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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 Nutley Senior Manor, Nutley NJ
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; The Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Assistant Bishop; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor. Elected by Districts: Mr. Steven Boston, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, Ms. Lois Gray, Mr. Robert Harwood, The Rev. George Kaswarra, The Rev. Kathryn King, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Mary Sunden. Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Gray Lesesne. The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: The Rev. Christopher Brdlik, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, Ms. Patty Watts, The Rev. Fain Webb. ECW: Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; Ms. Kai Alston, Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours, and Ms. Kitty Kawecki (for the working group time). COUNCIL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS The working groups met separately for Bible study (1 John 3:18-24) and discussions The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. with prayer. CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY WORKING GROUP Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, convener, and The Rev. Gray Lesesne and Ms. Carol Taylor, members of the congregational vitality working group, presented a draft of the Ministry Capacity Assessment tool that was a continuation of the group's efforts in working on increasing capacity for ministry for all congregations. The goal was for all congregations in the diocese to be vibrant, life-giving faith communities that proclaim the Gospel and make it relevant in their unique environment. The group sought feed back on the assessment process by asking council members to answer two of questions from the assessment chart: From External Ministry Contexts: Where and to whom is the congregation called to minister?: What have you learned from that information [about your neighborhood] that is organizing your approach to what you do as a congregation. The diocesan expectation: Congregations will consider information about the area in which they are located as they develop ministry activities. From Christian Identity, Gifts, Strengths and Challenges: What do we think we bring to this call to ministry?: What are your top four priorities as a congregation? The diocesan expectation: congregation has priorities that could be articulated by a typical member. The working group intended to return to Council in June with a finalized assessment tool. The Council members would be asked to endorse the tool for distribution to congregations within the diocese. Ms. Brown announced the list of congregations whose parochial reports were outstanding as of May 10, 2006; the due date was March 1: Allendale, Epiphany; Bayonne, Trinity; Clifton, St. Peter's; East Orange, Christ; Englewood, St. Paul's; Fair Lawn, Atonement; Hackensack, Christ; Hackensack, St. Cyprian's; Hackettstown, Panther Valley; Hawthorne, St. Clement's; Hoboken, All Saints'; Jersey City, Incarnation; Leonia, All Saints'; Madison, Grace; Maplewood, St. George's; Milton/Oak Ridge, St. Gabriel's; Mountain Lakes, St. Peter's; Newark, St. Andrew's; Newark, St. Barnabas'; Paterson, Holy Communion; Ridgewood, Christ; Ridgewood, St. Elizabeth's; Ringwood, Good Shepherd; Totowa, Christ; Upper Montclair, St. James'; Verona, Holy Spirit; Washington, St. Peter's; Westwood, Grace; Wood-Ridge, Resurrection & St. Paul's. Motion: It was moved by the Rev. William Potter and seconded that Diocesan Council members contact the congregations within their districts whose reports were outstanding and urge them to submit the report within the next two weeks. After that time, the list of outstanding parochial reports will be disseminated. The motion was adopted with one vote in opposition. AGENDA The agenda was adopted with the additions of a report on health insurance matters and a report from the Inclusion Working Group. MINUTES Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of April 5, 2006 . The motion was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Croneberger's comments included: . The diocese was involved in a Title IV (ecclesiastical discipline) proceeding concerning an ordained person. The charges raised were inappropriate behavior and conduct unbecoming for a priest. The person was no longer a priest in this diocese but serving elsewhere. The other diocese will administer the investigation, evaluation, judgment and discipline. The priest resigned from the current church. . A charge was brought against a nursery school within the diocese regarding the behavior of a school employee with several of the children. DYFS was involved, and the matter was being responsibly handled. . On May 15, he will attend the gathering of religious leaders in Trenton with Governor Corzine and Senators Lautenberg and Mendez. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer, presented the report. Pledge income was close to budget. Year to date pledge income continued to run less than one month behind budget, which was a positive sign. All outreach, mission and program lines were funded to the extent requested. An initial 2006 payment was issued to the National Church in April. Most of the staff lines were within budget. The heating costs were within budget this winter. Concerned that several churches indicated that pledges would be reduced. At the end of April, the Diocesan Council had an operating deficit of $113,000. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, Steering Committee member, presented the recommendations from the ACTS/VIM Board. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. AV-06-01 Union City, Grace requested $1,000 Jerusalem Market Place - Bible School Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $500: 12 yes. AV-06-02 Hope, St. Luke's - Haven of Hope for Kids requested 20,000 Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $9,750: 11 yes, 1 abstention. AV-06-03 Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine requested 10,000* Care on the Corner Community Services Center Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $4,250: 11 yes, 1 abstention. AV-06-04 Boonton, St. John's - Project Cornerstone requested 6,000* Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $3,000: 12 yes. AV-06-05 Newark, Grace Church - Homework Club requested 7,500* Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $3,600: 12 yes. AV-06-06 Belleville, Christ Church - Soup Kitchen requested 10,000 Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $5,750: 12 yes. AV-06-07 Denville, The Saviour - Youth Ministry Program requested 6,000 Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $2,500: 12 yes. AV-06-08 Hackensack, Christ Church CDC - Next Steps requested 10,000 Motion to fund: 10 yes, 2 abstentions. Motion to fund $5,950: 10 yes, 2 abstentions. AV-06-09 Paterson, St. Paul's - City Serve Summer Pgm requested 10,000 Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $5,500: 11 yes, 1 abstention. AV-06-10 Union City, St. John's - Summer Arts Day Camp requested 13,000 Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $6,500: 12 yes. AV-06-11 Pompton Lakes, Christ Church requested 6,000 Shepherd's Haven Adult Day Care Center Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $2,000: 12 yes. The funds will be released when a paid invoice is received. AV-06-12 East Orange, Christ - Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry requested 7,500 Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $4,950: 11 yes, 1 abstention. AV-06-13 Teaneck, St. Mark's - Bergen County Day Laborer Project 9,000 Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $4,500: 12 yes. AV-06-14 Clifton, St. Peter's - St. Peter's Haven requested 10,000* Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $5,500: 12 yes. AV-06-15 Newark, Newark School of Theology requested 10,000* Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $3,500: 12 yes. AV-06-16 Montvale, St. Paul's - Computer Outreach requested 5,500 Motion to fund: 12 yes. Motion to fund $3,000: 12 yes. AV-06-17 Newark, Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral - Senior Healthy Living 10,000* Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Motion to fund $3,250: 11 yes, 1 abstention. Total Recommendation to Diocesan Council: $74,000 WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Ms. Mary Sunden, Board Chair, presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. WJH-06-01 Orange, Epiphany requested $8,926 Flooring repairs Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $4,000, pending results of the insurance claim; any amount received will be deducted before the grant issued: 13 yes. WJH-06-02 Union City, Grace requested $26,676 Church roof replacement Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $26,676: 13 yes. WJH-06-03 Hillsdale, Holy Trinity requested $13,317 Furnace replacement, chimney re-lining Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $10,000: 13 yes. WJH-06-04 Montclair, Trinity requested $7,000 Rectory repairs - roof, interiors Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $7,000: 13 yes. WJH-06-05 Leonia, All Saints' requested $5,000 Furnace repair and replacement Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $5,000: 13 yes. WJH-06-06 Cliffside Park, Trinity requested $6,000 Electrical system upgrade Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $6,000: 13 yes. WJH-06-07 Hackettstown, St. James' requested $11,838 Church and chapel front steps Liaisons: Peter Van Brunt and Larry Taber The team reported that church agreed to the suggestion to move the request to the second cycle. WJH-06-08 Hope, St. Luke's Church interior painting Application was not considered for funding. WJH-06-09 Bergenfield, All Saints' requested $4,360 Rectory electrical, plumbing & structural repairs Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $4,000 pending confirmation of the number of detectors installed: 13 yes. WJH-06-10 Fort Lee, Good Shepherd requested $2,100 Rectory boiler replacement Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $2,100: 13 yes. WJH-06-11 Secaucus, Our Saviour requested $2,500 Parish hall furnace replacement Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $1,400 WJH-06-12 Wantage, Good Shepherd requested $1,550 Well water treatment unit Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $1,550: 13 yes. WJH-06-13 Morristown, Redeemer requested $9,017 Heating water return pumps, window repairs Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $1,150: 13 yes. WJH-06-14 Belvidere, St. Mary's requested $2,823 Church hall boiler replacement Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $2,823: 13 yes. WJH-06-15 Denville, The Saviour requested $28,000 Rectory windows & furnace repair; parish hall roof Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $16,500 ($2,500 for boiler repair; $14,000 for roof): 13 yes. WJH-06-16 Jersey City, Grace Church Van Vorst requested $3,522 Emergency boiler, AC & heater repairs Motion to fund: 13 yes. Motion to fund $3,000: 13 yes. WJH-06-17 East Orange, St. Agnes' & St. Paul's requested $11,250 Church & rectory repairs (sign costs excluded) Motion to fund: the application will be moved to the second cycle. Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $91,90 The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner reported that a member of Council, correctly following the Protocols, had requested that the Steering Committee add to tonight's agenda a resolution to establish a resource management committee that would (1) assess and monitor the diocesan resources, including assets and liabilities; (2) develop and monitor the diocesan budget; and (3) review and make recommendations regarding any non-budgeted spending requests coming before Council. After careful consideration, the Steering Committee decided not to place the resolution on the agenda. The responsibilities listed in point one were those of the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Diocesan Properties. The responsibilities noted in point three belonged to the Steering Committee as detailed in the Protocols that were recently adopted by Council. Regarding point two, there was a shared recognition on the part of the members of the Steering Committee that the budget development and reporting process needed a critical review. The Steering Committee will continue to address that concern over the coming months. The President called to order a Meeting of the Apostles' House Board. APOSTLES' HOUSE BOARD ELECTION Mr. John Zinn explained that the Apostles' House Board was regularly elected by the Diocesan Council at its December meeting, but that currently there were several vacancies. This resolution will elect Ms. Elise Collins to the board until December. Ms. Collins was the Pro Bono Director at the law firm of McCarter & English in Newark. The other current members were: The Rev. John Ryan - President, Mr. John Zinn - Vice President, Mr. Ross Mangina - Treasurer,Mr. Cesar Torres - Secretary, Mr. Gil Towell, Mr. Kenneth Schultz, Ms. Patricia Yankus Motion: RESOLVED, That Ms. Elise Collins be elected to the Board of the Apostles' House until the December 2006 meeting of the Diocesan Council. The motion was seconded and adopted. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Meeting of the Apostles' House. The motion was adopted. The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council. The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Senior Housing Corporation. HILLSDALE SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION Motion: Ms. Mary Sunden, Outreach Working Group convener, moved that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees for the term noted. The motion was seconded and adopted. Hillsdale Trustees (Terms expire May 8, 2007): Mrs. Barbara Blinn, Mr. Bruce M. Bloch, Mrs. Nancy DeNoble, Mrs. Joan DeRosa, Mrs. Mary Hampton, Ms. Collette Killian, Ms. Chessie Kouba, Mr. George Norman, and Ms. Angela Williamson. Diocesan Trustee: Mrs. Barbara Hasse. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Episcopal Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted. The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Housing Corporation. NUTLEY EPISCOPAL SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION Motion: Ms. Mary Sunden, Outreach Working Group convener, moved that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted. The motion was seconded and adopted. Diocesan Representative Trustees: Class of 2009: Mr. Michael Francaviglia and Ms. Elizabeth J. "Betty" Gingerelli. Nutley Trustees (Terms expire May 8, 2007): Mr. John Agostini, The Rev. Pamela Bakal, Mr. James Blanda, Mr. James T. Callaghan, Ms. Sandra Carella, Mr. Thomas Corino, Mr. Jerry Deltufo, Mr. Robert Mulligan, Ms. AnnMae Thibault. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted. The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation. RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION Motion: Ms. Mary Sunden, Outreach Working Group convener, moved that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted. The motion was seconded and adopted. Diocesan Representative Trustees (Term expires May 2009): The Rev. George Bowen and Ms. Naomi Horsky. Rutherford Trustees (Terms expire May 8, 2007): Ms. Rachelle Bialek, Ms. Barbara Chadwick, Ms. Maria Teresa Gutierrez, Mr. George Hensel, Mr. John Hipp, Ms. Constance Keeler, Ms. Mary Ann Murray, Ms. Denise Ross and Ms. Barbara Russell. Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted. BELLEVILLE SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT Ms. Mary Sunden presented a status report on the Belleville senior housing project. A working group had been established that would review all aspects of the project to evaluate any potential liability issues that could in any way impact on the Diocese and to report on a regular basis to the full Council. At this time, the working group members were: Ms. Mary Sunden, The Rev. Paul Olsson, The Rev. Paul Walker, Mr. Peter Van Brunt, Mr. Michael Francaviglia and Thomas Bisdale, Esq. The application for funding was in process for submission to HUD by May 31. The application required the completion by Council members of the Previous Participation Certification form (HUD-2530). The forms were available at the meeting for signature and insertion of individual social security numbers. The June meeting of Council will be held at the Nutley Senior Manor in Nutley and would provide an opportunity for the members to visit one of the three existing senior citizen buildings sponsored by the diocese. DISTRICT SHARING District 3: The Rev. Paul Olsson commented on the recent confirmation held at All Saint's in Orange, and reported that the Rev. Abigail Hamilton, rector of Holy Innocents', West Orange was retiring this summer. District 4: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown reported that over seventy confirmands were expected for the May 13 service at St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange District 5: Ms. Susan Kynor reported the district will hold elections for officers (convener and secretary) on May 15. District 7: The Rev. David Gable reported on a successful and enthusiastically received district confirmation service. This past weekend was his 25th anniversary of ordination and was grandly celebrated by Grace, Rutherford. District 9: The Rev. Kathryn King reported one confirmation service had been held and planning was underway for a second. Several district congregations were jointly participating in an interfaith dialogue with neighboring churches. The Interfaith Coalition in Bergenfield was working on finding ways to provide services to undocumented workers in the community. District 10: The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner reported that over seventy were confirmed at the bi-lingual service at St. Paul's, Paterson on the recent Sunday. Mr. Steven Boston expressed appreciation for the district funding grant to help defray some of the costs. Motion: It was moved and seconded that an appropriate resolution of thanksgiving from the Diocesan Council be offered at the time of retirement by the Rev. Abigail Hamilton, rector of Holy Innocent's, West Orange. (She was ordained deacon in 1974 and priest in 1977 by Bishop Rath.) SEARCH FOR A NEW BISHOP Ms. Pat Yankus, member of the Nominations Committee and former member of Council, reported the slate of candidates would be announced on June 28 and encouraged people to attend the walkabouts scheduled between September 6 - 12 to meet the candidates. MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS Canon Carter Echols reported that the Standing Commission on Clergy Compensation (SCCC) had been addressing the issue of medical insurance coverage and available plans since the January convention. An educational session was held earlier in the spring for the clergy about the issues. Earlier in the day, the SCCC met with representatives from the Medical Trust for their assistance in the educational efforts. Several steps will be taken. Information will be brought to the June meeting of Council to educate the members about the various plans available through the Medical Trust. The Medical Trust will delay pricing of the plans until after the September council meeting; this will provide time for Council to have input into the selection of the medical plans. A health fair will be held on September 23 during the special convention at the Robert Treat Hotel as an opportunity for clergy and lay deputies to become better informed about the available plans that will come before them next January. INCLUSION WORKING GROUP Mr. Robert Harwood reported the Inclusion Working Group determined the Council participate as a community in anti-racism sessions next February. Such as action would be sound modeling for the diocese. UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS (UBE) Mr. Sidney King reported the UBE 30th anniversary celebration banquet was scheduled for June 9th, 7:30 PM at the "Appian Way", 619 Langdon Street Orange, NJ 07050. Ticket price was $60.00. Contact Mr. Robert Simmons for ticket information, c/o Christ Church, East Orange (973) 678-1160. The meeting was closed with prayer by The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo and adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |