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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
Present: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer, Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Ms. Diane Sammons, Chancellor. Elected by Districts: Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Janet Broderick; Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Ms. Glenda deKruif, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, Ms. Lois Gray, Mr. Robert Harwood, Mr. Bert Jones, The Rev. Kathryn King, The Rev. Paul Olsson, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Stuart Smith, Ms. Mary Sunden, Ms. Patty Watts, The Rev. Sandye Wilson. Bishop's Appointments: Ms. Gail Barkely, The Rev. Joseph Harmon, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: The Rev. Gray Lesesne, Ms. Doris Mardirosian, The Rev. Fain Webb. Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols and Canon Denise Haines; and Ms. Kai Alston and Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours (for the work group time). COUNCIL WORK GROUP MEETINGS The work groups met separately for Bible study (Luke 18:1-8a) and discussion. The meeting was opened by Bishop Beckwith at 8:00 p.m. with silence, reflection and prayer from Parker J. Palmer excerpted from "Prayers for a Thousand Years. " AGENDA The agenda was adopted with the additions of Work Group summary reports and a second item from the Congregational Vitality Work Group. WORK GROUPS' SUMMARIES Inclusion: The Rev. Janet Broderick reported that two resolutions were being prepared for Council's recommendation to the 2008 Diocesan Convention. The first resolution will address the issues of justice and protection for immigrants and other undocumented people and would include the request for the appointment of a task force by the bishop to study the matter more fully. (Convention 2007 adopted a resolution calling for a task force to develop strategy to implement the fundamental principles included in "The Alien Among You." The Inclusion Work Group had begun to review the issues and was therefore suggesting a continuation of the study.) The second resolution would request funding for interpretive services for deaf and hard of hearing people at diocesan events. Outreach: Ms. Mary Sunden reported on the group's discussion to identify those ways to encourage ministries at the congregational level that could be supported by the Outreach Committee but without discouraging any existing ministries from applying. The work group was considering focusing on a specific ministry area annually that might be funded at a higher level than other requests. Such a change, if decided, would not occur until 2009 and after considerable publicity. Discipleship: Mr. Henry Faulkner reported the group continued to study ways to publicize and encourage the use of "Safeguarding God's Children." The Bible reflection influenced the work group time leading to a discussion on faith sharing (how we share our faith, the difficulties some people have in doing so, and how best to facilitate the process). MINUTES Motion: It was moved to accept the minutes for the meeting of September 12, 2007. The motion was seconded and adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Beckwith's comments included: . A vision theme and four core values for the diocese were emerging and were in part influenced by his unique perspective of the diocese from episcopal visitations to congregations throughout the diocese. A line from a Victoria Safford prayer was shared, excerpts that were in part "Our mission is to stand with the living Christ at the gates of hope...the place of truth-telling, about your own soul first of all and its condition, the place of resistance and defiance, the place from which we glimpse not only the struggle but joy in the struggle - and we stand there, beckoning and calling, telling people what we see, asking people what they see." The four values were: worship (uniqueness, creativity); spiritual formation (commitment to live more intentionally as a person of faith with regularity); justice/non-violence (the importance of the witness of non-violence, even during moments of violence); and, radical hospitality (where all are welcome, an embracing church tearing down the gates of exclusion and inviting people in; embracing being more active than being inclusive). . A budget process for 2008 was designed by the finance committee. The members of the budget committee included the four work group conveners, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Mr. Henry Faulkner and Ms. Mary Sunden (who were also the finance committee) and Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Lu-Anne Conner, Mr. Robert Simmons, Mr. Peter Van Brunt and The Rev. Fain Webb. The time line for the budget process was: 10/19 Budget requests due to the Finance Office Review of requests by a subgroup of the Budget Committee 11/08 Budget Committee meets and signs off on a first draft based on three scenarios (income same as 2007, income increased by 3%, income decreased by 3% with expenses as anticipated). (At this time, the staffing cost will be presented as an aggregate without details.) 11/14 Diocesan Council Work Groups review the first draft. tbd Budget Committee will meet sometime between the November and December meetings to finalize a budget for Council presentation in December. 12/01 Canonical date for the submission of pledge cards. 12/04 Stewardship Day for the submission of pledge cards at a day of workshops, Church of the Savior, Denville. 12/19 Diocesan Council adopts budget for recommendation to Diocesan Convention 01/18 Deadline for proposed changes to the budget 01/25-26 Diocesan Convention TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn reported that pledge income in September was on budget. A payment of $100,000 was made to The Episcopal Church at the end of September. The processing of the $74,000 endowment loan approved at last month's meeting and some other internal transfers provided the funds for the larger TEC payment in September. Several churches were behind in pledge payments for the current year and a few for 2006, and they had been contacted by him. If the $65,000 in late 2006 pledges were received the 2006 fiscal year would break even. Under general expenses the audit fee line was expected to balance after the costs were shared among the various funds; at this point, the budget indicated it solely as a Council expense but that will change by year's end. The variance in the medical insurance line was due to premiums being paid quarterly and not monthly; here, too, the line was expected to be on budget or close to budget by year's end. The investment income at the end of nine months seemed high, but was expected to be on budget. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY WORK GROUP - JERSEY CITY FUNDS Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, convener, presented a request for release of Jersey City Funds to Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City. The work group met prior to the Council meeting and was recommending the request. Ms. Brown moved the following resolution. Motion: Resolved, That Diocesan Council approves the release of $35,948 from the Jersey City Funds for the year 2008 to support the congregational growth and development of Grace Church Van Vorst that has the unanimous approval of the Jersey City Area Ministry (JCAM) at its meeting on September 22, 2007. The motion was seconded and adopted with two abstentions. The Rev. William Potter made a request for further information about the Jersey City Funds. (This report was currently in preparation by the Steering Committee and Mr. John Zinn.) CONGREGATIONAL VITALITY WORK GROUP - CONGREGATIONAL STATUS Mr. Bert Jones presented a report for the work group that included an outline and schedule for the development of a process to revise diocesan canons that address the classifications of churches in the diocese. Currently four classifications existed for congregations: parish, aided parish, incorporated mission and mission. The goals of the work group were to identify a standard and develop a clearer understanding and codification of Expectations for Parishes. The objectives included: to use the Vitality Expectations adopted last year by Diocesan Council as a starting point for Quantifiable Expectations; to build on the Role Clarification Process by including representatives of both the Standing Committee and the Trustees in the development of Expecations; and to invite members of Diocesan congregations to offer feedback, learnings and suggestions. The schedule of conversations, meetings and discussions would extend from the fall of 2007 through 2008 and into the convention of 2009 when revised canons would be adopted. The schedule included Council sponsorship of a group to address congregation status concerns (CSC) that incorporated two representatives each from Standing Committee and Trustees; workshop at convention; open discussion sessions during the year; and canonical revisions prepared by the Constitution and Canons Committee. Ms. Carol Taylor, Council's representative to the Role Clarification Committee and member of the Congregational Vitality Work Group, noted the development of the process to revise the canons would be introduced at the Role Clarification Committee meeting on October 23 for its participation in the process and at the hearing scheduled for early November by the Role Clarification Committee. In the meanwhile, Council was asked to endorse the concept as presented by the work group. Motion: Resolved, That the Diocesan Council endorses the concept of the process as presented. The motion was seconded and adopted. DISTRICT SHARING District 2: Ms. Patty Watts reported the district will meet next week for its fall gathering. She commended Districts 3 and 10 that organized a list of the different outreach ministries within the district and shared the information among themselves. District 3: The Rev. Paul Olsson reported the district had concerns about the bi-lingual confirmation service being held at the Cathedral. The service was historically done within the district with a special uniqueness reflective of the district. District 4: The Rev. Sandye Wilson reported the district met recently for two presentations. The Rev. Wade Renn, interim at House of Prayer (HOP) in Newark, who spoke about the ministries at HOP and their plans for evangelism and outreach efforts to the community surrounding the church. The Rev. Canon Denise Haines, Canon for Mission and Ministry, addressed the district. There was a level of renewed enthusiasm in the district. Teenagers were participating in a Habitat for Humanity building project at times when schools were not in session. District 5: The bishop reported in response to a query from Mr. Bert Jones that The Rev. Lucy Ann Dure was the pro-tem convener. District 9: The Rev. Kathryn King reported regular meetings continued to be held and the parishes were working together on several project, including a building project. At the recent Celebration of New Ministry for The Rev. Barrington Bates at Annunciation, Oradell, nearly 90% of the district congregations were represented. She noted that District 9 was interested in changing its confirmation date with another district. The Rev. Sandye Wilson indicated that District 4 may be interested in a swap of dates. District 10: Mr. Steve Boston reported the district discussed their response to the district confirmation being moved from St. Paul's, Paterson to the Cathedral. Since the district was very much focused on the ministry at St. Paul's there was a level of dismay. This issue may be shared with the district conveners. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ms. Glenda deKruif expressed disappointment that only two children were registered for the Christophany scheduled for later in the month. The program was a wonderful experience for youth in middle school. The Rev. Sandye Wilson invited all members to a celebration of the 100th birthday of The Rev. Li Tim-Oi, the first woman ordained in the Anglican Communion. The service was scheduled for Sunday, October 14 at 3:30 p.m. in Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral. MEETING EVALUATION Members shared that the time was spent well this evening. Birthday greetings were sung for The Rev. Sandye Wilson whose birthday fell on the same day as the Council meeting. The meeting was closed with prayer by Bishop Beckwith. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |