Wednesday, October 11, 2000
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Sparta, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger;
President; Mr. Robert Simmons, Vice President; Mr. Michael
Francaviglia, Secretary ; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Michael
F. Rehill, Esq., Chancellor
Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Alan Bowen; The Rev. John G. Hartnett
Elected by Convention: Ms. Bonnie Magnuson; The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler;
Ms. Joyce Skipper; Ms. Lynn Tyler
Elected by Districts: The Rev. Martin Bagay; The Rev. Kevin P.J. Coffey; The
Rev. Susan Fortunato; Ms. Kathy Ganim; Ms. Naomi Horsky; Ms. Claudette Lewis;
Mrs. Doris Mardirosian; The Rev. Kenneth Near; The Rev. William Parnell; Ms.
Susan Schink; Mr. Robert Simmons; The Rev. Paul Walker; Ms. Patty Watts; The
Rev. Denise Yarbrough
Absent: The Rev. David Badgely; The Rev. Dr. Ellen Barrett; Mr. Steven Boston;
The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke; The Rev. Geoffrey Curtiss; Mr. Richard Fifield;
Mr. Leonard Glenn; Mr. Gerald Harvey; Ms. Ann Hirsch; The Rev. William Lantz;
Ms. Elizabeth Moss; Ms. Diane Rhodes; The Rev. Mildred J. Solomon
Others: Dean Weber, Esq., Chancellor-designate; Mr. John Lynch and Ms. Peggy
Mellors, Cross Roads Outdoor Ministries; The Rev. Skip Vilas, Partners for Environmental
Quality.
Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger.
The Rev. Martin Bagay, rector, greeted the members of Council. He thanked and
introduced the parishioners who provided the meal: Linda Ochs, Carol Lynch, Terry
and Carol McGreevey, Patsy and Bill Kibildis, and Jack Lynch who provided the
pheasant. Parishioners had worshiped for 44 years at the present site; prior
to that for forty years at a location on Main Street. The congregation was honored
as Church of the Year in 1990. The church school attendance doubled during the
past year. Repairs to the buildings were important for the parish which was intent
on enlarging what God has given to them. Outreach programs, such as hospitality
for the homeless, provided witness to the community of their care for all. Stewardship
and the right use of resources were important issues to the people of St. Mary's.
Included among the guiding principles was making the risky choice of giving treasures
away so that God's peace could be seen at St. Mary's, because God's business
is important and the parishioners felt called to enlarge what God has.
AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of a report by
the Rev. Skip Vilas, report from Ken Near on Bancroft retirement, introduction
by Bill Parnell. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the September 13, 2000. The
motion to accept the minutes was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS:
THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
- Welcomed Jack Lynch and Peggy Mellors, who were reporting on Cross Roads Outdoor
Ministries.
- Welcomed Skip and Joyce Vilas who were presenting the newly published, Earth
and Faith: A Book of Reflections for Action.
- Announced that the first diocesan confirmation was scheduled for Sunday, October
15. He suggested that congregations sign up for other dates soon.
- Reported that the 127th convention will be held on January 20, 2001 at St.
Paul's Episcopal Church in Paterson. The Visioning Convocation will be held on
the 26th and 27th of January at the Glenpointe Marriott Hotel. There will be
no exhibits or display booths at the convention. Rather, instead of staffing
an information table, representatives of the ministries and missions will be
a vocal and visible part of the process to answer the question, "What is
the work of our diocese?"
The Rev. Bill Parnell introduced the Rev. Allison Fuller, rector of St. Columba's
by the Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, who was visiting the diocese while on sabbatical
researching our ways of urban ministry and witness to the gay and lesbian community
and the community of people of color. She shared reflections on her time in our
diocese.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. John Zinn presented the report. (The report was distributed at the meeting.)
The report was delayed because of recent staff turnover. Surprisingly, pledge
income was worse in September than in August, but continued to follow historical
norms. Giving to the national church was close to budget. There was an error
in the COM line. While the COM will be over budget, the amount will be much lower
than the mistaken figure and probably closer to $600. Staff lines and audit lines
will receive reimbursements, so that the lines will be in balance by year's end.
It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion
was adopted.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Mr. John Zinn reported that medical insurance proposals were received from Aetna
(the company which purchased Prudential, our current provider) and the Episcopal
Church Medical Trust. The latter had an added cost because of mental health benefits.
Meetings were scheduled with representatives of the two providers. The Insurance
Committee will meet in late October and prepare a recommendation for the November
Council meeting. This year, the prospects for the costs borne by congregations
for medial insurance looked better than last year; the increase may be between
five and ten percent, unlike last year's fifteen percent increase. The insurance
premiums for the retired clergy medicaid supplement was paid out of the diocesan
budget. It was anticipated that those premiums will increase by ten to fifteen
percent. At least nine additional retirements were expected within the next year.
The Rev. Geoff Curtiss asked the Insurance Committee to study the possibility
of contributor payments from future retiring clergy. The same issue of increasing
the co-pay will need to be studied in the future as coverage costs continued
to increase. Right now, the payment was $25.
INTERFAITH PARTNERSHIP FOR
THE ENVIRONMENT
The Rev. Skip Vilas, chair of Partners for Environmental Quality and former member
of Diocesan Council, distributed copies of the recently published Earth and Faith:
A Book of Reflection for Action, published by the Interfaith Partnership for
the Environment, a United Nations Environment Program. The publication of the
book was made possible in part from a grant of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
through the Diocesan Council Outreach international line.
Eighty thousand copies of the book will be distributed worldwide. It was presented
to ecumenical church leaders at a major environmental conference held at the
United Nations in August 2000. (Additional copies were available for $12 each
through the United Nations.)
He reported that Partners for Environmental Quality was ready and prepared to
work with congregations and individual households with their choice of an energy
provider. The organization was working with Green Mountain Energy, a supplier
selling Green-E certified energy. The diocese had already made the selection
of the cleanest power distribution available through Green Mountain. There were
rebate incentives available for congregations as well. Further information was
available through PEQ, by calling Pamela Franks at 609-394-1090 or email at peq@att.net.
CROSS ROADS OUTDOOR MINISTRIES
Mr. John E. Lynch and Ms. Peggy Mellors addressed the council. Mr. Lynch reported
that overall income was down by $127,000, primarily with the summer camp. There
were fewer campers than expected (800 vs 1000). Usage of the center for retreats
by the Lutherans continued to decline, however the bookings for January and February
2001 were up over last year and there was a push to raise the awareness of the
center among Episcopal congregations. The sense of "us and them" had
been resolved, and the two entities were working well together. A solid bookkeeping
system was set up. Some organizational problems were inherited which were handled
pastorally and expeditiously. Peggy was named the Executive Director by the board
recently and she hired a new program director. A decision about a capital campaign
will be needed during 2001. The release authorization request needed to be increased
by $10,000 because of unanticipated heating bills.
Peggy commented on the warm relationship that developed between the Episcopalians
and the Lutherans which was responsible for a successful summer camping season.
The staff was willing to do the work necessary to make the summer sessions successful.
The site had a number of improvements made to it, and although there was still
more work to do, there was much support provided.
The Rev. Bill Parnell moved and Ms. Lynn Tyler seconded an authorization to release
$40,000 from the camp endowment fund along with an additional $10,000, and further
to authorize the finance director to disburse the additional $10,000 if needed
and if matched by the Lutherans. The motion was adopted.
MINORITY VENDORS TASK FORCE
The Rev. Dr. Robert Schiesler, Co-chair of the Task Force, reported that the
link was up on the diocesan web site listing vendors providing an array of services.
He invited people to provide additional resources. The web address was www.dioceseofnewark.org/mv/.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Rev. John Hartnett, chair, reported that congregations will be asked to self
identify with whom they want to be in partnership with under a new district reorganization.
Hopefully responses will be received by early November, and a published draft
list will be provided before convention. The committee discussed that grouping
may be by geography or commonalities of interests; although geographic would
be best, providing diversity among members. The clergy in charge and the wardens
will receive the letter asking about self identification.
RESOLUTION OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION
TO FRANK BANCROFT
Ms. Doris Mardirosian and Ms. Naomi Horsky moved a resolution of thanks and appreciation
for the service of the Rev. Canon Francis Bancroft, III, retiring rector of St.
Mary the Virgin, Ridgefield, who has served in the diocese since 1959. The motion
was adopted.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Mrs. Doris Mardirosian, ECW Vice President of Communications, reported that different
members were stepping in as conveners of the meetings, since there was no president.
Mrs. Marilyn Croneberger had become active with ECW and looked forward to hosting
luncheons and other events.
DEPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Deployment Officer/Canon to the Ordinary, reported
on recent clergy changes. (For a complete and ongoing list, see www.dioceseofnewark.org/deploy.html/.) With the end of BEAM in August, the Rev. Lois Schembs was
called to St. Martin's, Maywood; the Rev. Kevin Coffey became rector at Atonement,
Fair Lawn; and the Rev. Dr. Ellen Barrett returned to nonparochial status. Some
other changes were the Rev. Phil Krug as interim to Annuciation, Oradell; the
Rev. Prince Singh as rector to St. Alban's, Oakland; the Rev. Lucy Ann Dure as
rector to Holy Spirit, Verona; the Rev. Phil Dougharty as deacon assistant to
Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral; the Rev. Canon Martin Oguike as missioner
to Jersey City Area Ministry; the Rev. Richard Andersen as interim to St. John's,
Ramsey; the Rev. Jonathan Percival from the diocese of Newark to the diocese
of New Jersey; the same for the Rev. Linda Strohmier.
He reported on his attendance at a recent area deployment conference that brought
together deployment officers from thirty-seven dioceses. The trend of more openings
than available clergy continued. Brought to the sharing conference were 325 open
congregations and names of 52 clergy. He reported that Dale Gruner has been very
sick and resigned her position as deployment officer from the Diocese of New
Jersey, effective October 1.
STEERING COMMITTEE - CONGREGATIONAL
VISITS
Ms. Susan Schink reported that visits made by the teams of Susan Fortunato/Ann
Hirsch and Alan Bowen/Mildred J. Solomon. The Rev. Susan Fortunato reported that
her visit was "way cool." Alan Bowen shared their experience and tips
for the visit. Four congregations were brought together in one evening. Tips:
started and ended on time. Used the confirmation changes, convention and design
team issues as starting discussion points. Questions and concerns were raised
and discussed openly. Answers will be provided back to the attendees. The reaction
from the church leaders was very positive and appreciative of the visit.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. Ken Near announced he was hosting a retirement party for the Rev. Frank
Bancroft on Sunday, October 15 at St. Paul's, Englewood.
Ms. Patti Watson announced the harvest fair at St. Gabriel's, Milton/Oak Ridge
on Saturday, October 14.
The Rev. Martin Bagay reported that parishioners of St. Mary's, Sparta scheduled
a work week trip to Aruba for early next year. Space was available; the cost
was $650.
The Rev. Paul Walker reported that the outreach kitchen would begin service this
weekend at Christ Church, Belleville. The program was partly funded by a Diocesan
Outreach grant. The project was a real ecumenical event for the churches in the
area who were providing volunteers; Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, and Presbyterians.
CVS Pharmacy was providing a team of volunteers, as well. A local synagogue offered
part of the proceeds from their building to the food project.
The benediction was pronounced by Bishop Croneberger.
The meeting was adjourned at 8: 15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday,
November 8 at Trinity Church, Irvington. Consider car pooling to
the meeting.
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