Wednesday, May 8, 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. Dean Weber, Chancellor; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary

Elected by Districts: Ms. Kathleen Ballard, The Rev. Randall Day, Mr. Daniel deRonde, Ms. Ann Hirsch, Ms. Naomi Horsky, The Rev. Briggett J. Keith, The Rev. William Riker, Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Schiesler, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, The Rev. John F. Stanton, The Rev. Steven Steele, The Rev. Margaret Swetman, Mr. Larry Taber, The Rev. Paul Walker.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Steven Boston, Mr. Sidney King

Absent: The Rev. Kim Capwell, Mr. Nat Nelson, Mr. Jack Reade, Ms. Pat Yankus

Others Present: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian, The Rev. Maggie Gat

Staff: The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, Ms. Susan Robinson, Canon R. Carter Echols

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Bishop Croneberger and opened with prayer.

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 April 10, 2002. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS - THE RT. REV. JOHN P. CRONEBERGER

Welcomed the Rev. Margaret Swetman, new representative from District 6; the Rev. Steven Steele, new representative from District 2; Canon R. Carter Echols, new staff member for Congregational Development; the Rev. Maggie Gat, chair of the ACTS/VIM board; and the Rev. Eric Hinds, Mr. Ray Rodgers and Ms. Barbara Lovely, representatives from St. Peter's, Mountain Lakes who attended to appeal the decision by the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board.

Reported the Standing Committee approved the following persons for the ordination to the diacontate: Dean Weber, Helen Harper, Ellen Sloan, Margaret Otterburn and Margaret Tuttle; the Rev. Beth Glover, chaplain at Christ Hospital, comes from the Methodist denomination, and the Rev. Tim Barrett from the UCC (previously approved Laurie Matarazzo and Jim Petroccino)
Of the nine approved for ordination, seven had been placed for employment.

Shared his experiences with the diocesan confirmations held so far this Easter season; eight of the scheduled fifteen were completed. He described the events as "positive, overwhelming and exciting." Parents and young people had expressed similar reactions. It was recognized that some people were still uncomfortable with the process, however. The service at Calvary, Summit was attended by 400 people with nearly sixty confirmands. The recent Spanish/English service at St. Paul's, Paterson had 98 confirmands and 750 people in attendance. At the conclusion of the confirmation services, representatives from the host congregations will be brought together for discussion and debriefing.

Reported that recent court decisions regarding Christ Hospital, Jersey City, had been favorable for the diocese and there existed the potential for disengagement of the partnership with Bon Secours.

Reported that last week and this week meetings were held with the leadership of Holy Trinity, West Orange and St. Mark's, West Orange. The bishop and the canons met with the representatives. From those conversations there had been a re-evaluation of the situation. The "spirit was moving in Holy Trinity, West Orange" and it was appropriate to recognize that energy and to support it rather than not. The mission and ministry at St. Mark's will continue to be supported. Conversations for visioning will continue with these congregations under the direction of Canon Echols.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn reported on the financial statement. Belated pledges from 2001 amounted to $132,000, as of the report; these monies were subject to the 25% giving to the national church, 7.5% to other outreach, and the remainder would be included as surplus income in the 2003 budget.

Since 1997, an annual diocesan financial report had been published. In the initial years of publication, sufficient number of printed copies were mailed to the congregations for distribution to the vestry/executive committee members and posted on the website. Since then there had been changes to the distribution that included posting on the web. This year, the report will be published in the Voice, and posted on the web site, but not mailed to the churches.

He expected to bring budget adjustments to the June meeting of Council.

It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted.

ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

The Rev. Maggie Gat presented the recommendations from the ACTS/VIM Board. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted.

AV-02-01 Newark, AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas requested $10,000
Project for Dependent Children
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $10,000: 9 yes.

AV-02-02 Paterson, St. Paul's Episcopal Church requested $10,000
Emergency Food Pantry
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $6,000: 9 yes.

AV-02-03 Newark, Newark School of Theology requested $8,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $5,800: 9 yes.

AV-02-04 Newark, Grace Church - Homework Club requested $10,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $5,500: 9 yes.

AV-02-05 Boonton, St. John's Church - Summer Camp requested $10,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $5,500: 9 yes.

AV-02-06 Clifton, St. Peter's Haven requested $10,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $6,700: 9 yes.

AV-02-07 Hackensack, Christ CDC - Peter's Place requested $10,000
Motion to fund: 8 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $6,000: 8 yes, 1 abstention.

AV-02-08 Newark, Episcopal - ECD Capacity Expansion requested $20,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $10,000: 9 yes.

AV-02-09 Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine requested $19,215
Community Care Center
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $16,500: 9 yes.

AV-02-10 Jersey City, Jersey City CDC - Senior Center requested $10,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $5,000: 9 yes.

AV-02-11 East Orange, Christ Church - Summer Camp requested $9,500
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $9,000: 9 yes.

AV-02-12 Jersey City, Grace Church - Youth Summer Program requested $15,000
Motion to fund: 9 yes.
Motion to fund $10,000: 9 yes.

TOTAL RECOMMENDATION TO DIOCESAN COUNCIL: *$96,000

*(This total included the current grant cycle funds and the remaining unused funds from the fall cycle of 2001.)

DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Rev. Randall Day, Committee Member, presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted. Since 1999, the committee had received requests in two categories; international outreach and domestic outreach. For 2002 there were $20,000 available for international outreach and $106,000 for domestic outreach.

He moved that the Chief Financial Officer was authorized to release up to 80% of the recommended funds to those organizations that were experiencing severe cash flow problems and might not be in financial shape to wait until after the June meeting for disbursement. And, in the case of the request from the Mengo Center for Arts and Technology that the funds be released immediately. The motions were seconded and adopted.

In the international category, the committee received three requests. The requests and the committee's recommendations are as follows:

1. Good Shepherd Home for Children, Cameroon – a request for $20,000 in funding
towards the construction of home for street children whose parents have died of AIDS or other diseases in Cameroon, West Africa. Recommended funding - $15,000

2. Pastors for Peace, International Foundation for Community Organization – a request
for $10,000 towards the cost of medical and ecclesiastical supplies to be given to the
Episcopal Church in Cuba. Recommended funding - $3,000

3. Mengo Center for Arts and Technology – a request for $2,363 towards the cost of a roof for vocational school for orphans in Uganda, East Africa. Recommended funding - $2,000 to be disbursed after the May 8th Council meeting.

In the domestic category, the committee received 17 requests that totaled $181,769. The requests and the recommendations are as follows:

1. Messiah Community Resource Corporation, Chester, NJ – a request for $12,500
towards the cost of hiring a half time executive director for the CDC's ministry to the elderly. Recommended funding - $6,000

2. St. Paul's CDC, Paterson, NJ – a request for $20,000 for the CDC's Next Step
program which provides assessment and case management for clients of the CDC's emergency services helping to move towards self-sufficiency. Recommended funding - $15,000

3. Jersey City Episcopal CDC – a request for $15,000 for general operating support for the CDC's programs in Jersey City. Recommended funding - $8,000

4. St. James CDC, Newark, NJ – a request for $15,000 in general operating support for the CDC's community development efforts in Newark's North Ward. Recommended funding - $12,000

5. Apostles' House, Newark, NJ – a request for $5,000 in general operating support for
the organization's programs for families in need in the greater Newark area. Recommended funding - $3,000

6. LISC – a request for $5,000 in general operating support for this organization that
supports community development efforts in the greater Newark area and Jersey City. Recommended funding - $3,000

7. St. Peter's Haven, Clifton, NJ – a request for $15,000 for the purchase of a used van
support the organization's shelter and pantry services. Recommended funding - $7,500

8. St. John's CDC, Boonton, NJ – a request for $10,000 towards the costs of the CDC's
after school program. Recommended funding - $6,000

9. Grace Van Vorst, Jersey City, NJ - a request for $8,000 towards the cost of the church's Saturday breakfast program. Recommended funding - $2,000

10. Care Closet, Christ Church, Belleville, NJ – a request for $4,000 for the purchase of
household and personal items for low income families, items that cannot be purchased with food stamps. Recommended funding - $3,500

11. Grace Church, Newark, NJ – a request for $9,000 for program support for after-school outreach to youth living in public housing in inner city Newark. Recommended funding - $6,000

12. Christ Church CDC, Hackensack, NJ – a request for $10,000 for Kid's Place, an
after-school project for working class and low-income middle school children. Recommended funding - $5,000

13. Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network – a request for $10,000 to provide food and shelter for some of the homeless population of Sussex County and parts of Morris and Warren Counties. Recommended funding - $5,000

14. The Church of Our Saviour, Secaucus, NJ – a request for $10,000 towards the pre-development costs of a senior medical daycare program. Recommended funding - $3,000

15. Task Force on Immigrant and Refugee Needs – a request for $6,369 towards the costs of a program to minister to refugees, immigrants and detained asylum seekers at the Elizabeth Detention Center. Recommended funding - $3,500, subject to the group arranging for a church or not-for-profit organization to administer the funding
.
16. Grace Church, Union City, NJ – a request for $6,900 for educational materials for a neighborhood summer education program for July 2002. Recommended funding - $3,500, this recommendation is made to help start the program, the committee will not consider requests for future funding.

17. AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas, Newark, NJ – a request for $20,000 towards the cost of providing daily meals for the affected, dependent children of HIV positive parents. Recommended funding - $14,000

WARD J. HERBERT FUND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Rev. Paul Walker and Mr. Steve Boston, Board members, presented the recommendations. It was moved and seconded to adopt the recommendations and refer them to the June meeting for ratification. The motion was adopted.

The Rev. Eric Hinds, Mr. Ray Rogers and Ms. Barbara Lovely, representatives from St. Peter's, Mountain Lakes, addressed the council members to appeal the decision by the board. The projects for which funding requested were outlined and included replacement of church furnace and boiler, decommission of underground oil tank, slate roof repair, and repairs of church window, gable and doors. The request totaled $48,000. The rejection was a major disappointment to the parish and church leadership.

It was moved, seconded and adopted that the application from Mountain Lakes be reconsidered by the Ward J. Herbert Fund Board.

WJH-02-01 Towaco, Transfiguration - Boiler, Plumbing, Sewage requested $1,659
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $1,659: 16 yes.

WJH-02-02 Tenafly, Atonement - Roof Rehabilitation requested $7,250
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,250: 13 yes, 3 no.

WJH-02-03 Montclair, St. Luke's - Steam Leaks in Parish House withdrawn

WJH-02-04 Newark, AIDS Resource Ctr - Flooring requested $2,172
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $2,172: 16 yes.

WJH-02-05 Livingston, St. Peter's - Roof & Window Replacement reduced $10,225
Motion to fund window replacement: 16 no.
Motion to fund roof repair: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $5,000 for the roof repair only: 16 yes.

WJH-02-06 Belvidere, St. Mary's removed

WJH-02-07 Union City, St. John's - Sanctuary Roof/Skylights requested $27,200
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $15,000: 16 yes.

WJH-02-08 Dover, St. John's - Electrical Wiring requested $16,420
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $11,466: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-02-09 Hope, St. Luke's - Church Tower & Windows requested $18,218
Motion to fund the church tower: 9 no, 6 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-02-10 Fort Lee, Good Shepherd - Roof Replacements requested $26,000
Motion to fund: 16 yes.
Motion to fund $10,000: 16 yes.

WJH-02-11 Glen Rock, All Saints' - Rectory Renovation requested $50,000
Motion to fund: 15 no, 1 abstention.

WJH-02-12 Teaneck, Christ Church - Heating System Coil requested $1,950
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $1,950: 16 yes.

WJH-02-13 Washington, St. Peter's - Rectory Renovation requested $1,753
Motion to fund: 16 no.

WJH-02-14 Mt. Lakes, St. Peter's - Various Maintenance Projects requested $48,115
Motion to fund: 16 no.

WJH-02-15 Belleville, Christ Church - Electrical Repair requested $1,503
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $1,503: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-02-16 Nutley, Grace Church - Repair Projects reduced to $3,412
Motion to fund: 15 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $3,000: 15 yes, 1 abstention.

WJH-02-17 Ringwood, Good Shepherd -Rewiring & Heating Projects postponed

WJH-02-18 North Bergen, Transfiguration - Rectory Kitchen Repairs removed
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported on the May 16th UTO Ingathering which will feature the Rev. Paul Walker as the preacher. The June board meeting will set goals for the upcoming year.

AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT TO CONSIDER THE ROLE OF COUNCIL

The Rev. Briggett Keith, the Rev. Jack Stanton, the Rev. Bill Riker and Ms. Doris Mardirosian presented their report and led the activities of small and large group discussions. (Used the acronym C-SPEEDY: Community development, Spirituality, Education, Elderly, Diversity, Youth.)

Theme – Common Threads From The Visioning Convocation
Spirituality
Diversity (and anti-prejudice)
Community Development (and outreach and mission)
Education (and lay ministry development)
Elderly (at-risk, mental health, personal)
Youth (at risk, programs, education, worship)
Parish Collaboration

Introduction - Briggett
Purpose – To relate the work of the Diocesan Council, the Visioning Convocation and Diocesan Canon 5 (Duties of the Council)
We see this as an ongoing planning process.
Take time in future meetings if OK with Bishop Croneberger.
We will take the data from today to plan for discussion in the June meeting
and also to plan work for the summer.

Bible Study and the Seven Visioning Threads - Bill
Return of the Disciples – St. Luke 10:17-20
Meet in groups of 3 – read the Bible passage – see the excitement in ministry
Share stories of excitement in ministry in our own lives and relate them to the
Seven Visioning Threads (or areas of ministry).

Discussion – Groups of 6 - Jack
A. Tell another person's story in four sentences.
B. Which of the seven areas of ministry are represented by these stories?
Appoint a Recorder.

Full Council Discussion - Briggett
Recorders report on the seven areas of ministry noted in their group.
Record on newsprint
Everyone votes with four dots for their own priorities.

The Committee will review the findings and take the information from this meeting for future planning by the Diocesan Council with special emphasis on our strengths and assist the Diocesan Council in deciding our next steps together. The committee will report back at the June meeting.

It was moved and seconded to temporarily adjourn the meeting of Council.

RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation.

It was moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:

Diocesan Representative Trustees (Terms expire May 2004): The Rev. David Gable, Grace, Rutherford; Ms. Naomi Horsky, St. Gabriel's, Milton/Oak Ridge.

Rutherford Trustees (Terms expire May 14, 2003): Ms. Joida Burtis, Ms. Barbara Chadwick, Ms. Annette DiTomaso, the Rev. Ray Frazier, Ms. Anita Mauterer, Ms. Mary Ann Murray, Ms. Barbara Russell.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Rutherford Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

HILLSDALE SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Senior Housing Corporation.

It was moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:

Diocesan Representative Trustee (Term expires May 2007): Mrs. Mary Hampton.

Hillsdale Trustees (Terms expire May 14, 2003): Mr. Bruce M. Bloch, Ms. Angela Williamson, Mr. George Norman, Mrs. Nancy DeNoble, Mrs. Barbara Blinn, Ms. Chessie Kouba, Ms. Gean Kling, Ms. Collette Killian.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Hillsdale Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

NUTLEY EPISCOPAL SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Housing Corporation.

It was moved and seconded that the following nominees be elected to the Board of Trustees in the categories and for the terms noted:

Nutley Trustees (Terms expire May 14, 2003): Mr. John Agostini, Mr. Robert Mulligan, Mr. Louis Riccio. (Diocesan Representatives and nearly all the Nutley Trustees were elected at the March 2002 meeting.)

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Nutley Episcopal Senior Housing Corporation. The motion was adopted.

The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council.

JERSEY CITY EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Mr. Sidney King moved the following persons be elected to the board of Episcopal Community Development for the terms of office as listed:

Annemarie Uebbing (proposed term – January, 2002 to December, 2005)
Ben Dineen (proposed term – January, 2002 to December, 2004)
Mildred Dorsey (proposed term – April, 2002 to March, 2005)
Arcelio Aponte (proposed term – April, 2002 to March, 2005)
Hilary Michel (proposed term – April, 2002 to March, 2005)
Andrew Hubsch (proposed term – April, 2002 to March, 2005)

The Board is also recommending the following slate of officers for the one-year term of January, 2002 to December, 2002:

Antoinette Neals, President
Peter Van Brunt, Vice President
Carol DeJesus, Vice President
Roger Williams, Secretary
Sidney King, Treasurer

CROSSROADS OUTDOOR MINISTRY BY-LAWS

The Rev. Canon Paul S. Hunt presented the following by-laws revision:

Current:
ARTICLE VIII
OFFICERS

Section 1. The Officers of the Corporation shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected from among the members of the Board of Trustees. If the Board so determines, there shall be elected one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers who need not be members of the Board of Trustees. Such officers shall be elected by the Board of Trustees at the Annual Meeting, and the tenure of office shall be for one (1) year and until such successors are elected and shall have qualified, provided that any such officer may be removed at any time with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Trustees.

If the President is a Diocesan Trustee, then the Vice President must be a Synod Trustee, and if the President is a Synod Trustee, the Vice President must be a Diocesan Trustee. The offices of President and Vice President shall be rotated annually between Synod and Diocesan Trustees.

Proposed:

ARTICLE VIII
OFFICERS

Section 1. The Officers of the Corporation shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These officers shall be elected from among the members of the Board of Trustees. If the Board so determines, there hall be elected one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers who need not be members of the Board of Trustees. Such officers shall be elected by the Board of Trustees at the Annual Meeting, and the tenure of office shall be for two (2) years, and until such successors are elected and shall have qualified, provided that any such officer may be removed at any time with our without cause by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Board of Trustees.

The board had recognized that a one year term for officers was not practical and really hindered smooth operation. Also, even though the camp was a joint venture, it was not believed that the denominational restrictions on the President and Vice President positions were needed and could mitigate against selecting the appropriate leadership. More importantly, the Board members operated as a unified board.

It was moved and seconded to approve the revisions to the by-laws. The motion was adopted.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dean Weber announced the North Jersey Christian/Muslim dialogue was scheduled for next Wednesday, May 15 at St. Paul's, Paterson. The topic was "Peace in the Life of the Believer."

Canon Hunt reported that the Rev. Bill Coats announced his retirement from St. Clement's, Hawthorne, effective July 31; the Rev. Brad Whitaker had accepted a call to Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

Bishop Croneberger described the events planned for the May 21 visit to the diocese by the young people from the diocese of Los Angeles on their national tour, Hands in Healing.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary

The next meeting date is Wednesday, June 12, 2002, St. Agnes', Little Falls.



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