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DIOCESE OF NEWARK - DIOCESAN COUNCIL

Wednesday, April 14, 2004
St. Agnes' Church, Little Falls
Approved Minutes of the Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2004
St. Agnes', Little Falls

Present: The Rt. Rev. John P. Croneberger; President; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor.

Elected by Districts: Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Mr. Donald Cairns, The Rev. Canon Gervais Clarke, The Rev. Lu-Ann Conner, The Rev. Randall Day, Ms. Glenda DeKruif, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Elton Smith, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, Ms. Lynn Tyler, The Rev. Fain Webb, Ms. Pat Yankus.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Prince Singh.

Absent: The Rev. Hank Dwyer, The Rev. Janet Kraft, Ms. Nancy Read, Mr. Don Roberts, Ms. Carol Taylor, The Rev. Paul Williams, Ms. Valda Wright.

ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.

Others Present:

Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt.

The meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m. with prayer by Ms. Glenda DeKruif.

COUNCIL PLENARY ON TASK FORCE WORK

Bishop Croneberger shared his excitement and optimism for the work of the task forces as they begin to develop their new roles. The values established by the Council which are reflected in the four task forces (Congregational Vitality, Inclusion, Discipleship and Apostolate mirror his own and those he holds as important to lead to a healthy diocese. He welcomed the partnership with council members in sharing the responsibility and in asking actively and aloud the questions, "Are these values being carried out in this diocese?"; "Are there areas where we need to be looking?"; and, "How well are we living into these values?"

The Congregational Vitality task force might want to consider asking if corporately we are being good stewards of our resources that include finances and property? How will congregations be assisted to proclaim the Gospel using limited resources in the best way? Do we delay in accepting the challenges when resources are inadequately or improperly being used? There are difficult times when we must ponder and decide what do we do with the resources that we have when we don't have all the resources that we would like to have. The creation of partnerships could well be one solution which broadens the vision and strengthens the situation. The districts have the potential of being the strongest link within the diocese.

He cautioned the Inclusion task force not to assume that we are already an inclusive diocese. He urged the task force to challenge that thinking and to question, "Who aren't we trusting because they are different from us?"

For the Discipleship task force, whose work embraces Christian Formation, he would suggest that it ask "What are the responsibilities of the congregation for growth? How are you (congregants) making and sustaining disciples?"

The Apostolate task force, working on issues of outreach, should examine the work of the community development corporations and other organizations throughout the diocese, and review their organization and coordination.

Each task force should determine what data necessary to do their work and from whom to get the data.

During the plenary session, each task force met to reflect on the bishop's comments and their next steps.

AGENDA
Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda as prepared. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of March 10, 2004. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATION

Reported on the recent situation at Christ Church, Ridgewood. The Rev. Al Jousset resigned his position as rector and renounced his ordination vows. The bishop, canons and chancellor met with members of the congregation on Palm Sunday afternoon. All actions taken were done correctly and as required by the canons. At the chapel service earlier in the day, the statement of deposition was read and Mr. Jousset was deposed from the priesthood.

Reported that St. Peter's, Essex Fells, had issued a call to a new rector, but the person decided not to continue with the call.

Reported on the recent Renewal of Vows service that included healing prayers and participation of lay persons.

Commented that Bishop Townsend had been touring the diocese this week while on vacation with his wife, Barbara.

Described his participation at the recent House of Bishops' meeting where he was in a small group of twenty that included the retired bishop of Pittsburgh, the bishop suffragan of Pittsburgh and the current diocesan of Pittsburgh. The decisions of the House were responsibly made and that he fully supported them. It was the desire of the bishops to be inclusive and welcoming of the traveling bishops, however their participation in any diocese would need the permission of the diocesan bishop. While he would welcome a visiting bishop into the diocese, he would not permit a visiting bishop to perform ordinations or confirmations.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn presented the treasurer's report. Problems earlier reported with pledge income continued to be of concern. An overall budget review would be conducted and a report presented to Council in either May or June.

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

ST. MARK'S, TEANECK LOAN REQUEST

Mr. John Zinn moved the following resolution in support of a loan request from St. Mark's, Teaneck.

Motion: Resolved that a loan for $215,000 be made to St. Mark's Church in Teaneck from Fund 2 of the Episcopal Capital Loan Fund at an interest rate equal to the quarterly dividend rate for Fund A of the Diocesan Investment Trust. The motion was seconded and adopted.

Mr. Zinn explained that St. Mark's Church in Teaneck was undertaking a $350,000 renovation of the church and parish hall. The church received $319,000 in pledges and gifts to a capital campaign for this project and expected to raise the $30,000 difference from new pledges and grants. The church applied to the Episcopal Church Building Fund for a loan, but that request had been delayed. Since construction was already well underway, the church needed to have funding in place to complete the project on a timely basis.

Specifically, the proposal was to make this loan from Fund 2 of the Episcopal Capital Loan Fund. This fund was set up by the 1997 Diocesan Convention in order to refinance the debt of the Church of the Messiah in Chester/Long Valley and St. Thomas' Church in Vernon. Endowment funds that were invested in Fund A of the DIT were transferred to Fund 2 and used to repay these two loans. Under this arrangement the endowment funds received the same interest that would have been earned from Fund A of the DIT and the cost to the churches and the diocese was significantly lower than bank interest rates.

In January of 2002, the Department of Missions used some of its funds to repay the Church of the Messiah's debt, which freed up a significant amount of funds in Fund 2 of the ECLF. In June of 2002, the Diocesan Council approved using some of this money to make a loan to St. Mark's Church in Mendham as part of its renovation project. There was currently over $500,000 available so there were sufficient funds to make this loan.

The source of repayment for the loan was the pledges to the church's capital campaign. The loan will have a maturity date of no later than December 31, 2006 with payments to be made as pledges were collected and interest payable quarterly. The specific repayment terms will be worked out with the church. The alternative source of repayment would be to convert the loan into a long-term mortgage. Other than a $25,000 balance on an ECLF loan, the church did not have any debt, the church and the rectory would provide more than adequate collateral for such a loan.

The only area of concern was the operating deficit for 2003 that was apparently due to some short falls in pledges and some expense increases. The issues were addressed in the church's 2004 budget.

DIOCESAN OUTREACH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Motion: Ms. Pat Yankus moved, and it was seconded and adopted that the recommendations from the Outreach Committee as presented last month and provided below be ratified. The motion was adopted.

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

1. St. Mark's Secondary School, Zambia – a request for $20,000 to help meet some of critical needs of the school caused by the distressed economic conditions in Zambia. - $6,750

2 Kakaasi Parish, Ibanda, Uganda – a request for $3,350 to purchase pews for the parish church. - $3,350

3. Diocese of Madras and the Jesse Moses School – a request for $10,000 for the educational expenses of 50 Christian Dalit girls (formerly referred to as untouchables) and the construction of a dorm for them to live in. - $10,000

In the domestic category, the committee received 22 requests that totaled $296,454. Three groups did not appear at the hearings. The process as approved by the Diocesan Council requires that all groups located within the Diocese of Newark appear at the hearings or the request will not be considered. This requirement is included in the request for proposals that is sent out each year. The requests and the recommendations are as follows:

1. St. John's CDC, Boonton, NJ – a request for $10,000 to help fund a summer day camp for the children of low-income families. - $10,000

2. Grace Church, Newark, NJ – a request for $12,000 for an after school program for youth living in public housing in inner city Newark. - $9,400

3. The AIDS Resource Center at St. Barnabas, Newark, NJ – a request for $10,000 for a program to assist congregations and community based organizations with HIV/AIDS training for people living with HIV/AIDS. - $7,500

4. St. Paul's CDC, Paterson, NJ – a request for $40,000 to fund a case management position for the CDC's men's shelter and food pantry programs. - $20,000

5. Grace Church Van Vorst, Jersey City, NJ – a request for $25,000 to provide programs related to heart disease to seniors who participate in the church's Senior Center for Healthy Living. – No funding.

6. Apostles' House, Newark, NJ – a request for $5,000 for general operating support for this organization which provides services to families in need in Newark. - $5,000

7. St. James CDC, Newark, NJ – a request for $15,000 for general operating support for this CDC which is working to revitalize the lower Broadway section of Newark's North Ward. - $13,500

8. Jersey City Episcopal CDC – a request for $30,000 to partially fund the CDC's residential AIDS program and its job-training program. - $20,000

10. Greater Newark and Jersey City LISC – a request for $5,000 in general operating support for this organization which provides financial and technical assistance for the housing development efforts of community based organizations in Newark and Jersey City. - $4,000

11. Good Shepherd Community Services, Ft. Lee, NJ – a request for $11,250 to fund a portion of the program director's compensation for this AIDS/HIV ministry. - $10,000

11. Church of the Epiphany, Orange, NJ – a request for $4,000 to support the parish's food pantry. - $4,000

12 The Care Closet at Christ Church, Belleville – a request for $6,000 to purchase household products and personal hygiene supplies for low-income and poor families and individuals. – $6,000
.
13. Christ Church CDC, Hackensack, NJ – a request for $10,000 to provide next step case management services for the clients of the CDC's homeless shelter. – The CDC was not represented at the outreach hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

14. The Lafayette 4-H Club – a request for $31,809 to the expenses of this youth program.
– The group was not represented at the outreach hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

15. Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless of Essex County – a request for $10,000 for support of the operating budget of this ecumenical program that provides emergency shelter and support services for homeless families in Essex County. - $2,500

16. St. Andrew's Church, Newark – a request for $2,000 to purchase food and supplies for the church's soup kitchen. - $2,000

17. St. Luke's Church, Hope – a request for $16,500 to fund a feasibility study for a proposed hospitality ministry to families with critically ill children that would utilize the church's former rectory. – No funding is recommended

18. Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network – a request for $15,000 to provide supported housing assistance for homeless families. - $7,500

19. Trinity Church, Bayonne – a request for $20,000 to support outreach activities and materials for the church's H.I.G.H.W.A.Y.S. program. Recommended funding – the church was not represented at the hearing and the committee could not consider the request.

20. St. John's Church, Dover – a request for $4,000 to provide prescription medicine for indigent people without medical insurance. - $4,000

21. St. James' Church, Hackettstown – a request for $3,500 to provide ESL classes for adults while providing child care for the their children. - $3,500

22. St. John's Church, Union City – a request for $14,995 to provide seed money for
an eight-week arts based summer camp for local children. - $7,500 subject to the Chief Financial Officer's review of the final budget for the program.

JERSEY CITY EPISCOPAL CDC RESOLUTION

Mr. Sidney King moved the resolution asking for Diocesan Council support for the Opportunity Partners Program of the Jersey City Episcopal CDC.

Motion: The following resolution was moved, seconded and adopted:

RESOLVED, That the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark affirms the "Opportunity Partners Program" funded through the state's 21st Century grant program now its fourth year of operation by the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Diocesan Council urges the Department of Human Services and Commissioner James Davey to continue funding of the "Opportunity Partners Program" of the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation, and to reverse its decision to terminate funding of the program on June 30, 2004; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That Diocesan Council commends to our congregations and their individual memberships to communicate their support of the program to local legislators; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of Diocesan Council communicates the support for the program to the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, the Governor, and the members of the New Jersey Assembly and Senate.

Mr. Cruz explained that the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation, now in its 17th year of operation, emerged as one of the more prominent, community-based leaders to connect the impoverished and marginalized of Jersey City and of the County of Hudson, New Jersey, to tangible opportunities for sustainable economic empowerment. JCECDC had a combined annual budget of more than $4 million and a staff of over 50, and was responsible for providing housing and social services to more than 2,200 persons annually.

A reversal of the proposed state action will restore the funding so that JCECDC could continue to serve the hundreds of consumers who depend on JCECDC's services as they struggle for economic self-sufficiency.

The work of the Opportunity Partners program included:

• Consumers – primarily Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients - are supported by a trained team of professionals that develops jobs around their special needs while providing the mentoring support needed to maximize each consumer's potential, opportunity and capability for obtaining employment.

• Opportunity Partners program provides individualized attention to consumers and is consumer-centered and focused, and is based on honesty and integrity, which fosters respect and dignity in our relationships with consumers.

• Opportunity Partners program is flexible in terms of providing for individualized training needs and has a flexible structure to be able to accept consumers at any point within it's training cycle.

• Opportunity Partners program has developed the uncanny ability to go beyond the basic assessment of consumers by viewing each consumer's potential and hidden talent that is not readily apparent through traditional assessment procedures.

It was imperative to note that:

• Opportunity Partners program has enjoyed the most significant placement and retention rate in the State amongst 21st Century WtW (welfare-to-work) grantees! Over 500 Opportunity Partners consumers – all of which were TANF or GA (government assistance) consumers and with minimal skill levels and scarce work histories – have been placed into full-time employment.

• Based on consumer enrollment, Opportunity Partners program has saved taxpayers significant dollars in welfare benefits and turned welfare recipients into tax contributors who are now impacting the local economy with $7,034,880 in revenue among all statewide 21st Century Grant programs.

Over 1,300 TANF and GA consumers had been enrolled and completed the training and supportive service elements of the OP program.

The need continues and the response by JCECDC was crucial:

• New classes of approximately 30 consumers start every month to participate in a 4-week job readiness class or a 3-month occupational training class. Considering the additional program elements within Opportunity Program (Dress for Success and Post-TANF Program), JCECDC now serves over 3,000 consumers (primarily single women with one or more children) each year.

Elimination of funding would be devastating:

• Funding elimination would result in the termination of more than a dozen jobs – almost all of which are City or County residents, including former consumers!

• The likelihood of JCECDC replacing the 21st Century funding with such a short notification is highly unlikely. Despite its resilience and ability to effectively diversify its funding base, de-funding JCECDC of the 21st Century grant program will have a devastating impact and lead to the imminent closure of one of Hudson County's premier workforce development program.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported on the spring ingathering and meeting of the ECW on Thursday, May 20, Ascension Day, at Trinity + St. Philip's Cathedral. The new handbook was in process and would be ready for a fall distribution.

CROSS ROADS OUTDOOR MINISTRY

Mr. Don Cairns announced that there were significant rentals at Cross Roads this summer, including Youth Consultation Service for a three-week period. Supportive staff were available; the facility will be ready for parish programs.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Elton Smith.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary


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