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Friday & Saturday
January 28 & 29, 2000
Glenpointe Marriott Hotel
100 Frank W. Burr Blvd
Teaneck, NJ
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126th ANNUAL
CONVENTION
Diocese of Newark
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Resolutions for Convention 2000 (Proposed)
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Resolution 1
CONSENT CALENDAR
Amend New Jersey State Statute 16
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Diocese of Newark petition the State of New Jersey to amend
New Jersey State Statute 16:12-1a to change the form of the corporate title of incorporated parishes to read as
follows:
The Rector, Wardens and Vestry of .......... Church in .......; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Convention send a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Convention
of the Diocese of New Jersey, requesting that a similar resolution be brought before the next meeting of its Diocesan
Convention; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that once the Diocese of New Jersey joins the Diocese of Newark in this action, the Secretaries
of both diocesan conventions petition the State of New Jersey to make said amendment.
Submitted by: The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Amy Fink, St. Mark's, Teaneck, and Ms. Marge Christie, Christ Church, Ridgewood
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
As women have been allowed to serve on vestries since 1965, we propose that the wording of this statute be changed
from "vestrymen" to "vestry."
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Resolution 2
CONSENT CALENDAR
Creation of a Commission on Liturgy and Church Music
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Diocese of Newark urges the Bishop to appoint a commission on
liturgy and church music to enrich the liturgical life of the diocese which could among other things to develop
rites which address the particular needs of the diocese.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
There is great resistance on the national level to further revision of the Book of Common Prayer. Liturgy, as the
work of the people, can not be stifled by bureaucratic anxiety or apathy. Yet, we need to proceed in order and
in concert with each other. This resolution allows us to continue to develop creative, relevant liturgical resources
within the context of our diocesan family, in concert with the resources in the Book of Occasional Services and
the existing Supplemental Liturgical Texts which are already authorized by General Convention.
These rites are to be available as resources and diocesan supplemental liturgical texts to priests and lay leaders
in congregations for situations of major life transitions and tragedies, and concerns of justice. These may include
but are not limited to: the end of a marriage, healing after incest or rape, the death of a child due to accident,
miscarriage or stillbirth, comfort and solace after abortion, the blessing of a committed relationship (of any
gender combination), the celebration of creation, the blessing of animals, a particular ministry, i.e., urban,
prison, AIDS, hospital chaplaincy, etc., or the awareness of a particular issue of justice, i.e., racism, sexism,
homophobia, ageism, etc.
The Commission would also be a consultative resource to diocesan and congregational liturgists to make certain
our corporate worship is reflective of our theology of inclusion and diversity in language concerning God and humankind
in prayer, psalm and hymn, as well as in the full participation of all four orders of ministry whenever possible
and appropriate. The diversity of liturgical styles in this diocese from evangelical, charismatic, Anglo-Catholic,
high, low and broad, needs to be reflected in our worship as well. All work by the Diocesan Liturgical Commission
would require the expressed approval of the Bishop diocesan prior to use in the diocese.
Submitted by: The Oasis; the Mission to Dismantle Racism; The Women's Commission; the AIDS Resource Center at St.
Barnabas; former members of the 1997 Task Force on Prayer Book Revision: Ms. Marge Christie, Christ Church, Ridgewood;
The Rev. Ed Hasse, St. Paul's, Montvale; Ms. Lyn Headley-Moore, St. Mark's, West Orange; Ms. Marie Obermann, St.
Paul's, Chatham; The Rev. Michael Delaney, St. Peter's, Washington; The Rev. Phillip Wilson, Redeemer, Morristown;
Ms. Ann Hirsch, Christ Church, Hackensack.
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Resolution 3
CONSENT CALENDAR
The Cambridge Accord
RESOLVED, that this126th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark supports and gratefully joins the
initiative of Bishop Steve Charleston, President and Dean of The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, in
response to the increase of the worldwide violence and murder of lesbian and gay people. The Cambridge Accord calls
bishops in the Anglican Communion to provide leadership for human rights and calls us all to join them in embracing
this simple accord:
In the Name of God, we the bishops of the Anglican Communion who have affixed our names to this Accord, publish
it as a statement of our shared opinion in regard to all persons who are homosexual. We affirm that while we may
have contrasting views on the Biblical, theological, and moral issues surrounding homosexuality, on these three
points we are in one Accord.
1. That no homosexual person should ever be deprived of liberty, personal property, or civil rights because of
his or her sexual orientation.
2. That all acts of violence, oppression, and degradation against homosexual persons are wrong and cannot be sanctioned
by an appeal to the Christian faith.
3. That every human being is created equal in the eyes of God and therefore deserves to be treated with dignity
and respect.
We appeal to people of good conscience from every nation and religious creed to join us in embracing this simple
Accord as our global claim to human rights not only for homosexual men and women, but for all God's people.
and, be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Bishop Charleston at E.D.S. and memorialized at the
73rd General Convention.
Submitted by: The Oasis, the Women's Commission
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
This Accord was initiated in direct response to reports from a newspaper in Kampala (Reuters, 9/28/99) that Ugandan
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the arrest of homosexuals for carrying out "abominable acts", further
saying that his upbringing and the Bible told him homosexuality is wrong. The newspaper report also noted that
"Homosexuality is illegal or taboo in many African countries and few gay people feel able to be open about
their sexuality. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe once described homosexuals as ‘lower than dogs'". This
Accord also addresses the tragic Human Sexuality Resolution at 1998 Lambeth which is reflective of this homophobic
position, and calls on the leadership of the world-wide Christian community to stand in opposition to hatred and
persecution in any form of humankind.
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Resolution 4
CONSENT CALENDAR
Task Force to Study Violence
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Diocese of Newark abhors the current unrestrained power of violence
in our culture; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this Convention requests the bishop to establish a task force that will address the urgent
problems of violence in our society and analyze existing materials on non-violence; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this task force report to the 127th Convention its findings and recommendations for actions
to be taken by individuals and congregations.
Submitted by: The Youth Commission of the Diocese of Newark; The Rev. Richard Bardusch, Director of Youth Ministries;
The Rev. Sunil Chandy, Christ Church, Ridgewood; The Rev. Cooper Conway, Grace Church, Newark; The Rev. Margaret
Hodgkins, Calvary, Summit; Ms. Bonnie Magnuson, Co-chair of the Camp Committee; The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Kaeton,
The Oasis; The Rev. Dana Rose, The Oasis; The Rev. Jennifer Baskerville, St. Peter's, Morristown; Ms. Kitty Kawecki,
Director of the Bishop Anand Resource Center
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
Members of the Youth Commission see and experience violence and the possibility of violence on a daily basis in
school and in their communities. As adults we see violence on the news, highways, and in our congregations. We
are increasingly aware and concerned by the proliferation of violent images, attitudes, and acts in our society.
Data
I Every day in the U.S., thirteen children die from gun related accidents and violence.
II Between 1979 and 1991, nearly 50,000 children were killed by firearms--a number close to the American battle
fatalities in the Vietnam War.
III Homicide is now the third leading cause of death for children ages five to fourteen. Every day, 135,000 of
them bring guns to school.
IV A child growing up in the U.S. is fifteen times as likely to be killed by gunfire as a child growing up in Northern
Ireland.
V Every day, 1.2 million latchkey children come home to houses in which there is a gun.
VI A Harvard study that polled 2,508 elementary, middle, and high school students around the country found that
roughly the same percentages of inner-city and suburban students said they had been shot at, had been seriously
threatened with a gun, or had fired a gun at someone else.
Data was gathered from "Violence in the Lives of Children and Youth: The Church's Response." The National
Council of Churches in the U.S.A., Volume III, pp. 3-4.
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Resolution 5
CONSENT CALENDAR
College Chaplaincy
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Diocese of Newark urges the Bishop to appoint a task force to
study the benefits of a full-time chaplaincy program on the church's ministry on the many college campuses located
within the diocese; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this task force report to the 127th Convention its findings and recommendations for actions
to be taken.
Submitted by Ms. Marge Christie, Christ Church, Ridgewood
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Everything one reads about church, ministry, youth leads one to recognize the critical need to interact and relate
with young people during their college years. It is also accepted knowledge that a major reason for the "aging"
seminary student body and ordained ministry is related to the lack of suggesting ministry as a vocation and actively
recruiting potential postulants. This diocese, like most of the Episcopal Church, has neglected college ministry
for too long. Hopefully, the task force will give consideration to hiring someone to replace the very part time
volunteer system the diocese has employed for many years.
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Resolution 6
CONSENT CALENDAR
Syringe Exchange
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, in recognition of the overwhelming
humanitarian and public health imperative, supports harm reduction in its widest interpretation including the immediate
establishment of legal syringe exchange and relaxing of drug paraphernalia laws in New Jersey as a component of
a comprehensive HIV and other blood-borne disease prevention program; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Diocese of Newark supports the bills introduced by New Jersey State Senators
Wynona Lipman, (deceased) and Joseph Vitale to implement the above pro-health position:S267 which would permit
hypodermic syringes in quantities of 10 or less to be sold without prescription in pharmacies, and S453, which
would establish a three year pilot comprehensive needle exchange program through the N. J. Department of Health;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be sent to the Governor, the N. J. Senate President, the Assembly
Speaker, the Senate Health Committee of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, the Governor's
Advisory Council on AIDS and the NJ Harm Reduction Coalition.
Submitted by: the AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas, Newark
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
New Jersey ranks fifth in the nation with reported cumulative AIDS cases. New Jersey has two cities (Newark and
Jersey City) on the top ten list of United States cities with the highest rate of AIDS per capita. As of December
31, 1998, 26,238 New Jerseyans, including 10,397 people from the five counties of the Newark Eligible Metropolitan
Area (Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union and Warren) and in Jersey City, over 3,666 cumulative cases since documentation
began in 1981, are living with HIV or AIDS.
New Jersey has the third highest rate of injection-related HIV in the United States. 50% of the HIV infections
in adults and adolescents in New Jersey are directly caused by the sharing of contaminated syringes by injection
drug users. An additional one quarter of all infections are indirectly caused – children with AIDS who are born
to women who contracted AIDS through injection drug use or sexual contact with an injection drug user – by the
sharing of contaminated syringes.
New Jersey has the third highest number of pediatric AIDS cases of any state. Approximately 95 percent occur as
a result of perinatal transmission from mother to fetus and a greater percentage of AIDS cases among women (28%
of cumulative AIDS cases; but 35% of the AIDS cases reported in 1998) than any other state.
Among those who inject drugs, African-Americans are five times more likely than whites to get AIDS, and Latinos
are at least one and a half times as likely as whites to get AIDS. In light of the disproportionate impact of injection
drug-related HIV on communities of color, the continuing inaction to implement effective HIV prevention targeting
this group undermines the credibility of the State of New Jersey and the Federal government's stated goal of reducing
racial and ethnic health disparities.
There is a need in NJ to adequately address and prevent where possible, the continues spread of this disease through
intravenous drug use and needle sharing. NJ is the only state in the northeast United States without
legal provisions for syringe exchange. On April 3, 1996, the N. J. Governor's Advisory Council on AIDS adopted
a position in favor of clean syringe sales in pharmacies without a prescription and pilot needle exchange programs
in New Jersey.
Over 115 needle/syringe exchange programs exist in 31 states exchanging 17.5 million syringes annually. Six reputable
national studies have concluded that clean syringe availability in pharmacies without a prescription and needle
exchange programs reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis without increasing drug use. Studies have found that
needle exchange programs save lives and taxpayers money and provide a safe disposal system for the used syringes.
Comprehensive needle/syringe exchange and prevention programs for HIV and other blood-borne diseases must include
drug and HIV education as well as referrals to a full range of social and medical services including drug treatment.
The must also be established with the cooperation of law enforcement officers and demonstrate acceptance by community
and religious groups as well as local government.
Harm reduction is a concept that values and supports any and all lessening of harmful behavior(s) as an appropriate
move in the right direction, even if the decrease is not an ideal and total elimination of the damaging behavior.
Social scientists have recognized that harm reduction is a way of meeting individuals where they are and encouraging
incremental change as people are able to make it and to whatever level people are able to achieve. The relaxing
of drug paraphernalia laws would include allowing for the purchase of clean needles/syringes over the counter and,
for persons registered in a legal syringe exchange program, would not result in immediate arrest, as is currently
the law.
The National Institutes of Health Consensus Panel reviewed studies on the effectiveness of syringe exchange programs
and concluded that syringe exchange programs do not increase syringe injecting behavior among current drug users,
and do not increase the amount of discarded drug paraphernalia. In addition, the NIH stated that "legislative
restriction on (syringe exchange programs) must be lifted. Such legislation constitutes a major barrier to realizing
the potential of a powerful approach and exposes millions of people to unnecessary risk".
The impact of HIV/AIDS is felt significantly disproportionately among women of child-bearing age, youth, children,
gay men, people of color, particularly African-Americans, people living in poverty, injection drug users – people
already marginalized and devalued in our society. It is important that the church, in addition to community-based
organizations and medical and professional associations, take a stand on protecting all God's children in every
possible way available to us.
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Resolution 7
CONSENT CALENDAR
"Stop Domestic Violence" Stickers
RESOLVED, that every restroom in every church and office of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark have stickers
posting the telephone number where victims of Domestic Violence can get help on the INSIDE of the door of every
toilet stall.
Submitted by: The Rev. Margaret A. Gat, St. John's, Dover and Co-chair of the Women's Commission
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
There is no safe place for victims of abuse to find out where they can get help. Memory and a toilet stall are
about the best options they have. The Women's Commission will distribute these stickers at Convention.
Sample sticker:
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STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
For Confidential Help
CALL LLAME
(NJ Office on Prevention of Violence)
1-800-572-7233
Para ayuda seguro
Distributed by the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
Women's Commission
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Resolution 8
CONSENT CALENDAR
Resolution to Help Implement Lambeth Conference Resolution 11.7 - Urbanization
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark supports the full implementation
of Lambeth Conference Resolution 11.7 which a) "calls upon the member Churches of the Anglican Communion to
address the process of urbanization across the world, both in our cities and all other communities" and b)
asks member churches to give "urgent attention to 'Living and Proclaiming the Good News' in our cities so
that all that destroys our full humanity is being challenged, the socially excluded are being welcomed and the
poor are hearing the Good News (Matthew 11.3),"; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention supports the Lambeth Conference goal of formation of an Anglican Urban
Network to share information and experience on urbanization and urban mission within the Anglican Communion and
also formation of a "Faith in an Urban World" Commission in consultation with other churches in ecumenical
partnership; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the following resolution be submitted to the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church
by the Secretary of Convention on behalf of this convention:
Resolved, the House of __ concurring, that this 73rd General Convention hereby endorses the goals of Lambeth
Conference Resolution 11.7 and calls for the Episcopal Church to support the formation of an Anglican Urban Network
to share information and experience on urbanization and urban mission within the Anglican Communion and also formation
of a "Faith in an Urban World" Commission in consultation with other churches in ecumenical partnership.
and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Secretary of Convention be directed to contact the Anglican Communion Secretariat to convey
this resolution and to express the desire of the Diocese of Newark to participate in whatever way possible in both
of these bodies when they are established.
Submitted by: The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss, All Saints', Hoboken
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
The Diocese of Newark is a leader in urban ministry, but we have much to learn from others. Over half of the
world's population now live in cities but much of the Church's method of spreading the Good News still assumes
an agrarian society. The forward thinking elements of the Lambeth Conference must not be lost and we should do
all we can to support the establishment of these committees.
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Resolution 9
Seeking Reconciliation
RESOLVED, that this126th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark encourages our Bishop and 73rd General
Convention Deputies to pursue and/or continue working for reconciliation within our denomination-that is, the fostering
of that sense of shared faith and mission that can exist in spite of serious and continuing disagreements on specific
issues of faith and practice, by:
(1) initiating and/or participating in non-legislative discussions, dialogues and debates on major issues of disagreement
within the Church, seeking to involve persons of all viewpoints; and,
(2) that the Bishop and General Convention Deputies seek to support legislation to facilitate greater intra-denominational
reconciliation, when such efforts can be undertaken without denying or compromising the principles of the Episcopal
Church and of this diocese, as adopted in Convention; and,
(3) that they report back on these efforts following the 73rd General Convention, and make such recommendations
to the Diocese of Newark, as will promote continuing healthy exchange of faith, mission strategy, and viewpoints
on contested issues; and,
(4) that all of us seek in our own witness and ministry to support these efforts.
Submitted by: The Rev. John Donnelly, St. Michael's, Wayne; The Rev. Robert Morris, Interweave; Dr. Louie Crew,
Grace, Newark; The Rev. Esar Budhu, St. Agnes & St. Paul's, E.Orange; The Rev. Jacob David, St. Paul's &
Resurrection, Wood-Ridge; The Rev. Michael Gerhardt, Christ, Teaneck; The Rev. William Guthrie, Christ, E. Orange;
The Rev. Fletcher Harper, St. Luke's, Haworth; The Rev. John Hartnett, St. Elizabeth's, Ridgewood; The Rev. Brian
Laffler, St. Anthony's, Hackensack; The Rev. Vicki McGrath, All Saints, Glen Rock; Mr. Niles Ring, St. Michael's,
Wayne; Ms. Elizabeth Golub, St. Michael's, Wayne
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
Various constituencies within the Episcopal Church and within this diocese have engaged in debate for many years
over many issues, such as Prayer Book revision, women's ordination, the authority of scripture, sexuality issues,
etc. The legitimate debate over the doctrine and polity of the church has too frequently descended to antagonistic
conflict, sometimes shattering fellowship and threatening our Eucharistic unity itself.
During the past year, a number of clergy engaged in some informal dialogues on scripture and our common life as
Episcopalians. Those participating found that in spite of differences over theology and polity, that they shared
many similar convictions and concerns. This resolution is an out growth of that effort. It is hoped that more clergy
and laity in ECUSA will do all things possible to focus upon reconciliation- -that is, seeking out the common areas
of shared faith and mission that can exist in spite of serious and continuing disagreements on specific issues
of faith and
practice- so that our denomination can more effectively preach the gospel and promote justice in the name of the
God.
The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption of this resolution, pending the open hearings.
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Resolution 10
Post Abortion Stress
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark acknowledges those who suffer from post-abortion
stress; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Newark commits to being a safe community for women and men to go to, to talk
about their abortion experience, receiving the truth of God's love, forgiveness and reconciliation to begin the
healing process; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the Diocese of Newark encourages its clergy to become informed about the symptoms and behavior
associated with post-abortion stress and with counseling opportunities; and, be it further
Submitted by: The Rev. John Donnelly, St. Michael's, Wayne; The Rev. Kim Capwell, St. Peter's, Mt. Arlington; The
Rev. Brian Laffler, St. Anthony of Padua, Hackensack; and, Mr. Niles Ring, St. Michael's, Wayne
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
The General Convention of 1994 reaffirmed Resolution C047 of the 69th General Convention (1988) that supports the
right of women facing problem pregnancies to reach an informed decision about the termination of her pregnancy
by having an abortion. Some women who have had abortions experience feelings of guilt, remorse and sadness, often
called post-abortion stress, a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Regardless of how we personally feel about abortion, we need to acknowledge that those who choose abortion often
have mixed feelings after their decision.
These feelings experienced by some need to be addressed. The men and women suffering from post-abortion stress
need help to address the spiritual and emotional aspects of their choice. Our church needs to be ready to address
their questions like "Can God forgive me?", "Is my baby in heaven?", "Why do I feel so
sad?", and we need to be ministers of reconciliation.
The Resolutions Committee does not recommend adoption of this resolution.
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Resolution 11
Anti-Racism Training
RESOLVED, that this 126th Convention of the Diocese of Newark directs the members of all elected and appointed
bodies - to include, but not limited to, Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, Department of Missions, Trustees,
ACTS/VIM, Commission on Ministry and Ward J. Herbert Fund - to participate in diversity training and anti-racism
dialogues before June 15, 2000; and, be it further
RESOLVED, that the leadership of all groups and/or congregations requesting funds after June 15, 2001, from
the Department of Missions, ACTS/VIM, Ward J. Herbert Fund or Paul Moore Outreach must participate in diversity
training and anti-racism dialogues in order to have their request considered.
Submitted by: The Mission to Dismantle Racism and The Oasis
SUPPORTING INFORMATION:
One does not have to be a racist in order to act in a racist fashion. Racism is insidiously present in the language
we use, the jokes we tell, the decisions we make in the workplace, the church and the community. The Mission to
Dismantle Racism believes that requiring anti-racism training is the way to achieve a broader and more comprehensive
understanding of the evils of racism. Therefore, it has planned an overnight retreat for May 19-20, 2000, to support
the first resolve using two programs currently in place: the diversity training available through the Oasis and
the Anti-Racism Dialogues created by the National Church. These programs are also available for congregations and
other organizations anticipating making grant requests. Experienced trainers are available for both programs.
The Resolutions Committee takes no position on this resolution, pending the open hearings. The Committee had
a number of concerns regarding the resolution. How is "leadership" defined, i.e., who is the leadership
specifically? The resolution ignores those congregations not seeking financial support. There is no process for
certification of training or a definition of the training. What about office holders elected or appointed after
this year? There is an imposition on groups outside of the diocese of vague standards which cannot be tracked and
may be inappropriate.
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