Not too long after that notice, St. Mark's gave notification that there would be a default of $25,000 for budget year 2004, as well. Disconcerting was that St. Mark's had received a low-interest loan from the diocese in 2003. At the moment, the budget year of 2003 was anticipated to break even. The 2004 year end deficit was projected to be $15,000 or just about one percent of the budget. But that wasn't certain at the moment. The budget year 2005 had a projected deficit of nearly $500,000. The non-pledge income lines were down about $87,000. Congregational pledges were projected as flat with no increase. Mission, program and diocesan staffing levels will be effected. Among the funding items were: need for a contribution of $45,000 to lay pension plan, increased medical insurance costs, staff salary adjustments and an increase to full time for two part time positions. The deficit could not be erased without a possible decrease in the giving to the national church. It would be done with integrity, modeling what the diocese wants the congregations to do. He contacted the national church treasurer earlier in the week to apprise him of our situation. Any reduction to the national church would not go below 21% which was the asking amount by the national church. The reduced amount would still meet diocesan responsibility as defined by General Convention. We would also move forward gradually to restore the 25% goal. The budget committee held an initial meeting, and the staff would continue meeting to prepare recommendations for the budget committee by December 8. A change in the budget resolution process was proposed for consideration by the Rules of Order Committee, but would be instituted for the upcoming convention. Resolutions to amend the budget will need to be filed the Friday preceding the start of the convention. This will not be mandatory for this convention, but a rules change will make it so for future convention. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS The Rev. Maggie Gat, board chair, presented the recommendations from the ACTS/VIM Board. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the December meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. (* = capped at $10,000) AV-04-19 Hope, St. Luke's - Haven of Hope for Kids $20,000 Assistance was provided by Allison Moore and Laura Russell for the revision of the application to limit the scope of the original request to a pilot project. Motion to fund with conditions: The disbursement of funds was restricted until such time as the church can demonstrate that it had secured additional funds sufficient for implementation of the project, but not later than March 1, 2005. Letters or checks from other sources will be considered as proof that additional monies were raised. Additionally, the granted funds were restricted for the use of programming expenses, or operating expenses or for the van; not for the repair work of the cottages.: 12 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $10,000: 11 yes, 1 no, 1 abstention. AV-04-20 Belleville, Christ - The Care Closet 10,000* Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $7,750: 13 yes. AV-04-22 Hoboken, All Saints' 10,000* Jubilee After School & Summer Programs Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $7,750: 13 yes. AV-04-23 Hackensack, Christ Church CDC - Next Step Initiatives 10,000* Motion to fund: 11 yes, 2 abstentions. Motion to fund $7,750:11 yes, 2 abstentions. AV-04-24 Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine 10,000* Care on the Corner Community Service Center Motion to fund: 12 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $8,250: 12 yes, 1 abstention. AV-04-25 Dover, St. John's - After School Program 4,000 Motion to fund: 12 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $4,000: 12 yes, 1 abstention. AV-04-26 Newark, Grace - Youth@Home 10,000* Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $7,750: 13 yes. AV-04-27 Paterson, St. Paul's - CityServe After School Program 10,000* Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $8,250: 13 yes. AV-04-28 Millburn, St. Stephen's - Regenerations 20,000 Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $15,000. There was no salary paid to the executive director; payment was made for each project. Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $76,500 WARD J. HERBERT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS Ms. Mary Sunden, board chair, presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the December meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. WJH-04-25 Dover, St. John's $2,600 Rectory furnace Liaisons: Peter Van Brunt, Larry Taber Motion to fund: 13 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $2,600: 13 yes, 1 abstention. WJH-04-26 Phillipsburg, St. Luke's 3,226 Asbestos floor tiles Had not been recommended for funding. WJH-04-27 Belleville, Christ Church 8,426 Rectory roof, classroom ceiling, sidewalk repair Liaisons: Ed Hasse, III, Larry Hayes, Ed Hasse, Jr. Motion to fund: 13 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $7,000: 13 yes, 1 abstention WJH-04-28 Wantage, Good Shepherd 2,100 Vicarage oil tank Liaisons: Mary Sunden, Nat Nelson Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $2,100: 14 yes. WJH-04-29 Oakland, St. Alban's 34,062 New roof structure Liaisons: Jim Caputo, Mary Sunden Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $15,000: 14 yes. WJH-04-30 Towaco, Transfiguration 4,044 Drains & waterproofing (mold removal) Liaisons: Michael David, Jim Caputo Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $3,250: 14 yes. Mold wasn't the real problem. There was a serious water problem along side the parish hall. The water control was done. Contractors paid $7100; $1000 for sweat equity; $600 was spent on mold examination. $6,502 was the contractor amount less the mold analysis; meaning an adjusted 50/50 amount of $3,250. The floor was dug up and an inside french drain was installed. This wasn't the perfect solution; a french drain should have been installed on the exterior as well. WJH-04-31 Hackettstown, St. James' 5,180 Church roof repair Liaisons: Elizabeth Moss, Paul Walker Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $5,180: 14 yes. WJH-04-32 Union City, St. John's 5,400 Church boiler Liaisons: Sidney King, Aubrey Thompson Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $5,400: 14 yes. WJH-04-33 Washington, St. Peter's 9,560 Church roof repairs Liaisons: Sam Kinney, Michael David Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $3,950: 14 yes. The team was not met by anyone on the Saturday morning that the visit had been scheduled. A telephone interview was conducted with the rector. $7900 was an adjusted amount for the 50/50 request. This application was an addition to an earlier approved application which provided funds for repairs that uncovered the fire damage for which this application was made. Continuing dialogue and assistance with property issues was recommended, in addition to any financial help provided. WJH-04-34 Montclair, St. John's 11,000 Sanctuary roof replacement Liaisons: Larry Hayes, Randall Day, Gray Lesesne Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $5,000: 14 yes. The soffets and facia boards were an evident problem when the earlier request was submitted, and should have been included in the scope of the original request. The team had difficulty matching the scope of work between the two requests. WJH-04-35 Leonia, All Saints' 17,150 Roof and foundation repairs Liaisons: Jim Caputo, Mary Sunden, Gray Lesesne Motion to fund: 14 yes. Motion to fund $10,000: 14 yes. Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $59,480 STATE AND FEDERAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE RESOLUTION A request was received from Ms. Martha Gardner, Diocesan Jubilee Officer, for the support of the Diocesan Council for a resolution on state and federal rental assistance to low-income families. More than half of New Jersey's 230,000 very low-income renter households (those with incomes of less than 25,000/year for a family of four) pay more than half their income for rent, leaving little to cover other necessary living expenses. A New Jersey worker must earn $19.74 per hour - nearly four times the minimum wage of $5.15 - to afford rent for a two-bedroom apartment at the average market rate, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. A minimum wage worker would have to work 153 hours per week, and earn $41,000/year, to afford this. Wages for full-time workers in many occupations in New Jersey -- including home health aides, preschool teachers and paramedics - are much lower than $41,000. Currently, thousands of households are on waiting lists for federal Section 8 vouchers; many have been waiting for years in hopes of receiving a voucher. Not only is the situation not improving for these people, but the president's recently introduced budget will make things worse by allocating $1.6 billion less than last year for Section 8. This proposal would drop about 7,500 New Jersey households currently relying on vouchers to help pay their rent. While NJ funds the production of several thousand "affordable housing" units each year, few if any of these units are affordable to very low income families. To even keep pace with the current situation, let alone help more families bridge the housing affordability gap, NJ needs to create a rental assistance program. Motion: The following resolution was moved, seconded and adopted: Whereas, housing costs in New Jersey are among the highest in the country, with both rents and home prices continuing to rise; and Whereas, the average Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a two-bedroom apartment in New Jersey is $1,026 per month; and Whereas, studies have shown that a family needs an income of at least $41,000 per year to be able to afford to pay this rent and still provide for all its other basic needs; and Whereas, many workers vital to our local and state economy, and our quality of life – such as home health aides, nursing home workers, child care workers, pre-school teachers, and scores of other employees – make far less than this amount (for example, 75% of all home health aides make less than $22,000 per year; 75% of all child care workers earn below $21,000); and Whereas, 25% of all jobs in New Jersey pay less than $21,000 per year, and half of all jobs in the state pay below $33,000 annually; and Whereas, federal Section 8 rental assistance vouchers provide critically important assistance to thousands of low-wage workers who would otherwise find it virtually impossible to afford a decent home, live close to the communities where they work, and maintain a minimal level of security and stability for their children; and Whereas, Section 8 vouchers also make it possible for thousands of people on low fixed incomes, including senior citizens and people with disabilities, to find and retain a decent, stable place to live; and Whereas, the need for such vouchers far exceeds the supply, with tens of thousands of families on waiting lists that require them to wait years before they are able to obtain help, waiting lists which in most instances are closed because they are so long; and Whereas, New Jersey has recently created a state-funded rental assistance program to help address some of this overwhelming demand; and Whereas, the need more than warrants increasing the amount allocated to the new state rental assistance program to at least $50 million, taken from the general fund and not from other vitally important housing programs; Now therefore be it resolved that the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark calls on the Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey to immediately provide additional funding from the general fund to the newly-enacted state rental assistance program in order to increase the amount available to provide vouchers for low-wage workers and other disadvantaged people to at least $50 million; and Be it further Resolved that Diocesan Council calls on Congress to increase, not decrease, the funding available to the federal Section 8 program without cutting any other housing program by that serves low income people so that more federal vouchers will be available to assist working people and others in need; this should NOT be done by cutting any other currently funded housing program that serves low income people; and Be it further resolved that a duly authenticated copy of this resolution be sent to the Governor, each member of the NJ Legislature, the entire NJ Congressional delegation and the Housing & Community Development Network. There was a concern expressed that the resolution did not indicate the source of the funds required. DISTRICT SPENDING RESOLUTION The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor presented a resolution to address the concerns raised during last month's meeting when the Council was asked to consider using some of the funds available in the District Funding budget line to assist underwriting the costs of a project sponsored by the Evangelism Commission. The Evangelism Commission was proposing that the Council authorize $5000 currently designated for district ministry to be used for an evangelism "E-grants" fund. The "E-grants" would encourage congregations interested in welcoming newcomers and seekers to partner with another congregation in their district who has the same desire. After much discussion among Council members, the request was withdrawn in the expectation that a different resolution would be brought to this meeting. Motion: The following resolution was moved by The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor, seconded and adopted: RESOLVED, That the Diocesan Council directs the Secretary, Mr. Michael Francaviglia, to send immediate notice to each District convener about the amount and availability of District funds, urging them to communicate this information to their District representatives, with the intent of encouraging District initiatives that would promote congregational health and vitality, including efforts in evangelism. EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN Ms. Anna Byrne, ECW representative, urged the continued purchase of the stuffed bears to help support the Province 2 ECW program, "Health for Haiti" for children's health care. The national ECW board was held in NYC recently and the ECW leaders from Province 2 gathered with them for sharing of information and in preparation of the 2006 Triennial. DISTRICT SHARING District 1: Mr. Andrew Piccirillo reported that programs were organized for the upcoming year, including the Lenten program, and the 3rd annual Stations of the Cross walk. St. Dunstan's scheduled a community Christmas concert. District 4: The Rev. Bevan Stanley reported that the district gathered to celebrate Calvary, Summit's 150th Anniversary, and hosted a presentation by The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss on the work of the Jubilee Interfaith Outreach. District 5: The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke reported on the Billy Graham training program components that included outreach and other substantial elements. District 7: The Rev. Hank Dwyer reported the district was using Percept information to review membership potential. District 8: Ms. Anna Byrne reported that the district would continue working on the materials presented by Andrew Weeks at the Magnetic Church conference. Ms. Glenda deKruif reported on efforts to form a combined middle school group. District 10: Ms. Pat Yankus reported Lu-Anne Connor will continue as diocesan representative to council. A program on Jubilee Interfaith Outreach was presented by The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. with prayer by The Rt. Rev. Martin Townsend. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |