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THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK
Present: The Rt. Rev. Mark Beckwith; President; The Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher, Assistant Bishop; Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer; Mr. Michael Francaviglia, Secretary; Diane Sammons, Esq., Chancellor. Elected by Districts: Mr. Steven Boston, The Rev. Janet Broderick, Ms. Faith Gideon Brown, Ms. Glenda deKruif, Mr. Henry Faulkner, The Rev. David Gable, Ms. Lois Gray, The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo, Mr. Robert Harwood, Mr. Bert Jones, The Rev. George Kaswarra, The Rev. Kathryn King, The Rev. Paul Olsson, Ms. Catherine Potter, The Rev. William Potter, The Rev. Stuart Smith, Ms. Mary Sunden, Ms. Patty Watts, The Rev. Fain Webb, The Rev. Sandye Wilson. Bishop's Appointments: Ms. Gail Barkely, The Rev. Joseph Harmon, Ms. Carol Taylor. Absent: Canon R. Carter Echols, The Rev. Gray Lesesne Staff: Ms. Kitty Kawecki (for the work group time) An orientation session for the new members was conducted by the Steering Committee and was held prior to the start of the evening. Bishop Mark Beckwith introduced the new members and welcomed the returning members. COUNCIL WORK GROUP MEETINGS The work groups met separately for Bible study (Luke 15:11-32) and discussion. The meeting was opened at 8:00 p.m. with prayer by Bishop Beckwith. AGENDA The agenda was adopted as prepared. MINUTES Motion: It was moved to accept the minutes for the meeting of February 14, 2007. The motion was seconded and adopted. EPISCOPAL COMMUNICATIONS Bishop Beckwith's comments included: . Reported on his upcoming attendance to the House of Bishops' (HOB) meeting beginning on Thursday, March 15. The presiding bishop communicated that their time together was planned for discussion and not decision-making. . Announced appointments to a committee on role clarification and structures of three diocesan organizations: Trustees of the Episcopal Fund and Diocesan Properties, Diocesan Council and Standing Committee. The representation would be: Mr. Michael Rehill and Mr. John Garde from the Trustees; Ms. Patrice Henderson and the Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton from the Standing Committee; and, the Rev. Paul Olsson and Ms. Carol Taylor from the Diocesan Council. He will appoint two other people. He will chair the committee which will work with an independent facilitator. The review will consider such matters as What do the national and diocesan canons say about each group?; Where are the connections and collisions?; What can be devised to have increased collaboration for the betterment of the diocese? Resolutions, if any, will be published and available by December 1 for consideration by the 2008 diocesan convention. . Invited people to join the daily noontime worship services at Episcopal House. Bishop Gallagher's comments included: . Asked for prayers for the HOB, all bishops and for Presiding Bishop Katharine Schori Jefferts. WORK GROUP SHARING Work groups reported back on their respective missions and plans for the year. Congregational Vitality - Ms. Faith Gideon Brown and other members reported the work group welcomed a new member. The charge for work group was to help our congregations understand where they were on a continuum of vitality; assist them with conversations about capacity for ministry and in developing action steps. The group had developed tools for congregations to study, and was available to serve as a resource. Inclusion - The Rev. Janet Broderick reported welcoming four new members. The group has begun discussing the different possibilities before them during the year. There was a deep desire to engage with inclusion at a deeper level. This year's work promised to be exciting. Additionally, there was discussion about the revised canon on anti-racism training and how a more meaningful program could be developed to bring churches and people closer together. Discipleship - Mr. Henry Faulkner reported welcoming three new members to the group. Last year's work reviewing for diocesan distribution the Safeguarding God's Children program was examined. It was agreed that the focus for the group was more about a message than a product, and determining what resources were available and how to develop resources when needed. Being forward thinking with new ideas was discussed and using today's popular media, such as recording the Daily Office into a podcast. Outreach - Ms. Mary Sunden reported that two new members joined the group. Reviewed the group's task and to-do lists. Representatives from the work group will make visits to different organizations and report back to the work group. Work will continue with the outreach grant process and develop guidelines for granting priorities. TREASURER'S REPORT Mr. John Zinn, Treasurer, presented the report. Pledge income for the first two months was less than one month behind budget; this was typical for the time of year. The Voice appeal revenue was offset by the 2006 Voice expenses. The convention and conference fee income line consisted of fees from convention and the farewell dinner for Bishop Croneberger. Outreach, mission and program lines were funded to the extent requested. Staff lines were over budget due to the payment of the first quarter's insurance premium. There were still additional expenses connected to the consecration and the transition; a full reconciliation would be available later in the year. At the end of February the operating deficit was $157,000. The Episcopal Reserve overage was from the Bishop Croneberger farewell. Last year, there were several un-received and outstanding pledges that were written off. However, payments were being made and about $5000 to $7000 may be realized and would be considered part of this year's income. Last month, letters were mailed to congregations asking them to confirm their estimated giving for 2007. Since then, 70 have responded, and the estimate was increased overall by $20,000. Motion: It was moved and seconded to accept the report, subject to audit. The motion was adopted. JERSEY CITY FUNDS Mr. John Zinn reported that the value of the Jersey City Funds were $3,292,928 as of December 31, 2006. During 2006, the expenditures totaled $182,318 (insurance, property maintenance and repairs, utilities, storage, church program), and investment income was $103,116. The building expenses were for the St. John's property that included the rectory building. The Diocesan Convention in 1997 designated all proceeds of sales of all church assets, including those of the former Ascension, St. John's and Grace Greenville, to fund the Jersey City Strategy and authorized the Diocesan Council to approve all aspects of the implementation of the strategy. There were two assets in Jersey City, the property on Cator Avenue and the St. John's property that if either or both were sold the proceeds would become part of the Jersey City Funds. The St. John's property consists of a rectory and a church building. He did know what amount was paid as rent by the Jersey City CDC. The church building was in poor condition, and a decision had been made by Council to raze it with the first step being the asbestos removal. There was interest in retaining the church building by the Historical Commission, and conversations had begun about the issues. STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT Council Handbook Updates Revisions to the handbooks were distributed to returning members. The new members of council were provided handbooks during the orientation session. Convention 2007 Actions A list of action items decided by the 2007 Diocesan Convention were distributed. ACTS/VIM Guidelines Ms. Mary Sunden presented for ratification the recommendations from the ACTS/VIM Board to revise policies regarding publicity and eligibility. The publicity changes included (text in italics from ACTS/VIM minutes, 9/28/06): - Application-preparing workshops in January and June (Scheduling classes, both in January and June, to discuss any questions about the application, as well as grant writing help, discussions of ideas, and concerns about applicability.) - Process change review at District meetings (Hosting informational sessions at the District meetings to discuss the changes.) - Annual District meeting presentations (Attend District Meetings, annually, to discuss the funding process, and to better acquaint possible new applicants with a board member to discuss issues on a one on one basis.) - Workshops at Diocesan Convention and Celebrating Creative Congregations (Continue to host workshops at Diocesan Convention and Celebrating Creative Congregations.) - Board member participation commitment in above efforts: job description revision, additional meetings. (Each board member would make a commitment to participate in these workshops and district meetings. The job description of the Board members would be revised to include these new responsibilities.) The applicant eligibility and funding changes included (text in italics from ACTS/VIM minutes, 9/28/06): - Congregational contribution information request clarification (For the source(s) of congregational contribution, determine what the support might be and how much and defined in what terms. And when did it occur? The board would want to know the level of commitment by the congregation with the program, whether financial or in-kind. The congregation should be involved in the project - financially, in-kind or with volunteer time and support.) - Budget year definition clarification (Specify that the "Budget year" meant the current year) - Need description definition clarification (Under "Description of Need" text should be included that indicates the number of people served and number of people who need this help. The population should be clearly identified.) - Funding return non-cap affective (If an institution returns the funding, this funding does not count toward their cap.) Motion: It was moved and seconded that these changes as outlined above were ratified. The motion was adopted. There were other issues that would take additional discussions between the ACTS/VIM Board and Diocesan Council. Ms. Mary Sunden and Ms. Faith Gideon Brown would participate on behalf of Council. The other issues included: - Eligibility limited to institutions fiscally responsible to the Diocese of Newark or the Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, those included as diocesan budget line items ineligible. (As to eligibility, to be eligible for a grant an "institution must be fiscally responsible to the Diocese of Newark or the Bishop of the Diocese of Newark." The institution needs to be overseen by the diocese or the bishop. The current language was "proposals should demonstrate a clear Episcopal congregational or diocesan relationship." Institution shall be described as the applicant seeking funds and any Congregation which is sponsoring that applicant. This would exclude several organizations that had previously been considered for funding, such as Newark School of Theology or Seamen's Church Institute.) - Tier system restricting granting: $20K x 3, $10K x 3. (As to restrictions of funds, we proposed a tier system. The first 3 times an institution is funded, it shall be allowed to ask for $20,000. The 4th time to the 6th time, inclusive, the institution is funded, it shall be allowed to ask for $10,000.) - Cap and calendar system: $10K x 1 specified annual schedule. (An institution that is coming to us for the 7th time or more to be funded, shall only be able to be funded at a cap of $10,000 and only once per year may they come to us. We have placed those institutions that already fall into this category on a cycle. Once an institution is funded for the 6th time, we shall send a letter stating which cycle they are on either the fall or the spring at the board's discretion. We have already allocated the cycles for the institutions that have already been funded 6 times. We are allocating based on alternating the institutions alphabetically.) - Document presentation deadlines: missing at application, 7 days; requested at site visit, 24 hours before hearing. (The review procedures were modified. When we meet for the first review of the applications, we will then send a letter stating the documentation we are missing, and they must send it to the diocesan office within 7 days. If we do not get it, then they are automatically rejected. If we go to the site, and request documents, they must provide them 24 hours prior to the hearing meeting, if feasible, or they are rejected.) Outreach Grant Committee Membership Ms. Mary Sunden reported that members were sought for the Diocesan Outreach Committee. Applications had been received by the deadline of February 1. The first date for the hearings had to be postponed because of scheduling conflicts. Additional members were sought for appointment to the committee. A new date will be selected by the members. DISTRICT SHARING District 1: The Rev. Bill Potter reported the recent clergy conversation with Bishop Beckwith was a wonderful event. The district was not offering a district-wide Lenten program this year. District 2: Ms. Patty Watts reported the recent district meeting that featured Bishop Beckwith was an evening of lively discussion about the purpose of the district, its past and future. She reported that Towaco and Lincoln Park were collaborating on a Lenten program, but not a district-wide event. District 4: The Rev. Sandye Wilson reported the recent clergy conversation with Bishop Beckwith was also well received. District 5: Mr. Bert Jones expressed some exasperation with the participation level within the district. The next district meeting and a district confirmation were scheduled for April and he was hopeful for better cooperation, including from clergy members. He suggested that the daytime meetings scheduled for district conveners was inconvenient for lay conveners and was disappointed that minutes were not circulated. District 6: Mr. Henry Faulkner reported that the district had invited the local state Assembly member, Mr. Louis Manzo, to discuss his legislation dealing with youth offenders and the expungement of youth records. District 7: Mr. Robert Harwood reported the next meeting was scheduled for tomorrow. District 9: The Rev. Kathryn King reported the next meeting was scheduled for Sunday, March 18 and the topic was a discussion on ministry capacity areas. District 10: The Rev. Stuart Smith reported the district was re-developing itself. An effort was being made to expand representation to include people involved on the diocesan level and to increase involvement by the congregations. ANNOUNCEMENTS . Ms. Doris Mardirosian reported on this year's World of Women honoring women clergy and women parish administrators. The event was scheduled for Saturday, 28 at noon at Church of the Saviour in Denville. The deadline for the submission of the biographies was April 1. . The Rev. Fain Webb reported on the "Step It Up 2007" rally on April 14, 2007, a national day of climate action, that was scheduled for Church of the Good Shepherd in Wantage. . In the spirit of environmental concerns, Ms. Patty Watts reminded the members to recycle their plastic water bottles. . The Rev. Sandye Wilson announced several events scheduled to protest the war in Iraq that included an event at the National Cathedral and NYC's Dag Hammarskjöld Park (the latter sponsored by the Episcopal Peace Fellowship). . The Rev. Mariano Gargiulo invited members to the Apirl 28 "Doo Wop" concert at St. James' in Ridgefield. Meeting Evaluation - Bishop Beckwith asked the members for their reactions to the meeting. What worked well? People responded that the opening mixing activity worked quite well. How could this Council have spent its time better tonight? Working groups were getting more active and should have more time together than what was allotted with the Bible study. The meeting was closed with prayer. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michael Francaviglia, Secretary  --Return to Diocese of Newark Home PageReturn to Top of Page |