Wednesday, January 13, 1999
Episcopal House, Newark, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting

Present: The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, President; The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; The Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael F. Rehill, Chancellor; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary;

Bishop's Appointments: The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde; Mr. Michael James; Ms. Diane Kaczmarek; The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler; The Rev. Dr. Franklin Vilas

Elected by Convention: Mr. E. Kim Byham; Ms. Dorothy Gould

Elected by Districts: The Rev. Kevin P.J. Coffey; Mr. Scott Helsel; The Rev. Margaret Hodgkins; The Rev. Scott Kallstrom; The Rev. Mark Lewis; Ms. Pamela Lindquist; Ms. Dagi Murphy; The Rev. Kenneth Near; The Rev. William Parnell; Mr. Junius Powell; Ms. Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; Ms. Mary Sunden; Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse

Absent: Mr. Steven Boston; The Rev. Emory Byrum; The Rev. William Coats; Mr. Richard Fifield; The Rev. William Lantz; The Rev. Isaac Persaud; The Rev. Harry Smith; The Rev. Steven Steele; Ms. Lynn Tyler; Ms. Nancy Weidbrauk; The Rev. Fain Webb. On leave of absence: The Rev. Lawrence Falkowski

Others present: The Rev. Al Jousset; Mrs. Clara Horsley.

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 additions of The Rev. Al Jousset, The Rev. Skip Vilas and Ms. Ginny Whitehouse. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

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

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

Welcomed the Rev. Al Jousset, president of the Standing Committee.

The Rev. Mark Lewis updated the members on Harry Smith's condition.

Reported that 98% of the churches submitted their pledges on time; the health of our churches and our diocese was sound. It was evident that the council visits had a continuing positive effect on the stewardship process.

Reminded members they would have seat and voice at the Convention, if they were not deputies representing their churches. The visiting bishops will be The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff and The Rt. Rev. Richard Shimpfky.

Congratulated Chris Neglia on the birth of his daughter, Sydney Tabitha.

Bid farewell to those Council members who concluded two consecutive terms of service at this meeting: Kim Byham, Scott Kallstrom, Dagi Murphy, Pamela Lindquist. A resolution of gratitude and thanks for their solid leadership was moved, seconded and adopted.

Some others were finishing their first terms and hopefully they will be returning.

Expressed his thanks for the many messages for recovery after his recent surgery.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. Zinn presented the Treasurer's Report for the year ending December 31, 1998. In general comments, he remarked the 50/50 giving program was such that the final payment cannot be made until into the new year; hence, for the budget, an estimate was calculated. On the disbursements, all were actual payments made, with the exception to the National Church because of its large amount. The outstanding amount for next year was anticipated to be paid before the Convention. It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted.

BUDGET COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. John Zinn presented the budget and reported that income was up by 6%. There was an increase in the office expense line because of the increased usage of office services by groups housed at the diocesan offices; these costs were offset by reimbursement payments. The 1999 budget honors all commitments to outreach commitments - such as the National Church; continue increase of ½ of 1% to other outreach. Giving to outreach was now at 31%. A new line in the outreach category in the amount of .7% was established - international development projects - in response to the Lambeth Conference call for dioceses to assist international causes. The DOM request wasn't fully funded. It was the intent of the Budget Committee to look for possible methods to lower the debt service costs of the DOM, so that funds could be shifted to the DOM program line. Youth Ministries and anti-racism work were identified as priorities for the diocese and were funded as much as possible. The budget proposed a 4% salary increase for diocesan staff and an increase of 10% in medical insurance costs. The level of funding for the Commission on Aging would be sufficient for the commission to do its work in 1999. The position of technology support was reduced. It was decided that a plan on technology needed to be developed and a committee made up of core staff members and members from the Electronic Technology Committee would begin this work.

The Episcopal Reserve was established to prepare for the election and transition period for the next diocesan bishop. Other reserve accounts were set up for building maintenance and automobile replacement for the bishop suffragan.

Mr. Zinn moved the budget for recommendation to the Convention. After a second, the motion was adopted.

LOAN GUARANTEE - ALL SAINTS', LEONIA

The Rev. Al Jousset requested a modification in the loan guarantee to refinance a loan voted by the Diocesan Council at its meeting of October 14, 1998. At that time the loan was being negotiated from Summit Bank in the amount of $200,000 for twenty years at a fixed rate of 7.9%. Summit Bank was unclear in its understanding of a loan guarantee and dropped the loan. The new guarantee proposal was for a loan from the NVE Savings Bank in the amount of $470,000 over a twenty year period with an interest rate of 8%. This amount included the bridge loan amount approved back in the fall. The endowment of the church was in excess of the mortgage amount. The original rectory had an agreement for sale.

It was moved and seconded to approve the loan guarantee. The motion was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER

Reported that in recent weeks he had the opportunity to spend time with the Companion Diocese Relationship Committee and looked forward to continue working with that group. He had begun to work with the bishop suffragan and the deployment officer to develop a strategy with the West Orange area.

Expressed his awareness that this year as coadjutor provided possibilities to listen and learn. In response to the call from the Planning Committee for a two day retreat of council members, he suggested a one day retreat planning day when he and the council could meet. Hopefully, the day would be a model for listening and learning to get information to bring back to the core staff and the council.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Mrs. Clara Horsley announced several upcoming events: Today's Woman conference on March 27, St. Paul's, Chatham; in April, the ECW will host the Province II women at Xavier Center, at a conference called "Making the Connections"; and a trip to Alaska was planned for August.

STEERING COMMITTEE - VESTRY/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE VISITS

Ms. Dagi Murphy distributed the compilation of responses received from council members during their visits to the churches. The Steering Committee would review the material and report back in March.

STEERING COMMITTEE - AUTHORIZATION RESOLUTION

Ms. Dagi Murphy moved the following authorization 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 month of February 1999 in the event that a decision must be made during the recess. Any such actions will be reported to the Council at its March meeting.

The motion was seconded and adopted.

STEERING COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY ORIENTATION SESSION

Ms. Dagi Murphy reported that an orientation session for new members joining the Council through either election at the Convention or at the district meetings and those appointed by the bishop would be held on Wednesday, February 10. New people were encouraged strongly to attend the meeting. Additionally, the council committee assignments would be completed by the first meeting of the full Council in March.

STEERING COMMITTEE - ANTI-RACISM EFFORT

Ms. Dagi Murphy reported that the Mission to Dismantle Racism requested each diocesan organization to report back with a goal to eradicate racism in the diocese. The Steering Committee would like to report that the Council would produce a one act play that could be performed in the districts. Hopefully, people on Council would produce, write and direct the play.

JERSEY CITY STRATEGY

Bishop McKelvey reported that this Friday and Saturday a planning conference was scheduled for the clergy and lay people of the three congregations, including the wardens and other leaders. The intent was to reach clarity for some specific area ministry goals, especially programs to and with young people, plans for the new church and the community development corporation. The Rev. Scott Kallstrom reported that the CDC, under the direction of Mr. Thomas Nickerson, opened another after school program, this one located at Incarnation, and a senior citizen program at Grace Church. Eventually, each church would be fully programmed in the near future.

DISTRICT NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Rev. Skip Vilas announced the conference scheduled in November for the Hines Lecture: "Humanity on the Edge, Science and Faith in the 21^st Century." The keynoter was scheduled to be Dr. Timothy Ferris, science author. There would be a series of workshops as well.

Mrs. Ginny Whitehouse distributed a flyer, entitled "Change To Change Lives", describing a fund raising program for churches to use in support of the water project sponsored by the Companion Diocese Relationship Committee.

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

Reported that Paul Walker was called as rector to Christ Church, Belleville.

Announced that the leadership of St. Mary the Virgin, Ridgefield Park, had decided to close the congregation and move its ministry elsewhere on May 23, 1999. He commended the work of the leadership and members of the congregation as they worked to discern their future. Earlier in the day, the Standing Committee voted to reclassify the church as an incorporated mission so that the closure could take place.

The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Scott Kallstrom.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary

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