|
THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
Present: Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Ms. Diane Sammons, Chancellor. Elected by Districts: Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Mr. Henry Faulkner, Ms. Lois Gray, Mr. Bert Jones, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Ms. Barbara Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Mary Sunden, Ms. Patty Watts, The Rev. Fain Webb, The Rev. Sandye Wilson. Bishop's Appointments: Ms. Gail Barkely, The Rev. Joseph Harmon, The Rev. Gray Lesesne, Ms. Carol Taylor. ECW: Ms. Doris Mardirosian. Absent: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith, Ms. Glenda deKruif, The Rev. David Gable, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, Mr. Robert Harwood, The Rev. Kathryn King, The Rev. Stuart Smith. Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols and Mr. Richard Graham; and Ms. Kitty Kawecki and Ms. Kai Alston (for the work group time). COUNCIL WORK GROUP MEETINGS The work groups met separately for Bible study (Mark 3:7-19). The meeting was opened by Mr. Michael Francaviglia at 7:45 p.m. (Bishop Mark Beckwith was in Haiti for a meeting of Province II bishops.) AGENDA The agenda was adopted as prepared. MINUTES Motion: It was moved to accept the minutes for the meeting of December 19, 2007. The motion was seconded and adopted. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. Richard Graham, interim Chief Financial Officer, presented the report. (The report was distributed at the meeting.) Expenses were under projections, but payments were outstanding to date. Full pledge income will be known when the reconciliation statements received. Primary cause of actual deficit position is the $420,000 in outstanding/uncollected parish pledges for 2007. Allowing for receipts over budget, income deficit is $325,000, 11% under projected amount. Other income was higher than projection resulting in $47,000 in additional income. Convention and Conference Fees were approximately 40% higher than projected. Voice revenue in 2007 was significantly above projections ($1,500 projected, $12,000 received). This is partially offset by higher than expected expenses. Most other income items were on or close to budget. Expenses: the National Church owed approximately $220,000 against the Diocese's 2007 pledge. Current outstanding balance of $14,000 due on Mission Debt Service (St. Thomas, Vernon). Still needed to pay $10,000 toward the Ringwood Mission. The Lay Pension Plan was under funded this year by $45,000. Group Medical was $32,000 over budget based on revised rates. Operating expenses for Episcopal House were close to budget. Exceptions include Building Maintenance which is approximately 40% over budget. Needed to review further the Audit Fees, which were significantly over projection. (This was likely an allocation issue where Rath, ACTS/VIM, WJH, Insurance Fund/major entities under Council subject to audit had not been charged a percentage of fees.) Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. PLEDGE PAYMENT REPORT Mr. Richard Graham distributed a report on pledge payments to date. Only one pledge remained outstanding (Milton/Oakridge). Half of the pledges received represented increases over 2007 pledge levels and overall pledges to the Diocese were higher than in 2007. Our experience had been, however, that a significant percentage of pledges were not collected in the current year, and that some pledge amounts may not be collected. Current Pledges: Total Pledges Received: 108 Pledges $2,531,000 Pledge Increase Over 2007: $120,000 Breakdown of 2008 Parish Pledge Activity: Increased Pledges and Total Amount of Increases: 51 increased $166,000 total increase $3,300 average change Pledge Equal to 2007 Pledge: 37 Decreased Pledges and Total Amount of Decreases: 21 decreased ($46,000) ($2,200) WORK GROUP REPORT BACK ON MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW The work groups reported back on their discussions about the mutual ministry review based on four questions. What has our work group accomplished in the last year? What gifts have we seen exhibited in our group in the last year? What needs doing or doing differently in the next year? What do people need to know to function well in this work group? Outreach: Accomplishments: The application to HUD for the Belleville Senior Housing was completed, although not accepted for funding. The ACTS/VIM grant guidelines were discussed and changed. The Outreach grant process was reviewed. Visits were made to major outreach facilities of the diocese, Apostles' House, Nutley Senior Manor (a council meeting was scheduled). Gifts included: patience, sensor of humor. Approach to the issues by those people who served on the Outreach committee. Needs doing differently: getting to a deeper level of all issues, such as ECD. Connections between the diocese and other institutions, Newark School of Theology, Apostles' House, the CDCs; continue visits. Need to know: clarity on how the council operates; more background information on matters brought before the full council. Inclusion: Accomplishments: immigration review and teaching resources; interpretative services at diocesan events; resolutions presented to convention on immigration and interpretative services. Gifts: collaborate well; very flexible; highly intelligent; deeply faithful. Need doing differently: more seriousiousness about walking our talk of inclusion; we shouldn't be a diocese with a history of inclusion, but be inclusive now; be courageous to bring issues to the floor for full discussion. Need to know: orientation, expectations and the purpose of the work group. Discipleship: Accomplishments: implemented Safeguarding God's Children curriculum on a parish level; designed a convention workshop using the curriculum as an outreach tool and the electronic components. Gifts: scriptural insights during Bible study; great creativity exhibited. Needs doing differently: more clearly articulated identity and mission for the work group; discipleship and Christian formation were spiritual endeavors and the work group was a logistical group, leads to wondering what problems could be tackled; a top down vision (yes, from the bishop) would be helpful, sets parameters. Need to know: what was expected of the members of the work group? Congregational Vitality: Accomplishments: Completed research into the closing of the parish and produced the Trinity, Montclair review; finalized ministry assessment tool; lower anxiety of many congregations through its work; facilitated a few ministry assessment conversations within the diocese. Gifts: teamwork and leadership. Needs doing differently: orientation for new members; set clear goals for the year. Need to know: the expectations for the members and the work group goals; meetings were held beyond the monthly council meetings. COUNCIL MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW Canon Carter Echols led the council members through a mutual ministry review of the work of the whole Council. The discussion was based on the following questions: What has Council accomplished in the last year? What gifts have we seen exhibited in Council in the last year? What needs doing or doing differently in the next year? What do people need to know to function well on Diocesan Council? Accomplishments: Welcomed a new bishop and new chief financial officer. Finance Committee created. The budget procedures were revised. Adopted revised personnel policies for diocesan employees. Established Civil Unions Task Force and received its report. Received Title IV revisions. Health insurance report received and reviewed. Working with other governing bodies, Standing Committee, DIT and Trustees. Representation on the Role Clarification Task Force and the Joint Property Task Force that produced a revised property guide. Work on the bishop's letter of agreement. Gifts exhibited: Willingness to listen and work with the new bishop. Grateful to the dedication of members to their work and the commitment of time and talent to work group tasks. Sense of humor. Hospitality, friendliness. Dedication. Collegiality. Professionalism. Insight and clarity, such as the health insurance report. Diocesan staff. Steering Committee evolution. Needs doing or doing differently: Deeper connections to larger institutions within the diocese. Review the current work groups. Continue collaboration with other governing groups. Healthier food; less spices; greener vegetables. Rotate locations for meetings (accessible places). Streamline the meetings; Bible study during meals. Covenant if meeting time going over agenda schedule. Clearer sense of council beyond logistics. Improve understanding of the protocols and how items are brought to council. Don't skip orientation (last year's was canceled due to severe weather). Need to know to function well: Sense of humor. Orientation for all members. New staff configuration and how it relates to the work groups. How council works with Episcopal House, Trustees, Standing Committees and other groups in the diocese. Eventually you get it after some time on the council; "will catch on." Provide minutes from previous meetings. STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND - CHRIST CHURCH, BELLEVILLE The Rev. Gray Lesesne, Ward J. Herbert Fund (WJH) Board member, presented and moved for ratification ECLF minutes that approved a loan of $13,000 to Christ Church, Belleville. Motion: It was seconded and adopted to ratify the minutes from the Ward J. Herbert Fund Executive Committee which approved a $13,000 loan to Christ Church, Belleville on January 3, 2008. The loan will repay the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Diocesan Properties for fifty percent of the overall repair costs of the entire heating system in the parish hall along with water damage to walls, ceilings and floors from leaks. It was projected that the loan would be repaid by January 2033 (twenty-five year term). The interest rate was 5%. The motion was adopted. WORK GROUP ASSIGNMENTS Ms. Faith Gideon Brown asked members to complete the work groups request sheet and return to Mary Sunden. This was the time to request a change in assignment. Assignments will be made by the bishop in consultation with the Steering Committee based on the requests received. New members who start in February will be assigned to work groups as well. BELLEVILLE SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT Ms. Mary Sunden reported the Belleville Episcopal Senior Housing (BESH) work group met to determine the next steps in the development of low income housing for senior citizens in Belleville following the rejection of the HUD application for funding. An application was submitted to HUD in 2007 by the BESH on behalf of Diocesan Council. Unfortunately, the application was rejected in favor of competing proposals. A meeting was held with HUD management to review the application and steps were identified which would improve the chances for winning approval of a new application. The group recommended that the council continue its support of the project and include the participation of the Episcopal Community Development (ECD) Corporation. The membership of the BESH included representation from the Diocesan Council, the Trustees, Christ Church in Belleville, and the office of the chancellor and included diocesan staff support. It was recommended that the membership be expanded to include representation by ECD because of its experience and expertise in housing management and development. Ms. Sunden moved the following resolution. Motion: Resolved, That the Diocesan Council: 1) renew its support of a proposed Belleville Episcopal Senior Housing project in Belleville, New Jersey; 2) authorize the Belleville Episcopal Senior Housing Task Force to work with the Township of Belleville and the Episcopal Community Development Corporation (ECD) to determine the best way to accomplish the goals of the project, reporting regularly to the Outreach Work Group and to Diocesan Council; and, 3) agree in principle to execute or renew such resolutions and actions as may be required when brought to Diocesan Council for action. The motion was adopted. Ms. Sunden noted that with the adoption of this resolution, BESH will take steps to determine the interest level of Belleville leaders in continuing its partnership with the diocese to secure funding for low income housing in the town. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE Certificates of thanksgiving were presented to members who were completing their terms of office, either their first two-year term or their second and final term. Completing a first two-year term were: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, The Rev. Kathryn King, Ms. Patty Watts, The Rev. Gray Lesesne. Completing their second two-year term and not returning were: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Ms. Glenda de Kruif, The Rev. Paul Olsson, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Carol Taylor. (Mr. Boston, Mr. Faulkner and the Rev. Ms. King were not continuing for a second term.) The meeting was closed with prayer by Mr. Bert Jones. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |