Wednesday, June 10, 1998 Episcopal House, Newark, New Jersey Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting Present: Bishop Spong, President; Bishop McKelvey, Vice President; Mr. Michael F. Rehill, Esq., Chancellor; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston; The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde; Mr. Michael James; Ms. Diane Kaczmarek; The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler Elected by Convention: Mr. E. Kim Byham; The Rev. Emory Byrum; Ms. Peg Dengel; The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill; The Rev. Harry Smith; Ms. Lynn Tyler Elected by Districts: The Rev. Susan Butler; The Rev. William Coats; The Rev. Kevin P.J. Coffey; Mr. Richard Fifield; Ms. Dorothy Gould; Mr. Scott Helsel; The Rev. Margaret Hodgkins; The Rev. Mark Lewis; Ms. Pamela Lindquist; Ms. Dagi Murphy; The Rev. Kenneth Near; Mr. Christopher Neglia; The Rev. William Parnell; Mr. Junius Powell; Ms. Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; Ms. Mary Sunden; Ms. Nancy Weidbrauk; The Rev. Dr. Franklin Vilas; Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse Absent: The Rev. William Lantz; Mr. Russell Murphy; The Rev. Isaac Persaud; The Rev. Scott Kallstrom; The Rev. Steven Steele; The Rev. Fain Webb. On leave of absence: The Rev. Lawrence Falkowski Others present: Mr. William Heick; The Rev. Carolyn Lumbard; The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats; Mr. Arthur Bledsoe; The Rev. John Rollins, Ms. Jan Paxton, Dr. Louie Crew, members of the Technology Committee The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Spong. AGENDA It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with time additions for Michael James and for Virginia Whitehouse (North West district). The motion was adopted. MINUTES It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the May 13, 1998, meeting. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS: THE RT. REV. JOHN S. SPONG Welcomed Mr. William Heick, The Rev. Carolyn Lumbard, The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats, and members of the Technology Committee. Welcomed Ms. Susan Schink and the Rev. William Coats, new members to Council, representing the North Central District. Reflected on the recent diocesan events: the ordination of the deacons and the special convention to elect a bishop coadjutor. Reported that the BBC was producing a story about the Diocese of Newark for broadcast overseas in preparation of the Lambeth Conference. Announced that two members of the Standing Committee resigned today - The Very Rev. Petero Sabune and The Rev. Canon John P. Croneberger. The Rev. Diana Clark and The Rev. Jacob David were elected to fill the vacancies until the January convention. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. Zinn presented the Treasurer's Report. Finances were on target. It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. An annual financial review for the year 1997 was distributed. The report will be published annually. Mr. Zinn reported that all business dealings with NJPAC were concluded recently with the settlement of all claims. One minor outstanding issue regarding the oil tank would be resolved in the near future. EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND Mr. John Zinn presented the minutes from the ECLF meeting of June 8, 1998, for Council ratification. It was moved and seconded to: Approve a 20 month, $25,000 loan to St. Andrew's Church, Lincoln Park, to fund roof and window repairs and replacement and the construction of a handicapped access ramp. The motion was adopted. TASK FORCE ON DEAF MINISTRY The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats reported that Council members Fain Webb, Mary Sunden and Christopher Neglia agreed to volunteer for the task force. Ms. Shelia Shuford was the co-chair of the task force along with Ms. Deats. The Rev. Charles Arlin and several parishioners from All Saints', Bergenfield, will also participate on the committee. A SABBATH FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM TASK FORCE Ms. Diane Kaczmarek reported on upcoming district meetings to discuss the issues of our different beliefs in God and ways used to strengthen our faith. PRESIDING BISHOP'S FUND FOR WORLD RELIEF Mr. William Heick and The Rev. Carolyn Lumbard reported on efforts for continuing education within the Diocese about the PBFWR. The monies donated to the Fund were distributed globally. Coordinators from each congregation were sought who would be able to disseminate information on the local level, host an ingathering and be the liaison with the diocesan representatives. TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE Mr. Steven Boston, Chair of the Technology Committee, reported on the goals of the committee that included establishing software standards for the diocese. Software purchases were planned for distribution to parishes. A series of web site workshops were held in the past few years for churches to publish a homepage. Additional workshops were planned for the fall. LUTHERAN/EPISCOPAL CAMP & CONFERENCE CENTER The Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey presented an update on the camp and conference center. In June and July planning days were scheduled with representatives from the Lutheran Synod and camp grounds' consultants to prepare the camp facility and the overnight conference facility for operation next summer at Camp Beisler. There was a mix of tents and cabins. A spring time Council meeting will be held at the camp in 1999. COMPANION DIOCESE RELATIONSHIP The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill and Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse, Committee members, reported that a fact finding trip was planned to visit Mozambique in late September and early October 1998. There were twelve members on the committee with monthly meetings under the direction of Dean Sabune. The water project was the main thrust of the early months of the committee this year. One water pump had been purchased, but because internal problems in Mozambique the pump was held at customs. Land mines and lack of water were two major problems facing the people in Mozambique. An invitation for additional members was extended. A number of congregations had made donations to the water project. EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN Mrs. Clara Horsley reported on the Today's Woman VI conference scheduled for March 1999 - Racism and Sexism: The Spiritual Connection was the working title. An ECW Women on the Move adventure bus trip was planned for the summer. The history of the ECW in the Diocese of Newark had been written by Marge Christie and was available at $3 a copy. DIOCESAN GOALS & OBJECTIVES The Rev. Skip Vilas, Chair of the Planning Committee, reported that the committee agreed to endorse the proposed goals and objectives without amendments. He moved the goals and objectives for adoption. The motion was seconded and adopted. Bishop Spong reported on some of the transition plans. He explained that these goals will be in effect for the period of September 1998 through June 1999. The goals and objectives for the following year will be planned under the direction of the coadjutor. Vacancy consultations will be given to the coadjutor, as will postulants who were scheduled to be ordained after February 2000. The coadjutor will be active in the search for a new dean. In September 1999 the coadjutor will be the presiding officer of the Diocesan Council. STEERING COMMITTEE - JPIC Ms. Dagi Murphy reported that the Steering Committee recommended the formation of a subcommittee to meet with Ms. Martha Gardner to discuss the best ways of implementing the JPIC resolutions adopted at the 1998 Diocesan Convention. The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde was the convener of the committee. STEERING COMMITTEE - WARD J. HERBERT BOARD VACANCIES Ms. Dagi Murphy presented the names of Ms. Faith Gideon Brown and the Rev. Rose Hassan for ratification to the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board, Class of 2001. It was moved by the Steering Committee, seconded and adopted. STEERING COMMITTEE - EMPLOYEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Mr. Michael Francaviglia presented the policies for ratification. Several changes were suggested by Council members and were incorporated in the final publication. Those changes were to include parental leave for lay employees, the same as provided to clergy under the Clergy Compensation Policies, and a in the Employee Acknowledgment Form. The Steering Committee moved the policies for ratification. The motion was seconded and adopted. STEERING COMMITTEE - SUMMER AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION Ms. Dagi Murphy moved the following resolution: Resolved, that the Bishops or their designee and the Steering Committee be given the authority to act on behalf of the Diocesan Council during the months of July and August 1998 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. The Rev. Harry Smith moved an amendment that the actions must be ratified by the full Council at the September meeting. The motion was seconded and adopted. The amended resolution read: Resolved, that the Bishops or their designee and the Steering Committee be given the authority to act on behalf of the Diocesan Council during the months of July and August 1998 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 for ratification. The motion was seconded and adopted. ACTS/VIM RECOMMENDATIONS It was moved by Mr. Michael Francaviglia and seconded that the recommendations presented last month be ratified. The motion was adopted with one dissent from Mr. Richard Fifield who expressed his dismay with the decisions regarding St. Peter's, Washington. He was concerned that western churches were handled differently from other areas by these funding groups and that political clout was needed in order to be funded. AV-98-1 Washington, St. Peter's - Clergy Salary Enhancement, no funding. AV-98-2 Hackensack, Christ Church - Peter's Place, $9,000. AV-98-3 Newark, St. Andrew's - The Newark School of Theology, $5,000. AV-98-4 Newark, Commission on Aging - Commission on Aging Office, $4,000. AV-98-5 J. C., Corpus Christi Ministries - AIDS Housing/Support Services, $8,000. AV-98-6 Clifton, St. Peter's - St. Peter's Haven, $9,500. AV-98-7 Diocese of Newark- Congregational Reporting/Statistical Analysis, $2,000. AV-98-8 Parsippany, St. Gregory's - Joint Parish-Mission Support Project, $12,500. AV-98-9 Paterson, St. Paul's - St. Paul's CDC Food Pantry: Food and Advocacy, $9,500. AV-98-10 Newark, The Oasis - The Wellspring Project, $14,000. AV-98-11 Newark, Habitat for Humanity - Adopt a Home '98, no funding. AV-98-12 Vernon, St. Thomas'- Sussex Cty Interfaith Hospitality Network, $5,000. Total Recommendation to Diocesan Council: $78,500 WARD J. HERBERT BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS It was moved by Mr. Michael James and seconded that the recommendations presented last month be ratified. The motion was adopted with one dissent from Mr. Richard Fifield for the reasons stated earlier. WJH-98-1 Washington, St. Peter's - Rectory Repair, no funding. WJH-98-2 Dover, St. John's Church - Rectory Repairs,$1,710. WJH-98-3 Hope, St. Luke's Church - Slate Roof Replacement, $3,600. WJH-98-4 West Orange, St. Mark's - Roof Repairs, New Boiler, $2,250. WJH-98-5 Teaneck, Christ Church- Rectory Repairs, $15,000. WJH-98-6 Vernon, St. Thomas' - Elevator, no funding. WJH-98-7 Glen Rock, All Saints'- Alarm Systems, $20,000. WJH-98-8 Jersey City, Incarnation - Sewer and Water Systems, $6,500. WJH-98-9 West Orange, Holy Trinity - Church & Parish Hall Repairs, $10,380. WJH-98-10 Morristown, Redeemer - Leakage & Water Damage, $30,000. Total Recommendation to Diocesan Council: $89,440 DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS It was moved by Ms. Peg Dengel and seconded that the recommendations presented last month be ratified. The motion was adopted. -Christ Church Community Development Corporation (Christ Church, Hackensack) - $9,000 -Christ Church Care Closet (Christ Church, Belleville) - $4,500 -Luke's Pantry (St. Luke's, Phillipsburg) - $3,500 -St. Paul's CDC (St. Paul's Church, Paterson) - $8,000 -Building A Loving Community (Incarnation, Jersey City) - $3,000 -The Apostles' House - $10,000 -Camp Shining Star - $2,000 subject to each congregation providing $500 in matching funds. -St. James CDC - $10,000 -St. Dunstan's Adopt A Family (St. Dunstan's, Succasunna) - $1,500 subject to the church providing $500 in matching funds. -Computer Literacy (Christ Church, Pompton Lakes) - No funding is recommended -St. Peter's Korean Services (St. Peter's Korean Church, Teaneck) - No funding is recommended -Companion Diocese Relationship - The group did not appear at the hearings and under criteria approved by the Diocesan Council, the committee could not consider the request. -Education and Action Regarding the Death Penalty - $5,000 -St. James Personal Care Products Project (St. James, Hackettstown) - $3,000. JERSEY CITY MINISTRY The Rt. Rev. Jack McKelvey reported on the status of the Jersey City Ministry. The Jersey City CDC was fully functioning. The Jersey City Ministry Strategy was reviewing different youth ministry programs for use by the congregations in Jersey City. A thirty day extension was given for the purchase of the Cator Avenue property. There had been a change in architects to someone with experience working in Jersey City with the government agencies such as the Planning Board. It was hoped that the Planning Board would give a preliminary approval for the constructions plans. A decision to purchase the property could be made before July 8. The Standing Committee approved the Bishop Suffragan to conclude the property purchase, if the chancellor concurred. CATHEDRAL NEWS Mr. Michael James, warden, reported that more than 700 people attended the service for the deacons' ordination at the Cathedral. He welcomed the warm relationship that had developed between the diocese and the cathedral in recent years. The search for the interim dean and permanent dean had begun. Four candidates were nominated by the bishop to the cathedral chapter for an interim dean who will serve for one year. A budget for the search process will be prepared and submitted to the Steering Committee. Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse reported on the dedication of St. Thomas', Vernon, sanctuary on May 30. The benediction was pronounced by The Rev. William Coats. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia Secretary --Return to Diocese of Newark Home Page