Wednesday, November 12, 1999
St. Philip's Academy, Newark, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger;
Acting President; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary;
Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael F. Rehill, Chancellor
Bishop's Appointments: Ms. Diane Kaczmarek; The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler
Elected by Convention: The Rev. Emory Byrum; Ms. Lynn Tyler; The Rev. Dr. Franklin
Vilas; The Rev. Richard Wrede
Elected by Districts: The Rev. Martin Bagay; The Rev. Kevin P.J. Coffey; Mr.
Steven Boston; Ms. Kathy Ganim; The Rev. Margaret Hodgkins; Ms. Naomi Horsky;
Mr. Michael James; The Rev. William Lantz; Mrs. Doris Mardirosian; The Rev. William
Parnell; Mr. Junius Powell; Ms. Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; Ms. Joyce Skipper;
The Rev. Steven Steele; Ms. Mary Sunden; Mrs. Virginia Whitehouse
Absent: The Rev. David Badgley; The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss; Mr. Richard Fifield;
Mr. Leonard Glenn; The Rev. Scott Hoogerhyde; The Rev. Mark Lewis; The Rev. Kenneth
Near; Mr. Christopher Neglia; The Rev. Harry Smith; The Rev. Mildred J. Solomon
Others present: The Rev. Richard Bardusch; The Rev. Charles Arlin; Ms. Barbara
Conroy
Staff: The Rev. Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson
Dr. Maureen Fonseca, Headmistress, addressed the Council. She introduced Mr.
David Farrand and Ms. Dorothy Gould, Board Trustees, and Mr. Tom Hooper, staff
member. (Earlier, students led members on a tour of the school). The school was
founded in 1988 with ten first graders. The seed money came from the Cathedral
and several other congregations. Many churches in the diocese supported the school
since its founding. A new science lab was constructed with UTO grant money. Class
room education was mixed with community service. The mission was to prepare students
for highly rated secondary schools. 205 children were currently enrolled with
an expected increase to 250. Mr. Farrand welcomed a stronger connection with
the diocese; called the school a "jewel in the inner city." Support
for educational programs like St. Philip's was the ideal act of compassion. He
outlined a list of needs for the school, such as money, volunteers, part time
teachers, coaches and supporters.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger.
AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of the Companion
Diocese Relationship committee. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the October 13, 1999, meeting
with two corrections: to list properly The Rev. Dr. Skip Vilas as a member elected
by convention; and the correct spelling of the Holley Center. The motion to accept
the corrected minutes was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS:
THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Welcomed The Rev. Richard Bardusch, Ms. Bonnie Magnuson, Ms. Barbara Conroy,
The Rev. Charles Arlin.
Thanked Skip Vilas for the successful Hines Lecture on Friday, November 5.
Reminded members about the evensong service on December 5 at the Cathedral, 3
p.m. with a dedication service for the building sign at 31 Mulberry Street at
2:30 p.m.
Announced the upcoming ordinations to the priesthood of Amy Egan at St. John's,
Ramsey and Susan Fortunato, St. James', Upper Montclair.
Reported on the clergy conference held in Shawnee, Pa. over the past weekend.
120 clergy attended the 2½ day event. The depth of experience and knowledge
among the clergy was evident when so many were gathered.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Zinn presented the Treasurer's Report. A projection for 1999 showed a surplus
for the year, realized mainly from the savings in the bishop suffragan line.
It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion
was adopted.
Mr. Zinn reported on the likely increase in group medical insurance rates. The
group medical insurance line pays for medical supplement for retired clergy.
Earlier in the fall, word was received that there would be an increase of 17%
for this coverage. This week Prudential announced a 30% increase. This would
have a significant impact on the budgets of congregations. Discussions with the
Medical Trust Fund will be held shortly along with bids solicited from other
carriers. Unfortunately, there were fewer companies now. The reality of having
a long term relationship with one insurance carrier seemed no longer a possibility
because of rate hikes.
Since there were less than two months before the end of the year to enter into
a contract with a new carrier, Mr. Zinn asked that the Insurance Committee and
the Chief Financial Officer be authorized to decide on the next steps or change
in carrier.
Mr. Zinn moved a resolution to authorize the Insurance Committee and chief financial
officer to make appropriate changes in the group medical insurance plan for the
year 2000. The motion was seconded and adopted.
The members of the Insurance Committee were: Steve Boston, chair; Chris Neglia;
Jay Powell; Joyce Skipper; Mary Sunden; and, John Zinn.
EPISCOPAL CAPITAL LOAN FUND
(ECLF)
Mr. John Zinn moved the ratification of the ECLF minutes:
By a mail vote, the ECLF board approved a $25,000 loan to Grace Church, Westwood.
The loan will fund renovations to the church kitchen until pledges to a capital
campaign were received. It was projected that the loan would be repaid in early
2000. The interest rate was 8%.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
BEISLER-EAGLE'S NEST CAMP/YOUTH
MINISTRIES
The Rev. Richard Bardusch, Director of Youth Ministries, reported on the youth
ministries program and upcoming youth events. Earlier this year, he was on loan
to the camp as the director, and during that time period, Cooper Conway worked
on the youth events.
Ms. Bonnie Magnuson, Co-chair of Beisler/Eagles' Nest Board, reported on the
first camping season that was jointly operated by the Diocese of Newark and the
Lutheran Synod of New Jersey. She commented on the differences from previous
years. Camp is about people and community, not just buildings. The campers had
a great time and everyone had a lot of fun. The special education component was
a wonderful new experience for people from the diocese. For next year there will
be new cabins, new inground pool, and upgrading of CE living quarters. A contest
was underway to rename the camp site.
ACTS/VIM GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS
Ms. Barbara Conroy presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to
adopt the recommendations and refer them to the December meeting for ratification.
The motion was adopted.
AV99-13 Jersey City, Incarnation - Seniors Project (project was withdrawn)
AV99-14 Belleville, Christ - The Care Closet
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $4,500: 9 yes.
AV99-15 Newark, The Oasis - The Millennium Jubilee
Motion to fund: 8 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $12,700: 9 yes.
AV99-16 Jersey City, CDC - After School Drama/Music Program
Motion to fund: 8 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $11,200: 9 yes.
AV99-17 Clifton, St. Peter's - St. Peter's Haven
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $12,700: 9 yes.
AV99-18 Newark, Grace - Homework Club of Grace Church
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $11,200: 9 yes.
AV99-19 Paterson, St. Paul's - Emergency Services
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $12,700: 9 yes.
AV99-20 Newark Regional Ministry - Christian Formation For All Ages (project
withdrawn)
AV99-21 Newark, St. James CDC - Employment Initiative Program
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $12,700: 9 yes.
AV99-22 Secaucus, Christ Hospital - Senior Medical Day Care Center
Motion to fund: 1 yes, 7 no, 1 abstention.
The Board was positive about the project and encouraged a return for funding
once the project began.
AV99-23 Summit, Interweave - Spiritual Parenting & Teaching
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $2,000: 9 yes.
Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $79,700
WARD J. HERBERT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Michael James presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to
adopt the recommendations and refer them to the December meeting for ratification.
The motion was adopted.
WJH99-21 Paterson, St. Paul's - Roof Replacement
Motion to fund: 8 yes; 3 no
Motion to fund $5,000: 11 yes
WJH99-22 North Bergen, Transfiguration - Replace Soffits & Fascia
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $1,800: 11 yes
WJH99-23 Hillsdale, Holy Trinity - Replace Casement Windows
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $3,330: 11 yes
WJH99-24 Newark, St. Andrew's - Replacement of Sidewalks
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $5,000: 11 yes
WJH99-25 Newton, Christ - Deferred Maintenance
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $12,500: 11 yes
WJH99-26 Montclair, St. Luke's - Repair to Church Tower Roof & Gutters
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $2,000: 11 yes
WJH99-27 Oakland, St. Alban's - Replace Failing Flat Roof Systems
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $17,000: 11 yes
WJH99-28 Hoboken, All Saints - Lead Abatement & Window Replacement
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $8,000: 11 yes
WJH99-29 Teaneck, Christ - Electrical & General Maintenance
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $16,500: 11 yes
WJH99-30 Paramus, St. Matthews - Roof Repair/Exterior Painting
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $5,000: 11 yes
WJH99-31 Newark, House of Prayer - Roof & Kitchen Renovation
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $5,000: 11 yes
WJH99-32 Secaucus, Christ Hospital - Capital Improvements for Senior Day Care
Motion to fund: 11 no. (new construction costs not presently covered.)
WJH99-33 Newark, St. Barnabas - Roof & Gutters Replacement
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $1,970: 11 yes
WJH99-34 Montclair, St. John's - Oil tank; boiler; drainage, sprinkler
Motion to fund: 11 yes
Motion to fund $5,500: 11 yes
WJH99-35 Mendham, St. Mark's - Parish Hall (project withdrawn)
Set Aside for Evaluations: $5,000
Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $93,600
DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS
The Rev. Paul Hunt and The Rev. Charles Arlin, DOM members, reported on the continuing
work of the DOM. Some recent highlights for the DOM: the Newark Area Ministry
and the churches in Newark continued working and praying together; Resurrection/St.
Paul's, Wood-Ridge, planned to request parish status at the 2000 convention;
and, the DOM held a conference on anti-racism.
Over the past year, West Milford was restructured more as a chapel than a congregation;
The Rev. Margaret Reinfeld Karda conducts Saturday evening services, but there
was no executive committee. The finances were held by the Highlands CDC, a CDC
co-established with Ringwood. In early September David Morris left Ringwood and
The Rev. Linda Strohmier was called as the new vicar. Now able to support two
full time priests at the two missions along with the continuing development of
the Highlands CDC and the stole making business.
With Strohmier's departure from BEAM, the BEAM ministry called Kevin Coffey and
Ellen Barrett as its full time clergy persons for Fair Lawn and Rochelle Park.
The West Orange area strategy work continued with the congregations of Holy Trinity
and St. Mark's, both in West Orange and All Saints', Orange.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Ms. Clara Horsley, ECW President, reported that ECW meetings were being held
in congregations that don't necessarily have a functioning ECW group and at different
times of the day to accommodate schedules of working women. The next meeting
was scheduled for Ringwood. The annual North Porch Tea was scheduled for Sunday,
November 21. The Women's Commission and the ECW will jointly sponsor a benefit
at the NJPAC on March 25, 2000; tickets will soon be available for purchase.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH,
JERSEY CITY
Mr. Michael James, member of the Project Executive Committee, reported that the
Jersey City CDC submitted a community block grant for $500,000 to help with the
renovation costs of the building to be used as a community center. Argyle Associates
were hired to conduct a capital campaign with a goal of $300,000.
COMPANION DIOCESE RELATIONSHIP
The Rev. William Parnell and the Rev. Peggy Hodgkins reported on their recent
trip to Mozambique. While there, the clergy were holding their clergy conference
and the people of the diocese gathered at the cathedral, and numbered between
5000 to 7000 people. There were 210 congregations in the diocese served by 38
clergy. The water project continued to assist the people in Mozambique. Malaria
was a severe medical problem for the country, because of the poverty and lack
of funds to purchase the medicine. The committee will promote a campaign to raise
funds to fund the medicines which cost $1 US for the three days of pills needed
to combat the disease. The Rev. Peggy Hodgkins, who also traveled to Mozambique,
commented on the strong sense of community among the clergy and people. The people
remained hopeful that peace would be permanent.
STEERING COMMITTEE - VESTRY/EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE VISITS
Ms. Diane Kaczmarek reminded members that the visits should be completed by Thanksgiving
and to send the evaluation sheet to Susan Schink.
She comments of thanks from Bishop Spong for the gift of the bicycle.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. Skip Vilas thanked people for their support of the recent Hines Lecture,
held at Drew University. An ecumenical roundtable within the state of New Jersey
may be initiated to continue the dialog between science and religion.
The Rev. Martin Bagay announced a North West district meeting on Sunday, 11/21.
The Rev. Peggy Hodgkins announced the chapel dedication at Canterbury Village
on Saturday, November 20.
Kathy Ganim announced the Oasis service on Tuesday, November 16.
Ginny Whitehouse announced St. Mary's, Sparta will host a diversity discussion
on Wednesday, November 17 with the Rev. Dana Rose.
South Central District: The Rev. Robert Schiesler and Mr. Jay Powell were appointed
co-chairs of the district to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of
Larry Falkowski and Diane Kaczmarek.
The benediction was pronounced by The Rev. William Parnell.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
 --Return to
Diocese of Newark Home Page
Return to Top
of Page
|
