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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; The Rt. Rev. Carol J. Gallagher, Assistant Bishop, Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor. Elected by Districts: Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Glenda deKruif, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, Ms. Lois Gray, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, The Rev. Kathryn King, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Mary Sunden, Ms. Patty Watts. Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Gray Lesesne, The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: The Rev. Christopher Brdlik, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, Mr. Robert Harwood, The Rev. George Kaswarra, The Rev. Fain Webb. Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; Ms. Kitty Kawecki and Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours (for the work group time) ECW: Ms. Doris Mardirosian COUNCIL WORK GROUP MEETINGS The work groups met separately for Bible study (John 20:24-29 or Hebrews 10:35-11:1) and discussions. The meeting was opened at 7:45 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo. AGENDA The agenda was adopted as prepared. MINUTES Motion: It was moved to accept the minutes for the meeting of November 8. The motion was seconded and adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Croneberger's comments included: . The transition of episcopal work to the bishop-elect was going smoothly. . The vestry of Trinity, Montclair decided it did not have the capacity to continue ministry and voted to cease operations as a parish in early 2007. The members were meeting with two neighboring congregations for consolidation. While there was sadness to the situation, it was demonstrated that decisions can be responsibly reached about how best to utilize limited resources. Bishop Gallagher's comments included: . Expressed appreciation for the assistance by many people with the transition work. . The Rev. Rosemary Lillis will conclude as rector at the end of December with St. Andrew's, Harrington Park. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer, presented the report. A preliminary closing for of the 2006 will be done in the first week of January. The financial report will not be available for the mailing of the meeting packet and will be distributed at the meeting. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. BUDGET COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. John Zinn presented the proposed budget on behalf of the Diocesan Council Budget Committee. The members of the Budget Committee for 2007 were: The Rev. Paul Olsson, The Rev. Fain Webb, The Rev. Prince Singh, The Rev. George Kaswarra, The Rev. Janet Broderick, The Rev. Kathryn King, Mr. Steve Boston, Mr. Sidney King, Mr. Henry Faulkner, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, and Ms. Mary Sunden, Chair. Pledge income is projected to decrease by $205,000 or 7.7% from 2006. This was a result of the significant number of churches that were adjusting to their deficits and cutting expenses. It was a strong recommendation that a deficit budget not be adopted, because the long term effects would be more harmful than beneficial in the short term. The diocese needed to operate within the available revenue and recognize the decreases need to be shared on a fair basis. The pledge income was the largest decline in nearly thirty years. While over 30 churches did not comply with the canonical deadline, the number was down to less than six. The potential impact of the pledges still outstanding should be minimal, but a number of churches qualified their pledges in terms of their own final budget decisions. As a result there was still the chance that pledge income may deteriorate even more, which would require further adjustments to the budget. The expense side had shared cuts across the budget. The giving to the National Church was reduced to 21% which is the amount requested by the National Church. In the Outreach category, the funding for the justice missioner position was increased to 50% to reflect how the staff time was utilized. Decreases were made to the New Jersey Council of Churches and ECD. Everything program line reduced; this included youth ministries, Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries, the Voice, and the Bishop Anand Resource Center. The Voice line was significantly cut and staff was trying to determine how best to maximize the money available. A three percent staff salary increase was proposed, effective July 1. This was a priority of the bishop-elect. The budget also assumed a $60,000 cut in the staff line. In a typical year the staff reduction(s) would be made now. Since 2007 was a transitional year to a new episcopacy, this budget would give the bishop-elect the opportunity to decide on the staffing levels within the constraints of the budget. Assumptions about severance were not included in the budget; a matter which could create a deficit depending on the specific staff positions eliminated. The budget also included an important and needed step toward the full funding of the lay pension plan to end the deficit. The operating expenses were based on actuals for 2006. The Episcopal Reserve line was a fund to hold the money for episcopal transitions. Money was set aside each year. The expenses for search, nomination, election, and consecration were regularly spread out over years rather than being a single year payment. The funds of the current reserve were already spent, and there were still the consecration costs and some other non-recurring transitional expenses totaling $90,000. This amount will be funded over a period of future years along with a projected cost for the next transition that might happen in ten years. That total cost was projected to be $300,000; hence, each of the budgets from now and ten years henceforth will have a line item of $30,000. This was a reasonable way to insure having sufficient funds for a future transition if the funding remained at the $30,000 level annually. There were no significant ways to revise the expense lines without reducing further the giving to the National Church or eliminating further staff positions. There have been times when that taking risks for ministry were called for and the diocese responded and took the risks, but now was a time to focus on financial stability and the integrity of the structure. During the discussion there were comments about budgets being adopter under faith at difficult financial times. A suggestion was made of the need for a permanent Diocesan Council financial committee that could address the issues of doing more with less and determining how to increase the financial health of the diocese and of the congregations. Motion: Mr. Zinn moved the proposed 2007 Budget recommendation for presentation to the Convention. The motion was seconded and after discussion adopted. The motion was adopted with two oppositions. BUDGET COMMITTEE AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION Mr. John Zinn moved the following resolution: Motion: Resolved, that the budget committee of the Diocesan Council is authorized to make changes in the proposed 2007 Diocesan Budget between the January Council meeting and the Diocesan Convention. The proposed 2007 budget had been prepared so that Convention Deputies might have the budget as early as possible that necessitates using somewhat incomplete data. As a result the budget committee will make a final review of the budget the week before convention when all of the data was available. Since the Convention approves the budget, this resolution simply gave the committee authorization to modify the proposals made to Convention. The motion was seconded and adopted. LAY PENSION PLAN The summaries of the pension plans for diocesan lay employees were distributed in November to Council. The plan was established to provide a retirement income to lay employees of the diocese. The full cost was assumed by the diocese. Contributions were not required of the employees. The plans were reviewed for amendment in 2006 and presented to Council. Motion: Mr. John Zinn moved the lay pension plan documents for approval and adoption. The motion was adopted. JERSEY CITY FUNDS - GRACE VAN VORST & ST. PAUL'S The Rev. Prince Singh presented on behalf of the Congregational Vitality Work Group the request from Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City, and provided a summary report of the parish's vitality and growth in 2006. Included were the first year of the LOGOS program (Leadership Opportunities for Growth, Outreach and Service) that was partially funded by JCAM; Latino Ministry; youth group work; Drop Off Your Toddler program; Breakfast Plus!; small group ministry; and arts ministry. The church was described as a vital and growing congregation doing wonderful ministry in Jersey City; an example of accomplishment through investment. Mr. Singh moved the following resolution: Motion: Resolved, that Diocesan Council approves $38,887 from Jersey City funds for the year 2007 to support continued congregational growth and development of Grace Church Van Vorst as unanimously approved by the Jersey City Area Ministry (JCAM) on November 13, 2006; and, be it further Resolved, that Diocesan Council requests that Grace Church Van Vorst complete the Ministry Capacity questions no later than six (6) months from the commencement of 2007 funding. The motion was seconded and adopted. The Rev. Kathryn King presented on behalf of the Congregational Vitality Work Group the request from St. Paul's, Jersey City, and provided a report on the summer program that was partially funded by JCAM. The summer ministry was specifically designed for a time of year when an impact on the community could be made. The program identified a need within the neighborhood and did it well. Here again was a sound investment of the funds. Ms. King moved the following resolution: Motion: Resolved, that Diocesan Council approves $7,000 from Jersey City funds for the year 2007 to support continued congregational growth and development of St. Paul's Episcopal Church as unanimously approved by the Jersey City Area Ministry (JCAM) on November 13, 2006; and, be it further Resolved, that Diocesan Council requests that St. Paul's Episcopal Church complete the Ministry Capacity questions no later than six (6) months from the commencement of 2007 funding. The resolution was seconded and adopted. SAFE CHURCH GUIDELINES Bishop Gallagher introduced for Council consideration and possible adoption at the January meeting guidelines on "Making Church A Safe Place For All God's Children." (Copies of the guidelines were unavailable at the meeting and were mailed separately after the meeting.) The report covers the following topics: screening background checks and training policy for diocesan clergy, lay leaders and volunteers. Also included was an electronics communication policy. The report was part of the efforts by the Inclusion Work Group to insure safe places for everyon who was invited into relationships, whether youth or older. Comments will be sought before the January meeting action. If adopted, the next step would be to distribute throughout the diocese. STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Motion: It was moved and seconded that the recommendations presented last month be ratified. The motion was adopted with one abstention. AV-06-18: Clifton, St. Peter's - St. Peter's Haven ESL Classes, $2,250 AV-06-19: Dover, St. John's - Immigration Advocacy Center, $4,500 AV-06-20: Cliffside Park, Trinity - Liturgical Arts Program, $2,000 AV-06-21: Paterson, St. Paul's - CityServe After School Program, $6,000 AV-06-22: Fort Lee, Good Shepherd - Friends for Life - Complementary Therapies, $7,000 AV-06-23: Hackettstown, St. James' - St. James' Church Deaf Outreach, $4,000 AV-06-24: Jersey City, Grace Church Van Vorst - Proyecto Avance, $5,000 AV-06-25: Belleville, Christ Church - The Care Closet, $5,000 AV-06-26: Hope, St. Luke's - Haven of Hope for Kids, $5,000 AV-06-27: Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine - Care on the Corner, $7,500 AV-06-28: Hackensack, Christ Church CDC - Next Steps Program Plus Housing, $7,500 AV-06-29: Hoboken, All Saints' - Jubilee Children's Program, $7,500 AV-06-30: Port Newark, Seamen's Church Institute - Welcoming the Outsider, $3,750 AV-06-31: Kearny, Trinity - Project Serve: Plant the Seeds, Reap the Vision, $5,000 WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS Motion: It was moved and seconded that the recommendations presented last month be ratified. The motion was adopted with one abstention. WJH-06-28: Nutley, Grace Church - Church/hall boiler, water tank, deferred WJH-06-29: Hawthorne, St. Clement's - Boilers, roof repairs, windows, parish hall a/c, $5,000 WJH-06-30: Hillsdale, Holy Trinity - Concrete walks, office steps, walkway, no funding WJH-06-31: Totowa, Christ Church - Rectory boiler, $3,000 ($1500, Fund 1, $1500, Fund 2) WJH-06-32: Kearny, Trinity - Church roof repairs, deferred WJH-06-33: Cliffside Park, Trinity - Stairs replacement, $1,000 WJH-06-34: Montclair, St. Luke's (Toni's Kitchen) - Accessible bathroom, rejected WJH-06-35: Newark, St. Andrew's - Foundation, floors, walls, bathrooms, $8,500 (Fund 2) WJH-06-36: Pompton Lakes, Christ - Hall kitchen roof repairs, $1,500 WJH-06-37: Harrington Park, St. Andrew's - Rectory basement leaks, mold, repairs, $2,000 WJH-06-38: Montclair, Trinity - Rectory basement, office and garage repairs, no funding WJH-06-39: Teaneck, Christ Church - Bell tower roof, sacristy roof, $1,500 WJH-06-40: Fair Lawn, Atonement - Rectory roof replacement, $1,500 WJH-06-41: Ramsey, St. John's - Church house boiler replacement WJH-06-42: Union City, St. John's - Basement plumbing, $1,200 WJH-06-43: Hope, St. Luke's - Parish hall exterior painting, rejected WJH-06-44: West Orange, Holy Trinity - Fire alarm, sewer line repairs, roof repairs, $4,895 ($2,000 from Fund 1; $2,895 from Fund 2) WJH-06-45: Bergenfield, All Saints' - Rectory roof, $1,500 WJH-06-46: Jersey City, Incarnation - Church and parish house roof and masonry, $10,300 WJH-06-47: Ringwood, Good Shepherd - Church furnace replacement, $8,000 from Fund 2 WJH-06-48: Short Hills, Christ Church - Boiler and burner replacement, $5,000 WJH-06-49: Verona, Holy Spirit - Parking lot repavement and drainage, no funding WJH-06-50: Chester, Messiah - Rectory French drains, sump pump, withdrawn WJH-06-51: Clifton, St. Peter's - Painting of doors, windows, soffits, no funding PARSONAGE ALLOWANCE RESOLUTIONS The Rev. Janet Broderick moved the following resolutions: Motion: Resolved, That of the compensation paid to The Right Reverend John Palmer Croneberger in the calendar year of 2007, the sum of $3,300 be designated as parsonage allowance. Motion: Resolved, That of the compensation paid to The Right Reverend Carol Joy Gallagher in the calendar year 2007, the sum of $35,000 be designated as parsonage allowance. Motion: Resolved, That of the compensation paid to The Mark Beckwith, Bishop-elect, in the calendar year 2007, the sum of $35,000 be designated as parsonage allowance. The motions were seconded and adopted. DIOCESAN CONVENTION WORSHIP OFFERING VOTE MEMORIALIZED The Rev. Janet Broderick explained that the electronic and mail vote taken by Council to designate the convention worship offering needed to be memorialized in the minutes. A vote was taken after the November meeting because a decision was needed in time to prepare the convention deputy packages. Diocesan Convention 2007 Worship Service Offering The resolution was e-mailed and snail mailed on December 6, 2006. Twenty responses were received. The resolution was adopted with 20 votes favorable. Resolved, That the offering from the Diocesan Convention 2007 worship service be designated and be equally divided between the Diocese of Panama for its congregational development initiative and the John Palmer Croneberger Cathedral Enrichment Fund. These recipients represent issues closely identified with our retiring bishop, and assists directly with program planning in our companion diocese, a relationship that will continue with the bishop-elect. The President called to order a Meeting of the Apostles' House Board. APOSTLES' HOUSE BOARD ELECTION It was moved and seconded that the following persons be elected to the Board of Apostles' House: Motion: Resolved, that the following persons be elected to the board of The Apostles' House until the December 2007 meeting of the Diocesan Council: Ms. Elise Collins, McCarter & English; Mr. Ross Mangina, St. Mary's, Sparta; Mr. Kenneth Schultz, Skoloff & White; Mr. Gil Towell, Christ Church, Short Hills; Ms. Patricia Yankus, St. Paul's, Paterson; Mr. John Zinn, St. Paul's, Paterson. The motion was 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. DISTRICT SHARING District 1: The Rev. Bill Potter shared that he did an analysis of the churches in the district and provided it at a recent meeting. Common challenges and common solutions were discussed. He prepared the same analysis for the other districts and made them available to the council members. District 2: Ms. Patty Watts reported that the district planned its 2007 meetings including such topics on evangelism, Sunday schools, speaker from Senior Ministries, and an invitation to the bishop-elect. District 3: The Rev. Paul Olsson asked if the diocese would have a policy on the role of the clergy at a civil union. The bishop responded that he would confer with Bishop Gallagher and Bishop-elect Beckwith. District 6: The Rev. Janet Broderick reported the district reviewed the "Safeguarding God's Children" program and it was favorably received. Mr. Henry Faulkner added that the program was a useful resource and was being introduced at the district level. This was in response to the urging of the Discipleship Work Group. District 9: The Rev. Kathryn King reported that officials from the INS recently visited her offices to check on the Korean congregation that was worshiping at the church. The meeting was closed with prayer by The Rev. David Gable and adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |