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The 135th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark will be held on Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Hilton Hotel, One Hilton Court, Parsippany NJ. The deadline to submit resolutions for consideration by the convention of 2009 is November 15, 2008. Previously adopted resolutions can be found by clicking onto Archives in the contents bar above. The resolutions adopted at the 134th Annual Convention are below and are available in PDF format. Click on this line of text for the PDF file. CONSENT CALENDAR (adopted) Resolution 2008-01 RESOLUTION B033 AND CONSENTS TO BISHOPS-ELECT RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark reaffirms its dissent from Resolution B033 of the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church which urges Standing Committees and Bishops with jurisdiction “to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church”; and be it further RESOLVED, That this convention strongly encourages our Bishop and Standing Committee to consent to the consecration of all qualified candidates duly elected to the episcopate. Submitted by: The Deputies and Alternates to the 2006 General Convention – Diana Clark, Sandye Wilson, Elizabeth Kaeton, Geoff Curtiss, Louie Crew, Lyn Headley-Deavours, Martha Gardner, Marge Christie, Kim Byham, Bill Parnell, Randall Day, Sidney King, Steven Boston The Oasis Commission – John Simonelli, Peter Madison, Donna Cartwright, Thomas Mundy, Christian Paolino, Michael Petti, Karen Rezach, Willie Smith The Women’s Commission – Kathleen Ballard, Marge Christie, Martha Gardner, Lyn Headley-Deavours, Elizabeth Kaeton, Prince Singh, Ellen Sloan, Hattie Stone, Fran Trott, Sandye Wilson, Pat Yankus SUPPORTING INFORMATION This resolution was passed at the 2006 Convention, however, in light of the reaffirmation of B033 by the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans in September 2007, the diocese’s reaffirmation of its prior dissent in its 2006 Convention is indicated. Removed from the CONSENT CALENDAR and adopted as amended RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark urges the Bishop, the Liturgy and Music Commission, the staff at Episcopal House and all elected and appointed committees and commissions RESOLVED, That the Diocesan Council identify and disseminate information concerning available educational resources which would enable the people of the diocese to learn at every age about the influence of inclusive language and imagery in shaping and communicating our biblical and theological traditions. Submitted by Women’s Commission members: Marge Christie, Martha Gardner, Lyn Headley-Deavours, Elizabeth Kaeton, Prince Singh, Ellen Sloan, Hattie Stone, Fran Trott, Sandye Wilson, Pat Yankus. SUPPORTING INFORMATION A similar resolution directed at national church bodies was passed at the General Convention in 1988. It included a specific directive towards dioceses and congregations. The Women’s Commission has noted on innumerable occasions the lack of concern for this issue and therefore submits this resolution to bring it to the attention of the diocesan family once again. The Women’s Commission has available some resources to share with the Diocesan Council. CONSENT CALENDAR (adopted) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark joins the dioceses of Maryland, North Carolina and Massachusetts by submitting the following resolution to the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church to be held in Anaheim, California in 2009: Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commend the name of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for its consideration of the possible addition of The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray to the Calendar of The Episcopal Church recognizing July 1st, the date of her death, as the date of commemoration and request that it report on this matter to the 77th General Convention. Submitted by The Women’s Commission – Kathleen Ballard, Marge Christie, Martha Gardner, Lyn Headley-Deavours, Elizabeth Kaeton, Prince Singh, Ellen Sloan, Hattie Stone, Fran Trott, Sandye Wilson, Pat Yankus The Deputies and Alternates to the 2006 General Convention – Diana Clark, Sandye Wilson, Elizabeth Kaeton, Geoff Curtiss, Louie Crew, Lyn Headley-Deavours, Martha Gardner, Marge Christie, Kim Byham, Bill Parnell, Randall Day, Sidney King, Steven Boston SUPPORTING INFORMATION The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was the first African American woman ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church. As an attorney, teacher of law, author and faithful Christian activist she served the Gospel by working for more than 50 years to overcome barriers of race and gender discrimination. She also served on the United States Civil Rights Commission, worked for needed legal reform and pioneered Afro-American studies. On February 8, 2007, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori recommended that the name of Dr. Murray be included in Lesser Feasts and Fasts. CONSENT CALENDAR (adopted) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Diocese of Newark requests that the Bishop authorize the commemoration of John Jay on May 17th, using a proper to be developed by the Liturgy and Music Commission of the Diocese; and be it further RESOLVED, That the following resolution be submitted to the 76th General Convention, with an explanation similar to that shown below: Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commend the name of John Jay to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for its consideration of the possible addition of Chief Justice Jay to the Calendar of The Episcopal Church for commemoration on May 17th, the day of his death, and request that it report on this matter to the 77th General Convention. Explanation (to be attached to the Resolution) Our church calendar celebrates only one American layman, Jonathan Daniels, a seminarian. To amend this omission, commemoration of John Jay is proposed. Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17, 1829) was a “founding father” of state and church: President of the Continental Congress and first Chief Justice of the United States, an associate of William White (the first Presiding Bishop and chaplain to the Continental Congress) and delegate to the convention that framed the church’s Constitution in a way commendable to the English Church. He personally paved the way for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s consecration of the second, third and fourth bishops of The Episcopal Church (the first having been ordained by bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church), thereby fostering the emergence of the Anglican Communion. Jay was a charter member of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (the corporate title of The Episcopal Church). According to his biographer, “Unlike many of the other Founders, Jay was an openly religious man. He quoted from and paraphrased the Bible in his political papers; he served as a leader of his parish church and of the national church; and he was a [founder and] president of the American Bible Society.” His social conscience was formed as an abolitionist as early as 1777. A founder of the Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves and the African Free School, he crusaded for the phased abolition of slavery in New York, signing the 1799 Abolition Act as Governor of New York. He was a graduate of Kings College (now Columbia University), warden of Trinity Church, Wall Street, and a founding member and warden of St Matthew’s Church in Bedford, Westchester County. Jay married Sarah Livingston at her home in Elizabeth, New Jersey (then Elizabeth Town) in 1774 and his family lived in New Jersey through most of the Revolutionary War while New York City was under British occupation. Submitted by the following members of the Episcopal Lawyer’s Volunteer Network of the Diocese: Edgar Kim Byham, Esq.; Andrew O, Bunn, Esq.; John C. Garde, Esq.; The Rev. Joseph A. Harmon, Esq.; Eva A. Rasmussen, Esq. ; Laura A. Russell, Esq. ; Diane E. Sammons, Esq.; Janice N. Teetsell, Esq. SUPPORTING INFORMATION It is fitting that the Diocese commemorates the life of this faithful servant, an exemplar of lay ministry. The Diocese of New York passed a similar resolution in 2006, and has developed a proper which our diocese could choose to use. The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music has emphasized that one criterion for addition to the Calendar will be local and diocesan commemorations already being held. Resolution 2008-05 (adopted as amended) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark condemns the act of hanging a noose as an act of intimidation and terroristic threat; and, be it further RESOLVED, That this convention urges the Legislature of the State of New Jersey to RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark requests that the Secretary of Convention send a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Jon Corzine, Governor of the State of New Jersey, and members of the New Jersey Senate and the New Jersey General Assembly, urging that this matter be given their utmost priority and consideration; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the Bishop of the Diocese of Newark considers speaking to the House of Bishops regarding this important issue for the church and societies welfare. Submitted by Bert Jones, Christ Episcopal Church and Sidney King, Incarnation, Jersey City and President, UBE Newark Chapter. The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption, pending the open hearing. SUPPORTING INFORMATION The noose has emerged as a new expression of hate and racial intolerance. The number of bias crimes over the past months has increased at an alarming rate, particularly against Blacks and Hispanics. Copycats are emerging left and right following a pattern from the Jena Six case and nooses are being placed in schools and the workplace - thereby creating a hostile and frightening environment, particularly for people of color. The display of the noose in the USA has a chilling effect to all persons of the African Diaspora because of its symbolism of lynching, especially during the Jim Crow era. American history has taught us that our government moves rather slowly when bias crimes are committed against people of color. Resolution 2008-06 (adopted as amended) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Diocese of Newark, in response to Resolution A017 of the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church and Resolution 2007-04 of the 133rd Diocesan Convention, condemns the ongoing workplace raids conducted RESOLVED, That this Convention encourages wide participation in educational events and forums, to learn about the root causes of migration, its impact on American society, the plight of documented and undocumented immigrants and to seek solutions to their unjust treatment; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Convention encourages and supports the Bishop’s appointment of a commission to study this issue, represent the Diocese of Newark in coalitions working to protect and improve protections for immigrants and their families and to hold discussions, inform and educate, encourage and lead the people of this diocese in educational events and forums; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Convention applauds and encourages the participation of all in exploring legal means to assist those seeking protection from detention and deportation by providing sanctuary, which can include material, legal, and/or pastoral support; and by visible expressions of solidarity through participation in vigils, fasts, marches, outreach and advocacy campaigns for just, long-term solutions to reform current immigration policy. Submitted by: The Inclusion Workgroup of Diocesan Council: The Rev. Janet Broderick, Convener, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, The Rev. Joseph Harmon, Mr. Robert Harwood, Ms. Catherine Potter, The Rev. Sandye Wilson, Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours; and The Rev. Maggie Gat The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption, pending the open hearing. Christ calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, tend to the sick, and visit the imprisoned, for "just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Mt 25:31-46) The Crisis—A Humanitarian Disaster While we support the right of the government to enforce the law and protect the national security interests of the United States, we also recognize that complex and powerful factors, including globalization, war, and pervasive social and economic dislocation, are driving a worldwide crisis of global migration. We also recognize that our existing immigration system is unworkable and outmoded. We have allowed our society to develop local and national economies that rely heavily on undocumented immigrant labor but have also made it nearly impossible for many immigrant workers to achieve legal status and family reunification. We see that the vast majority of these immigrants are contributing and peaceful members of our communities—workers, parents, taxpayers, churchgoers — who desire a path to residency or citizenship in order to exercise basic rights in the workplace, create the possibility of reuniting separated families, and live in freedom from the fear of exploitation and of sudden detention and deportation. The recently-failed national immigration bill, while acknowledged by almost all across the political spectrum to be flawed in significant respects, nonetheless, represented a measure of hope for serious, humane, immigration reform. The bill’s failure was felt throughout the country as a severe blow to the hope for imminent change and the possibility of undocumented immigrants’ coming out of the shadows, wherein they must now live and work. Meanwhile, stepped-up and highly publicized raids by ICE have torn families apart In the last year; raids have taken place in several places around the country. In each of these raids, children discovered, after the fact, that one or both parents had been sent away, without warning, to detention and/or deportation. The raids have generated tremendous fear in immigrant communities and driven some undocumented immigrants further into the shadows. Children are afraid to go to school because they fear that their parents will be gone when they return. Some congregations report a downturn in attendance because of their fear of raids where immigrants gather, etc. Several of our own parishioners and clergy in the Diocese of Newark can testify to the dislocation and pervasive fear caused by the raids. People of all races and ethnicities, including immigrants who are here legally, live in fear of being picked up and deported at any moment. Why? Because of the many mistakes that ICE has made in who it picks up and the lack of legal due process and judicial review. Needless to say, many Episcopalians live with these same fears. Background on Recent Episcopal Church Policy on Immigration 1. In June 2006, the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church passed resolution AO17 affirming the following fundamental principles as the policy of the Episcopal Church with regard to immigration policy: The General Convention resolution A017 furthermore deplored any undue emphasis on enforcement and border militarization as the primary response of the United States to immigrants entering the United States to work, and called upon the Episcopal Church to undertake a campaign to educate Episcopalians about the plight of refugees, immigrants, and migrants, including information about the root causes of migration. The resolution was grounded in the church’s vocation to welcome strangers as a matter of Christian responsibility and to advocate for their wellbeing and protection. Why This Resolution Is Needed In the wake of the failure of national immigration reform, the resolution proposed above would add the voice of the Diocese of Newark to the Episcopal voices nationally in specifically deploring the recent ICE raids. It would strengthen the ongoing education and advocacy work of congregations, Jubilee Centers and all diocesan advocates for immigrants; and would give heart and needed assistance to immigrant members of our own diocese in a time of humanitarian crisis and fear in the wake of the failure of immigration reform. +++ +++ +++ FINAL VERSION of Resolution A017: Fundamental Immigration Principles -- Concurred Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church receive “The Alien Among You” in the Blue Book Report of the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns; and, while recognizing the duty and right of a sovereign nation to protect and defend its borders, adopt the following fundamental principles included in “The Alien Among You” as the policy of The Episcopal Church. and, be it further Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church deplore any action by the Government of the United States which unduly emphasizes enforcement, including militarization of the border between the United States and Mexico, as the primary response to immigrants entering the United States to work; and be it further Resolved, That The Episcopal Church undertake a campaign to educate Episcopalians as to the plight of refugees, immigrants, and migrants, which will include information about the root causes of migration; and be it further Resolved, That this campaign call the church to commit to welcoming strangers as a matter of Christian responsibility, to advocate for their wellbeing and protection and to urge its members to resist legislation and actions which violate our fundamental beliefs as Christians, including the criminalization of persons providing humanitarian assistance to migrants. Resolution 2008-07 (adopted) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, in an effort to make Diocesan worship and program events more inviting, welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all the people of the diocese, commits to making it standard policy to provide an interpreter(s) for the deaf at all Diocesan events as defined by the bishop; and be it further RESOLVED, That the cost of providing an interpreter(s) be included in the event planning expenses, unless otherwise provided by the diocesan organization sponsoring the event. Fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the interpreter(s) up to $125.00 maximum per event will be paid from the diocesan line item for that purpose and the remaining cost by the sponsoring organization; the sponsoring organization may fund its portion from the plate offering for the event or from donations collected specifically for that purpose; and be it further RESOLVED, That Diocesan Council will regularly review the per event ceiling for interpreters for the deaf at least every three (3) years; and be it further RESOLVED, That advertising for all diocesan events will include a) that an interpreter(s) will be provided if requested in advance and b) the level of accessibility of the program site for the public. Submitted by the Bethsaida Team, The Deaf Ministry Commission and the Inclusion Work Group of Diocesan Council Ms. Barbara Djimopoulos, Ms. Wendy Broadbent, Mr. Richard Fox, Mr. Carl Haefele, Dr. Liz Lannigan, The Rev. Oscar Mockridge, Dr. Sandra Pinkerton, The Rev. Sheila Shuford, Dcn., Mr. Erik Solwedel, Ms. Daphne Thomas, The Rev. David Thomas, The Rev. Margie Tuttle, The Rev. Jim Warnke, The Rev. Dr. Cathy L. Deats, Mr. Russ Worthington, The Rev. Janet Broderick, The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption, pending the open hearing. At present, an interpreter is provided for some diocesan events and not others, making it difficult for deaf people in the diocese who need and are able to use the services of an interpreter to participate or to know when it would be possible for them to participate. Consistently providing interpretation for the deaf at diocesan worship and program events, with advance notification in the advertising, would encourage more deaf people from our churches to attend and would make the events more inclusive, welcoming and accessible. Although only a small percentage of the deaf and hard of hearing will benefit from interpretive services, it is a necessary first step towards opening diocesan community events to the deaf. Ideally, assistive listening devices and appropriate multi-media for the deaf such as those that provide big screens with spontaneous written texts in large, clear, print would better serve a greater number of people with hearing disabilities. Until such time as these tools become less expensive, more readily available in more sites and less complicated to use, interpretive services provide the necessary alternative. Funding of 100% of the costs of an interpreter from the diocesan budget for diocesan events is not possible, because the line item for interpreters is limited by budget restraints. This resolution recognizes that limitation and includes a recommended formula for funding to assure that diocesan events are accessible to deaf persons who are able to use the services of an interpreter to participate. For example, fees for most worship services, at $50.00 per hour, usually cost around $100.00 to $150.00, including transportation. Using the formula recommended in the resolution, the Diocesan budget line item would pay $50.00 to 75.00 and the hosting congregation or sponsoring organization would pay $50.00 to $75.00. The congregation or organization would have the option of funding their portion of the interpreter’s fee from their worship budget; if their budget does not cover this expense fully, the congregation or organization could augment their funds from the plate offering or by taking a special collection at the event. Event advertising should include a requirement that any person who will be in attendance and will use the services of an interpreter must notify program or worship sponsors in advance as interpreters will only serve if there is a client(s), as interpretation is an interactive process. Advertisement must include a means by which that notification can be made (by phone or e-mail). Resolution 2008-08a (adopted) RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark submits the following resolution to the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
Explanation (to be attached to the Resolution) The canons of the church set forth all the requirements for election of an individual as a bishop which would include age and other restrictions. The action of the 75th General Convention improperly added an additional restriction beyond the canons. Such a restriction denies the baptismal covenant that calls us to “respect the dignity of every human being” and limits the ability of the faithful to elect qualified persons to leadership, including the position of bishop, and to celebrate the relationships of faithful people. Submitted by: General Convention Deputies and Alternates (Mr. Edgar Kim Byham, Mr. Steve Boston, The Rev. Diana Clark, Dr. Louie Crew, Ms. Marge Christie, Ms. Martha Gardner, The Rev. Geoff Curtiss, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours, The Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton, Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. William Parnell, Mr. Michael Rehill, The Rev. Ken Near, The Rev. Sandye Wilson); The Oasis Board (John Simonelli, Peter Madison, Donna Cartwright, Thomas Mundy, Christian Paolino, Michael Petti, Karen Rezach, Willie Smith); The Women’s Commission (The Rev. Kathleen Ballard, Ms. Marge Christie, Ms. Martha Gardner, Ms. Lyn Headley-Deavours, The Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton, The Rev. Prince Singh, The Rev. Ellen Sloan, Ms. Hattie Stone, Ms. Fran Trott, The Rev. Sandye Wilson, Ms. Pat Yankus). The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption, pending the open hearing.
RESOLVED, That this 134th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark submits the following resolution to the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church.
Explanation (to be attached to the Resolution) The General Convention has never approved a resolution restricting the right of a diocesan bishop to authorize appropriate rites for the blessing of same-sex committed relationships. Nevertheless because there has been no affirmative action by General Convention on this issue, some bishops who claim to support the concept have been unwilling to authorize the use of such rites in their dioceses. This resolution would not force any diocesan bishop to violate his or her theological position but would make clear that the bishop has the option to authorize liturgical blessings of committed relationships between same-sex partners. The Resolutions Committee recommends adoption, pending the open hearing. Previously adopted resolutions can be found at www.dioceseofnewark.org/convention/convarchives.html. |
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