Wednesday, October 14, 1998
St. John's Church, Union City, New Jersey

Adopted Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting

Elected by Convention: Mr. E. Kim Byham; The Rev. Emory Byrum; Ms. Peg Dengel; The Rev. Scott Kallstrom; 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; Mr. Scott Helsel; The Rev. Margaret Hodgkins; The Rev. William Lantz; The Rev. Mark Lewis; Ms. Pamela Lindquist; Ms. Dagi Murphy; The Rev. Kenneth Near; Mr. Christopher Neglia; Mr. Junius Powell; Ms. Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; Ms. Mary Sunden; The Rev. Fain Webb; Ms. Nancy Weidbrauk

Absent: Ms. Dorothy Gould; The Rev. William Parnell; The Rev. Isaac Persaud; Mr. Michael F. Rehill; The Rev. Steven Steele; Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse. On leave of absence: The Rev. Lawrence Falkowski

Others present: The Rev. Al Jousset

The Rev. Steve Giovangelo introduced the parishioners who were responsible for the meal; they included Joe Annillo, Bill Twyble, Lorraine Gerbehy, Gerald Bedard, Matthew Russas and several others. He reported that people were moving to Union City from Manhattan. When he first started, there were twelve people in the pews on Sundays. He began a ministry of welcome and incorporation by serving coffee and hot chocolate at the bus stop in front of the church. Now, there were 60 to 70 people in weekly attendance. People from the neighborhood began coming into the doors. The after school program serves the children of the area. The focus had been on building community for fellowship and meals; that emphasis had helped build the church.

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Bishop Spong.

AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the deletion of the Task Force on a Sabbath for the New Millennium. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the September 9, 1998, meeting. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS: THE RT. REV. JOHN S. SPONG

Commented that he was very pleased to return to a full schedule after his illness.

Welcomed the Rev. Al Jousset, rector of All Saints', Leonia.

Announced that the Standing Committee recommended the following persons for ordination to the priesthood: Robert Criste-Troutman, Lucy Ann Dure, Cooper Conway, Michael Delaney, and Dana Rose.

Outlined plans for the November 21 consecration service for the bishop coadjutor. Expressed confidence that the life and vitality of the diocese would continue through the transition. Explained that when Croneberger joined the staff he would be given responsibility for the postulants and candidates who will be ordained after 1999, and would be in charge of deployment. It was anticipated that Croneberger would have time during the next nine months to visit churches around the diocese and become familiar enough and gain sufficient knowledge to make sound policy decisions. The Council and program year would be formally turned over to Croneberger in September 1999.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. Zinn presented the Treasurer's Report. Finances were on target. Highlighted that in September 25% of the income received to date had been given to the National Church. It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted.

JERSEY CITY EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELECTIONS

Mr. John Zinn commented that October in New Jersey was Affordable Housing Month. The bishops declared the last Sunday in October as Affordable Housing Sabbath. There were several events planned around this day: Sunday, October 25 in Paterson; Monday, October 26 in Jersey City and Tuesday, October 27 in Newark.

Mr. John Zinn moved that the Council temporarily adjourn. The motion was seconded and adopted.

The President called to order the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation.

Mr. John Zinn presented the following resolution for the election of members to the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation:

Mr. John Zinn moved that the nominations be closed and that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot.

Class of 1999: Eugenia Suthern, Incarnation, Jersey City; Mary Prioleau, Jose Melendez and Roger Williams, Community Representatives.

Class of 2000: Carol DeJesus, Corpus Christi Representative; the Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss, All Saints', Hoboken; Barbara Davey, Christ Hospital.

Class of 2001: Antoinette Neals, Incarnation, Jersey City; Peter Van Brunt and John Zinn, Diocesan Representatives; Robert Miller, All Saints', Hoboken.

Supporting Information:

The by-laws of the Jersey City Episcopal CDC provide for a board of 15 members with at least eight of those members to be residents of Jersey City. The by-laws also provide for the rectors/vicars of the Episcopal Churches in Jersey City and the executive director to be ex-officio members of the board with seat, voice and vote. After this election, ten of the 15 positions will be filled by residents of Jersey City.

Ex-officio members: Thomas Nickerson, Executive Director; the Rev. Isaac Persaud, Incarnation; the Rev. Scott Kallstrom, Grace Van Vorst; the Rev. William Riker, St. Paul's.

Officers: John Zinn, President; the Rev. Scott Kallstrom, Vice President; Peter Van Brunt, Vice President; Antoinette Neals, Secretary; Robert Miller, Treasurer; Thomas Nickerson, Executive Director.

Mr. John Zinn moved the adjournment of the JC Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The motion was seconded and adopted.

The President declared the Council back in session.

LOAN GUARANTEE FOR ALL SAINTS', LEONIA

The Rev. Albert D. Jousset, rector of All Saints' Church, Leonia, requested from the Council a loan guarantee to refinance a loan with the Summit Bank that had a balance of $129,000 and to extend the loan to $250,000 for the purpose of buying a new rectory. The Council had approved a guarantee in June 1993 for the original loan of $250,000 which was used for the dual purpose of renovation and expansion of the nursery school and the atrium connection between the church and the parish hall.

The new rectory would be purchased for $321,500, which would be $100,000 more than the present rectory would sell for. The additional money wouldbe used for closing costs and moving fees.

Summit Bank offered a loan of 20 years at a fixed rate of 7.9% and would provide a bridge loan of $200,000 at prime plus 1.5% for six months until the present rectory was sold with interest payments only.

The Rev. Harry Smith moved to approve a loan guarantee for All Saints', Leonia. The motion was seconded and adopted.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Mrs. Clara Horsley reported the goal for ECW during 1998 was entitled "Making the Connection." She reminded members of the Children's Sabbath that was scheduled for Sunday, October 18. The ECW newsletter had a new format under the guidance of Patricia Carlson, a staff person at Church Seamen's Institute. The next meeting of getting to know the ECW was scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at St. Peter's, Morristown.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JACK M. MCKELVEY

Announced that planning meetings with the Lutherans on the camp and conference center continued to be held. The name of Beisler/Eagles Nest would be used for the first year of operation, but would be changed after that time. It was expected that the camping program would begin in the summer of 1999.

Reported that he and Dale Gruner met with the parishioners at St. Paul's, Morris Plains this past Sunday. The parishioners were urged to hire a three year interim with the search for a permanent rector to begin after the third year.

RESOLUTIONS AD HOC COMMITTEE

Mr. Steve Boston introduced the following report with changes to the Rules of Order on the handling resolutions that come before the annual diocesan convention. (Deletions are in strikeout and additions are underlined.) Action on the report would occur at the November meeting.

The Committee on Resolutions shall be responsible for receiving all resolutions except those provided by standing committees and bodies required to report to this Convention.

A. All resolutions to be considered for action by the Annual Convention shall be submitted to the Secretary of Convention in writing and signed by a Delegate Deputy not less than seventy-five (75) days before the date of Convention. Resolutions should be submitted on white 8-1/2 x 11 paper, typed and double spaced, and contain two sections: the RESOLVED naming the desired action, and a further RESOLVED, as appropriate, providing for the implementation of the resolution, if adopted. A brief statement (supporting information) may be included to support the resolution. After the expiration of the seventy-five (75) day deadline, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee all resolutions submitted to him/her.

B. The Committee shall hold hearing(s) prior to Convention on all resolutions submitted timely. The Committee shall publicize at least eighty-five (85) days prior to Convention dates, place and time of its meeting hearings, inviting submitters of all resolutions to attend. The Committee shall collate all resolutions dealing with obviously similar subjects and shall discuss such collation with the submitters.

C. A copy of any proposed resolution which may have financial implications if adopted shall be submitted by the Committee to the Treasurer or Chief Financial Officer and the Convention Budget Committee for review and comments. A copy of any resolution which would affect insurance if adopted shall be submitted by the Committee to the Diocesan Insurance Committee for review and comments. A copy of any proposed resolution which may have canonical or legal implications if adopted shall be submitted by the Committee to the Chancellor for review and comments.

D. The Committee shall have the power to revise or modify any proposed resolution, and shall have the power, by a two-thirds vote of all committee members present and voting, to determine not to offer any proposed resolution on the floor of Convention.

E. The Committee shall submit its report to the Secretary sixty (60) days before the date of Convention with its recommendations for action upon each resolution as proposed or as amended or collated by the Committee. This report shall be mailed by the Secretary to each Delegation during the first week of January. The report shall include all resolutions as submitted by Delegates Deputies prior to the submission deadline and by normal business procedures showing such amendments as may be recommended by the Committee, excepting such resolutions as may have been collated by the Committee with the consent of the mover. The report shall also include copies of any resolutions which the Committee determines not to offer on the floor of Convention.

F. Any resolution which the Committee determines not to offer on the floor of Convention shall be permitted on the floor of Convention only by a majority vote of all Convention Deputies.

G. Resolutions will be permitted from the floor only when they carry a clear statement in writing of the circumstances that lead to the request for their consideration and only by a two-thirds vote. Such resolutions should be duplicated in advance by the presenter(s) with sufficient copies available for distribution to all convention delegates (650 copies are needed).

H. Consent Calendar. It is recognized that certain resolutions may not require full debate prior to action by Convention. Accordingly, the Committee on Resolutions may propose that certain resolutions be included on a "Consent Calendar". Exclusion of any resolution on the Consent Calendar requires agreement of any three congregations to remove it. Any resolution included on the "Consent Calendar" shall not be subject to amendment or debate, except that the original mover or his/her designee may speak to the resolution for a period not to exceed one minute.

TRAINING FOR VESTRY/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VISITS

The Steering Committee members - Dagi Murphy, Diane Kaczmarek, Michael James, Robert Simmons, Scott Hoogerhyde - led the Council members through a training session for the upcoming vestry and executive committee visits. A variety of handouts were distributed, including the newly published diocesan yellow pages of resources and the information for elected diocesan offices.

STEERING COMMITTEE - RETIREMENT DINNER PROCEEDS

Ms. Dagi Murphy presented the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the proceeds from the benefit dinner held to commemorate the retirement of The Right Reverend John S. Spong as Diocesan Bishop will be given to the Diocese of Newark for its direct involvement in the camp and conference center; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council extends its appreciation to Ms. Carlotta Budd and Mr. John Lynch, co-chairs of the Dinner Benefit Sub-Committee of the 125^th Anniversary Committee, for sharing their time and talents in arranging the gala event.

The motion was moved, seconded and adopted.

Supporting Information

The Diocese of Newark and the Lutheran Synod of New Jersey entered into an agreement which will lead to the development of a new corporation to operate a summer camp program and conference center. The facility is located in Long Valley, New Jersey. Camp Biesler/Eagles' Nest Camp will hold its first camping sessions in the summer of 1999.

The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong has announced his intention to retire on February 1, 2000. The 125^th Anniversary Committee has a sub-committee planning a benefit gala to commemorate and honor Bishop Spong for his service as diocesan bishop. The dinner will be held in late 1999.

Any and all proceeds that exceed the costs of the gala will be deposited with the Diocese for its use at the camp and conference center.

JERSEY CITY MINISTRY - SALE OF 555 PALISADES AVENUE

Bishop McKelvey moved the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Diocesan Council approve the sale of 555 Palisade Avenue (the former Ascension Church property) with the proceeds allocated to the Jersey City Strategy.

Supporting Information: The Jersey City Area Council and the Jersey City Strategy Committee both have approved this sale. It has also been approved by the Standing Committee contingent upon Diocesan Council and the Trustees of the Episcopal Fund's approvals. A contract with the Jehovah Witnesses for $215,000 was in hand for land appraised at $150,000.

The motion was seconded and adopted.

The benediction was pronounced by The Rev. Scott Kallstrom.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia
Secretary

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