Wednesday, May 12, 2004
St. Agnes' Church, Little Falls
Approved Minutes of the Meeting

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, The Rev. Hank Dwyer, The Rev. Janet Kraft, Ms. Susan Kynor, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Mr. Andrew Piccirillo, The Rev. William Potter, Ms. Nancy Read, The Rev. Elton Smith, The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley, Ms. Lynn Tyler, The Rev. Fain Webb.

Bishop's Appointments: Mr. Sidney King, The Rev. Paul Williams.

Absent: Mr. Don Roberts, The Rev. Prince Singh, Ms. Carol Taylor, Ms. Pat Yankus

ECW: Mrs. Doris Mardirosian.

Others Present:: Ms. Mary Sunden, The Rev. Maggie Gat

Staff: Canon R. Carter Echols; The Rev. Canon Paul Hunt, The Rt. Rev. Martin G. Townsend, Ms. Kai Alston, Ms. Kitty Kawecki

COUNCIL TASK FORCE MEETINGS

After Bible study and prior to the start of the business session, the task forces met individually. The bishop characterized the efforts of the task forces as "important for the work of the diocese."

The meeting was opened at 7:55 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Hank Dwyer.

AGENDA

Motion: It was moved and seconded to adopt the agenda with the addition of a resolution funding debts temporarily for St. Mark's, West Orange from ECLF Fund 2, and the delay until next month of the Hillsdale Housing Corporation elections. The motion was adopted.

MINUTES

Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes for the meeting of April 14, 2004. The motion to accept the minutes was adopted.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATION

The bishop commented on the following:

Christ Church, Ridgewood: during the past several weeks, The Rev. Tim Barrett and others from the Grace Counseling Center had met with parishioners and staff. This coming Sunday an episcopal visit by Bishop Croneberger was scheduled to meet the vestry and wardens.

St. Mark's, West Orange: during the past month, the decision to cease the worship services at St. Mark's was reached because of financial difficulties. Meetings were held with the wardens, vestry and parishioners. The closing service was held on Sunday, May 2. Decisions such as the closing of St. Mark's needed to be made in a larger context geographically with a sense of oversight that addresses such questions as What is the vision? Strategy and discussion must lead to action. Questions of stewardship must be asked when discussing the use of resources. What's being accomplished? What ministry is happening? How many people are being served?

Expressed appreciation for the support and assistance from Bishop Townsend and especially during the week following the last Council meeting when he was ill.

Ordinations were scheduled on June 5 for the diaconate and June 12 for the transitional deacons (preachers will be Bishop Croneberger on June 5 and The Rev. Stephanie Wethered for the 12th); clergy day was scheduled for Tuesday, May 18 with Dr. Deidre Good.

TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr. John Zinn presented the treasurer's report. Year to date deficit was lowered somewhat. The full budget review was underway and would be prepared for the June meeting with specific recommendations.

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

ST. MARK'S, WEST ORANGE

Mr. John Zinn brought to the Council a request regarding St. Mark's Church in West Orange that closed as a worshiping community on May 2. The congregation had accumulated payables of about $30,000 that had to be resolved. They were all church related expenses for utilities, insurance, church supplies and other operating expenses. In addition to rental income for the property (both current and potential) the church had endowments of approximately $282,000. By far the largest of these funds was the Annie Howe Memorial ($254,000), the use of which was restricted to the income. Possible tenants for the property were being considered.

The proposal was to borrow up to $40,000 from Fund 2 of the ECLF to repay the existing bills and any other ongoing expenses that may have to be paid until the rental issues have been resolved. Last month the Council approved a $215,000 loan to St. Mark's in Teaneck from this fund, but St. Mark's had subsequently received a loan from the Episcopal Church Building Fund and no longer needed the money. The primary source of repayment for this loan will be the income on the endowment that averaged about $8,000 per year. On that basis the loan would be repaid in about five years. The intention was to go to court to obtain relief from the income only restriction on the Howe Fund in which case some of the principal would be available to repay this loan. The loan would become a claim against the property so that the sale of the property would be an alternative

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that $40,000 be borrowed by ECLF Fund 2 to repay the existing bills and other ongoing expenses at St. Mark's, West Orange.

ACTS/VIM BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

The Rev. Maggie Gat, Board Chair, 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-04-01 Denville, Church of The Saviour - Youth Ministry Program $6,000
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $4,500: 12 yes.

AV-04-03 Boonton, St. John's CDC - Community Summer Program 10,000*
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $5,525: 12 yes.

AV-04-04 Montvale, St. Paul's - Computer Outreach 2,750
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $2,000: 12 yes.

AV-04-05 Kearny, Trinity 12,500
Project Serve: Plant the Seeds, Reap the Vision
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $7,000: 12 yes.

AV-04-07 Hackettstown, St. James' - St. James' Church Deaf Outreach 17,000
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $9,625: 12 yes.

AV-04-09 Newark, Newark School of Theology 10,000*
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $5,462: 12 yes.

AV-04-10 Newark, Grace Church - Homework Club 10,000*
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $5,525: 12 yes.

AV-04-11 Fort Lee, Good Shepherd 10,000*
Friends for Life/Good Shepherd Community Services
Motion to fund: 11 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $5,525: 11 yes, 1 abstention.

AV-04-12 Hasbrouck Heights, St. John the Divine 10,000*
Care on the Corner Community Service Center
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $5,525: 12 yes.

AV-04-13 Newark, Prison Ministry - Campership Program 4,000
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $2,500: 12 yes.

AV-04-14 Newark, AIDS Resource Center - Project for Dependent Children 10,000*
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $5,600: 12 yes.

AV-04-15 Madison, Grace Church 7,315
Episcopal Campus Ministry at Drew University
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $4,000: 12 yes.

AV-04-16 Belleville, Christ Church - Mary and Martha Soup Kitchen 10,000*
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $4,800: 12 yes as noted.
The funds should not be spent solely on the purchase of dinnerware and flatware. The director of the program was requested to contact the Rev. Maggie Gat, chair of the Board, before spending the funds.

AV-04-17 Chatham, St. Paul's - Vacation Bible School 6,000
Motion to fund: 12 yes.
Motion to fund $3,313: 12 yes.
AV-04-18 Hackensack, Christ Church CDC - Next Steps Initiative 10,000*
Motion to fund: 10 yes, 2 abstentions.
Motion to fund $5,600: 10 yes, 2 abstentions.

Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $76,500

WARD J. HERBERT FUND BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS

Ms. Mary Sunden, Board Chair, 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.

WJH-04-01 Oradell, Annunciation $6,450
Repair & renovation of the rectory
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $3,000: 15 yes.
Sweat equity generally not accepted to raise the congregational half and should be the exception rather than the rule. The church should have made a claim to the insurance company for the water damage. The award was for the furnace.

WJH-04-02 Kearny, Trinity 1,756
Parish house roof repair; termite damage repair
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $1,000: 15 yes.
Give half of what was documented now or reject

WJH-04-03 Orange, All Saints' 22,530
Parish hall roof, basement asbestos, mold
Motion to fund: 15 no.

WJH-04-04 Washington, St. Peter's 14,425
Rectory repairs, church boiler replacement
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $9,000: 15 yes.
The grant will fund the sagging floor, the stair case, water damage repairs and heating sytem.

WJH-04-05 Montclair, St. John's - Sanctuary roof replacement 26,250
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $4,000: 15 yes.

WJH-04-06 Secaucus, Our Saviour - Parish hall roof repair, window repairs 1,475
The liaisons and the church representatives were unable to meet. The request would be held over into cycle two.

WJH-04-07 Union City, St. John's - Parish hall window leaks 1,150
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $1,000: 15 yes.

WJH-04-08 Teaneck, Christ Church - Heating system update, minor repairs 6,288
Since the application presented a situation that was not a standard 50/50 request, it was referred to the executive committee for consideration as a fund two project. Further inquiry by Jim Caputo would be made for possible roll over of some of the request into the next cycle.

WJH-04-09 Paramus, St. Matthew's - Repair church wooden laminate arches 18,750
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $15,000: 15 yes.
Project needed to be completed all at once, rather than in stages.

WJH-04-10 Newark, St. Andrew's - Kitchen roof & exterior wall repairs 6,450
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $6,000: 15 yes.
The executive committee will determine further financial assistance.

WJH-04-11 Tenafly, Atonement - Sanctuary and organ chamber repairs 9,050
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $4,000: 15 yes.

WJH-04-12 Teaneck, St. Mark's - Fire detection system 6,500
Motion to fund: 14 yes, 1 abstention.
Motion to fund $3,900: 14 yes, 1 abstention.
The town fire department required the detection system to be replaced. The inspector filed the issue as a safety violation. State law adopted ten years ago required all municipalities to notify churches and non-profits that the buildings needed to be sprinkled or fire detection system.

WJH-04-13 Succasunna, St. Dunstan's - Church roof replacement 8,000
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $4,000: 15 yes.
A motion to defer until the next grant cycle was defeated.

WJH-04-14 Nutley, Grace - Rectory and church roof repairs 4,984
Motion to fund: 15 no.

WJH-04-15 Lincoln Park, St. Andrew's - Parish hall furnaces 7,800
Motion to fund: 15 yes.
Motion to fund $3,000: 15 yes.

WJH-04-16 Bergenfield, All Saints' - Rectory exterior repairs 2,250
Motion to fund: 13 yes, 2 abstentions
Motion to fund $2,000: 13 yes, 2 abstentions.

Total recommendation to Diocesan Council: $59,500

EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN

Ms. Doris Mardirosian expressed her thanks for the participation of Bishop Croneberger and Canon Echols in this year's "Honoring Women" lunch. Since its inception over 400 women were honored. North Porch will be a recipient of an upcoming NJPAC concert along with several other nonprofits. A recent Province 2 ECW meeting adopted a resolution supporting the work of the church in Haiti for women and children. The resolution called for congregations in each diocese to raise funds; our diocese was asked to raise $4500.

DISTRICT SHARING

District 1: The Rev. William Potter reported on Bishop Townsend's visit with the clergy.

District 3: The Rev. Paul Olsson reported that the district began to forge plans together as a district. Studying what programs could be jointly held for the youth. There was positive momentum. Two parishes continued not to participate, one on principle and another which was struggling with time to survive. A bi-lingual confirmation service was scheduled for St. Peter's, Morristown.

District 4: The Rev. Bevan Stanley reported the monthly meeting canceled because of confirmation prep, but over 200 persons were confirmed in the district. The Rev. Sandye Wilson will be installed on May 15; Bishop Michael Curry will be the preacher.

District 5: The Rev. Paul Williams reported on the visit by Bishop Townsend for a confirmation service when over 50 people were confirmed and attended by 400 persons. The district continued meeting bi-monthly with a specific topic of discussion.

District 6: The Rev. Janet Kraft reported that seven of the eleven congregations have responded to emails and have now begun to share information. There were two summer programs planned and two building projects planned on the congregational level and the churches were beginning to work together.

District 7: The Rev. Hank Dwyer reported that two of the ordinands were from the district:, Nancy Read as deacon and Lorraine Dughi as transitional deacon. Dughi will be working for Trinity, Kearny, St. Peter's, Clifton and St. Peter's Haven. Spanish language services continued at Kearny, Hasbrouck Heights and Belleville.

District 8: The Rev. Randall Day reported that the district was having the "Magnetic Church" conference later this month; 78 registered so far. The workshop featured Andrew Weeks. Trinity, Cliffside Park continues with Archie Palmer as interim. Johan deKruif will be confirmed later this month.

District 9: The Rev. Elton Smith reported on a youth trip planned to the Seamen's Church Institute. On June 27, The Rev. John Negrotto will retire. The young people collected items for SCI.

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

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:

Diocesan Representative Trustees: Class of 2005: The Rt. Rev. Martin G. Townsend; Class of 2007: Mr. William Godsall, Grace, Nutley; and The Rev. Oscar Mockridge.

Nutley Trustees (Terms expire May 11, 2005): Mr. John Agostini, The Rev. Pamela Bakal, Mr. James Blanda, Mr. James T. Callaghan, Ms. Sandra Carella, Mr. Thomas Corino, Mr. Robert Mulligan, Mr. David Pellnitz, Mr. Louis Riccio, Ms. AnnMae Thibault.

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

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

RUTHERFORD SENIOR HOUSING CORPORATION

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

Diocesan Representative Trustees (Term expires May 2006): The Rev. George Bowen and Ms. Naomi Horsky.

Rutherford Trustees (Terms expire May 11, 2005): Ms. Rachelle Bialek, Ms. Barbara Chadwick, The Rev. Ray Frazier, Ms. Maria Teresa Gutierrez, Mr. George Hensel, Mr. John Hipp, The Rev. William D. Howden, Ms. Constance Keeler, and Ms. Denise Ross.

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

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BY-LAWS

Mr. John Zinn presented the revised by-laws for the Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The by-laws were reviewed by the Chancellor.

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted to approve the revised by-laws for ECD.

EPISCOPAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELECTIONS

The following names were presented for election to the ECD Board of Directors:

Terms expiring May 2005: John Webb, Jennifer Hauge, Mary Sunden, John Zinn
Terms expiring May 2006: Ron Hermance, Kris Retlin, Bill Parnell, Stuart Christie
Terms expiring May 2007: Frank Failla, Peter Van Brunt, George Reeves, Michael James

Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Episcopal Community Development Corporation. The motion was adopted.

The President called to order the Annual Meeting of the Canterbury Village Corporation.

CANTERBURY VILLAGE TRUSTEES' ELECTIONS

Motion: It was moved, seconded and adopted that the following be elected to the Canterbury Village Board of Trustees, Class of 2007: Mr. William (Tim) Carpenter, Ms. Patricia Dreher, The Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton and The Rev. E. Bevan Stanley.

The other trustees were: Ms. Hope Lampe, Class of 2005; Mr. Junius (Jay) Powell, Class of 2005; Ms. Diane Rhodes, Class of 2005; The Rev. Donald Shearer, Class of 2005; Ms. Jessie Wilkerson, Class of 2005; Ms. Leslie Barnes, Class of 2006; Mr. Gerry Lavner, Class of 2006
Mr. Laurence Taber, Class of 2006. Honorary Trustees were Ms. Gladys Stumpf and Ms. Edith Wilson.

Motion: It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Annual Meeting of the Canterbury Village Corporation. The motion was adopted.

The President reconvened the meeting of the Diocesan Council.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation was holding a dedication of the Eugenia Suthern Homes at 80-82 Storms Avenue, Jersey City on May 22. Ms. Suthern continued to be an active member within the diocese and served on numerous boards and committees, including ECD.

The Oasis 15th anniversary service was scheduled for June 1 at Christ Church, Ridgewood and would feature Bishop Croneberger and Bishop Gene Robinson. On May 17 in the state of Massachusetts, marriage for gay and lesbian couples will become available. A number of clergy would file a brief in support of the seven couples in New Jersey represented by Lambda Legal Education and Defense Fund who were seeking the right to marry.

A listing of summer camping opportunities had been produced by Ms. Kai Alston, diocesan youth missioner.

The Essex Chorale concert was scheduled for June 6 at 4 p.m. Christ Church in East Orange.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. with prayer by The Rev. Paul Olsson.

Respectfully submitted,


Michael Francaviglia,
Secretary

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