Wednesday, January 9, 2002
St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little Falls, New Jersey
Approved Minutes of Regular Monthly Meeting
Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer;
Mr. Michael F. Rehill, Chancellor; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary
Elected by Districts: The Rev. Martin Bagay, Ms. Kathleen Ballard, The Rev. Michel
Belt, The Rev. Kim Capwell, Ms. Ann Hirsch, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, Mr. Jack
Reade, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley The Rev. John F. Stanton, The
Rev. Gordon H. Tremaine, The Rev. Paul Walker, Ms. Patty Watts, Ms. Pat Yankus.
Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, Mr. Leonard Glenn
Absent: The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Elizabeth Moss, Mr. Nat Nelson, Ms. Nancy Read,
Ms. Margaret Tuttle
Others Present: Mr. Dean Weber, Mrs. Doris Mardirosian
Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened
with prayer by The Rev. Michel Belt. Prior to the start of the business session,
members participated in an appreciative inquiry exercise on their experience
as district representatives to Council.
AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda. The motion was adopted.
MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of December 19,
2001. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.
EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS
- THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER
Announced that two candidates for the position of congregational development
officer had been interviewed recently and he was hopeful to announce the hiring
of the new person at the Convention. Additionally, he interviewed two candidates
for the position of acting director for the Oasis. The Oasis executive committee
had interviewed one and were expected to interview the second candidate shortly.
Reported that two pre-convention meetings had been held in the past two nights
and there were three others scheduled.
Announced that part of the convention will honor the ministry of Michael F. Rehill
who had served the diocese in many ways over many years, including his service
as Chancellor since 1991. Tonight's meeting was Mr. Rehill's last as chancellor.
TREASURER'S REPORT
[The Treasurer's Report was distributed at the meeting, since the books were
closed just this past Friday.]
Mr. John Zinn explained the accounting process used by the finance department – that
for the first eleven months we operate on a cash basis, while at the end of year
we operate on an accrual basis. The minus signs indicated that adjustments were
made for the full year. Belated pledge line represented those payments for the
year 2000 which were received up until December 31, 2001; an amount totaling
close to $100,000. The pledge income line had an accrual amount; 2001 income
will still be received in January. The accrued amount was enough to allow slightly
more than break even; a conservative approach used in year's when the economy
was also weak. The other income line, convention and other meetings fees included
convention and Celebrating Creative Congregations' fees. $40,000 were accrued
for the national church pledge (an amount based on the accrued pledge payments).
When it was realized that the staff line would be under budget, additional funding
was directed to the Women's Commission conference and to Youth Ministries events
planned for 2002. Operating expenses as a group were under budget unexpectedly.
It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion
was adopted.
FUNDING PROCESS FOR DISTRICTS'
PROJECTS
Mr. John Zinn presented two alternatives to fund the programs of the districts
(assuming the adoption of the proposed budget that included a funding line for
the districts' use.)
Alternative 1 - Process for use of district funds in diocesan budget
Budget is approved at Convention at the end of January
Funding requests submitted by districts to Council budget committee, no later
than March 15th, any district that does not submit a request is not eligible
for 2002 funding.
Budget committee reviews requests and makes recommendations to the April Council
meeting, funds are available immediately thereafter.
While there is no guaranteed level of funding, the Council can award different
amounts to districts including not providing any funding to some districts.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation.
Alternative 2 – Process for use of district funds in diocesan budget
Budget is approved by Convention at the end of January
Funding requests are submitted by districts to Bishop's Office, no later than
March 15th, any district that does not submit a request is not eligible for 2002
funding.
Funding requests are submitted to district conveners, district conveners meet
and allocate funding to districts, funding levels may not be equal and some districts
may not receive any funding.
Approved funding is reported to the Diocesan Council in April.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation.
Mr. Michael Rehill described the process followed by the national church to fund
the Provinces; a process which closely resembled the second alternative. In that
process, $200,000 was allocated for the duration of the triennium for the eight
provinces. The leaders of the eight provinces had to determine the allocation
of the funds. A provincial leadership council meets to make the decisions for
allocation. Decisions were reached by consensus after the stories and needs were
described by each of the provincial representatives. In the first year of use,
funds were given to only some of the provinces, the second year others received
the funds. The leadership made the decision of which province got what amount
dependent on needs.
A lively discussion followed. The comments included the following ideas and suggestions:
if money not allocated after the original submission date, the funds would still
be available at a later date; the date of March 15th might be too early; the
district council representatives and the conveners should be the ones to make
the decisions; representation for a decision making group be clergy and lay,
with one of each from each of the districts for a total of twenty (where a convener
is clergy, the other rep would be lay, and vice versa); and, others called for
greater flexibility in the funding deadline.
The bishop commented the money represented start up money for ministry and that
larger sources of funds will be available through the congregational development
fund. The funding line in the budget was meant to encourage districts toward
ministry.
The Rev. Gordon Tremaine moved the second alternative, with modifications:
change paragraph three to read that the funding requests are submitted
to a district funding committee which will consist of the convener
and one other selected by the district, either clergy or lay of the
opposite order for a total of twenty; and change in paragraph two
to place a period after Bishop's Office, dropping the remaining text
in that paragraph; and, delete "in April" in paragraph
four.
The motion was seconded and adopted.
The final version read
as follows:
Budget is approved by Convention at the end of January
Funding requests are submitted by districts to the Office of the Bishop.
Funding requests are submitted to a district funding committee which will consist
of the district conveners and one other person selected by each district, either
clergy or lay of the opposite order than the convener. (Total committee membership
20 persons.)
Approved funding is reported to the Diocesan Council.
By December 31st, all districts that receive funding must submit a financial
accounting accompanied by a narrative evaluating how the funding was used.
Funds not disbursed during the calendar year are subject to the financial policies
of the diocese, that is, carry over is possible, but is dependent on the overall
financial situation.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported the ECW Board meeting was held earlier in the
day. The program chair, Jesse Wilkerson, contacted all churches for nominees
(two from each congregation) to the April 27 Honoring Women event at Church of
the Saviour, Denville. Dr. Fredricka Harris Tompkins will be the speaker. The
ECW by-laws were revised. During convention, the ECW will present Bishop Croneberger
with a stole that represents UTO and the Church Periodical Club.
DISTRICT REPORTS
Prior to the start of the business session, the members of council participated
in an appreciative inquiry exercise using the following questions as the basis
for their table discussions:
What was your best experience as a district representative this year?
What was one accomplishment for the district this year?
What surprises of joy had you personally experienced working with the district
and/or Diocesan Council?
What resources might assist in the ministry of your district?
What changes might, in your opinion, make Council more effective?
The results of the table discussions were reported to the full body. A listing
of accomplishments were shared. Resources: tap the talent base of the diocese;
facilitators for district meetings or training at the district levels; funding
as suggested in the budget; something needed from outside to energize the districts;
church start ups with services not on Sundays, using clergy and lay ministers;
nursing home visitations; church start ups based on recovery issues (hospitals
for sinners); strengthen communications describing the change in the paradigm;
paid support for communications within the district. Changes: what's the accountability
for council?; feedback from the visioning convocation shared with districts and
district leadership; more table discussions among council members about the work
in the districts for the purpose of cross fertilization of ideas.
Conveners might be trained to be effective facilitators.
Some questions raised during the discussions were: What is the best use of the
time and talent of the council members? What work might be substantial? What
is meaningful work? Where are the responsibilities and authority of the council?
Does it need to meet monthly? Should it focus on helping the districts function?
How do we define the task of this body and then invite people to do the work?
How do we work into a new structure?
If one of the council functions is to take the health and welfare of the entire
diocese, how does this best happen? Ideas could come from districts to council;
as an example, one of the districts discussed how to assist the cathedral, who
might have the energy for an issue? Who should follow up? What are the diocesan
issues?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley announced a weekend of workshops sponsored by District
4 on the dates of February 22 and 23. The workshops will feature Dr. Horace C.
Boyer, editor of LEV2. The event will take place at Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral.
DEPLOYMENT
The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt announced several clergy changes: The Rev. Elizabeth
Kaeton, rector, St. Paul's, Chatham; The Rev. David Gable, rector, Grace, Rutherford;
The Rev. Vicki McGrath, rector, All Saints', Millington; The Rev. Michael Delaney
to Staten Island; The Rev. Michel Belt to the Diocese of Connecticut.
the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary
The next meeting dates are March 13; April 10;
May 8 and June 12, 2002. (All dates are Wednesdays at St. Agnes' Episcopal Church, Little
Falls.)
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