Resolutions Adopted by the 127th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark

Resolutions Adopted by the 127th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark

Resolution 1 Episcopal Relief and Development	Resolution 2 Organized Sports Activities & Religious Observances	Resolution 3 Revised Common Lectionary Usage
Resolution 4 Anti-Racism Dialogues	Resolution 5 Pledge of Nonviolence and The Birmingham Pledge	Resolution 6 Discussions on Public Policy Issues
Resolution 7 Human Sexuality Statement	Resolution 8 Compliance with National Church Canons	Resolution 9 Boy Scouts of America
Resolution 10 Prison Industrial Complex	Resolution 11 Death Penalty Moratorium	Resolution 12 HIV/AIDS Medications
Resolution 13 Racial Profiling	Resolution 14 Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Child Abuse Awareness Training	Resolution 15 New Jersey Statute Revision
Resolution 16 "Reparative/Conversion Therapy" for Gay and Lesbian Persons	Resolution 17 Task Force on Refugee and Immigration Ministry	Resolution 18 Anti-Racism Training

CONSENT CALENDAR (adopted)

Resolution 1
Episcopal Relief and Development

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark recognizes the important work of Episcopal Relief and Development, the fund formerly known as the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this Convention encourages the congregations of this Diocese to make information available to its members through printed and video materials, to appoint a congregational representative, and to set aside one Sunday in this Year 2001 to receive an offering to support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development in celebration of its 60th year.

Submitted by: The Rev. John F. Stanton, vicar, St. Matthew's, Paramus and Diocesan ERDF Coordinator

The familiar name of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief was changed in 2000 to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERDF) to recognize the new emphasis of the fund. Although it will continue to focus on work on Emergency Relief, it recognizes that development programs that attack the root causes of poverty and disease can sometimes prevent emergencies. Each congregation in the Episcopal Church received a copy of the video, "Hope that Perches on the Soul," which describes some of the projects with recent ERDF grants which address root problems such as housing.

Giving to ERDF has tripled since 1998. In 1999, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark contributed $149, 022 to ERDF from 711 gifts. This places our diocese 17th in giving and 15th in number of gifts out of 100 dioceses in ECUSA which gave a total of $9,919,616 from 41,482 gifts. ERDF can have an impact in development projects around the world and deserves the support of the Diocese of Newark.

RESOLVED, That whenever possible or appropriate, clergy and lay leaders take steps in concert with local clergy associations, school authorities, recreation commissions, and sports leagues in their communities to discuss and mitigate the negative impact upon the well-being of children and youth which results when they are forced to choose between worship or religious education and regularly scheduled sports activities; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That we request the Bishop appoint a task force to study the increasing pattern of schools and sports leagues in the State of New Jersey that require youth to choose between participating in worship or religious education, and official school and league activities, such as sports and band practice, and to report to the 128th Convention.

There is growing concern in the communities of the dioceses and nation about the rapidity with which sports and other activities are encroaching upon the life of the family, including family participation in religious services. The health and nurture of the spirit and of the soul are as great a necessity as the health and nurture of the body and mind.

In the past 20 years, there has been a 12-hour per week decline in children's free time and in the same period structured sports time has doubled, and passive watching of sports (not including television) has increased from ½ hour per week to over three hours.

Children and teenagers are increasingly required to choose between their religious education and school-organized activities such as sports and band practice on Sunday morning.

It has been demonstrated that one hour per week spent with a religious community impacts positively on the future health and well-being of young people in measurable terms. Behaviors that put our children at risk, such as violent actions, the use of alcohol and drugs and unsafe sex, are reduced.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urges all congregations to use the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) for at least one full liturgical year beginning no later than Advent 1, 2001, in order to participate in the evaluation by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in its preparation for the 74th General Convention; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Diocesan Commission on Liturgy and Music be the body to survey the congregation's use of the RCL in time to be included in the report of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to the 74th General Convention.

Submitted by: General Convention Deputies and Alternates: Fletcher Harper, Elizabeth Kaeton, Edward Hasse, Albert Jousset, Louie Crew, Lyn Headley-Moore, Marge Christie, Michael Rehill
Geoff Curtiss, Jeannette DeFriest, Steven Boston, E. Kim Byham, Sidney King, George Hayman

While some of our congregations engaged in a trial use of the RCL several years ago at the request of our Task Force on Prayer Book Revision, no mechanism was provided for reporting to the National Church. The recent General Convention directed some additional changes which will be made available to all congregations. Currently there are at least four Provinces of the Anglican Communion and seven Protestant denominations in the United States using the Revised Common Lectionary. The 74th General Convention will be held in 2003.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark commend the diocesan staff and all congregational leaders and individuals who have participated in the Anti-Racism Dialogues, while at the same time urging those who have not involved themselves as yet proceed to do so as soon as possible.

While participating in the Anti-Racism Dialogues will not put an end to the sin of racism, they are a worthwhile beginning and should be experienced by all members of the Church.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark adopt the Pledge of Nonviolence and the Birmingham Pledge passed by the recent 73rd General Convention and that clergy and lay deputies be urged to sign a copy of each pledge before adjournment of this convention; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That convention deputies take the pledges back to their congregations in order to give their fellow parishioners an opportunity to sign for themselves.

Both pledges were adopted by the recent General Convention with the recommendation that all members of the church have an opportunity to pledge themselves.
The City of Birmingham, Alabama, adopted the pledge earlier in 2000. The General Convention deputies endorsed the Birmingham Pledge as a witness to our church's commitment to fight racism and to challenge each member of the Episcopal Church to sign and live this pledge.
By bringing into consciousness methods of nonviolent behavior, our church can move toward becoming a force for change in a society which continues to exhibit violence in many settings and situations. The Pledge of Nonviolence comes from the Institute for Peace and Justice, St. Louis, Missouri.
The General Convention deputies resolved that each congregation of the Episcopal Church become a model for peacemaking in our violent society by encouraging its members to commit themselves to non-violent and peaceable behavior in their relationships with others at home, at school, at work, at church, in the community and wherever they find themselves. The deputies requested that every congregation encourage its members to adopt The Pledge of Nonviolence as it came from the Institute.
The Executive Council's Committee on the Status of Women adopted the pledge for themselves. Families are also encouraged to use this pledge.

I believe
Every person has worth as an individual.
Every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race or color.
Every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful.
If it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others.
Therefore, from this day forward I will
Strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.
Discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity.
Treat all people with dignity and respect.
Strive daily to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a
better place because of my effort.

Making peace must start within ourselves. I commit myself
To become, with God's help, a nonviolent and peaceable person.
To respect myself, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism,
hateful words, physical attacks and self-destructive behavior.
To share my feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express
my anger and to work at solving problems peacefully.
To listen carefully to one another, especially those who disagree with me
and to consider others' feelings and needs rather than insisting on having my own way.
To apologize and make amends when I have hurt another, to forgive
others and to keep from holding grudges.
To treat the environment and all living things, including our pets,
with respect and care.
To select entertainment and toys that support healthy values and to avoid
entertainment that makes violence look exciting, funny or acceptable.
To challenge violence in all its forms whenever I encounter it,
whether at home, at school, at work, at church or in the community
and to stand with others who are treated unfairly.
This is my pledge. These are my goals. I will check myself on what I have pledged
once a month for the next twelve months so that I can help myself
and others become more peaceable people.

RESOLVED, That the deputies to this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urge their congregations to include discussions of public policy issues in their educational hours, forums or special program times, especially as those issues fall within a theological perspective and reflect concern for "justice and peace among all people and respect for the dignity of every human being."

One of the General Convention resolutions urges that all members of the church not only participate in conversations and theological reflection on public policy issues but also become active at local, state and federal levels on such issues. The Public Policy Network with offices in Washington, DC, and the New Jersey Council of Churches in Trenton are excellent resources.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark endorses the following statement on human sexuality which was passed by the 73d General Convention:

That the members of this convention intend for this church to provide a safe and just structure in which all can utilize their gifts and creative energies for mission

That we acknowledge that while the issues of human sexuality are not yet resolved, there are currently couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in marriage and couples in the Body of Christ and in this Church who are living in other lifelong committed relationships

That we expect such relationships will be characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God

That we denounce promiscuity, exploitation and abusiveness in the relationships of any of our members

That this Church intends to hold all its members accountable to these values and will provide for them the prayerful support, encouragement and pastoral care necessary to live faithfully by them

That we acknowledge that some, acting in good conscience, who disagree with the traditional teaching of the Church on human sexuality, will act in contradiction to that position

That in continuity with previous actions of the General Convention of this Church, and in response to the call for dialogue by the Lambeth Conference, we affirm that those on various sides of controversial issues have a place in the Church, and we reaffirm the imperative to promote conversation between persons of differing experiences and perspectives, while acknowledging the Church's teaching on the sanctity of marriage; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That desiring to support relationships of mutuality and fidelity other than marriage which mediate the grace of God, this 127th Convention urges the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the National Church to prepare for consideration by the 74th General Convention rites for inclusion in the Book of Occasional Services by means of which the Church, may express that support.

While the Diocese of Newark has over the years endorsed the points made in the first Resolved, it is appropriate that we go on record as affirming the language of the General Convention. In addition we need to express to the national church our conviction of the rightness of preparing liturgical rites to bless and support all relationships of mutuality and fidelity.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark expresses its belief that all dioceses must obey the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church and deplores the unwillingness of the Dioceses of Fort Worth, Quincy and San Joaquin to do so related to the ordination of women, including the deployment and licensing of clergy women and the acceptance of letters dimissory; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Diocesan Convention inform the Executive Council of this action.

The General Convention passed a resolution in 1997 requiring these three dioceses to uphold the Canons, and only very small inconsequential steps were taken. This caused the 2000 convention to pass a resolution requiring the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council to appoint and send task forces to each of the three dioceses in order to meet with the clergy and lay leadership of the dioceses and help them to find appropriate ways to obey the canon which was passed in 1976 stating that both women and men were to be accepted as priests and bishops in every diocese in ECUSA. In this diocese, where women have been accepted as priests unofficially since 1974 and officially since 1976, it is imperative that we speak out.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark deplores the policy of the national Boy Scouts of America which discriminates against gay men and boys; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That we request the Bishop and Standing Committee appoint a committee of clergy and lay leaders charged by this Convention to meet with the Troop Leaders of every Boy Scout Troop which meets in or is sponsored by a church in this diocese to express to the leaders the fact of and the rationale behind the non-discrimination policy of the Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Newark regarding homosexuals and to offer support to those troop leaders who disagree with the national Boy Scout policy on this issue; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That troops sponsored by Episcopal congregations be required to adopt a strict policy of behaviors, in both speech and action, that respects and upholds the dignity of all members of the troop, youth and adults, and especially in regard to gay men and boys; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this committee shall also meet in person with the appropriate regional Boy Scouts of America director(s) and personnel for the same purposes; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that this committee shall report the results of these meetings to Diocesan
Council by no later than June 1, 2001.

While the policy of the Boy Scouts of America was upheld by the Supreme Court, it is in direct conflict with the policy of ECUSA and the Diocese of Newark to include gay men and lesbians in all aspects of civil life. It should be remembered that we tried, as a diocese, to use dialogue to address the policy of the BSA with troops being housed in churches in our diocese. The 73rd General Convention adopted the following resolution (C031):

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 73rd General Convention recommends that all clergy in charge of congregations and vestries
1. Inform the local Boy Scouts of America council and other organizations of The Episcopal Church's     policy adopted at the 65th General Convention (1976) that "homosexual persons are children of     God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral     concern and care of the Church;"
2. Encourage the Boy Scouts of America to allow membership to youth and adult leaders irrespective     of their sexual orientation
3. Strongly encourage individual churches which charter or host scout units to open a dialogue with the     unit leaders, scouts and their parents regarding discrimination against youth and leaders on the basis     of sexual orientation;
4. Engage in educational programs within their churches to inform members and others about these     issues; and be it further

Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention recommends Office of the General Convention send a copy of this resolution to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America.

[Wherever the term "boy scout" appears it refers specifically to the Boy Scouts of America organization.]

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urge congregations to pay special attention to learning about the growing prison industrial complex in our country -- and in our state -- order to become actively involved in the public policy decisions affecting prisons and prison inmates.

The General Convention singled out the prison industry issue as one which needs careful study by church members. The Dean of Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral is an authority on this issue and an invaluable resource person.

By the end of February 2000, the government of the United States of America was imprisoning more than two million persons. Using one estimate the United States has less than five percent of the world's population but has 25 percent of its inmate or prison population of a world total of eight million prisoners. The narrow and insistent focus of imprisonment as the primary method of crime reduction has made the US prison industrial complex one of the fastest growing industries in the land. The industry of warehousing prisoners in private prisons has presented a temptation to those who would profit from the punishment of human beings. Existing correctional systems in the US are not capable of rehabilitating offenders to return to their communities to lead useful lives. These systems have failed to protect society and continue to neglect the interests of those who have been victims of criminal behavior. Further, the current criminal justice system perpetuates racial and socioeconomic discrimination.

Reform begins with a serious awareness and education of the sentencing policies with a goal toward incarceration of only those individuals who are truly a threat to the safety of members of society. Additionally, existing detention facilities need to become places of rehabilitation rather than punishment, seeking to provide growth and change and restoration rather than retribution.

(Information source: Explanation from General Convention resolution B002, Criminal Justice System Reform.)

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark recommends to the Governor of the State of New Jersey and to the members of the State Assembly and Senate its support for a moratorium on imposing the death penalty.

There is growing concern in many parts of the United States for the inequity in which the death penalty is recommended and/or administered. Until those inequities are addressed, a moratorium will prevent the unjust administration of a death sentence.

Since 1958, the Episcopal Church as officially opposed capital punishment in repeated statements and calls to the dioceses and members of this church to work actively to abolish the death penalty in their states. The number of executions in the United States continues to grow at an accelerated rate in states where it is permitted (thirty-eight states, plus two federal jurisdictions) and has now exceeded 500 state-induced deaths since the reinstatement of capital punishment in this country in 1977. While the US has been expanding the death penalty and accelerating executions, the world community has been moving away from the death penalty. There are now more countries (approximately 100) that have abolished capital punishment in law or in practice than countries which retain it. Since 1976, an average of two countries per year have abolished the death penalty, at least for ordinary crimes. The United Nations has called upon member states to move towards abolition of the death penalty, to stop expanding it to new crimes, and not to apply it to juvenile offenders. As of 1996, only the US and Japan among the developed nations still maintain and use the punishment of death.

The Episcopal Diocese of Newark expressed its opposition to capital punishment through resolutions in 1965, 1981, 1998 and again in 1999.

The Episcopal Church joins the American Bar Association and other public voices calling for an immediate moratorium in executions due to lack of due process in capital cases. A moratorium currently exists in the State of Illinois.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Diocese of Newark supports initiatives to make HIV/AIDS medications available at affordable prices to infected persons throughout the world, especially to the poorest and neediest nations, including the poor and needy in the United States and especially in the State of New Jersey which has among its cities the poorest and most needy HIV/AIDS infected persons; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Diocesan Convention communicate this action to the New Jersey members of Congress, all members of the New Jersey Legislature and all pharmaceutical companies with corporate offices in New Jersey.

This, too, was a General Convention resolution but without the reference to New Jersey companies. Since our state reportedly has more pharmaceutical companies than all other states combined, it becomes imperative that we make our point of view known.

AIDS virus infections continue to rise worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the area hit hardest by the AIDS pandemic, one in eight South Africans, one in seven Kenyans, and one in four Zimbabweans has HIV/AIDS. In South Africa, where there are 1,500 new HIV infections daily (65% among people between the ages of 15 and 25), a month's supply of AZT costs R400 (US$80) and the more effective combination of drugs R2000 (US$334). Yet 60% of South Africans live on a monthly income ranging only from R460 to R2680. The government of Honduras has no money for AIDS medications of any kind for those infected. Similar situations exist throughout the Third and Fourth worlds. Health workers cannot provide adequate treatment under these circumstances, and governments around the world are becoming increasingly desperate in their search for ways to provide affordable drugs, sometimes feeling compelled to find ways of skirting international trade agreements. Finding a compassionate, just, and equitable solution to this problem, without jeopardizing research and development work, is of paramount importance.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark expresses its horror at the continued practice of racial profiling by law enforcement agencies; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That we demand the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and members of the State Legislature continue and expand efforts to pass legislation that makes racial profiling a crime for all law enforcement agencies within the state; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded by the Secretary of Convention to the Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, members of the State Legislature and all County Freeholders within the State of New Jersey; to the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council of the Diocese of New Jersey; to the New Jersey Council of Churches; and, to the Black Ministers Council; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this convention commends the work of the Rev. Reginald Jackson and the Black Ministers Council for their work on the matter of racial profiling.

The Diocese of Newark has repeatedly passed resolutions at its annual Convention against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on racial profiling. Also the Diocese of Newark has an active and intentional effort through the Mission to Dismantle Racism to address issues of personal and institutional racism. We commend the progress that has been made but continue to speak out about the changes that must still be made.

The State of New Jersey is considering legislation (A942 and S856) making racial profiling in stopping motorists by the State Police illegal, but the inherent nature of systemic racism means that if racial profiling has been prevalent in State Police law enforcement, it undoubtedly also exists in county and local levels. The law should reflect that such profiling is illegal at all levels. Every effort must be made to enforce this law at all levels of law enforcement.

1. A law enforcement officer is guilty of racial profiling when the officer uses racial characteristics or color, either alone or in conjunction with other composite characteristics, such as generalized vehicle description, or the age of the driver or passengers as the basis for initiating an investigative stop.
Racial profiling is a crime of the third degree.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.

A crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of three to five years, a fine up to $15,000, or both.

Resolution 14 (revised and adopted)
Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Child Abuse Awareness Training

RESOLVED, That all paid employees, full and part-time, of all congregations in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark and all subsidiaries (such as CDC's and Nursery Schools), of those congregations and all offices of the Diocese as a whole be trained in the prevention of sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That all volunteer Church Sunday School teachers and youth workers shall be encouraged to be trained in the prevention of sexual misconduct and child sexual abuse; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Committee on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Child Sexual Abuse Training recommend to the next convention how often the sexual misconduct prevention training needs to be taken.

Submitted by: The Committee on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Child Sexual Abuse Training (The Rev. Maggie Gat, The Rev. Pam Bakal, The Rev. Martin Bagay, The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats, Ms. Nancy Guthrie, Michael F. Rehill, Esq., Laura Russell, Esq., Mr. Michael Francaviglia, The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt)

In the early 1990's the diocese instituted the requirement of Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training and Child Abuse Awareness Training for all clergy and paid staff of our churches. A curriculum for each was adopted by the planning committee and the training began. Each module was offered once a year.

Since that time most of the clergy in the diocese have received some training and the committee has expanded its training to teachers in schools and staff in other organizations of the church. The curricular requirements have changed and need to be adapted. Simultaneously there have been new developments in the understanding of how this kind of training is most effectively implemented. Dioceses are recommending with increasing frequency that re-certification be required at regular intervals. The Diocese of New Jersey requires re-certification every five years.

As the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training Committee reevaluates and updates its curriculum it is appropriate that it update its requirements.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urges the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey to read as follows:

REVISED NEW JERSEY STATUTES
TITLE 16
CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, RELIGIOUS
Chapter 12. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH

16:12–1. Incorporation; meeting. Any congregation or parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this state, duly organized in accordance with the constitution and canons of such church, may incorporate in the following manner:

A meeting shall be called by notice, designating the time and place of such meeting and the object for which it is called, signed by the minister, if there be one, and five ~~male~~ members of full age, and read during public service at the usual place of worship, on the two successive Sundays next preceding. At such meeting only those persons who are qualified in accordance with the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese in which the parish is located shall be entitled to vote or act as officers. Five qualified voters shall constitute a quorum, and all questions shall be decided by a majority vote of those present. The minister shall preside at the meeting, but if he the minister is absent, or if there be no minister in charge of the congregation, another person shall be chosen to act as chair~~man~~. The presiding officer shall be the judge of the qualification of voters, shall receive the votes and declare the result. A secretary shall be chosen to record the proceedings.

The meeting shall determine by ballot whether the congregation shall become incorporated, and if so determined, the meeting shall determine further:

a. The corporate title, which shall be in the form as follows: “The Rector, Wardens and ~~Vestrymen~~Vestrymembers of .............................. Church in ..............................”;

b. The date of the annual meeting, which shall not be inconsistent with the constitution, canons or laws of such church; and

c. The number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, which shall be three, six, nine, or twelve.

The meeting shall then elect, by ballot, two wardens, one to hold office until the first annual meeting, and the other to hold office until the second annual meeting thereafter. The number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers determined upon shall be elected in like manner, one-third to hold office until the first annual meeting, one-third until the second annual meeting, and one-third until the third annual meeting thereafter.

16:12–2. Certificate; acknowledgment; contents; filing and recording. A certificate shall be executed, under the hands and seals of the chair~~man~~ and secretary of the meeting and acknowledged or proved in the same manner as deeds of real estate, setting forth:

a. That the meeting was called and organized as provided in section 16:12–1 of this title;

e. The names of the persons elected as wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers and their terms of office.

The certificate shall be filed and recorded forthwith in the office of the clerk of the county in which the parish is located, whereupon such wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, together with the rector, shall be a corporation, and shall constitute the trustees and the vestry of the parish.

16:12–3. Powers. Any parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, duly incorporated hereunder or under any other law or charter or letters patent, notwithstanding any restriction contained in its charter, letters patent, act of incorporation, or certificate of organization, shall have all the powers enumerated in section 16:1–4 of this title except as hereinafter specifically provided.

16:12–4. Sale, conveyance, mortgage or lease of real estate; consent of bishop and standing committee. No sale, conveyance or mortgage of any real estate other than burial lots in churchyards or cemeteries, and no lease for a longer term than one year shall be made by such corporation without the previous written consent of the bishop and a majority of the standing committee of the diocese within which the corporation is located, or in case of a vacancy in the office of bishop, or of ~~his~~the bishop’s absence from the diocese, then of a majority of the standing committee. Such consent shall be acknowledged or proved and recorded with the deed, lease, mortgage or instrument of conveyance. Without such consent the sale, conveyance, mortgage or lease shall be void.

16:12–5. By-laws. By-laws made by any such corporation shall be consistent with law and with the constitution and laws of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

16:12–6. Members and officers. The rector shall be a member and the presiding officer of every such corporation, but if there be no rector, the wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers shall constitute the corporation, and one of the wardens shall be elected the presiding officer. A clerk or secretary, who shall be one of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, and a treasurer shall be elected annually by the vestry, in such manner and subject to such restrictions as may be provided by the by-laws.

16:12–7. Rector; filling vacancy. When a vacancy shall occur in the office of rector, in any manner whatsoever, the wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, two-thirds of them concurring in the choice, may, subject to the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and of the diocese in which the parish is located, choose some fit person, duly qualified, to be rector of the parish.

16:12–8. Meetings of vestry. Meetings of the vestry shall be called on at least twenty-four hours’ notice by:

b. The wardens, if there is no rector, or if the rector is absent from the diocese for three calendar months, or is incapable of acting, or if the rector has refused to call the meeting within one week after the receipt of a request signed by a majority of the ~~members of the~~ vestry; or

c. A majority of the ~~members of the~~ vestry, in case of failure of the wardens to call such meeting within one week after the receipt of such request.

16:12–9. Vestry; quorum. To constitute a quorum of the vestry there must be present either:

a. The rector, one of the wardens and a majority of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, or

b. The rector, both wardens and one less than a majority of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers; or

d. If the rector is absent from the diocese, or is incapable of acting, and shall have been so absent or incapable for more than three calendar months, or if the meeting is called by the rector and hethe rector is absent therefrom, or if the meeting is called by the wardens or ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers and the rector is absent therefrom, one warden and a majority of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, or both wardens and one less than a majority of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers.

If there is a rector called to or settled in the parish, no action shall be taken in ~~his~~the rector’s absence, relating to or affecting the personal or exclusive rights of the rector, or the alienation of the capital or principal of any investments held by the corporation, or the sale of its real estate, or the encumbrance thereof, except as may be necessary for ordinary repairs.

16:12–10. Annual parish election; notice; officers; qualifications of voters; ballot; quorum. The annual election of any such parish shall be held on such day as may be designated in its certificate of incorporation, if consistent with the constitution, canons or laws of such church. Notice of the time and place of the annual election shall be given by advertisement set up in open view at the door of the church or usual place of worship, ten days prior to the election and shall also be read by the rector or officiating minister on the two Sundays next preceding the election, in time of public service.

The rector shall preside, with the right to vote, or if hethe rector is absent or if no rector in settled in the parish, the meeting shall choose one of the wardens, or if neither of the wardens is present, one of the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, or if no ~~vestryman~~vestrymember is present, then some duly qualified voter to act as chair~~man~~. The secretary of the vestry, or in ~~his~~the secretary’s absence a person appointed by the chair~~man~~, shall enter the proceedings in the minute book of the vestry, and shall sign the same together with the chair~~man~~. The qualifications for voters, and for such officers as may be elected by the meeting, shall be as provided from time to time by the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the diocese in which the parish is located; provided, however, that, at any annual parish meeting held for the election of wardens or ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, a by-law may be adopted providing that no warden or ~~vestryman~~vestrymember who has been duly elected at any parish meeting may succeed himself or herself, which by-law shall remain in full force and effect until repealed at a subsequent annual parish meeting. The chair~~man~~ shall be the judge of the qualifications of the voters, shall receive the votes and declare the result. The election shall be by ballot, and the polls shall remain open for one-half hour, and for such longer time as may be required to receive the ballots of the persons present and ready to vote. Three persons shall constitute a quorum. In case of failure to elect on the first ballot the required number of wardens or ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers to be elected at the meeting, one or more further ballots shall be taken in the same manner.

16:12–11. Election of officers; tenure. At each annual election of any such parish incorporated after March twentieth, one thousand nine hundred and one, one warden shall be elected to hold office for two years, or until ~~his~~asuccessor is chosen, and one-third of the total number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers shall be elected to hold office for three years, or until their successors are chosen, and of any such parish incorporated prior to March twentieth, one thousand nine hundred and one, both wardens and all the ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers may be elected to hold office for one year, or until their successors are chosen, or one warden shall be elected to hold office for two years or until ~~his~~a successor is chosen and one-third of the total number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers shall be elected to hold office for three years, or until their successors are chosen, notwithstanding any provisions in the charters or certificates of incorporation of any such parishes, congregations, societies or churches.

16:12–12. Warden or ~~vestryman~~vestrymember; filling vacancy. In the event of a vacancy in the office of warden or ~~vestryman~~vestrymember caused by the failure of any candidate to receive a majority of the votes cast, the vacancy shall be filled at a special meeting of the parish, called forthwith and conducted as hereinafter provided. In the event of a vacancy caused by the death, resignation, removal, incapacity, refusal or neglect for six months of any duly elected warden or ~~vestryman~~vestrymember to serve in such capacity, the vacancy may be filled by the vestry until the next annual meeting.

16:12–13. Special parish meetings. Special meetings of the parish for any of the purposes provided in this article, may be called by the rector at any time, or if there be no rector, by the wardens, upon the same notice as prescribed in section 16:12–10 of this title. The notice shall specify the object for which the meeting is called, and no vote shall be taken upon any question not specified in the notice. Special meetings shall be conducted in the same manner as the meetings for the annual election, but the votes may be counted and declared forthwith upon any question except the election of wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers.

16:12–14. Changes; corporate title, number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, tenure, annual meeting. Any parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, however incorporated, may change its corporate title, the number of its ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, the terms of office of its wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, or the date of its annual meeting. Such changes shall in all respects conform to the requirements of this article, and shall be made in the following manner:

A meeting of the vestry shall be called and held in the manner provided by sections 16:12–8 and 16:12–9 of this title, except that at least one week’s notice, stating the object thereof, shall be given to each member. If the vestry, by a two-thirds vote of all the members thereof, shall recommend such change or changes, a special parish meeting shall be called in the manner provided by section 16:12–13 of this title. If the meeting of the parish shall ratify the recommendations of the vestry by a two-thirds vote of those present balloting separately upon each proposed change, then a certificate shall be executed by the rector and secretary, in the same manner as provided in section 16:12–2 of this title for the execution of the certificate of incorporation, and shall be immediately filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the county in which the parish is located, whereupon the change shall take effect.

16:12–15. Consolidation. Two or more incorporated parishes of such church may consolidate and become one parish in the following manner:

A meeting of the vestry of each parish may be called by the rector or wardens upon one week’s notice to each member. If each vestry shall determine by a vote of three-fourths of all the members thereof that such consolidation is advisable, a further resolution shall be adopted by a like vote, requesting the consent of the bishop and standing committee of the diocese in which the parishes are located. Such consent shall be given in writing, signed by the bishop and a majority of the standing committee, and acknowledged or proved in the same manner as deeds of real estate.

A special meeting of the congregation of each parish shall then be called and conducted in the manner provided in section 16:12–13 of this title. Each meeting shall determine by a vote of three-fourths of those present balloting separately upon each question:

a. Whether such consolidation is advisable, and, if the determination is favorable; then

b. Whether the consolidated parish shall act under the charter of one of the consolidated parishes, or under a new certificate of organization;

c. The corporate title of the consolidated parish, which may be identical with the name of the parish whose charter has been adopted. If no such charter is adopted, or if any change is made in the corporate title, it shall be in the form provided in section 16:12–1 of this title;

d. The date of the annual meeting, which shall not be inconsistent with the constitution, canons or laws of such church;

e. The number of ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, which shall be identical with the number fixed by the charter adopted, or if any change is made, shall be three, six or nine; and

f. The wardens and ~~vestrymen~~vestrymembers, who shall be chosen either in accordance with the provisions of the charter adopted, or as herein before provided for new parishes.

A certificate shall then be made by the rector and secretary of each parish, and executed and acknowledged in accordance with section 16:12–2 of this title, setting forth:

c. The meeting of the congregation, and its action upon the questions required to be determined.

All such certificates, and the written consent of the bishop and standing committee, shall be forthwith filed and recorded together in the offices of the counties in which the parishes are located. Thereupon the consolidated parish shall immediately become vested with all the temporalities and real and personal property of the parishes so consolidated.

16:12–16. Extinct parish or congregation; disposition of property. If and when the convention of said church which has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over a parish shall determine that regular church services are no longer maintained by such parish, or that the parish no longer elects wardens and a vestrymembers in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, said convention may declare such parish extinct, and thereupon the corporation having title to the property of said parish shall be thereby dissolved and the property of said parish and all rights and interest of said parish pertaining to property shall vest in the corporation organized to hold in trust property under the control of said convention, in trust, for the same religious purposes and with the power of disposition and sale to the same extent as the same vested or would have vested in the corporation having title to the property of said parish before it became extinct; provided, however, that this act shall not affect the reversionary interest of any person or persons in such property. Said property and the income therefrom and the proceeds of sale thereof shall be applied to religious and charitable uses connected with the church, and the convention may direct the use to which the same or any part thereof shall be applied, and may direct the transfer thereof or any part thereof to any incorporated parish or other corporation, the funds of which are devoted to carrying on any of the objects or purposes of said church in said diocese. If and when the convention of said church shall make such determination and declare a parish extinct, a certificate of such action by the convention under the seal of the convention, signed by the bishop or other officer who presided at the meeting of the convention at which such action was taken and attested by the secretary of said convention and duly acknowledged, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of the county where the certificate of incorporation of said parish has been filed, or where such extinct parish is located.

The proposed changes are intended to eliminate all gender specific or limiting language from the New Jersey statutes governing the Episcopal Church. An identical resolution will be adopted by the Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey and then both will be sent to the Legislature.

Resolution 16 (adopted)
Opposition to "Reparative/Conversion Therapy" for Gay and Lesbian Persons

RESOLVED, That this 127th convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark opposes any religious, spiritual, psychological or psychiatric treatment, such as so-called "reparative" or "conversion" therapy, based on the assumptions that homosexuality is a mental, spiritual, religious or ethical disorder and that gay or lesbian persons should change their sexual orientations, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of Convention be directed to submit the following resolution on behalf of the Diocese of Newark for consideration by the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church :

The House of __ concurring, this 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church declares its opposition to any religious, spiritual, psychological or psychiatric treatment, such as so-called "reparative" or "conversion" therapy, based on the assumptions that homosexuality is a mental, spiritual, religious or ethical disorder and that gay or lesbian persons should change their sexual orientations .

Numerous professional associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have formally expressed opposition to so-called "reparative" or "conversion therapies" for gay and lesbian persons. In May, 2000, the American Psychiatric Association noted that there are no "scientifically rigorous outcome studies to determine either the efficacy or harm of ‘reparative treatments'" and added that such treatments are "at odds with the scientific position of the American Psychiatric Association which has maintained, since 1973, the homosexuality per se is not a mental disorder." (APA Position Statement, May, 2000).

Recent renewed efforts by some within the Episcopal Church to "pathologize" homosexuality by claiming that it is a spiritual disorder curable by spiritual/religious counseling, prayer and willpower, in particular aspects of the Anglican American Council's "God's Love Changed Me Campaign," run counter to this diocese's support for an end to homophobia and its destructive effects. Too often, religious voices are the loudest ones in our culture perpetuating the demonization and profound disrespect of gay and lesbian persons. This diocese and the National Church need to join with those who oppose this demonization by opposing " reparative/conversion therapies."

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark calls on the Right Reverend John Palmer Croneberger to establish a task force on Refugee and Immigration Ministry responsible for gathering information and resources, educating the diocese, establishing ties with similar groups in other denominations and agencies, and initiating programming and advocacy on behalf of refugees and immigrants in our diocese; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That this Task Force will report on its work to the 128th Convention in January 2002.

Submitted by: Fletcher Harper, Geoff Curtiss, J. Carr Holland, Elizabeth Kaeton, Alan Hinman, Roberta Nobleman, Marge Christie, Emily Beddoe, Jessica Maxfield

This resolution comes out of the first meeting of an ad hoc working group on refugee and immigration ministry held this past Thursday, January 18 at Grace Church, Newark.

RESOLVED, That this 127th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark directs that hereafter the Nominations Committee recommends as candidates for office only persons who have completed anti-racism training reported to and approved by the Mission to Dismantle Racism.