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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sepetmber 13, 2006 St. Agnes', Little Falls, 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: The Rev. Christopher Brdlik, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, Ms. Lois Gray, Mr. Robert Harwood, The Rev. George Kaswarra, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Ms. Mary Sunden, Ms. Patty Watts. Bishop's Appointments: The Rev. Gray Lesesne. The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Kathryn King, Mr. Sidney King, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Fain Webb. ECW: Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; Ms. Kai Alston and Ms. Kitty Kawecki (for the working group time). Others: Carlotta Budd, Esq., chair of the Standing Commission on Clergy Compensation NUTLEY EPISCOPAL SENIOR MANOR A tour of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Manor was conducted for members earlier in the evening. Prior to the start of the meeting, members of the Nutley Senior Manor Board of Trustees were introduced to the council. They were Mr. John Agostini, Mr. James Blanda, The Rev. Pamela Bakal, Ms. Sandra Carella, Mr. Thomas Corino, Mr. Jerry Deltufo, Mr. William Heick, and Ms. Anna Mae Thibault. Also present were Mr. Steven Cirillo and Ms. Val Hartman, president and vice president of Emerald Management, respectively, and Ms. Leslie Henderson, building manager who conducted tours of the building earlier in the evening. COUNCIL WORKING GROUP MEETINGS The working groups met separately for Bible study (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15) and discussions The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. with prayer by Ms. Kai Alston. AGENDA The agenda was adopted with the addition of a resolution of appreciation for the Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, an update on the outstanding parochial reports and an announcement about North Porch. MINUTES Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of May 10, 2006. The motion was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Croneberger's comments included: • Church of the Incarnation, Jersey City, called The Rev. Joseph Harmon as priest-in-charge. St. Peter's Korean Episcopal Church, North Bergen, called The Rev. Hilary Won. Christ Church, Bloomfield called The Rev. Anne Koehler as interim. • Three deacons were ordained on June 3: Peter Jackson, assigned to St. John's, Montclair; Chris McCloud, assigned to St. Andrew & Holy Communion, South Orange; and Shelia Shuford, assigned to St. James', Hackettstown. Thanks to Paul Olsson and members of the Diaconal Subcommittee for their work. • The Rev. Briggett Keith will celebrate her last Sunday services at Epiphany, Allendale on June 11. • The Rev. Dudley Bennett resigned from St. Paul's, North Arlington. • The congregation of All Saints', Orange voted to enter into merger discussions with Holy Innocents, West Orange. • Christ Church, Ridgewood and St. James', Upper Montclair were concluding their search processes. • On Sunday, June 4 he presided at two confirmation services for District 2 both at St. Mary's, Sparta; the first at 1 p.m. and a second at 4 p.m.; each service had an attendance of approximately 250 with forty confirmands. • The Trustees agreed to sell the property of St. Mary's, Haledon. He will continue conversations with people within district 10 on their plans for expanded ministry. As those plans were developed, they will be referred to the Steering Committee and then assigned as appropriate for review and recommendations. This was a solid, working model for encouraging districts to envision and manage expanding ministries. The diocese has the resources for expanding ministry, but needed would be the strength and courage to reallocate those resources. He stressed the need to continue the assistance provided through the Congregational Growth and Development Fund. And urged having a strong council that actively directs the strategy for the diocese. The Trustees have indicated their desire to partner with the council in that strategizing. Bishop Gallagher's comments included: • The bishops along with staff members Canon Echols and Ms. Alston, as well as the deputies, will travel to the General Convention. A daily report from the bishops will be posted on the diocesan website. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer, presented the report. A review of the income and expense lines indicated that the budget was fairly on target (on target meaning within one percent either way). A more detailed analysis will be conducted in July of the expenses and will be reported in September. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. CLERGY MEDICAL INSURANCE Carlotta Budd, Esq., chair of the Standing Commission on Clergy Compensation (SCCC), presented a report to the Council. The canons of the diocese mandate that the clergy be provided with health insurance. Since the January Diocesan Conventon the Commission has taken steps to educate both clergy and laity within the diocese about health insurance plans and costs, some of which fluctuate by up to $10,000. Representatives from the Medical Trust addressd the clergy at the spring clergy day earlier this year. The commission is also reviewing the various plans and alternatives that might be available through the Medical Trust. They discovered that one of the plans offered by the diocese - Cigna Northern NJ (HMO) is not administered through the Medical Trust. Therefore, the Medical Trust has no ability to negotiate more favorable rates and Cigna is the most expensive plan offered. Alternatives such as Health Savings Accounts(HSAs) associated with High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are also being evaluated for their advantages and disadvantages. The Medical Trust agreed to extend the deadline for the Diocese to choose the insurance options until after the September 14 meeting of the Council. The Commission will present options to the Council for its decision on the plans that will be offered to the clergy and laity. It expects to ask Council to vote in September to replace the Cigna plan with a high deductible health plan with a health savings account. It will notify those clergy and lay currently covered by Cigna about this intent, and suggest alternative carriers. The commission welcomes other suggestions about carriers that individuals might be interested in having pursued. DISTRICT SHARING District 10: The Rev. Gray Lesesne reported that the clergy and lay discussed the plans for expanded ministry (Hispanic ministry and college chaplaincy) using the Haledon money. NORTH PORCH Ms. Susan Kynor encouraged members to participate in the Community Partners Concert, a fund raising effort by North Porch. Tickets were being sold to a performance of Kool and the Gang at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Motion: It was moved by The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor and seconded that the recommendations made at last month's meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted. AV-06-01: Union City, Grace - Jerusalem Market Place - Bible School, $500 AV-06-02: Hope, St. Luke's - Haven of Hope for Kids, $9,750 AV-06-03: Hasbrouck Heights, St. John - Care on the Corner, $4,250 AV-06-04: Boonton, St. John's - Project Cornerstone, $3,000 AV-06-05: Newark, Grace Church - Homework Club, $3,600 AV-06-06: Belleville, Christ Church - Soup Kitchen, $5,750 AV-06-07: Denville, The Saviour - Youth Ministry Program, $2,500 AV-06-08: Hackensack, Christ Church CDC - Next Steps, $5,950 AV-06-09: Paterson, St. Paul's - City Serve Summer Program, $5,500 AV-06-10: Union City, St. John's - Summer Arts Day Camp, $6,500 AV-06-11: Pompton Lakes, Christ Church - Shepherd's Haven Adult Day Care, $2,000 AV-06-12: East Orange, Christ - Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry, $4,950 AV-06-13: Teaneck, St. Mark's - Bergen County Day Laborer Project, $4,500 AV-06-14: Clifton, St. Peter's - St. Peter's Haven, $5,500 AV-06-15: Newark, Newark School of Theology, $3,500 AV-06-16: Montvale, St. Paul's - Computer Outreach, $3,000 AV-06-17: Newark, Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral - Senior Healthy Living, $3,250 Total Recommendation to Diocesan Council: $74,000 WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Motion: It was moved by Ms. Mary Sunden and seconded that the recommendations made at last month's meeting be ratified. The motion was adopted. WJH-06-01: Orange, Epiphany - Flooring repairs, $4,000 WJH-06-02: Union City, Grace - Church roof replacement, $26,676 WJH-06-03: Hillsdale, Holy Trinity - Furnace replacement, chimney re-lining, $10,000 WJH-06-04: Montclair, Trinity - Rectory repairs - roof, interiors, $7,000 WJH-06-05: Leonia, All Saints' - Furnace repair and replacement, $5,000 WJH-06-06: Cliffside Park, Trinity - Electrical system upgrade, $6,000 WJH-06-07: Hackettstown, St. James' - Church and chapel front steps, deferred WJH-06-08: Hope, St. Luke's Church interior painting, not considered for funding WJH-06-09: Bergenfield, All Saints' - Rectory electrical, plumbing/structural repairs, $4,000 WJH-06-10: Fort Lee, Good Shepherd - Rectory boiler replacement, $2,100 WJH-06-11: Secaucus, Our Saviour - Parish hall furnace replacement, $1,400 WJH-06-12: Wantage, Good Shepherd - Well water treatment unit, $1,550 WJH-06-13: Morristown, Redeemer - Heating water return pumps, window repairs, $1,150 WJH-06-14: Belvidere, St. Mary's - Church hall boiler replacement, $2,823 WJH-06-15: Denville, The Saviour - Rectory windows/furnace repair; parish hall roof, $16,500 ($2,500 for boiler repair; $14,000 for roof) WJH-06-16: Jersey City, Grace Church - Emergency boiler, AC & heater repairs, $3,000 WJH-06-17: East Orange, St. Agnes' & St. Paul's - Church & rectory repairs, deferred Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $91,900 EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND Ms. Mary Sunden, Ward J. Herbert Fund Board chair, presented the following ECLF minutes for ratification. The Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee approved a $40,000 loan to St. Peter's Korean Episcopal Church, North Bergen, on June 2, 2006. The loan will fund repairs of existing space and renovate existing bathrooms and kitchen. It was projected that the loan would be repaid by 2031 (twenty-five year term). 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. Peter's Korean Episcopal Church, North Bergen in the amount of $40,000. SUMMER AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION Motion: It was moved by The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor, seconded and adopted: RESOLVED, That the authority to act on behalf of the Diocesan Council from this meeting until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Diocesan Council be given to the elected officers (President, Treasurer and Secretary) and the members of the Steering Committee and in consultation with the Chancellor in the event that a decision must be made during the summer recess. Any such actions will be reported to the Council at its September meeting or in email correspondence as is appropriate. [The officers are: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger, President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; and Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary. The members of the Steering Committee are: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, The Rev. Lu-Anne Connor, The Rev. Janet Kraft, and Ms. Mary Sunden.] The President called to order a meeting of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation. EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD ELECTION Ms. Mary Sunden presented the following resolution for election to the board of ECD. Motion: RESOLVED, That Mr. Stuart Christie be elected to the Board of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation 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 Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The motion was adopted. The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council. PAROCHIAL REPORTS OUTSTANDING Ms. Faith Gideon Brown reported on the outstanding parochial reports as of June 7. The list included: Allendale, Epiphany; Bayonne, Trinity; Clifton, St. Peter's* (would not receive grant from ACTS/VIM); Englewood, St. Paul's; Fair Lawn, Atonement; Hackensack, St. Anthony's; Hackensack, St. Cyprian's; Hawthorne, St. Clement's; Hoboken, All Saints'; Jersey City, Incarnation; Milton/Oak Ridge, St. Gabriel's; Mountain Lakes, St. Peter's; Newark, St. Andrew's; Newark, St. Barnabas'; North Arlington, St. Paul's; Paterson, Holy Communion; Ridgewood, Christ; Ringwood, Good Shepherd; Totowa, Christ; Verona, Holy Spirit; Washington, St. Peter's; Wood-Ridge, St. Paul's & Resurrection (2003 and 2004 were also outstanding.) Letters would be mailed to clergy and wardens stating that under the provisions of the diocesan constitution the lay deputies will be excluded from future conventions, including the electing convention on September 23, 2006 unless the outstanding reports were received by September 1, 2006. The letter will also indicate that clergy are not excluded from the convention under the constitution of the diocese. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE UNION OF BLACK EPISCOPALIANS (UBE) Ms. Faith Gideon Brown moved the following resolution of appreciation for the Newark Chapter of the UBE in recognition of its thirtieth anniversary. Motion: RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council congratulates the Newark Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) on its thirtieth anniversary of faithful ministry in the diocese of Newark; we are thankful for its steadfast witness in the struggle for justice for everyone; we are blessed by the presence of the UBE in our lives and our communities; and we are especially appreciative of the leadership demonstrated by Mr. Sidney King, Newark Chapter President, and a fellow member of the Council. The motion was seconded and adopted. The meeting was closed with prayer by The Rev. Gray Lesesne and adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |